How Long Do Toyota Highlander Last? [Answered]

For many years, people who wanted a midsize SUV have turned to the Toyota Highlander.

It has everything you need, from a roomy interior to high efficiency to an abundance of modern conveniences and longest-lasting cars.

It’s no surprise that the Highlander is one of the most dependable crossover midsize SUVs and pickup trucks because Toyota makes it.

The less money you have to spend on maintenance each year, the more reliable a vehicle is.

The reliability of a vehicle is dependent on a number of factors, such as its age, the quality of its components, how you drive it, and how well you keep it maintained.

The odometer of a Toyota Highlander can easily exceed 200,000 kilometers.

To know more information about how long do toyota highlander last, continue reading!

What Is the Average Lifespan of a Toyota Highlander?

It has been said that a Toyota Highlander can last for up to 300,000 kilometers before it needs to be replaced.

It’s not surprising that Highlander has lasted so long because Toyota is known for producing reliable automobiles.

An iSeeCars survey of owners who kept their vehicles the longest found that the Highlander was the most popular choice.

Eighteen percent and ninety-three percent of Highlander owners, respectively, report keeping their vehicles for at least 15 years.

The overall model average is half this rate.

The Highlander is a proven workhorse with a long lifespan, and this is attested to by a wide range of sources.

However, one thing is still very clear: if you abuse your Highlander, its lifespan will be decreased.

When do we talk about “Misuse,” and what does that term encompass?

Driving too aggressively is one example of how vehicles can be mistreated, which leads to premature wear and breakdowns.

Both the former and the latter will speed up the deterioration of your car’s mechanical components.

You can expect a big decrease in your Toyota Highlander’s lifespan as a result of doing either of these things.

When will a Toyota Highlander begin to rust?

Customers have reported that the Toyota Highlander is the most susceptible and longest-lasting vehicle to corrosion in the first three to six years of ownership.

Factors like climate and storage methodology may cause this figure to shift.

When compared to other regions, those whose homes are subjected to excessive levels of road salt experience rust problems far early. In addition, Highlanders left outside are more likely to corrode than those kept in garages.

The doors, especially the inner sides and door handles, and the tailgate of Toyota Highlanders are vulnerable to rust.

The rusting door handles of Highlanders manufactured by Toyota between 2008 and 2012 prompted the company to issue a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB).

According to reports, Toyota released a new part with an upgraded nut because of the rusty door handle.

Some newer models of the Highlander are also susceptible to rust. Some 2016 Highlander owners have complained about rust, according to our investigation.

Even though it had just gone 7,000 miles, one owner noted rust on the car’s doors, tailgate, and sides.

When compared to other vehicles of the same type, how long do Toyota Highlanders last?

The Highlander unquestionably has a longer life expectancy than the ordinary person.

Check out the breakdown below to see how the Highlander stacks up against the competition in terms of longevity:

1. The Toyota Highlander vs. the Honda Pilot

It’s hardly shocking that both models have similar lifespans given that they are produced by two of the most trusted names in the automotive industry.

With regular upkeep, your Highlander can easily surpass 300,000.

Even more impressively, one forum member reported that his Pilot had 423,000 miles on it, despite the fact that it had a 300,000-mile range.

2. Toyota Highlander and the Ford Explorer

Users on online forums have estimated the Ford Explorer’s lifespan to be between 200,000 and 250,000 kilometers.

This is far less than the 150,000-200,000-mile lifespan that Toyota estimates for the Highlander (300,000 miles).

Moreover, Highlander outperforms its competitors in reliability and maintenance costs, two factors that contribute to a vehicle’s overall lifespan.

On RepairPal’s dependability rankings, the Highlander achieves a 4.0 Reliability Rating vs the Explorer’s 3.5 Reliability Rating.

The annual cost of servicing a Toyota Highlander is $489, which is over $250 less than the cost of maintaining a Ford Explorer ($732).

3. Toyota Highlander vs the Nissan Pathfinder

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• What Problems Do Toyota Highlanders Have?

The lifespan of the average Nissan Pathfinder is from 200,000 miles to 250,000 kilometers.

However, there are Pathfinder models out there with over 300,000 miles on them, and we’ve seen them.

This means the Nissan Pathfinder has the same expected lifespan as the Toyota Highlander, which is 300,000.

We believe the Toyota Highlander is the better long-term investment, nevertheless. It has stronger reliability ratings; RepairPal gives it a 4.0 reliability rating against Pathfinder’s 3.5 reliability rating.

Furthermore, the Highlander has lower long-term costs of ownership, with annual maintenance costs $53 less than those of the other two vehicles.

While $53 might not seem like much now, it will build up quickly over time.

Toyota Highlander’s Best and Worst Model Years:

The Highlander is an excellent family car that has a few major flaws.

However, there have been several problematic model years.

The 2015 Toyota Highlander has received the most customer complaints of any Highlander year.

Consumer reports indicate that the front seats in 2015 Highlanders are a common complaint among owners.

Drivers have complained that the seats are so uncomfortable that they must constantly adjust their weight to avoid experiencing pain in their lower backs.

However, the seats will wear out much quicker as a result of this.

The 2015 model’s extreme road noise is a regular complaint from drivers.

However, at speeds beyond 25 miles per hour, some drivers claim the cabin noise becomes intolerable, thus impacting the ride quality.

According to reports, this issue is most likely due to an abnormally large mirror design.

Although 2015 Highlanders have received the most complaints, the 2003 Toyota Highlander is the worst year available.

Although it receives fewer complaints, the 2003 Highlander has the highest repair costs of any Highlander year.

The most noticeable concern with 2003 vehicles is the famed “stripped engine bolts” issue.

Coolant seeping from the engine is said to be the starting point of the problem, followed by the bolts giving way.

Due to the nature of the issue, many service centers are refusing to work on it, meaning that car owners will likely have to replace the engine. Homeowners typically pay an average of $3,270 to address the issue.

The lack of issues with later Highlander models leads us to believe Toyota has refined its manufacturing process.

Actually, the finest Highlanders to buy are the 2018 and 2019 models.

When compared to other Highlander models, reports of difficulties with this generation are rare.

In what way do these models affect recalls?

There have been 37 recalls involving the Toyota Highlander.

The 2008 Highlander has the most recalls of any vehicle model in history at 13.

You should stay away from highly recalled models because of the numerous issues they usually have that might negatively impact performance.

Toyota Highlander Maintenance and Repair Costs

It’s true that the Toyota Highlander is durable, but eventually, you’ll have to get most of the parts fixed.

According to RepairPal, the typical cost of repairs is $489. After three to six years, rust is frequently the first issue that needs fixing.

However, local climate can speed up the onset of corrosion.

Typically, the doors, tailgate, and outside handles of a Highlander will rust first.

It has been reported that the lifespan of the brake rotors and pads is between 30,000 and 70,000 kilometers.

According to YourMechanic, the cheapest repair for worn brake pads is $140, while replacing worn brake rotors would set you back $280. These parts will wear out more quickly if you often brake from greater speeds.

Toyota Highlander tires can travel up to 60,000 miles under ideal conditions.

Both regular and performance tires can cost up to $500 per unit.

The transmission on a Highlander can last up to 200,000 miles before needing replacement, at which point the typical price is $3,500.

Car Upkeep Is Essential

When operated by incompetent motorists, the longevity of any vehicle decreases significantly, even the Toyota Highlanders is a common problem.

If you drive carefully, you can extend the life of your car’s brakes and tires.

Transmission fluid should be changed or flushed whenever you get your oil changed.

Don’t disregard warning signs like weird noises or dripping fluids.

The inside of your automobile needs regular cleaning, and so does an occasional trip to the car wash.

Vehicles with clean interiors and windows keep more of their value over time, and dirty windows might be a safety risk.

Toyota Models

• Toyota Camry
• Toyota RAV4 Hybrid
• Toyota Land Cruiser
• Toyota Prius
• Toyota Corolla
• Toyota 4Runner
• Toyota Avalon
• Toyota Tacoma
• Toyota Tundra

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