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!
Mine broke shortly after purchasing car with 174k. I knew it was a ticking time bomb. Thankfully caught it shortly after it happened driving a short distance.
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.
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!
TakeDeadAim I have just over 100k on one. Original plugs runs like a top and barely darkens the oil. Synthetic every 10k and to be honest I never even check (let alone add) oil between changes.
@@patty109109 Yeah my wifes 2016 only has 40k on it but she says it's her favorite SUV she's owned to date...and we've owned a LOT of them. From GMC to Subaru, Lexus and Honda to now this. I really like it as well. We took it on a 4k mile trip out west and it never missed a beat regardless of whether we were at 11k feet up in Leadville Colorado in the snow or down in Arizona running in the desert at 90mph. Fully loaded. I adhere to around 7k OCI's using Schaeffers(which I buy in bulk at the shop) and considering I tore apart an LS with 400k on only Schaeffers...it looked virtually new...this 3.5 will go at least that in it's lifetime with good oil and regular changes.
@@TakeDeadAim My 3.5 is in a Sienna. My only regret about this vehicle is I didn't go for an AWD option. But the car is so bulletproof I can't part with it now.
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.
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.
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 UA-cam.
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.
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.
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.
I have a 2009 Toyota Highlander Hybrid and it's been nothing but great! Definitely recommend it to anyone. I have over 200K miles on it, and no issues at all
I own a 1st generation 6 cylinders 4WD Highlander (2005). I bought it new and it's still running strong after 15 years. At this time I have no plan to trade it in.
@@yesgirl7659 I have a 2003 V6 4WD. The rear hatch has a badge that says 4WD, or you can look under the car at the rear end and look for a differential and drive axles.
Luis Gustavo cargo vans Toyota Hiace not competing with no one. Full size truck the Tundra is the most reliable. Toyota competes worldwide unlike other manufacturers. Europe, Asia and the Americas. In Africa and middle-east they don’t compete, they own those markets..
Compacts, Sedans, Crossovers, Medium Size Rock-Crawlers, Minivan, and Personal trucks.... yes. Sports cars, Cargo/passenger Van's, conversion trucks (ambulances), heavy duty trucks, fleets... not so much. There is nothing above the Tundra, and no conversion or fleet programs for trucks or vans. New Supra is a disappointment (financially) Honda has way less of a lineup and leads in nothing. The new NSX is not a class leader. Nissan has passenger and cargo vans. Leads in nothing, but has a strong following for the GTR. Ford Chevy and Dodge all argue over which one is best all around, and it's an inherited opinion at best, so I won't bother breaking them down. Just to mention a few class-leaders... F series, Charger, Corvette, Suburban, Sierria Conversion Program, F Series Conversion Program, Ram Conversion Program, E Series, Transit, Wrangler (Jeep)..... Toyota is very good at almost all of what it dips it's toes into (I'm not even going to get into other applications of Toyota/Honda like forklifts and dirtbikes). Nobody dominates every sector they're in, but toyota is close
2002 Highlander V6 with 270,000 miles and still going strong. Next to my 2012 Prius Plug-In, best car I've ever purchased, and I've owned a lot of cars.
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).
Just got a 2007 Highlander in 2021 with 95,000. $10000. Replaced the timing belt, water pump, crankshaft and camshaft seals and spark plugs for $1500. All in I spent like $11500. Maybe it's alot for such an old car but I love it. Previously I had 6 new cars. It's tighter, quieter and more powerful. Kaizen
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.
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.
I’ve owned the 1st 2003 over 305,000 miles , past on to family and it still runs great! Purchased a 3rd generation 2015 which currently has 190,000 miles still runs great! Maintenance your vehicle as manual suggests your car will continue to perform
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
I have a Toyota 2006 hybrid Highlander and in 21 I had to replace the ignition cylinder is all six, other than that I have not had any problems. Trying to troubleshoot any problems, mileage now at 177,000
I traded in my maintenance nightmare 2008 Infiniti QX56 for a black-on-black 2016 Toyota Highlander XLE three weeks ago with 99K miles. Night and day difference driving that SUV is a dream. This one will last me a long time. Awesome video 👍🏿!
I bought a 2011 Highlander in 2013. I have never felt so safe in a vehicle! It has over 199000 miles and is still ready for the highway. Your comments about the hood paint chipping are spot on. Thanks for the good information.
Does it have the 3.5 V6 and what all have you had to replace ie : water pump , timing belt , alternator .....I'm looking for a friend and not accustomed to foreign SUVs and any help would be appreciated !
@@Airon79 that’s great:) I’m happy for y’all. May I ask what your out door price was, I’m looking at another Highlander, same generation and Im curious what I should be paying for it.
@@thomasshanks6735 My Mom actually bought it and I don't want to say what she payed but we did get price within Bluebook range due to the dealer wanting way over value and I think her bank might have had a little say in that . Some caution lights did pop-up while taking it on a long trip so I'll be checking it out today with an scan tool .
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.
Joel Reyes , drives nicely, plenty of power, but I like to cruise. Very comfortable, roomy and ergonomic inside. This will probably be my favorite Toyota ever, and I’ve owned a lot of different one’s
Just last night I had three bags of ponza rotta's and a soda and when I got to my car I needed to put my drink down to open the door. I did not know about this feature yet so I struggled like mad to get it done. lol.
The best SUV by far. My mom had a first generation first model year 2001 Highlander with the 4 cylinder engine, when it was totaled it had 363,000 miles. The interior, under carriage and body did not look like it belonged to a vehicle with that high mileage. Great cars.
My family also has the 01' 2.4 liter 4 cylinder as well. I'm now taking care of it and I also grew up on that car as well. I'm now using that car while the family car became the Lexus rx350 07'
0:56 is the best mid sized SUV ever. Timeless design (still get comments from people thinking it's new), extremely reliable, and has the perfect balance between rugged and luxury. There is a reason 3rd gen 4runners are still selling for $5-8k despite being over 20 years old...
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.
just traded my 2019 forester in for a 2121 highland..... and there is no comparison. highlander drives like a dream. I loved my subaru, but the highlander FEELS smoother. and my god is the interior nice.
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.
Last year I bought a 13 Highlander and I absolutely love it. It was a one owner car and the owner only sold it to buy a brand new Highlander. You won't regret it
I just bought a well maintained 2010 Highlander Sport with 110k miles on it. Everything on it still works, I am very happy with it. My last car was an '05 Rav4. I chose it over a 4runner for it's fuel economy and proceeded to wear the thing out. This time I decided it's not practical to save money in the short term only to end up paying for it in the long run. I wanted more space, more power, more versatility. Most of all an uber reliable vehicle that can handle whatever I throw at it and the Highlander does not disappoint.
2006 Highlander hybrid limited owner here - 340,000+ NO MAJOR PROBLEMS! END OF STORY - the only problem is the GREEDY DEALERSHIPS (AMERICAN and FOREIGN) that try to gouge the customers!
@@ebonyyoung1265 Hello Ebony, that is a known problem. Try making sure the gas cap is tight or the seal is clean. I know this VCS issue is related to the Vehicle Traction Control/ABS (Anti lock Breaking System) but the above mentioned error can cause the vehicle to through this error. If this fails try disconnecting the battery for five minutes.
no one ever talks about the 2nd gen 2GR-Fe vvti rubber oil line leak at the rear bank. its a cheap $30 part but can cause severe damage if not changed with the metal line.
I have a 2nd gen08, they have a common issue of a faulty gasket\seal in the transfer case on 4wd models, mine finally blew up at 247k miles. I changed it with a used one, and it's still a tank. Currently 265k miles.
I have a highlander 2016 xle, I have the truck 6 months now with no problems, my previous truck was highlander v6 2003, I drove it for 12 years, worth every penny 😊😊😊
2015 XLE with 150k miles. Absolutely a fantastic vehicle. I have had nothing other than basic maintenance. When I need a new one, I may buy a used 2019.
@@eowyn-faramir-reads funny, this is two years ago. I will hit 200k next month. Still going strong. This was the first year that something broke. I had to replace the lug nuts, they were not removeable by hand, and the tire pressure monitors on all 4 wheels. Total bill, under $400. I now drive it back and forth to FL from Iowa 3 or 4 times a year.
@@jonkrispeterson6678 id love to pick your brain harder about yours! The two years happy ownership makes me happy. If I could get a car to last me 2 damn years I'd be beyond thrilled. (Bad mechanics are EXPENSIVE mistakes. Its why I'm going toyota and having either Toyota do the work or someone I trust.
You sir are a Toyota expert. Thanks for the extenstive review on the Highlander. We just picked up a 2013 with 105,000 miles from a family member and it's fabulous!
As always....the Car Angel did a fabulous job explaining the differences between the various generations of the Highlander. Very nicely done and very informative. Thank you Car Angel. You're the man!
2nd generation had a major flaw. The door lock actuators were junk. Replacing/fixing them cost $700 per door. We had to replace each door three times over a span of 4 years. Of course the warranty had just expired. Toyota continues to ignore this flaw despite page after page of customers complaining about the problem on internet sites.
I have a 2010 Toyota Highlander 4 cylinder i get an average of 25 mpg mostly highway driven. I Bought it brand new and in those 10 years of ownership i racked up 104k miles only had to replace 2 batteries, 2 sets of tires, 2 sets of brakes (all around). 3 tpms sensors and the rear hatch latch sensor got messed up but I replaced it myself. The paint on the hood and the top roof started fading around 5 years ago and had it resprayed and still looks good. I have the same color as the one on the video. Overall its one of the best vehicles i had ever owned. My other vehicle is a 2015 Chevy Tahoe and i much prefer to drive the Highlander over the Tahoe any day. I just love it and don’t see myself getting rid of it.
I got a 2007 Highlander with the 3.3litre V6 that had 150 thousand on it when I bought it. It now has 215 thousand on it and is still going strong. I will drive it until it breaks but hopefully that wont be for a long time.
2006 hybrid. bought it when it had 150k mileage around 2016. 265k miles now in dec.2023. Love it every mile. Looking to get a 2013, I just prefer that exterior style.
You forgot the new 2020 Highlander is relatively 2% cheaper than previous Highlander’s. Also lighter weight than other Highlander’s. It also has standard 4 cylinder and better technology on the Hybrid model😊 Toyota has over 20 years of hybrid tech in that car. They have also borrowed all the Lexus tech and safety systems and jammed it into that car. I know because I sold Lexus. The hybrid hits a nice over 30mpg. This reduces long term fuel costs over the life of the car. Average well kept Highlander’s last 250,000 miles, factor in fuel costs and you save over $5000USD in fuel costs over the V6!!! Do the math😎👍 Also Dealers in my area, Minnesota, are selling the Hybrids $500 cheaper than the V6. It is a win win for Toyota! Also they don’t use lithium (AFAIK) in their cells. Two reasons..., 1) Most lithium comes from conflict regions or gvmnts and/or areas where environmental concerns or laws are not followed. Also brokered by Chinese firms which adopt patents with out permission. And 2) It can still explode or catch fire. Tesla’s are nice and their battery tech is good but are still susceptible to all these factors. Toyota/Lexus is really trying to shield their market from this. It also is part of the reason Lexus 2017 and 2019 cars had older dash technology. They didn’t want competitors to have access to their customer’s data thru their IPhone and Android in car apps. Believe me this was a pain when I was trying to sell Lexus. Customers wanted the convenience of Apple CarPlay more than anything😂✌️ Yes I am buying a Highlander this year😀👍
My mom had an 05 limted in white. One of the best cars we've ever had until it got totaled in an accident :(. She replaced it with a 15 RX350 and the build quality I can tell is not up to par with her Highlander...I liked the look of the 2nd gens too, more athletic body, but interior was cheaper. Thanks for the video!
@@michaelgrant5258 yeah bro like at least they're trying you know ? I feel like Toyota is just chilling and not putting as much effort where as brands like Lincoln are really trying to improve.
Greg, I’m Very impressed by the effort and quality of advice that goes into your videos... but it’s a very long time “ between drinks “ It would be great to get more regular content and I have no doubt your subscriber base would grow significantly. Cheers
This video was extremely helpful! Thank-you so much for your through and easy to understand analysis. We're replacing our current 2006 Hybrid for a 2015 Hybrid this week. Love this car!
@@mattsaljanin583 over 100k miles now and she's running great. Average fuel economy is 25mpg, I'd say my driving is about 50/50 hwy/city and I also always use mid-grade gas, it is pricier but I get 20% more distance out of a tank using the better fuel so it still works out better in the end and is better for the car itself as well. One thing I should note that I just learned the other weekend is that if you are going to take this vehicle (or any hybrid) camping etc where it will be sitting for a few days, be sure DRIVE it in order to keep the battery charged. We were opening and closing the liftgate multiple times through the week and drained the battery. Simply starting/running the car like you would with a traditional vehicle one won't work since the engine turns off as soon as the battery reaches a minimal charge. Additionally when we were trying to jump it from the contacts at the front of the vehicle it was not working and the internal systems were acting strangely. When we connected directly to the battery however (located in the back of the vehicle) it jumped just fine. Apparently if the battery gets too low, the computer system doesn't like to jump from the front contacts. Other than that I love her and it's been a great vehicle for me for the last 18 months and many more to come I'm sure!
Great videos 👍 Another common issue is the steering wheel clunking noise when turning the steering wheel left to right. Bad design on the intermediate shaft. My wife’s 2010 with 75k miles is in need of it. Recently her expansion valve and evaporator developed a leak. I’ll be doing the repair soon as it’s getting hot down here in South Florida.
My 2nd Gen 2009 model with 110000 miles has the same issue with the intermediate shaft. I'm in Australia and they're called Kluger here built in Japan at that time.
Just bought a 2016 with 45,000 miles on it and it is my dream car. In researching these, please everyone BEWARE the new 2017 and up 8 speed transmissions and the failure under 30,000 miles! Toyota should have recalled them but as yet they haven't. I only accidentally came across this troubling information on the forums and it is a very common problem, unfortunately.
We have a 2017 AWD, and no issues. Toyota did discover a problem in manufacturing SOME of these units, one nut was not crimped properly by one guy, and so came off, which can ruin the whole thing. I think they extended the warranty a bit on those (to 75k miles?)... check with Toyota and verify. This only happened with a few of them. We had bought an extended manufactures warranty from Toyota upon purchase (to 120K miles) and so far, have never had to use it. So I do not think this is an issue for most folks, but if it does happen, no fun of course.
Could you do a brief video on how exactly Toyota can get so many vehicles out of the same TNGA platform. I think it's fascinating how they're able to do that.
I truly love & enjoy my new 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE FWD! High quality interior & performance. I got it in the beautiful Ruby flare pearl color....looks like Dorothy's ruby slippers on the Wizard of Oz! Follow the yellow brick freeway...! 😁
I own an 09 Highlander hybrid with 209k miles and it is the best car I ever had. One issue is the latching for the rear hatch that is not really secure unless you close it manually. Engine/powertrain excellent!
I bought a used 2009 Highlander Limited Hybrid with 147k miles. This is why: New Transaxle, New Battery, New Inverter and the interior and exterior are mint. It now has 156k miles and I've had no problems at all.
I had a 2005 Highlander Platinum with 175,000 miles and so decided to give this to my teenage daughter and upgrade to a 2014 Highlander Platinum. I loved that car, but unfortunately had a bad accident (due to medical reasons) and crashed the Highlander so that it was a total loss. All of the airbags deployed and my daughter and I escaped without injury despite hitting a guardrail at full speed. I now own a 2015 Highlander Platinum Hybrid and absolutely love the vehicle. The Highlander is fun to drive, a pleasure for long trips, reliable, and very safe!
No other utube channel offers so needful information about used cars. I do take very seriously your objective advice's which are great help for potential used car buyers.
I work as a Toyota dealer mechanic. Just don’t buy a hybrid model. Non-hybrid versions are really good. Not that the hybrids are terrible but if something does go wrong with that hybrid system it’s very expensive to fix to a point where our customers take a hit and trade theirs in if the hybrid system is shot.
thanks Greg today I looked over a 2008 highlander limited in Toronto Canada with just 125,000KM on the clock, Ive been struggling between a 4 runner and and the Highlander, Toyota prices are out of the stratosphere due to the pandemic this Highlander is immaculate for its age with only superficial undercarriage rust which I would address if I purchased, the price is quite a bit less than a 4 runner would be and as a senior the size for me is is probably better than the bigger lookking 4 runner, as a retired contractor I dont really need the bigger type truck , you finally convinced me that this is the right choice thanks
I've got the '04 3.3L Limited @ 245k miles, and I love it. I've also taken it on light trails and some mudding stuffs. Fantastic, I'm curious if the seemingly lower clearance of the newer generations affects the ability to handle some of those off-road stuffs. Anybody have thoughts?
I am a Highlander freak myself I’m on my second a 2010 Hybrid & you are spot on for the economy I had a 2009 limited that was amazing in the snow & most conditions. The new 2020 Highlander drives nice too for driveabillaty the 2020 is nice... very very nice with all the bells & whistles & safety equipment I test drove one recently but Toyota has made the roof space very low so a tall guy like me has to bend his neck even with the seat to the lowest setting & the third row is much much more cramped in my opinion the new third row can only fit children..... I also like the Sequoia but wish that Toyota would put the Hilux 4.7/liter Diesel engine in it for power & economy...
I just bought a new 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid XLE last night from Heritage Toyota Owings Mills in Garrison, MD. Although I did test drive it, including on the highway before purchasing, I never made it above 70 mph on the test drive. On my way home after the dealership closed, I was on the highway going over 70 mph and this hissing, whistling noise developed right from the driver's side window that was driving me crazy. It wouldn't happen if I was going below 55 and would happen intermittently when I was going between 55 and 70. I triple checked that all the windows were fully closed fully and opened and closed the doors to ensure they were completely shut but the hissing and whistling continued when I would hit 70. The only additional option I have on the car is all-weather mats, no door edge guards, and no crossbars or anything else. I love the car but hope this problem gets fixed ASAP or else it'll drive me insane. Put the volume on max, cuz the recording is from a cell phone. The UA-cam video link is below. I already took it to one dealer who were able to reproduce the whistling sound but said there was nothing they could find wrong to fix to make it better. Any suggestions on what I can do because I don't think I can go on with this problem long term. Thanks, Anan ua-cam.com/video/2IAFIFh16gw/v-deo.html
I would like to know about the mileage on the generation three Limited. Also what year did seat setting memory happen… I recently bought a 2012 Limited and am disappointed that I’m having to manually select my seat position every time I get in or out! My old Z 71 that I drove for 17 years had it.… Why was Toyota so slow in adding that feature?
@@Hopehighpackratbobca Toyota is always last to add features. Just the way they are, they spend as much time as possible to perfect something before manufacturing it.
But I see that fj60 on the back...
Steve Teehee
That’s my 1989 FJ62 in the back.
I’ll do a review on that once I get it fully restored.
@@YourCarAngel can you do with the rav 4..corola and others
YourCarAngel Can the 60 series fit 35s without any cutting?
Steve Teehee lolz that land cruiser is that best out of all highlander models
I have 31’s on mine. Those were the largest I could get on with the 2” Old Man Emu lift kit.
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!
Rare to break
Thankfully, mine was replaced with the metal lines by the previous owner!
Auto-engine shutoff ?
Mine broke shortly after purchasing car with 174k. I knew it was a ticking time bomb. Thankfully caught it shortly after it happened driving a short distance.
@@designstudio8013 no. It’s very common
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.
Let me know when you do want to sell LOL, my 2012 with 160,000+ miles on it needs a mate ! Best cars ever.
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!
TakeDeadAim I have just over 100k on one. Original plugs runs like a top and barely darkens the oil. Synthetic every 10k and to be honest I never even check (let alone add) oil between changes.
@@patty109109 Yeah my wifes 2016 only has 40k on it but she says it's her favorite SUV she's owned to date...and we've owned a LOT of them. From GMC to Subaru, Lexus and Honda to now this. I really like it as well. We took it on a 4k mile trip out west and it never missed a beat regardless of whether we were at 11k feet up in Leadville Colorado in the snow or down in Arizona running in the desert at 90mph. Fully loaded. I adhere to around 7k OCI's using Schaeffers(which I buy in bulk at the shop) and considering I tore apart an LS with 400k on only Schaeffers...it looked virtually new...this 3.5 will go at least that in it's lifetime with good oil and regular changes.
@@TakeDeadAim My 3.5 is in a Sienna. My only regret about this vehicle is I didn't go for an AWD option. But the car is so bulletproof I can't part with it now.
I hove an 08 with 190,000 and it runs good still.
@@patty109109 I also have the Sienna engine is solid at 160k
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.
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.
very nice!
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 UA-cam.
This man is a legend.
@@JohnDoe-ky4qkwhat’s wrong with the first gen?
The 3rd one is my favorite. It just has a perfect look to it
Whistle Blower1 the 4th is my favourite
the 3rd looks more like a truck, the way it should look.
I have 2014 and I love it!!!
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.
These guys are great.
both of them doing god's work.
By far, the 2 most honest and helpful people in the auto business.
Agreed
Thanks for all the great advice, I had a 2002 I'm still in love with it.
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.
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.
And the 3rd generation is actually 0.4 inches wider
I have a 2009 Toyota Highlander Hybrid and it's been nothing but great! Definitely recommend it to anyone. I have over 200K miles on it, and no issues at all
I own a 1st generation 6 cylinders 4WD Highlander (2005). I bought it new and it's still running strong after 15 years. At this time I have no plan to trade it in.
a question? how do you know if your 2005 is a 2 or 4 wheel drive? are all 2005 Toyota highlanders 4 wheel drives or no?
@@yesgirl7659 I have a 2003 V6 4WD. The rear hatch has a badge that says 4WD, or you can look under the car at the rear end and look for a differential and drive axles.
Just bought a 3rd generation Xle and couldn't be happier.... Looking forward to many happy memories going down the road.
Which model year?
Toyota seems to dominate in every market they compete in.
Because they don't make unreliable garbage as what the German and American car makers produce.
Except full size trucks
Luis Gustavo cargo vans Toyota Hiace not competing with no one. Full size truck the Tundra is the most reliable. Toyota competes worldwide unlike other manufacturers. Europe, Asia and the Americas. In Africa and middle-east they don’t compete, they own those markets..
Compacts, Sedans, Crossovers, Medium Size Rock-Crawlers, Minivan, and Personal trucks.... yes.
Sports cars, Cargo/passenger Van's, conversion trucks (ambulances), heavy duty trucks, fleets... not so much. There is nothing above the Tundra, and no conversion or fleet programs for trucks or vans. New Supra is a disappointment (financially)
Honda has way less of a lineup and leads in nothing. The new NSX is not a class leader.
Nissan has passenger and cargo vans. Leads in nothing, but has a strong following for the GTR.
Ford Chevy and Dodge all argue over which one is best all around, and it's an inherited opinion at best, so I won't bother breaking them down. Just to mention a few class-leaders... F series, Charger, Corvette, Suburban, Sierria Conversion Program, F Series Conversion Program, Ram Conversion Program, E Series, Transit, Wrangler (Jeep).....
Toyota is very good at almost all of what it dips it's toes into (I'm not even going to get into other applications of Toyota/Honda like forklifts and dirtbikes).
Nobody dominates every sector they're in, but toyota is close
@@MatrixDiscovery There are exceptions but nothing beats Toyota for reliability.
2002 Highlander V6 with 270,000 miles and still going strong. Next to my 2012 Prius Plug-In, best car I've ever purchased, and I've owned a lot of cars.
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).
how is yours doing now?? i’m also looking at a highlander limited and it has almost 200k miles.
Hows the highlander doing so far?
Just got a 2007 Highlander in 2021 with 95,000. $10000. Replaced the timing belt, water pump, crankshaft and camshaft seals and spark plugs for $1500. All in I spent like $11500. Maybe it's alot for such an old car but I love it. Previously I had 6 new cars. It's tighter, quieter and more powerful. Kaizen
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. 😎
Could you tell me how much I pay for it?
What engine did you get?
@@e.c.7491 3.5 v6
Could you give an update on how it’s held up for you. Currently in the market for this specific car
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.
My mechanic says he doesn’t like the hybrid. I’m looking to buy a used Highlander or Pilot
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.
I’ve owned the 1st 2003 over 305,000 miles , past on to family and it still runs great! Purchased a 3rd generation 2015 which currently has 190,000 miles still runs great! Maintenance your vehicle as manual suggests your car will continue to perform
Is it a 4 cylinder or v6 ?
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
Expensive?
I have a Toyota 2006 hybrid Highlander and in 21 I had to replace the ignition cylinder is all six, other than that I have not had any problems. Trying to troubleshoot any problems, mileage now at 177,000
I traded in my maintenance nightmare 2008 Infiniti QX56 for a black-on-black 2016 Toyota Highlander XLE three weeks ago with 99K miles. Night and day difference driving that SUV is a dream. This one will last me a long time. Awesome video 👍🏿!
I bought a 2011 Highlander in 2013. I have never felt so safe in a vehicle! It has over 199000 miles and is still ready for the highway. Your comments about the hood paint chipping are spot on. Thanks for the good information.
Does it have the 3.5 V6 and what all have you had to replace ie : water pump , timing belt , alternator .....I'm looking for a friend and not accustomed to foreign SUVs and any help would be appreciated !
@@Airon79 I had the 2012 one, the engine and transmission had no issues. It was the 3.5 setup. Just change the oil.
@@thomasshanks6735 Thanks , we just bought an 2011 yesterday !
@@Airon79 that’s great:) I’m happy for y’all. May I ask what your out door price was, I’m looking at another Highlander, same generation and Im curious what I should be paying for it.
@@thomasshanks6735 My Mom actually bought it and I don't want to say what she payed but we did get price within Bluebook range due to the dealer wanting way over value and I think her bank might have had a little say in that . Some caution lights did pop-up while taking it on a long trip so I'll be checking it out today with an scan tool .
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.
which one did you buy? I'm looking at a 2015 model with 80k miles on it. Not sure whats a good price to pay for it.
I agree. I love my 06 with 181k and going strong. It’s just an amazing car. Not rattles no squeaks and for being almost 14 years old, I can’t complain
My grandma also has 06 but only 70000 miles and running great but she’s buying a new one
@@Josh-iq3bd buy her old one off of her, you'll thank yourself for doing it.
Just bought a2006, v6 limited, 194,000 miles. Good price , one owner, service records awesome. Love it.
How the performance? Planning on purchasing a used highlander with 180 to 230 km on it
Joel Reyes , drives nicely, plenty of power, but I like to cruise. Very comfortable, roomy and ergonomic inside. This will probably be my favorite Toyota ever, and I’ve owned a lot of different one’s
headlight cup holder now that's innovation 9:02
Used it many a time.
I could see that being extremely handy
Just last night I had three bags of ponza rotta's and a soda and when I got to my car I needed to put my drink down to open the door. I did not know about this feature yet so I struggled like mad to get it done. lol.
I just got the 2014 Toyota Highlander XLE with 126,000 miles and I love it 🥰
The best SUV by far. My mom had a first generation first model year 2001 Highlander with the 4 cylinder engine, when it was totaled it had 363,000 miles. The interior, under carriage and body did not look like it belonged to a vehicle with that high mileage. Great cars.
Jonathan J My mom had a 2002 and barely got rid of it in 2018 never had any problems we just pushed her to get a new car.
My family also has the 01' 2.4 liter 4 cylinder as well. I'm now taking care of it and I also grew up on that car as well. I'm now using that car while the family car became the Lexus rx350 07'
0:56 is the best mid sized SUV ever. Timeless design (still get comments from people thinking it's new), extremely reliable, and has the perfect balance between rugged and luxury. There is a reason 3rd gen 4runners are still selling for $5-8k despite being over 20 years old...
how did it get totaled
@@randomrazr my brother totalled it when he borrowed it. Unfortunately he got into an accident hitting a vehicle and being pushed into a pole
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.
just traded my 2019 forester in for a 2121 highland..... and there is no comparison. highlander drives like a dream. I loved my subaru, but the highlander FEELS smoother. and my god is the interior nice.
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.
Which would you say is better?
Have a 05 with over 249,000, still running strong!
This video is perfect timing as I’m highlander shopping! Thank you!
The first thing to look for is, does it have a badge or sticker or something that states that it is a Toyota? If so, walk away. It is a Toyota.
Last year I bought a 13 Highlander and I absolutely love it. It was a one owner car and the owner only sold it to buy a brand new Highlander. You won't regret it
99JeepXJGuy Life Pro Tip: NEVER listen to a Jeep guy on what makes a good car.
@@boundaryscience Ha ha . . Fuuunny stuff! But i still will never buy another subaryota
99JeepXJGuy So, no reliable cars. Got it.
I just bought a well maintained 2010 Highlander Sport with 110k miles on it. Everything on it still works, I am very happy with it. My last car was an '05 Rav4. I chose it over a 4runner for it's fuel economy and proceeded to wear the thing out. This time I decided it's not practical to save money in the short term only to end up paying for it in the long run. I wanted more space, more power, more versatility. Most of all an uber reliable vehicle that can handle whatever I throw at it and the Highlander does not disappoint.
2006 Highlander hybrid limited owner here - 340,000+ NO MAJOR PROBLEMS! END OF STORY - the only problem is the GREEDY DEALERSHIPS (AMERICAN and FOREIGN) that try to gouge the customers!
2006 hybrid as well 290,000 miles but vsc check hybrid system keeps appearing
@@ebonyyoung1265 Hello Ebony, that is a known problem. Try making sure the gas cap is tight or the seal is clean. I know this VCS issue is related to the Vehicle Traction Control/ABS (Anti lock Breaking System) but the above mentioned error can cause the vehicle to through this error. If this fails try disconnecting the battery for five minutes.
I had 2nd gen Highlander. Bought a 4 y/o with 100k km, put additional 150k in 5 years and sold it for over $8000. Excellent car.
What are the common problems? Planning on buying one with 200K km on it
The external cupholder came as a pleasant and nice surprise. Thank you.
Just bought 2016 Hilander xle
So excited I love it Prayinh for a long running vehicle for my self at 59 years yoing
Just drove the new 2020 highlander last week, it’s amazing.
When do we get the video?
Right Lane Hog in the next week or two!
@@TheTopher Hybrid or V6?
How is comfort of seats, leg room?
Ante mallet lena
I have a 2013 hybrid ltd. I bought new and it has been the best car ive ever owned. Only reg maintenance has been done in 7yrs and that's it!
What is your mpg?
no one ever talks about the 2nd gen 2GR-Fe vvti rubber oil line leak at the rear bank. its a cheap $30 part but can cause severe damage if not changed with the metal line.
I had that failure luckily i shut it down right away and got it replaced. No damage
YOUR explanations with TOYOTA vehicles are the most easy to understand ones among hundreds of other videos. Thanks !
I have a 2nd gen08, they have a common issue of a faulty gasket\seal in the transfer case on 4wd models, mine finally blew up at 247k miles. I changed it with a used one, and it's still a tank. Currently 265k miles.
My dad just bought a 2004 to 2007 Toyota highlander for our new family car and I'm so happy about that
Thanks, Greg. We purchased a first generation Highlander on your (and plenty of others’) recommendation and we’ve been quite happy with it.
Same here. I haven't been sorry. Greg's reviews are spot on.
You didn't really explain much about any problems but you did go through the history of the highlander
These cars are so damn good.
I have a highlander 2016 xle, I have the truck 6 months now with no problems, my previous truck was highlander v6 2003, I drove it for 12 years, worth every penny 😊😊😊
2015 XLE with 150k miles. Absolutely a fantastic vehicle. I have had nothing other than basic maintenance. When I need a new one, I may buy a used 2019.
Awd? I'm looking for something 2015 XLE but awd- simply have to have it
@@eowyn-faramir-reads funny, this is two years ago. I will hit 200k next month. Still going strong. This was the first year that something broke. I had to replace the lug nuts, they were not removeable by hand, and the tire pressure monitors on all 4 wheels. Total bill, under $400. I now drive it back and forth to FL from Iowa 3 or 4 times a year.
@@jonkrispeterson6678 id love to pick your brain harder about yours! The two years happy ownership makes me happy. If I could get a car to last me 2 damn years I'd be beyond thrilled. (Bad mechanics are EXPENSIVE mistakes. Its why I'm going toyota and having either Toyota do the work or someone I trust.
Our 06 Highlander AWD limited has 334k still runs great.
My 02 with 260k is running great
(2:42) Nice transition.
(8:57) This nugget is worth the price of admission.
I am excited to get a white 2008 highlander limited version. The video was very informative; thank you!
Great info
I love my 2006 4runner Limited v8 now with 224,000 miles and running strong.
Need more content from this channel!
He’s a legend...posts once in a while but when he does it’s legendary.
Got an 09 with 120k mikes. Getting ready to add the camper conversion. Love it.
I have found that exterior cupholder to be worthless on speeds over 25mph and on bumpy roads :(
You sir are a Toyota expert. Thanks for the extenstive review on the Highlander. We just picked up a 2013 with 105,000 miles from a family member and it's fabulous!
As always....the Car Angel did a fabulous job explaining the differences between the various generations of the Highlander. Very nicely done and very informative. Thank you Car Angel. You're the man!
2nd generation had a major flaw. The door lock actuators were junk. Replacing/fixing them cost $700 per door. We had to replace each door three times over a span of 4 years. Of course the warranty had just expired. Toyota continues to ignore this flaw despite page after page of customers complaining about the problem on internet sites.
Would you be able to do a video on Honda Pilots please? Thank you for the videos! 👍
2nd generation highlander got amazing interior and exterior design, still loved it
Yea,my mom still love hers. She has an '09 (which she bought new). She had an '03 before
Very helpful. My son has a 08 hybrid that he loves. I'll pass it on. ... and thanks. You change the way I think about aging autos.
I have a 2010 Toyota Highlander 4 cylinder i get an average of 25 mpg mostly highway driven. I Bought it brand new and in those 10 years of ownership i racked up 104k miles only had to replace 2 batteries, 2 sets of tires, 2 sets of brakes (all around). 3 tpms sensors and the rear hatch latch sensor got messed up but I replaced it myself. The paint on the hood and the top roof started fading around 5 years ago and had it resprayed and still looks good. I have the same color as the one on the video. Overall its one of the best vehicles i had ever owned. My other vehicle is a 2015 Chevy Tahoe and i much prefer to drive the Highlander over the Tahoe any day. I just love it and don’t see myself getting rid of it.
I got a 2007 Highlander with the 3.3litre V6 that had 150 thousand on it when I bought it. It now has 215 thousand on it and is still going strong. I will drive it until it breaks but hopefully that wont be for a long time.
Did you ever have to get spark plugs changed? How much did that cost you?
Cupholders on the OUTSIDE of the 2nd generation! Awesome! 🙂
You'll need some long tongs to access from the driver's seat ;)
The 2.4 engine was also used in some models of the 2009-2010 Pontiac Vibe.
In all pontiac vibe models from 03-09
2006 hybrid. bought it when it had 150k mileage around 2016. 265k miles now in dec.2023. Love it every mile. Looking to get a 2013, I just prefer that exterior style.
You forgot the new 2020 Highlander is relatively 2% cheaper than previous Highlander’s. Also lighter weight than other Highlander’s. It also has standard 4 cylinder and better technology on the Hybrid model😊 Toyota has over 20 years of hybrid tech in that car. They have also borrowed all the Lexus tech and safety systems and jammed it into that car. I know because I sold Lexus. The hybrid hits a nice over 30mpg. This reduces long term fuel costs over the life of the car. Average well kept Highlander’s last 250,000 miles, factor in fuel costs and you save over $5000USD in fuel costs over the V6!!! Do the math😎👍 Also Dealers in my area, Minnesota, are selling the Hybrids $500 cheaper than the V6. It is a win win for Toyota! Also they don’t use lithium (AFAIK) in their cells. Two reasons..., 1) Most lithium comes from conflict regions or gvmnts and/or areas where environmental concerns or laws are not followed. Also brokered by Chinese firms which adopt patents with out permission. And 2) It can still explode or catch fire. Tesla’s are nice and their battery tech is good but are still susceptible to all these factors. Toyota/Lexus is really trying to shield their market from this. It also is part of the reason Lexus 2017 and 2019 cars had older dash technology. They didn’t want competitors to have access to their customer’s data thru their IPhone and Android in car apps. Believe me this was a pain when I was trying to sell Lexus. Customers wanted the convenience of Apple CarPlay more than anything😂✌️ Yes I am buying a Highlander this year😀👍
I am a used car dealer of 30 plus years and I agree, the Toyota Highlander is about as perfect of vehicle as I have ever owned!
Which one do you have?
My mom had an 05 limted in white. One of the best cars we've ever had until it got totaled in an accident :(. She replaced it with a 15 RX350 and the build quality I can tell is not up to par with her Highlander...I liked the look of the 2nd gens too, more athletic body, but interior was cheaper. Thanks for the video!
Well that was the height of quality in that era for Lexus & Toyota. But nothing is what it used to be anyway lol
@@michaelgrant5258 if only they could go back to that quality cuz everything looked and felt alot better lol
@@SimornM It say's something when I am looking at Lincoln over Lexus lol
@@michaelgrant5258 yeah bro like at least they're trying you know ? I feel like Toyota is just chilling and not putting as much effort where as brands like Lincoln are really trying to improve.
@@SimornM Lincoln was ranked in the top 3 for Reliability fore least issues per 100 cars in 2013. Genesis is also trying more than Toyota.
Dad's 2008 toyota highlander going strong with 242.553 miles on it .Let's keep rock and rolling baby.
Greg, I’m Very impressed by the effort and quality of advice that goes into your videos... but it’s a very long time “ between drinks “
It would be great to get more regular content and I have no doubt your subscriber base would grow significantly.
Cheers
This channel is a gold mine for in depth knowledge about Toyota & Lexus !
This video was extremely helpful! Thank-you so much for your through and easy to understand analysis. We're replacing our current 2006 Hybrid for a 2015 Hybrid this week. Love this car!
Hey, how is your 2015 holding up? I’m looking to grab one this weekend. Found one with 15k miles
@@mattsaljanin583 over 100k miles now and she's running great. Average fuel economy is 25mpg, I'd say my driving is about 50/50 hwy/city and I also always use mid-grade gas, it is pricier but I get 20% more distance out of a tank using the better fuel so it still works out better in the end and is better for the car itself as well.
One thing I should note that I just learned the other weekend is that if you are going to take this vehicle (or any hybrid) camping etc where it will be sitting for a few days, be sure DRIVE it in order to keep the battery charged. We were opening and closing the liftgate multiple times through the week and drained the battery. Simply starting/running the car like you would with a traditional vehicle one won't work since the engine turns off as soon as the battery reaches a minimal charge. Additionally when we were trying to jump it from the contacts at the front of the vehicle it was not working and the internal systems were acting strangely. When we connected directly to the battery however (located in the back of the vehicle) it jumped just fine. Apparently if the battery gets too low, the computer system doesn't like to jump from the front contacts.
Other than that I love her and it's been a great vehicle for me for the last 18 months and many more to come I'm sure!
Have a 2nd Gen Limited with 77k miles. Absolute reliability. I also love the cup holder on the headlight!
Great videos 👍 Another common issue is the steering wheel clunking noise when turning the steering wheel left to right. Bad design on the intermediate shaft. My wife’s 2010 with 75k miles is in need of it. Recently her expansion valve and evaporator developed a leak. I’ll be doing the repair soon as it’s getting hot down here in South Florida.
Her's must have been made in the USA and not Japan.
My 2nd Gen 2009 model with 110000 miles has the same issue with the intermediate shaft. I'm in Australia and they're called Kluger here built in Japan at that time.
Just bought a 2016 with 45,000 miles on it and it is my dream car. In researching these, please everyone BEWARE the new 2017 and up 8 speed transmissions and the failure under 30,000 miles! Toyota should have recalled them but as yet they haven't. I only accidentally came across this troubling information on the forums and it is a very common problem, unfortunately.
We have a 2017 AWD, and no issues. Toyota did discover a problem in manufacturing SOME of these units, one nut was not crimped properly by one guy, and so came off, which can ruin the whole thing. I think they extended the warranty a bit on those (to 75k miles?)... check with Toyota and verify. This only happened with a few of them. We had bought an extended manufactures warranty from Toyota upon purchase (to 120K miles) and so far, have never had to use it. So I do not think this is an issue for most folks, but if it does happen, no fun of course.
Could you do a brief video on how exactly Toyota can get so many vehicles out of the same TNGA platform. I think it's fascinating how they're able to do that.
The 2008 model and up are so classic in their design, that even in 2023, it's difficult to distinguish it's true age (similar to Lexus models) 🎉
I truly love & enjoy my new 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE FWD! High quality interior & performance. I got it in the beautiful Ruby flare pearl color....looks like Dorothy's ruby slippers on the Wizard of Oz! Follow the yellow brick freeway...! 😁
How much?
I own an 09 Highlander hybrid with 209k miles and it is the best car I ever had. One issue is the latching for the rear hatch that is not really secure unless you close it manually. Engine/powertrain excellent!
Is it still going strong?
Gen one review was specific and informative, gen 2 a little less, gen 3 and 4, they’re good, buy one.
I bought a used 2009 Highlander Limited Hybrid with 147k miles. This is why: New Transaxle, New Battery, New Inverter and the interior and exterior are mint. It now has 156k miles and I've had no problems at all.
Thanks for detailed information on Highlanders. I was interested in buying one.
I love my new 2020 Highlander XLE FWD in the Ruby flare pearl color! It performs beautifully & very comfortable! High quality interior & V6 engine.
I had a 2005 Highlander Platinum with 175,000 miles and so decided to give this to my teenage daughter and upgrade to a 2014 Highlander Platinum. I loved that car, but unfortunately had a bad accident (due to medical reasons) and crashed the Highlander so that it was a total loss. All of the airbags deployed and my daughter and I escaped without injury despite hitting a guardrail at full speed. I now own a 2015 Highlander Platinum Hybrid and absolutely love the vehicle. The Highlander is fun to drive, a pleasure for long trips, reliable, and very safe!
@@kerridillon3120 Lucky You to get a New!
No other utube channel offers so needful information about used cars. I do take very seriously your objective advice's which are great help for potential used car buyers.
God bless you, man. I've watched most of your video clip and I have to say Thank You very much!
Checking out a used second gen 2010 Highlander tomorrow , I can't wait!
this is a sign... my Jetta is starting to have issues and I was looking at this vehicle..hmm..
Highlander is actually one of the most reliable SUVs.
I work as a Toyota dealer mechanic. Just don’t buy a hybrid model. Non-hybrid versions are really good. Not that the hybrids are terrible but if something does go wrong with that hybrid system it’s very expensive to fix to a point where our customers take a hit and trade theirs in if the hybrid system is shot.
Great job, but you didn’t say much about the third (2014-2019) generation.
That’s exactly what I thought. Really wanted to hear more..
I think because it didn't have any real issues compared to the 1st and second, remember this review was about the problems on them.
Yeah, what about the AT problems? www.motorbiscuit.com/class-action-lawsuit-over-1-million-toyota-8-speed-transmissions/
thanks Greg today I looked over a 2008 highlander limited in Toronto Canada with just 125,000KM on the clock, Ive been struggling between a 4 runner and and the Highlander, Toyota prices are out of the stratosphere due to the pandemic this Highlander is immaculate for its age with only superficial undercarriage rust which I would address if I purchased, the price is quite a bit less than a 4 runner would be and as a senior the size for me is is probably better than the bigger lookking 4 runner, as a retired contractor I dont really need the bigger type truck , you finally convinced me that this is the right choice thanks
Highlander is more comfortable as it is built on Camry frame.
I've got the '04 3.3L Limited @ 245k miles, and I love it. I've also taken it on light trails and some mudding stuffs. Fantastic, I'm curious if the seemingly lower clearance of the newer generations affects the ability to handle some of those off-road stuffs. Anybody have thoughts?
MrTwitch my first gen just recently hit 100k. Nice to know she has another 100k+ to go
I am a Highlander freak myself
I’m on my second a 2010 Hybrid & you are spot on for the economy
I had a 2009 limited that was amazing in the snow & most conditions.
The new 2020 Highlander drives nice too for driveabillaty the 2020 is nice... very very nice with all the bells & whistles & safety equipment
I test drove one recently but Toyota has made the roof space very low so a tall guy like me has to bend his neck even with the seat to the lowest setting & the third row is much much more cramped in my opinion the new third row can only fit children.....
I also like the Sequoia but wish that Toyota would put the Hilux 4.7/liter Diesel engine in it for power & economy...
You're IN-DEPTH NOTLEGE of TOYOTA it's REMARKABLE !!! and are very VALUABLE TIPS for what to look for when buying one SECOND HAND !!!! THANKS !!!
I just bought a new 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid XLE last night from Heritage Toyota Owings Mills in Garrison, MD. Although I did test drive it, including on the highway before purchasing, I never made it above 70 mph on the test drive. On my way home after the dealership closed, I was on the highway going over 70 mph and this hissing, whistling noise developed right from the driver's side window that was driving me crazy. It wouldn't happen if I was going below 55 and would happen intermittently when I was going between 55 and 70. I triple checked that all the windows were fully closed fully and opened and closed the doors to ensure they were completely shut but the hissing and whistling continued when I would hit 70. The only additional option I have on the car is all-weather mats, no door edge guards, and no crossbars or anything else. I love the car but hope this problem gets fixed ASAP or else it'll drive me insane. Put the volume on max, cuz the recording is from a cell phone. The UA-cam video link is below.
I already took it to one dealer who were able to reproduce the whistling sound but said there was nothing they could find wrong to fix to make it better. Any suggestions on what I can do because I don't think I can go on with this problem long term.
Thanks,
Anan
ua-cam.com/video/2IAFIFh16gw/v-deo.html
You didn’t say anything elaborately on 3rd generations... about the engine or problems... how good they are
Well it's still too soon to say since it's still relatively young
I would like to know about the mileage on the generation three Limited. Also what year did seat setting memory happen… I recently bought a 2012 Limited and am disappointed that I’m having to manually select my seat position every time I get in or out! My old Z 71 that I drove for 17 years had it.… Why was Toyota so slow in adding that feature?
@@Hopehighpackratbobca
Toyota is always last to add features. Just the way they are, they spend as much time as possible to perfect something before manufacturing it.