Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 42 complaints with NHTSA about the 2024 Toyota Highlander, and it carries 7 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unknown or other | 6 | 14% |
| Service brakes | 5 | 12% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 3 | 7% |
| Unknown or other | 2 | 5% |
| Engine | 2 | 5% |
| Structure | 2 | 5% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 5% |
| Power train | 2 | 5% |
| Seat belts | 1 | 2% |
| Electrical system | 1 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
I have been experiencing a gas smell issue with my Toyota Highlander near the rear of the car by gas cap area upon putting in gas and driving. The smell starts typically when it’s a hot day outside and I only usually get
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
Driving the vehicle a strong smell of fuel vapor is noticeable coming from rear driver side of vehicle by rear door and fuel cap area. This happens when car is driven for long periods of time or on hot days. I drive my c
NHTSA complaint: Engine
There is a strong odor of gasoline coming from the car, to the point where the fumes are so strong they’re entering our home and making it very unsafe. We brought the vehicle to the Toyota dealership, and they said they
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
The third row seat belts in the 2024 Highlander are very difficult to latch. I had to bring my Highlander to the dealership twice over the seatbelt buckles in the third row. The buckle part does not lift up high enough t
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
The trunk will not close using any of the buttons. This is an on going issue on so many newer highlanders.
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
The vehicle started stalling out randomly on the highway even with it being automatic, after getting home and parking it , it would not back up or drive . Took it to Toyota dealership and they said it’s an internal failu
NHTSA complaint: Power train
I've been waiting for a recall repair based on a recall file nearly 8 months ago now. This recall still appears to have no remedy. I continue to get emails about this issue from my dealer, but when I call to schedule the
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
The contact owns a 2024 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that there was a leak coming from the roof rack of the vehicle. The contact stated that previous model years since 2021 had experienced similar failures, whic
NHTSA complaint: Structure
NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the 2024 Toyota Highlander. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
Gulf States Toyota, Inc. (GST) is recalling certain 2022-2024 model year Highlander L and Highlander LE vehicles equipped with the Blackout Package that includes 20" black alloy wheels and tires. The installed tires have an insufficient load rating. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the
Risk: Tires with an insufficient load rating may be overloaded and fail, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: GST will inspect and replace the tires as necessary, and install a new tire information label as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 8, 2024. Owners may contact
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Highlander vehicles. The 20-inch accessory tires with an insufficient load rating for the vehicle's Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) were installed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor
Risk: Tires with an insufficient load rating can be overloaded and fail, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: SET will inspect and replace the tires and information placard, as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 16, 2024. Owners may contact SET's customer service at 1-86
Gulf States Toyota, Inc. (GST) is recalling certain Toyota 2023 GR Supra, 2024 4 Runner, Corolla, Grand Highlander, Grand Highlander Hybrid, Land Cruiser Hybrid, Tacoma, Tacoma Hybrid, 2023-2024 BZ4X, Corolla Cross Hybrid, GR Corolla, GR86, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Prius, Prius Prime, Sequoia
Risk: A vehicle with an incorrect maximum capacity weight value may be overloaded, which can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: GST will mail new labels to owners, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 16, 2024. Owners may contact GST customer service at 1-800-444-1074. GST's number for this recal
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Toyota Venza, 2023-2025 RAV4 Prime, RAV4, Highlander, GR Corolla, Crown, 2024-2025 Lexus TX, LS, Toyota Tacoma, Grand Highlander, and 2025 Lexus RX, Toyota Crown Signia, Camry, RAV 4 Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV), and 4 Runner
Risk: An instrument panel display that does not show critical information can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: Dealers will update the instrument panel software over-the-air (OTA) for non-PHEV vehicles, free of charge. For PHEV vehicles, dealers will inspect the instrument panel assembly, and either replace it
| Reliability | 77 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 78 | good |
| Maintenance | 82 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 67 | good |
| Performance | 67 | good |
| Efficiency | 44 | below average |
| Safety | 93 | excellent |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 42 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and unknown or other is the most reported area with 6 of them (14%). There are 7 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 77/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density, adjusted for how many were sold so a popular model is not penalised for having more owners.
AVOIR scores its longevity 78/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2024 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 74/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.