Toyota Highlander — Specs, Problems & Recalls

Toyota Highlander: The Toyota Highlander is a three-row family SUV offering comfort, safety and Toyota's proven hybrid technology. Decode a specific VIN below to confirm the exact year, trim and equipment, and to check for open safety recalls.

Research any Toyota Highlander model year

Specs, engines, MPG and open safety recalls for each production year.

Each year page has that year's specific specs, EPA MPG, NHTSA crash-test ratings and every open recall campaign filed for that year and model.

Overview
MakeToyota
ModelHighlander
Body Style3-Row SUV
Production Years2000–present
Country of OriginJapan
Available Engines
Engine3.5L V6
Engine2.5L Hybrid

Fuel Economy (2017 Toyota Highlander)

Official EPA fuel-economy estimates via FuelEconomy.gov.

20
City MPG
24
Highway MPG
22
Combined MPG
$3050
Est. annual fuel

Source: FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE/EPA) · Fuel: Regular · CO₂ emissions: 407.0 g/mile.

NHTSA Safety Ratings (2017 Toyota Highlander)

Official NHTSA crash-test star ratings (5 = best).

★★★★★
Overall
★★★★☆
Frontal Crash
★★★★★
Side Crash
★★★★☆
Rollover

Source: NHTSA NCAP.

Toyota Highlander generations

Model-line generations with their production years. Each generation hub lists every model year with its data.

Generations of the Toyota Highlander
XU20 2001–2007
XU40 2007–2013
XU50 2013–2019
XU70 2019–2026

Why Buyers Choose the Toyota Highlander

  • Three rows of seating
  • Comfortable, quiet cabin
  • Strong safety scores

Common Problems to Check

Known issues reported for the Toyota Highlander. Always inspect the specific vehicle and decode its VIN for recall status.

  • V6 water-pump wear
  • Third-row space is tight
  • Occasional oil-line leaks

Reliability: A dependable family hauler with strong long-term reliability.

Check engine light on your Toyota Highlander?

Every 1996-and-newer car uses the OBD-II standard. Enter any stored code, then P0300, P0420, or search our full database of over 2,000 codes, to see what it means and how serious it is.

OBD-II code lookup →

Recent Recalls

Recall data for this model has not been ingested yet. Check the official NHTSA recall lookup or decode a specific VIN — VIN decodes always query the current NHTSA database.

Related Guides for Toyota Highlander Owners & Buyers

Other Toyota Models

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the MPG of the 2017 Toyota Highlander?

The 2017 Toyota Highlander gets an EPA-estimated 22 MPG combined (20 city / 24 highway), according to FuelEconomy.gov.

How do I decode a Toyota Highlander VIN?

Enter the 17-character VIN in the box above. VinSpecs returns the exact year, trim, engine, drivetrain and assembly plant for your Toyota Highlander, plus any open recalls, free.

Is the Toyota Highlander reliable?

A dependable family hauler with strong long-term reliability.

How do I check the Toyota Highlander for recalls?

Use our free recall checker by year, make and model, or decode a specific VIN for its exact recall status.

What should I check before buying a used Toyota Highlander?

Run a VIN decode + recall check here, get a NMVTIS-backed title history report to catch salvage/flood brands, then have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle on a lift. Cross-reference the seller's mileage claim against the odometer history on record.

Where is the VIN located on a Toyota Highlander?

The 17-character VIN is stamped in several places: visible through the windshield on the driver's-side dashboard, on a sticker inside the driver's door jamb, and on the vehicle registration and insurance card. All should match, mismatched VINs are a fraud red flag.