Quick Facts — Toyota Highlander

Est. On UK Roads
8,000+
Years Made
2021–present (UK)
Common Engines
2.5 Hybrid AWD (248ps)

6 Most Common Toyota Highlander Problems

These are the faults most frequently seen on the Toyota Highlander by UK garages — ranked by how commonly they occur and what they cost to fix.

1
12V Battery Failure (Hybrid)
Watch
The 12V auxiliary battery in the Highlander Hybrid needs replacing every 3–5 years.
💷 Typical repair cost: £100–£220
2
Infotainment Complexity
Watch
The Highlander's large infotainment system can be prone to freezing and requiring a reboot on some examples.
💷 Typical repair cost: £0–£300
3
Rear Brake Squeal
Low Priority
Rear brake squeal after inactivity is common on hybrid models.
💷 Typical repair cost: £0–£250
4
Third Row Seat Mechanism
Low Priority
The third row fold-flat seats can become stiff on some examples.
💷 Typical repair cost: £100–£300
5
Hybrid System Warnings (Software)
Low Priority
A small number of Highlanders have experienced hybrid system warnings related to software — resolved by Toyota dealer updates.
💷 Typical repair cost: £0–£300
6
Paint Chips (Large Frontal Area)
Low Priority
The Highlander's large front end is susceptible to stone chips on motorway use.
💷 Typical repair cost: £100–£500

Got a Toyota Highlander Fault?
Free Fault Scan →

Describe your symptoms and MotorLoom cross-references known Toyota Highlander fault data — giving you likely causes, UK repair costs and MOT risk instantly.

Find Your Problem Now →
First cause free · Full report £1.99 · 60 seconds

Toyota Highlander — MOT Tips

Hybrid warning lights must be clear for MOT. All seven seat belts must work. All ADAS systems must function correctly. 12V auxiliary battery health should be verified.

Warning light on before your MOT? It's likely an automatic fail. Run a Find Your Problem Now → to get the likely cause and repair cost before booking the test.

Toyota Highlander Tyres

Most Toyota Highlander models run 235/55 R19 or 245/50 R20 depending on trim level and year. Always check the placard inside the driver's door for the exact size for your vehicle.

🔍 Not sure what's wrong? Check your symptoms & likely causes →

🔗 Trusted Partner
BookMyGarage
Need to get a Toyota Highlander fault fixed? Find and book a trusted local garage — compare prices and availability instantly.
Find a Local Garage →
🔗 Trusted Partner
Tyres.net
Need new tyres for your Toyota Highlander? Get an instant price and book fitting near you.
Get a Tyre Price →
🔗 Trusted Partner
AutoAid Breakdown Cover
Driving a Toyota Highlander? Get UK breakdown cover from AutoAid — one of the UK's most affordable and highly rated breakdown services. From just £33/year.
Get a Quote →

Partner links — MotorLoom may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most common problem with the Toyota Highlander?

The most frequently reported issue on the Toyota Highlander is 12V Battery Failure (Hybrid). The 12V auxiliary battery in the Highlander Hybrid needs replacing every 3–5 years.

How many Toyota Highlanders are on UK roads?

There are an estimated 8,000+ Toyota Highlanders currently on UK roads.

What tyres does the Toyota Highlander use?

Most Toyota Highlander models run 235/55 R19 or 245/50 R20 depending on trim level and year. Always check the placard inside the driver's door for the exact size for your vehicle.

Will a warning light fail my Toyota Highlander's MOT?

Hybrid warning lights must be clear for MOT. All seven seat belts must work. All ADAS systems must function correctly. 12V auxiliary battery health should be verified.

Similar Issues on Other Models

Audi Q7 — another third row seat mechanism case worth knowing about Kia Sorento — also commonly develops third row seat mechanism

Summary

The Highlander is a rare, well-equipped and capable large hybrid SUV. Almost all UK examples are under warranty. The hybrid AWD system delivers genuine all-weather capability with impressive fuel economy for its size.

If your Toyota Highlander has a warning light on or a symptom you can't identify, a Find Your Problem Now → gives you likely fault causes, UK repair cost estimates and MOT risk — instantly.

Toyota Highlander Warning Light On?
Free Fault Scan →

Instant fault analysis, UK repair costs and MOT risk for your exact Toyota Highlander.

Find Your Problem Now →
First cause free · Full report £1.99 · No subscription · Instant results

Other Toyota Models

Toyota Yaris → Toyota Corolla → Toyota RAV4 → Toyota C-HR →