r/ToyotaHighlander

I have 2026 highlander hybrid platinum and I do city & highway driving, averaging 37 MPG. I have not tinkered with the driving modes yet but currently with 37 MPG, its on eco. I've heard though that other modes are better in fuel efficiency. Curious to see what's everyone's MPGs with their highlanders, their mode, year and trims?

Its about time to swap out tires on my wifes 2022 Highlander Hybrid Platinum and at a bit of a loss on what to throw on there, heres my details:

• Located in the Midwest, winters go anywhere from brutal to non-existent depending on the year
• Primarily city driving but highway maybe 1-2x a month
• Looking for something that doesnt kill efficiency but finds a good balance with grip too
• Dont want anything too knobby that may cause unnecessary road noise
• Longevity - would like something rated for 60K miles or more

Ive been looking at Costco primarily and other subs showing the Michilen CrossClimate2's as a front runner. Not a horrible price but have seen posts of folks saying they are louder and anywhere from a 5-10% fuel economy hit which tracks with what appears to be a more cold weather tread pattern. Also considering:

• Pirelli Scorpion Weatheractive - have had good experiences with Pirelli's on other vehicles but these work out to be a bit pricier comparative to Costco offerings
  • 4.5/5 on Tirerack
• Mastercraft Courser Quest Plus - dont know much about this brand but the most economical * Dont see on tirerack
• BFGoodrich Advantage Control - pretty sure these are the stock tires, nothing against them neccessarily, would be like 100 bucks cheaper than the Michelins after rebate from Belle Tire
  • 4.5/5 on Tirerack
• Michelin Defender 2 - works out to about 30 more than the CC2s after rebate
  • 4.5/5 on Tirerack
• Pirelli Scorpion AS4 - about 40 cheaper than the CC2s
  • Dont see a rating on tirerack

I recognize this may be subjective but just curious any experiences with the CC2s year round and if that tread pattern may be too aggressive, loud, fuel economy hitting to be worth while and if a similar option, regardless of price difference above, may make more sense?

It has had basically perfect maintenance at Toyota dealers every 4-8k miles. 1 owner. No accident history. Listed at $15,700. I would most likely ask the dealer to change spark plugs (was done at 120k but needs done again) and change transmission fluid (drain/refill). I would also ask them about the state of the hybrid battery modules.

I currently have a 2023 Bolt EUV with about 29k miles. Current offers from CarMax/carvana of $19,800 and $20,200. The Highlander would give us a lot more space/utility, though we would have increased gas/maintenance costs, but the trade would knock about $4,000 off of the total auto loan. I feel crazy for considering a trade to a car with 10x the mileage, but the price is hard to ignore and it seems hybrid drivetrain/trans is built very reliably

First week in our Hybrid Highlander- after 12 Toyotas- just realizing this is our first AWD- even having owned a Tundra and Tacoma.
Not likely to drive on ice/snow- but do like camping and it's pretty sandy in these areas- will there ever be a need to use the trail button? My Dad who sold Toyotas/Lexus for over 40 years has warned me never to use it bc it can lock up your tires if used incorrectly-
Any experiences?
Thanks!!

*with trailer brakes. Disclaimer- I do not currently own a Highlander hybrid, but I'll be getting one before the end of the year. Specifically a 2008ish model

I've been doing an obscene amount of Google research and am at least moderately familiar with the considerations you have to make with towing with a hybrid(wind catching and sway bars, trailer brakes, added weight from gear and water, keeping up with transmission, etc)

Normally I'm easy to appease. There's a ton of sub 2000lb(and even a few sub 1000) trailers I'd be happy to consider... But there's a specific A frame model that's caught my eye that's just shy of 2700lbs dry. I'm sure it would handle just fine with trailer brakes and the occasional tow, but I'm curious at just how close to the edge of comfortable peace of mind that would be for you established Highlander hybrid owners. I've been operating with the mindset that anything over 1400 I should get trailer brakes and anything over 2000 I should be weary about in general. Any input would be greatly appreciated

Bonus question- there's another trailer I'm on the fence about that's just shy of 2K pounds, but not a pop up at all. It's actually quite tall for it's weight class. How much more of an issue does the wind resistance present than weight? Not the MPG loss, but the overall safety

Thanks in advance everyone!

I'd like to change the rear emblem on my Highlander XSE to a matte black one. I appreciate your suggestions and recommendations.

I honestly don’t know what to do at this point.

A little history: I bought my 2022 Highlander V6 Platinum brand new in March 2022.

From the beginning, I had some smaller issues: wind noise, a replaced front radiator grille, and during that repair they apparently broke clips on the headlamp and couldn’t properly align the left fender. Eventually they fixed the panel fitment, but the wind noise was never really resolved.

Those issues now feel minor compared to what happened later.

At around 43k miles, I developed an engine oil leak. Toyota resealed it for free, and I got the car back after 4 days.

At 46k miles, the rear axle pinion seal started leaking. That was also repaired for free.

Then, about a month ago at 77k miles, I got another oil leak — again.

This time a different dealership repaired it and kept the car for a week. I have a third-party extended warranty, so the repair was covered. However, when I got the car back, there was a scratch on the driver’s door, and the dealership refused to admit responsibility.

Today I went back to the dealership, and I couldn’t even make it home.

About 100 miles after the repair, I started hearing what sounded like detonation/pinging, then knocking noises, and the car lost power. I had it towed back to the dealership. I’m still waiting for answers.

This is extremely frustrating. I bought this car expecting Toyota reliability, but after multiple leaks, and now possible engine trouble right after the latest repair, I don’t know what my next step should be.

I have a feeling I need to get rid of it despite the fact that I have extended Platinum warranty valid for another 20k miles and Limited Powertrain warranty till 200k.

So I bought my 2006 Toyota Highlander V6 3.3L a couple weeks ago, it has 200k miles. I test drove it, everything fine, ac and heat both worked fine. The battery light was on, the guy said he recently replaced the alternator and battery didn't really know why the light was still on but didn't disclose any issues with the car dying or anything so I wasn't worried, (just to note the battery he put in was refurbished).

Anyways, today I start my car, I previously haven't had to use the AC yet because it hasn't been that warm in Michigan til today. I turn the AC on before taking off and my car just instantly dies. I turn it back on, starts fine, try again and it dies again... I'm like weird okay not gonna use the AC I guess. The car is driving completely fine otherwise, after I get to my destination I try again and it dies AGAIN. Later in the day, I try again while in drive (foot on break) and the RPMS go down when the AC turns on but it doesn't die this time, it takes a couple secs but they return to normal. Also to note, when that happened the battery light went away for about 5 seconds before coming back. I went to Autozone had the guy test my battery, alternator and everything seemed fine, he pointed out since the battery was refurbished it might be worth trying to replace it. From what I read online it seems like the issue might be just the AC compressor though.

Has anyone experienced this before or have any advice on where to start? Do I buy a new battery? Do I assume it's just the ac compressor going bad. I know it's not 100% seized since it did work for a while today but something is definitely going on. If it is the AC compressor, should I just replace that or does the whole system need replacing?

I had a 2005 highlander that I put 300k miles on. I loved that car. We'd done a lot together. Engine and transmission were still going strong, but it needed thousands in labor - engine mounts, control arms, muffler, etc... - to keep it on the road. Hadn't had a working AC or stereo for over 5 years. So I figured it was time, and I bought a 2020 Highlander to replace it.

This car has emotional damage. It just beeps constantly. When I park in the driveway it freaks out because there's a shrub next to it. When I park on the curb it freaks out because there's a curb next to it. When I start the car it freaks out. When I open the door it beeps to let me know the door is open. I almost backed into a pedestrian the other day because I've gotten so used to false alarms I'm starting to ignore them altogether.

And don't get me started on AirPlay. Is it so difficult to understand that maybe I don't want music playing 24/7 but I would still like to hear phone notifications? I feel like the people who design this stuff don't actually use it every day.

/get off my lawn

About a month ago we found out that our transmission was going out, 4k miles & 2 months past the warranty.

Toyota has been less than helpful. They offered to split the cost at $2500 from them and the other $6500 would be our responsibility. I told them I wasn't ready yet to sign that and I was notified today that since I didn't sign the agreement yesterday for them to pay the $2500 and that's all, that they dropped my case and won't pay anything.

Here is what I have learned so far for anyone who has to go through this.

1. Sell the car. Don't gamble. If it isn't the hybrid, sell it.

2. Try to get goodwill assistance through the dealership you got the work done at, not corporate. Once you call corporate, the dealers can't even touch the case.

3. SELL THE CAR. We have had 6 Toyotas. We were JUST about to buy the new sienna and now I can't even look at Toyota the same. Save yourself the frustration.

If anyone has any other input about how to get corporate to help with this, I would love any info!

Thanks.

I see that Toyota offers Interior LED lighting as an option for Highlanders. Does anyone know if it is possible to get this OEM option added to a used Highlander 2023?

My sister just bought one with 35k miles under the 60k miles power train warranty.