The Toyota Grand Highlander is a capable three-row mid-size SUV with strong ownership satisfaction in most years, but the launch 2024 model year racked up more complaints and recalls than any other year in this nameplate's short history. You deserve a data-backed breakdown of which model year to seek out and which to skip, so this guide pulls from NHTSA complaint and recall data, CarComplaints PainRank scoring, Consumer Reports reliability surveys, RepairPal ratings, and IIHS crash-test results.
For generations, engines, and ownership notes in one place, see the Toyota Grand Highlander hub.
Related guides appear in the Toyota years to avoid directory.
At a glance
- Worst years
- 2024
- Best years
- 2025
- Top failure
- 2024 curtain shield airbag non-deployment (NHTSA recall 24V-461, ~145,000 vehicles)
- Always do before buying
- run the VIN through NHTSA's recall checker to confirm recall 24V-461 is closed, and on any 2024, inspect the hood latch area and ask about powertrain noise
How we rated the best and worst Toyota Grand Highlander years
The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander has the most overall complaints, and CarComplaints also rates the 2024 as the worst model year, ranked on several factors such as repair cost and average mileage when problems occur. That makes 2024 the single year to approach with the most caution.
Our ratings draw from five data sources. CarComplaints shows 262 problems and defects reported for the 2024 Grand Highlander, with the worst complaints concentrated in suspension, body/paint, and transmission. CarComplaints ranks a "worst year" by its PainRank score, which weights repair cost and the mileage at which problems first appear - not raw complaint volume. NHTSA complaint volume is a separate dataset: years with the most NHTSA recall activity are 2024 (4 recalls) and 2025 (2 recalls); years with the most NHTSA complaint volume are 2024 (230 complaints) and 2025 (34 complaints). In this case both sources agree: 2024 is the weakest year. We also used Consumer Reports reliability surveys, IIHS crash-test results, and RepairPal owner ratings to round out the picture.
| Toyota Grand Highlander Generation | Best Toyota Grand Highlander Years | Worst Toyota Grand Highlander Years |
|---|---|---|
| 1st gen (2024-present) | 2025 | 2024 |
Every Toyota Grand Highlander model year ranked
The Toyota Grand Highlander is a new nameplate with only three model years on the market as of this writing, so every available year is covered below.
| Model Year | Generation | Verdict | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1st gen | Avoid | Most complaints, most recalls, airbag recall, hood vibration |
| 2025 | 1st gen | Best | Consumer Reports top reliability rating, 5-star NHTSA safety |
| 2026 | 1st gen | OK/Mixed | Too new for full complaint picture; 1 recall on file |
Most common Toyota Grand Highlander problems
The most commonly reported problem areas for the Toyota Grand Highlander in NHTSA complaint data are powertrain, engine, and air bags - with the curtain shield airbag recall being the single most safety-critical issue this nameplate has seen.
1. Curtain shield airbag non-deployment (recall 24V-461)
The curtain shield airbags on both the driver's and passenger's side may not deploy as intended during certain crashes when the driver or front passenger windows are rolled down. If this occurs, the vehicles may not meet a federal safety standard, increasing the risk of injury during certain crashes.
NHTSA recall number 24V-461, filed June 20, 2024, covers approximately 145,254 potentially involved vehicles - specifically 2024 model year Grand Highlander and Grand Highlander Hybrid units. Toyota's own manufacturer recall number for this campaign is 24TA09. When the remedy is available, Toyota dealers replace the driver and passenger curtain shield airbag free of charge.
Owners report that months after the airbag recall, parts needed to do the repair are not available - a significant frustration given the safety nature of the defect. If you are buying a used 2024 Grand Highlander, confirm with the dealer that the VIN has a completed repair record for recall 24V-461 before you take delivery.
2. Powertrain and transmission hesitation
Transmission and drivetrain complaints account for 46 NHTSA filings for the Grand Highlander, with 2.2% involving a crash, making it the most-reported complaint category by volume. Owners describe the transmission making clunking or clicking noises, and some report rough shifting and the vehicle lurching at lower speeds.
Transmission problems usually manifest as problems with accelerating or gear shifting, where vehicle owners notice rough shifting or problems getting their vehicle up to speed. These complaints concentrate on the 2024 model year, which carries the 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder paired to an 8-speed automatic. No dedicated recall or TSB number for this pattern appeared in NHTSA records at the time of research, so request a test drive that includes highway merging and in-town stop-and-go to surface any hesitation before purchase.
3. Hood vibration at speed
Drivers report that the hood of the Grand Highlander vibrates with varying intensity depending on the road surface. Owner accounts describe excessive hood shaking and vibration at the rear of the vehicle, directly under the projection area of the windshield, directing attention to the movement - at highway speeds the shaking is described as excessive, and Toyota has not been able to find a repair for this issue.
This structural complaint appears on both 2024 and 2025 units. The most-reported single problem on CarComplaints for the Grand Highlander is the hood vibrates on speed complaint on the 2024 model. No recall or TSB number covering this issue appeared in NHTSA records during research. At test drive, pay attention to vibration felt through the windshield base at speeds above 55 mph.
4. CV joint/axle knocking
The 2024 Grand Highlander has documented issues with front CV axles causing knocking and popping during turns as early as 2,000 miles, and a widespread low-frequency cabin resonance that causes physical symptoms - neither has been recalled despite multiple owner reports. A bad axle typically announces itself with a clicking or popping sound on tight turns, which is exactly the symptom owners describe.
Consumer Reports owner accounts confirm CV joint problems starting within six weeks of ownership, with a clicking/popping sound every time the vehicle turned left or right; the dealership replaced the right side CV joint first and the noise improved, then worsened, before being resolved with a second replacement. No recall covers this pattern. During a pre-purchase inspection, have a technician check both front axles for play and listen for clicking on full-lock turns.
5. Moonroof glass shattering
Toyota is dealing with reports of defective sunroof glass, with owners reporting the moonroof shatters for no apparent reason - drivers hear a loud bang similar to a gunshot and the moonroof shatters into many pieces, creating potential for injury. Exploding sunroofs have been somewhat of a common issue with certain Toyota vehicles, so an investigation may be coming in the near future.
This complaint is concentrated in the 2024 model year. No formal recall had been issued for this pattern at the time of research. When shopping a used 2024, inspect the moonroof glass for chips, stress cracks, or any prior replacement.
6. Fuel tank underfill
Some owners report the car only accepts 11 to 13 gallons of gas when refueling a near-empty tank despite the advertised 17.2-gallon capacity, a pattern seen across many similar complaints on owner forums, suggesting a fuel gauge or evaporative emission system issue rather than a simple one-time anomaly. The problem appears on 2024 and 2025 units.
No dedicated recall covers this specific complaint. Before buying, ask the current owner if they have experienced short-fill events and whether any dealer diagnosis has been performed.
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Which Toyota Grand Highlander years should you avoid
The Toyota Grand Highlander year to avoid is 2024. CarComplaints rates the 2024 as the worst model year on factors including repair cost and average mileage when problems occur, and it also carries the most overall complaints of any Grand Highlander year. NHTSA complaint volume lines up with that verdict: the 2024 accounts for 230 of the Grand Highlander's NHTSA complaints, versus just 34 for the 2025.
| Toyota Grand Highlander Generation | Model Years | Verdict | Main Issues |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st gen (2024-present) | 2024 | Avoid | Airbag recall 24V-461, transmission noise, hood vibration, CV axle failure |
| 1st gen (2024-present) | 2025 | Best | Fewest complaints, top Consumer Reports reliability, 5-star NHTSA safety |
| 1st gen (2024-present) | 2026 | Mixed | Insufficient complaint history to rate definitively |
1st-generation Toyota Grand Highlander (2024-present)
The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander has 262 problems and defects reported by owners, with the worst complaints in suspension, body/paint, and transmission. The 2024 model year had the most recalls at 4, making it the most significant year for Grand Highlander safety campaigns. The most serious of those four campaigns is NHTSA recall 24V-461, covering the curtain shield airbag, which affected approximately 145,000 vehicles.
Consumer Reports rates the 2024 Grand Highlander as having about average reliability compared to other cars from the same model year - a below-average result for a nameplate that was still in its launch year. The 2024 Grand Highlander also fell short in the IIHS driver-side small overlap front crash test, earning an acceptable rating rather than the good rating required for a Top Safety Pick award.
What are the best Toyota Grand Highlander years to buy
The best Toyota Grand Highlander year to buy is 2025. Consumer Reports rates the 2025 Grand Highlander as much more reliable than other cars from the same model year - a significant jump from the 2024's average rating. The 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander also scores 4.5 out of 5.0 on RepairPal's reliability index, above the average for mid-range SUVs.
| Best Toyota Grand Highlander Year | Why It's a Strong Buy |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Consumer Reports "much more reliable" rating, RepairPal 4.5/5, NHTSA 5-star safety, fewer complaints than 2024 |
2025 Toyota Grand Highlander
The 2025 model shows improved reliability with a reliability score of 81/100 and a 5-star NHTSA safety rating. NHTSA complaint volume for the 2025 stands at 34 - a fraction of the 230 complaints logged against the 2024. Three recalls are on file for the 2025, fewer than the four carried by the 2024, and none involves the curtain airbag campaign that made the 2024 such a concern.
Consumer Reports confirms three recalls for the 2025 Grand Highlander and rates it as much more reliable than other cars from the same model year, based on owner survey data. If your budget allows you to step up to a 2025, the data supports that choice clearly over a 2024.
Toyota Grand Highlander pre-purchase checklist
Use this checklist before finalizing any used Grand Highlander purchase.
- Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall checker. Confirm that recall 24V-461 (curtain shield airbag) is shown as completed for any 2024 unit. Parts availability has been an issue, so a VIN marked "open" means the repair has not been done.
- On a 2024, listen for transmission noise. Owners report powertrain and transmission hesitation or clunking noises - test the transmission under both light and heavy acceleration and in stop-and-go traffic.
- Check the CV axles on full-lock turns. Front CV axles have been reported to cause knocking and popping during turns as early as 2,000 miles. A pre-purchase inspection by an independent mechanic can catch this quickly.
- Inspect the moonroof glass closely. Look for chips, spiderweb cracks, or any sign of prior replacement. Reports of moonroofs shattering without warning have been filed on 2024 units.
- Replicate a fuel fill. If possible, run the tank close to empty and fill it. Owners report the tank only accepts 11 to 13 gallons despite a 17.2-gallon stated capacity in affected units.
- Test hood stability at highway speeds. Ask to drive at 65-70 mph and pay attention to any vibration at the base of the windshield. On an affected 2024, the hood shakes visibly at speed.
- Request complete service records. Confirm any dealer-performed repairs include documentation of recall completion. For a 2024, ask specifically about recall 24V-461 repair paperwork.
- Check how many miles are on a used car. CV axle problems have appeared as early as 2,000 miles, so low mileage alone is not a sign that the drivetrain is problem-free.
Better alternatives to consider
If the Grand Highlander years in your budget land on the avoid list, consider these alternatives instead:
-
Honda Pilot - a three-row mid-size SUV with a longer production run and a well-documented year-by-year reliability record across multiple generations
-
Kia Telluride - consistently earns strong reliability scores and top J.D. Power ratings in the three-row family SUV segment without a troubled launch year on record
-
Hyundai Palisade - shares the Telluride's platform, offers comparable three-row space, and has a shorter list of open safety campaigns than the 2024 Grand Highlander
-
Jeep Grand Cherokee - if you want a domestic three-row option, knowing which years to avoid helps you shop more confidently in this nameplate's long history
Is the Toyota Grand Highlander worth buying
Yes, the Toyota Grand Highlander is worth buying - as long as you avoid the 2024 model year. Consumer Reports rates the 2025 Grand Highlander as much more reliable than other cars from the same model year, and the 2025 carries a 5-star NHTSA safety rating, resolving the crash-test concern that held the 2024 back from IIHS recognition. The best pick remains the 2025. Before finalizing any purchase, run the VIN through NHTSA's recall database and verify that all open recall campaigns - especially 24V-461 on any 2024 - are shown as repaired.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best Toyota Grand Highlander years to buy?
The best Toyota Grand Highlander year to buy is 2025. Consumer Reports rates the 2025 Grand Highlander as much more reliable than other cars from the same model year, and RepairPal gives it a 4.5 out of 5.0 reliability score - the highest marks this nameplate has received since its launch.
What are the worst years for the Toyota Grand Highlander?
The worst year for the Toyota Grand Highlander is 2024. CarComplaints rates the 2024 as the worst model year on repair cost and average mileage at failure, and NHTSA complaint volume for 2024 stands at 230 - nearly seven times the 34 complaints logged for the 2025.
Which year Toyota Grand Highlander is most reliable?
The 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander is the most reliable pick in the lineup. It carries a reliability score of 81/100 and a 5-star NHTSA safety rating, and Consumer Reports rates it as much more reliable than other cars from the same model year.
What year Toyota Grand Highlander has airbag problems?
The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander is the year with the documented airbag safety recall. On June 20, 2024, Toyota filed a noncompliance report with NHTSA for 2024 model year Grand Highlander and Grand Highlander Hybrid vehicles, because the curtain shield airbags on both the driver's and passenger's sides may not deploy as intended during certain crashes when a window is rolled down. The NHTSA campaign number is 24V-461, covering approximately 145,254 vehicles. Dealers replace both curtain airbags free of charge under this recall.
How long does a Toyota Grand Highlander last?
The Grand Highlander is too new a nameplate to have a long-term longevity data set, but it shares Toyota's GA-K platform and TNGA engineering with models that routinely exceed 200,000 miles with proper maintenance. Based on Toyota's general reputation, a well-maintained Grand Highlander - especially a 2025 with its stronger out-of-box reliability ratings - can realistically be expected to reach high mileage without major mechanical failures, provided all open recalls are addressed promptly and oil change intervals are followed.
Our years to avoid methodology weights repair cost and failure mileage alongside raw complaint volume, so a nameplate this new benefits from close monitoring as its data set grows.