Toyota Highlander

When a loyal GM family traded their Chevy Traverse for a Toyota Highlander, they expected bulletproof reliability. Instead, they hit a high-tech transmission reality check, exposing hidden vulnerabilities in the 8-speed automatic software.

Toyota just told Torque News the 2027 Highlander EV needs a minimum of eight more weeks before production starts. That number is oddly specific, and it points to something far more interesting than a simple delay.

We sat down with one of the best-informed SUV shoppers we’ve ever met and learned a lot about why the Kia Sorento Hybrid is winning over so many shoppers.

Toyota's 2027 all-electric Highlander pivot faces severe backlash from loyal owners who warn the 320-mile SUV has lost its identity. Here is why the brand's shift to a pure BEV platform is driving a wedge into the three-row family market.

A routine oil change at a Houston Toyota dealer took a chaotic turn when a technician mistakenly pulled a Highlander's axle. I break down the immediate risks to the transmission fluid levels, axle splines, and critical transaxle seals.

A routine Toyota Highlander Hybrid software update can instantly deep-discharge your 12V auxiliary battery and ruin it. This quick 10-second defensive step at the dealer service desk protects your hybrid's electronics from costly bricked-module backlogs.

A 2023 Toyota Highlander update turned into a 42-day nightmare after a flawed 12.3-inch digital dash software download bricked the SUV's electronics. Forensic dashcam footage revealed the dealership quietly replaced a dead 12V auxiliary battery.

Late-model Toyota Highlander owners face a shocking loophole. Third-party extended warranty companies are leveraging factory "lifetime fluid" language to deny claims for the $12,000 UA80E transmission failure. Learn how to legally protect your wallet.

A 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE AWD owner reaches 90,000 miles with zero transmission issues by rejecting "lifetime" fluid claims. Discover why a proactive 40,000-mile transmission fluid drain-and-fill beats the factory schedule for the Direct Shift 8-speed.

Why are dealerships refusing to perform the safer, manufacturer-sanctioned drain-and-fill procedure in favor of high-risk, high-margin machine flushes on the Toyota Highlander?

Used Toyota Highlander buyers can avoid a $12,000 UA80E 8-speed transmission failure by using a specialized pre-purchase test protocol, securing an aftermarket exclusionary warranty shield, and rejecting factory lifetime fluid schedules.

Toyota Highlander owners face $12,000 out-of-pocket bills as UA80E 8-speed transmissions suffer catastrophic bearing and clutch failures just past warranty expiration. A deep look at the engineering defect behind the "whine of death" failure.

Once again, the age-old debate between whether to use OEM or aftermarket parts to replace wear and tear items has flared. This time it's the owner of a 2015 Toyota Highlander opening this particular can of worms on social media about which brakes to use.

Toyota Highlander powertrain showdown: Discover how the bulletproof 3.5L V6 stacks up against the high-torque 2.4L Turbo-4 and ultra-efficient 2.5L Hybrid. Learn the critical mechanical defects, transmission bugs, and 12V battery flaws before you buy.

A critical 2026 Toyota Highlander Hybrid software glitch is leaving drivers stranded. A startup bug causes infotainment screens to go completely black, immediately followed by engine stalls. Toyota is tracking the issue as owners demand an emergency fix.

A 2026 Toyota Highlander Hybrid owner warns of permanent bumper damage after a Toyota dealer used large sheet metal screws for temporary tags, stripping the factory holes. Here is the technical recourse and the correct bumper repair method.

Sometimes, dealers and/or manufacturers make things right for their customers. That is the case with one customer and his 2021 Toyota Highlander XLE AWD. Its transmission had a whine, and it was taken care of.

Toyota's shift to an all-electric 2027 Highlander is sending shockwaves through the used car market. Car buyers are scrambling to buy remaining internal combustion units, driving up secondary market prices for dependable gas and hybrid crossovers.

A 2026 Toyota Highlander buyer warns that dealership tactics are forcing shoppers to choose between a 2027 electric model or the more expensive Grand Highlander, exposing a major disconnect between local sales pitches and official Toyota strategy.

Tired of the $5,000 "Toyota Tax"? This expert action plan reveals how the Kia Sorento surpassed the Highlander in TCO and provides the step-by-step "goodwill" negotiation guide to rectify your SUV's timing cover oil leak without going broke.

A 2019 Toyota Highlander owner faces a $5,000 repair for a known timing cover oil leak and SOS console failure. Despite Toyota’s reliability reputation, this owner found his previous used Kia Sorentos surpassed the SUV in long-term durability.

I scrutinized the 8-speed transmission failures in 2020-2024 Toyota Highlanders. While newer hybrids excel, some V6 owners face $12,000 replacements. I’ve detailed the warning signs and the 2026 seat-back recall you must check before buying.

A 2022 Toyota Highlander XLE V6 owner faced a $12,000 transmission replacement at 71k miles. Thanks to a third-party extended warranty, the out-of-pocket cost was only $102.94. Learn why the "whine of death" is hitting late-model Highlanders early.

Florida owner John Parks traded his 2024 Toyota Highlander for a paid-off 2015 Platinum model, pocketing $21K and avoiding 8-speed transmission issues. "The coolest car is the one you own," he says, prioritizing reliability over newer tech.

A Toyota Highlander owner exposes a $1,600 warranty overcharge, reveals how she negotiated a $1,400 Platinum plan for her 2026 Grand Highlander, and warns others about the $65 refund trap. Expert insights for Toyota owners looking to save on coverage.

A 2019 Toyota Highlander owner catches a faint whine and occasional rough shifting at 77,000 miles, and her dealer immediately recommends an alternator replacement, a transmission flush, and two new control arms, but a second mechanic finds nothing wrong.

After a total transmission failure on his 2021 Toyota Highlander XLE, owner Rob Kopty faces a dilemma: Is the warranty replacement a permanent fix or a ticking clock? We analyze TSB T-SB-0008-21 and whether the Direct Shift 8-speed is still a risk.

Toyota’s "bulletproof" reputation faces a reality check. A 2025 Highlander owner details a dip in build quality but explains why it still beats Ford and Chevy. Learn why she’s ditching factory coverage for a non-Toyota extended warranty in 2026.

A veteran 2017 RAV4 owner’s switch to the 2026 Toyota Highlander XLE backfires. Despite loving the 2015 model, they warn of "boat-like" handling, poor shifting, and squishy brakes. Is Toyota’s newest SUV too big for its own good? Direct owner insight.

A 2022 Toyota Highlander Platinum owner in Seattle joins the "Rear Liftgate Won’t Close Club" after a total power failure. With repair costs for this defect hitting $4,700, here is why your extended warranty is now your most valuable asset.