Problems to Look Out for When Buying a Used Toyota Highlander

Toyota Timing Belt and Chain List:

1st Generation: 0:32
1st Generation Spark Plug Problem: 3:45
1st Generation Hybrid Inverter Problem: 4:42
2nd Generation: 5:48
3rd Generation: 9:15
4th Generation: 10:19

Greg Macke - Your Car Angel goes through the problems to look out for when buying a used Toyota Highlander. Each generation is reviewed with the problem areas with engines highlighted. The 2.4 2AZFE engine specifically with stripped head bolts is looked into. The spark plug replacement maintenance in the 3.3 engine is also reviewed.
Other competing models such as the Nissan Pathfinder, Ford Explorer, Chevy Traverse, Buick Enclave, Dodge Durango and VW Atlas, all which are inferior to the quality Highlander. The Honda Pilot and Subaru Outback are better and the only cars I would say compare to the Highlander. The complete Toyota Timing belt and timing chain list is given for all years of the highlander.
The Highlander Hybrid debuted in 2006 with third row seating as optional. There was a recall for the Inverter on the Hybrid.
The First Generation ran between 2001-2007. The second generation ran between 2008-2013 and the third generation ran from 2014-2019 with the current 2020 fourth generation model being the latest.

Other videos in this series:

Problems to Look Out for When Buying a Used Toyota RAV 4

Problems to Look Out for When Buying a Used Toyota Prius

Problems to Look Out for When Buying a Used Honda CRV

Problems to Look Out for When Buying a Used Honda Civic

Problems to Look Out for When Buying a Used Subaru Forester

10 Problems to Look Out for When Buying a Car from a Private Party

[sergiomartinez]

Just want to point out for anyone watching that Highlander 2nd Gen has a oil cooler pipe that is prone to bursting. There was a recall for them, some people have driven them and not had issues but if the pipe does burst then all the oil could drain out of your engine while driving and ruining your car. The solution is to buy a new one that is made out of metal rather than with rubber fitting like the vehicle came with. Depending on where you buy it you can find it for 60 dollars or 100. For something like this I wouldn't skimp out and buy a cheap part, buy the OEM Toyota part (prices I quoted are for what I found for OEM Toyota parts). You can do it yourself but you need the right tools and because it's metal it can be a pain to install, I recommend a mechanic to install it. Still a great car!

[TakeDeadAim]

One of the major reasons the 3.5 is so bullet proof is that it's basically designed like a race engine. It has a 4 bolt, cross bolted main bearing set. I talked to a former Toyota engineer who said the lower end is as strong as a Dodge Hemi. Solid engine for sure. Keep the oil changed and swap in new plugs every 100k or so and it'll last a LONG time!

[drewhour]

The 3rd one is my favorite. It just has a perfect look to it

[jerryhubbard]

When my wife retired in 2012, we traded out 2003 Hylander with only 90, 000 miles for the 2012 Hylander. Today, 2020, it just turned 40, 000 miles and this car is the best machine I have ever owned. It is a pleasure to drive and the V6 will haul ass. Great car for. traveling and it is a limited model. Great car. Dealers still call wanting to get their hands on it. NO way will I trade this vehicle. Not working anymore, we don't put many miles on it and every six months, it goes in for tire rotation, oil and filter change. I have all. the record since the day of purchase.

[DadsGotADeal]

This video is perfect timing as I’m highlander shopping! Thank you!

[richardcheatham]

Greg's and Scotty Kilmer's videos are the best vehicle assessment videos of their kind on YT. And to think I almost considered buying an Odyssey when the Sienna was just shining in the sun elsewhere.

[DanielHernandez-ngmx]

The first and second generation are by far my favorite. The styling is awesome. Thank you for always posting the most informational Toyota videos on YouTube.

[Staymare]

My first vehicle was a 2002 Highlander. It went offroad great, got to 300, 000km with no major maintenence, and kept everyone inside safe when it got totalled on the highway. The best SUV I've ever driven.

[valberlin]

It's the 2nd generation for me. Especially the Limited Fully loaded option. It literally has everything from family friendly to durability. I also like the wider look, which the 3rd generation lacks.

[myungahn]

I recently bought a 2008 highlander limited version with almost 200k miles on it. Your video helped me picking the right model for the right price. Thank you! I love everything about it other than corner handling (which is understandable for a big heavy suv).

[Zippy]

Hi Greg,
There's one other thing to watch out for in the 2006=2007 Highlander Hybrids, which is a faulty ABS accumulator. There was a recall with free replacement if the car was within 10 years of entering service or had less than 150, 000 miles. The car qualified for the recall repair if it generated certain codes, including C1391 - Abnormal leak in accumulator. The many lights on the dash display would light up and "Check VSC System" would show on the display. Mine (2007 Highlander Hybrid) had a chattering pump on the ABS accumulator since the day I bought it used at a Toyota dealer, who said, "It just does that", implying that it was normal. It is not. Gee, a car salesman mislead me, imagine that...
Even so, I have driven the car for over ten years and never had any other problem with it. It did have the inverter problem fixed under recall which went smoothly and was totally free.
It has been a joy in ever way and needed no repair until now. It still looks like a new car, and the interior is in perfect condition.
Mine never generated a code until very recently when it was over three years out of date for the recall replacement even though the mileage at 133, 000 was within the 150, 000 mile limit. Toyota wanted $2800 to make the repair, which I had done at an independent mechanic for $2500. The main expense was the ABS accumulator, which was about $2000. I went ahead and had the repair done and now the car is just absolutely great, silent and smooth and currently getting over 30MPG around town.
So, if the ABS accumulator has not been replaced under recall, and especially if the ABS accumulator pump runs and runs, chattering even after the car is turned off, be aware that a very expensive repair is just waiting to happen.

[billwang]

Owner of '08 Highland Hybrid Limited here. Be sure to check recall service records. There were several recalls. One involved going behind the center console panel; can't remember what it was for, maybe airbag? The other major recall was a brake controller. I'm calling it brake controller, might be wrong. maybe brake computer? That's an expensive fix if the owner missed the recall. I'm not too happy that Toyota put an expiration date on a recall for their faulty part. If your brake controller fails, you can still drive it and have power brakes, but no ABS, VSC, etc. You can look up Toyota Recalls, just G00gle it, then enter the VIN and state.

[RSGAEL]

This is absolutely perfect and complete review. I bet this will help a lot of ppl out. I liked how you mentioned about those 4 cylinder motor with head bolt issues.

[Rollingace]

I have a 2006 hybrid and it's has 420k miles and not any problem other than engine consuming oil like gas. I did have the inverter problem somewhere near 350k miles and that got replaced since then it's been smooth ride

[RS-vpjd]

I have the 3rd generation with the V6, 3.5L, AWD, and 8-speed transmission. Before buying a used 2017 model with 30, 000 miles on it, I did my due diligence including listening very carefully to Greg and Scotty. I'm very happy with my purchase. Runs like a clock. My one big concern is that I live about a mile from the ocean and am worried about the salt air and rust. But I appreciate what the CarAngel had to say as it cinched the deal for me.

[ambientbeauty]

Dear Car Angel, I have been sorting through vehicles for months, weighing the pros and cons of my necessary purchase due to the choice of vehicle I had made 4 years ago...MBZR500. I had never come across your videos before last night, but this one had such an impact, I purchased a preowned Highlander today from a local Toyota dealership so it came with the integrity. Thank you for your thorough analysis. I hope I am as pleased with it as I expect to be.

[hattrick-dfbo]

Just bought a 3rd generation Xle and couldn't be happier.... Looking forward to many happy memories going down the road.

[kevinhamer]

I'm dropping a junkyard motor into my second gen limited with 290000 Mi on the chassis tomorrow. Have absolutely loved it since the day I got it. I have taken it places most Jeep owners dream about. One cool thing about it is you can fit a twin bed in the back when the seats are folded down and use it as an overlanding rig.

[raylegend]

Thanks for the video, I’m glad I picked up 2013 Toyota Highlander limited in mint condition with 55000 miles on it. Couldn’t be happier. 😎

[brewsteve]

We have two Highlanders, a first and a third gen. The first gen interior was falling apart and I am currently fixing a heater issue caused by wires breaking behind the heater knob. Other than that, we love them both! Such a great car! Thanks for the video.