TireKick

Published generation acquisition guide

Highlander years to avoid—and the years we refuse to over-rank

This answer is generated only from the published Third generation guide. It names applicable issues, configuration caveats, remedies, exposure eligibility, and the claim receipts behind every year conclusion.

Year-by-year answer

2018
Buy with conditions

Proceed only after the named candidate-verification and record checks pass.

clm_toyota-highlander-2018-recall-recall-17v831000-obs-4164

Applicable issues

  • Equipment:Other:Labels safety campaign (high; verified remedy) · Inspect: Check the VIN for open NHTSA actions, then ask the inspector to test the named system and document the result.

Configuration: 2 reviewed 2018 configurations exist; the model-year authority does not guess which one a buyer has.

Exposure: No verified positive production denominator is present for 2018; normalized year comparison is refused. No configuration-specific denominator is available.

Open 2018 authority →
2019
Buy with conditions

Proceed only after the named candidate-verification and record checks pass.

clm_toyota-highlander-2019-recall-recall-19v244000-obs-4197

Applicable issues

  • Equipment:Other:Labels safety campaign (high; verified remedy) · Inspect: Check the VIN for open NHTSA actions, then ask the inspector to test the named system and document the result.

Configuration: 2 reviewed 2019 configurations exist; the model-year authority does not guess which one a buyer has.

Exposure: No verified positive production denominator is present for 2019; normalized year comparison is refused. No configuration-specific denominator is available.

Open 2019 authority →
2017
Insufficient evidence

Insufficient evidence for a responsible candidate verdict.

clm_toyota-highlander-2017-recall-recall-17v295000-obs-4132

Applicable issues

  • Tires:Temporary/Emergency Spare Tire safety campaign (high; verified remedy) · Inspect: Check the VIN for open NHTSA actions, then ask the inspector to test the named system and document the result.

Configuration: 2 reviewed 2017 configurations exist; the model-year authority does not guess which one a buyer has.

Exposure: No verified positive production denominator is present for 2017; normalized year comparison is refused. No configuration-specific denominator is available.

Open 2017 authority →

What you trade between adjacent years

Dossier receipts

clm_toyota-highlander-2017-recall-recall-17v295000-obs-41322017 Toyota HighlanderEvidence: Limited confidence

The official record describes a potential crash, fire, injury, or loss-of-control consequence.

“Gulf States Toyota, Inc. (Gulf States) is recalling certain 2017 4Runner , 86, Avalon, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Corolla, Corolla iM, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Prius, Prius C, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Sienna and Yaris vehicles. The spare tire air pressure was not adjusted to the proper pressure as stated on the Tire Pressure Label. A spare tire that is not inflated to the proper value may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of a crash. Gulf States will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the spare tires, adjusting their pressure as necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 15, 2017. Owners may contact Gulf States customer service at 1-800-444-1074. Toyota's number for this recall is 17R2.”
NHTSArecallFeb 2017Open source record
clm_toyota-highlander-2018-recall-recall-17v831000-obs-41642018 Toyota HighlanderEvidence: Medium confidence

The official record describes a potential crash, fire, injury, or loss-of-control consequence.

“Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Toyota 4Runner and Tundra, 2018 Toyota Highlander, RAV4 and Lexus GX460 and 2017 Toyota Sienna and Tacoma vehicles. These vehicles may have incorrect load carrying capacity modification labels. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims." An incorrect load information label can result in the operator overloading the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash. Toyota will notify owners and provide them with corrected labels, free of charge. The recall began on January 23, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are H0Z for Toyota vehicles, and HLF for Lexus vehicles.”
NHTSArecallOpen source record
clm_toyota-highlander-2019-recall-recall-19v244000-obs-41972019 Toyota HighlanderEvidence: Medium confidence

The official record describes a potential crash, fire, injury, or loss-of-control consequence.

“Gulf States Toyota (GST) is recalling certain 2019 C-HR, 4Runner, Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Highlander, Land Cruiser, Prius, RAV4, Sequoia, Tacoma, Sienna, Tundra and Yaris vehicles. The text on the load capacity label may become illegible. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims." If the driver cannot read the label, they may unknowingly overload the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. GST will notify owners, and dealers will provide corrected load carrying capacity modification labels, free of charge. The recall began May 24, 2019. Owners may contact GST customer service at 1-800-444-1074. GST's number for this recall is 19R1.”
NHTSArecallOpen source record

Publication contract

Evidence: Limited confidence

Release rel_v4_cohort_20260726 · methodology m1-v4-authority-cohort. Raw complaint totals never choose an avoid year.