Thinking about buying a used Toyota Highlander (2007–2024) in New Zealand? We've documented 11 known faults for this model spanning engine, fluid leaks, electrical, and transmission. Each researched and verified before it's published. The most serious issues here are rated critical. Two are set out in full below — the rest, with the symptoms, repair costs and checks for each, are free with an account.
11
Documented faults
Critical
Most serious
$250–$1,200
Typical repair
9
Systems covered
Known Toyota Highlander faults
Every fault below is documented specifically for this model — researched and verified before it’s published.
01Denso low-pressure fuel pump recall — engine can stall without warning
CriticalOccasionalEngine $0–$1,400 to fix
Highlanders/Klugers built roughly 2018-2020 were caught in the massive worldwide Denso fuel pump recall: the pump impeller can swell and seize, causing rough running or a sudden stall that will not restart. Toyota Australia and Toyota NZ replaced pumps free under recall. Most have been done by now, but unrepaired JDM or parallel imports can slip through — always verify by VIN.
Symptoms to notice
Rough running or hesitation, especially when hot
Check-engine light with fuel-pressure codes
Engine stall while driving, then no restart
What to check
Run the VIN through Toyota NZ/AU's recall checker (or ask a dealer) and confirm the fuel pump recall shows as completed. There is nothing visual to inspect — this is a paperwork check.
Where to look: In-tank fuel pump, under the rear seat/fuel tank
Ask the seller
“Has the Denso fuel pump recall been completed on this VIN?”
“Has it ever stalled or struggled to restart when hot?”
02Infotainment screen freezes, blank-outs and random reboots
MinorCommonElectrical $0–$2,500 to fix
XU70 Highlanders (sold as Kluger in NZ/AU) with the 8-inch or 12.3-inch multimedia head unit commonly suffer the screen going blank, freezing, becoming unresponsive to touch, or rebooting itself while driving, sometimes several times a day. Toyota addressed it under Technical Service Bulletin T-SB-0055-22, which in worse cases calls for replacing the multimedia integration control module with an updated part. This is a software and module trait of early XU70 build years rather than a wear item, so it can appear at very low kilometres and is not km-dependent. Many cases are covered under the basic warranty, and a Home plus Volume-Down hard reset often clears it temporarily.
Symptoms to notice
Screen goes black or blank while driving
Touchscreen unresponsive to inputs
System reboots itself repeatedly
Reversing camera or audio drops out
Bluetooth or CarPlay disconnects
What to check
Sit in the vehicle for a full test drive and cycle the head unit through reversing camera, audio, phone mirroring and climate screens. Watch for the display freezing, going blank or rebooting. Ask whether TSB T-SB-0055-22 has been applied and check the reversing camera actually shows on screen when selecting reverse.
Where to look: Centre dashboard multimedia display and integration control module
Ask the seller
“Has the infotainment screen ever frozen, gone blank or restarted itself?”
“Has TSB T-SB-0055-22 or a multimedia software update been carried out?”
“Was the integration control module ever replaced under warranty?”
Fluid LeaksCritical
ElectricalCritical
TransmissionMajor
CoolingMajor
BrakesMajor
ElectricalMajor
InteriorMajor
SuspensionMinor
Body & RustMinor
9 more documented faults on the Toyota Highlander
Symptoms, what to check, where to look and what to ask the seller — for every fault above. Free with an account, no card needed. One account covers one vehicle, so make it the car you’re actually looking at.
This page covers the model. Enter the plate of the actual car you’re looking at and see its year, engine, safety rating and register flags — free, no account needed.
Like any used car, it depends on the specific example and its service history. Across the 11 documented faults for the Toyota Highlander, the recurring problem areas are engine, fluid leaks, and electrical. A Toyota Highlander with a full service history and no signs of the issues listed on this page can be a sound buy but each one needs to be checked individually before you commit.
What are the most common problems with a used Toyota Highlander?
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We've catalogued 11 known faults for the Toyota Highlander, covering engine, fluid leaks, and electrical. Two are written out in full on this page. The rest — with the symptoms to notice, what to inspect, and typical repair costs for each — are free once you create an account.
How much do repairs cost on a Toyota Highlander?
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Most single repairs on the Toyota Highlander fall between $250–$1,200 at NZ independent-workshop rates. Some of the 11 documented faults cost less and a few cost considerably more, and no one car needs them all. Knowing which ones to look for before you view is what lets you negotiate the price down or walk away.
Should I get a pre-purchase inspection on a Toyota Highlander?
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Yes. A Toyota Highlander inspection focused on its known weak points is the single best way to avoid an expensive mistake. KickTyres gives you a guided, model-specific inspection plus a market valuation and negotiation figure for $17.90 far less than the cost of missing one of the faults on this page.