The most-reported Highlander run is 5TDJZRFHXKS (2019 builds) with 26 complaints, 9× the typical run. Power train problems make up 22% of reports; 2019 is the worst model year at 5.2 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 54 recall campaigns for Highlander model years 2001–2025.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Toyota Highlander has 1,799 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 2% of every Highlander complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5TDJZRFHXKS•••••• | 2019 | 1 | — | |
| JTEEP21AX40•••••• | 2004 | 5 | — | |
| 5TDFARAH7NS•••••• | 2022 | — | — | |
| JTEEP21A840•••••• | 2004 | 1 | — | |
| 5TDJZRFH7KS•••••• | 2019 | — | — | |
| 5TDJZRFH2KS•••••• | 2019 | 1 | — | |
| 5TDJZRFH8KS•••••• | 2019 | 2 | — | |
| 5TDJZRFH9KS•••••• | 2019 | 1 | — | |
| 5TDJZRFH0KS•••••• | 2019 | — | — | |
| 5TDJZRFH4KS•••••• | 2019 | — | — | |
| 5TDJZRFH4HS•••••• | 2017 | 1 | — | |
| 5TDJZRFH1KS•••••• | 2019 | 1 | — |
Each of the other 1,787 Highlander runs has 15 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 574 Highlander VINs so far, most often 2019, 2021, 2022 builds; 14 of them belong to one of the 12 runs above.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Toyota Highlander the gap between build years is 3.3×: a 2019 car draws 5.2 complaints per run, a 2007 one 1.6.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 9 | 8 | 2 | |
| 2024 | 43 | 33 | 4 | |
| 2023 | 184 | 64 | 12 | |
| 2022 | 259 | 136 | 18 | |
| 2021 | 526 | 201 | 16 | |
| 2020 | 314 | 143 | 16 | |
| 2019 | 486 | 94 | 22 | |
| 2018 | 258 | 73 | 23 | |
| 2017 | 262 | 80 | 18 | |
| 2016 | 106 | 48 | 14 | |
| 2015 | 178 | 67 | 16 | |
| 2014 | 124 | 55 | 5 | |
| 2013 | 197 | 71 | 24 | |
| 2012 | 173 | 65 | 15 | |
| 2011 | 161 | 58 | 14 | |
| 2010 | 212 | 108 | 17 | |
| 2009 | 116 | 64 | 6 | |
| 2008 | 365 | 92 | 38 | |
| 2007 | 105 | 66 | 11 | |
| 2006 | 237 | 65 | 24 |
Heaviest year here is 2019 at 5.2 complaints per run; lightest is 2025 at 1.1. The 2025 line is still collecting reports, so it reads low.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 22% of everything Toyota Highlander owners report: Power Train, 989 of 5,259 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 28 | 1 | |
| Service Brakes | 100 | 1 | |
| Unknown Or Other | 34 | 10 | |
| Electrical System | 14 | 22 | |
| Engine | 18 | 17 | |
| Structure | 39 | 2 | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 151 | 6 | |
| Steering | 23 | 1 |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 54 recall campaigns on the Toyota Highlander; the 6 below cover build years 2005 to 2025. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 16V396000 | Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/cooler | 2005–2011 |
| 14V743000 | Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/cooler | 2006–2011 |
| 10V035000 | Equipment:other:labels | 2005–2010 |
| 26V128000 | Seats:mid/rear Assembly:recliner | 2021–2025 |
| 18E107000 | Electrical System | 2014–2018 |
| 13V014000 | Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control Module-inactive | 2009–2013 |
16V396000 was opened in 2016 on cars built from 2005: 11 years on the road before the recall.
The Highlander against its rivals
The Highlander draws 2.9 complaints per production run; the Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.3, the Ford Explorer 5 and the Hyundai Palisade 4. That is the lowest rate of the 4.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota Highlander | 5,259 | 1,799 | 8.3% | |
| Jeep Grand Cherokee | 25,476 | 4,762 | 6.8% | |
| Ford Explorer | 29,326 | 5,830 | 5% | |
| Hyundai Palisade | 2,431 | 602 | 2.2% |
How serious were they
Of the 5,259 reports on the Toyota Highlander, 8.3% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, above the norm.
| Outcome | Toyota Highlander | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 5,259 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 434 (8.3%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 55 (1%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 362 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 56 | 2,728 |
Crash-related reports run 43% above the all-vehicle rate.
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Toyota Highlander share of that is 5,259 complaints over 1,799 runs, 0.47% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Toyota Highlander VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 5,259 NHTSA complaints from 1,799 Highlander runs and 54 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Highlander production run has the most complaints?
5TDJZRFHXKS, a 2019 build, with 26 complaints, 1 of them after a crash. The typical Highlander run has 2.9.
Which Highlander years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 2019 is heaviest at 5.2 complaints per run and 2025 lightest at 1.1.
Does the Highlander get more complaints than the Jeep Grand Cherokee?
No: 2.9 complaints per production run for the Highlander against 5.3 for the Jeep Grand Cherokee.
How many Highlander complaints involve a crash?
8.3% of 5,259 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 55 involved a fire.
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