Photo of odometer at 200,000 miles
21st Century Life

Toyota Highlander Turns over 200,000 Miles

Photo of odometer at 200,000 miles
Toyota Highlander Odometer at 200,000 Miles

Life in the 21st century has numerous milestones. Among these are graduations from high school and college, buying our first car, having our first child or first grandchild, turning 40 or turning 65. Among the least heralded of milestones, yet one of the most unusual, is watching the odometer in your car turn over 200,000 miles. This is a moment to treasure that most of us will never experience. Tonight my 2001 Toyota Highlander reached this magical moment. When 200,000 appeared on the odometer, I immediately pulled over to the curb and snapped the photo you see above.

The Highlander has been a good vehicle. I bought it in May 2001. Over the years I have driven it across the country several times. This six cylinder, four wheel drive, SUV has given me an average gas mileage of about 20 miles per gallon – which isn’t great, but the reliability of the vehicle has compensated for its average performance in this department. Nowadays it is using a quart of oil every 1,000 miles. The body has no rust at all, and the interior is in good shape. So, unless its thirst for oil increases dramatically, I’ll keep the Highlander for a while – at least until the current set of Michelins wears out.

50 thoughts on “Toyota Highlander Turns over 200,000 Miles”

  1. Go Toyota! As a second vehicle, you could keep it around. I’ll bet you could reach 300,000! We took a picture of Sue’s 1984 Toyota truck on Madeline (sp?) Island when it turned over 200,000. I sold my 1992 Toyota truck, which I bought new, a couple of years ago after 350,000, and I never needed to replenish oil between changes. It was running well, but rusted out like crazy…I was afraid that the windshield would fall out. Sad to see it go, but someone bought it for $400! My approach to buying cars ever since is to buy new and run ’em into the ground…or find a late model Toyota and do the same, but they are hard to find.

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  2. My wife’s 2001 Highlander will turn 200,000 in about 2 months. I change the oil every 5K with Mobil1, and it comes out looking like it went in. My wife refuses to give up the car even for a new one, so I am hoping for 300K out of it

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    1. You have probably taken better care of yours that I have of mine. My Highlander is now using a quart of oil every 1000 miles or so. As long as yours doesn’t use oil, I don’t know why you shouldn’t be able to get 300,000 miles out of it. Mine still runs well. – I’m thinking of getting another Toyota, but I don’t know if the quality is as good now as it was back in 2001. — Thanks for the comment.

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  3. I have a 2000 4 runner that hit 200,000 about 3 weeks ago !!! still going strong pretty much just basic maitnince.. the body seems to be in good condition also ..will drive it til it goes no more lol

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    1. Thanks for the note. I bought a 2012 Camry Hybrid back in July. I like it quite a bit – gets great gas mileage and it’s pretty fast. I’m holding on to my Highlander though so I can haul stuff.

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  4. My 2006 Highlander has 475,000 klm – I have had this vehicle since new. Engine is running well. Some wear in severl areas of the vehicle. Good vehicle.

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      1. this is so great to hear! I’m thinking of buying a 2006 but of course can only find them within my price range with about 90,000 miles so I came on here to see if it was still worth it. glad to know it is 🙂

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      2. I have a 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited with 225,000. I’m just now putting its 2nd timing belt on it, which is overdue. It has been the best vehicle I have ever bought. Everything still works on it. Thought about trading it in, but just can’t get rid of a good thing. I still get compliments on it.

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  5. It is great to hear so many stories of high milage Toyota Highlanders. We have a 2001 4 cylinder fro nt wheel drive with 228,015 miles as of this morning. We bought it in 2001 with 20,000 miles and have changed the oil every 5,000 miles. It averages about 25 miles per gallon. We have had to replace brakes several times and the air conditioner this past summer of 2012. Other than that, the check engine light has been the only other worry. Overall, we are very pleased and will likely buy another after we hit 300,000 miles in 2018.

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    1. Toyotas appear to make long lasting engines. In 2001 when I bought my HIghlander, I gave my 1991 Camry to a friend. At that time it had 186,000 miles on it. She still has it and it runs well. It now has over 300,000 miles on the odometer.

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      2. I have a 2006 Highlander Hybrid I bought new. It has 190,000 miles and still runs good. Two timing belts per service recommendations and regular services. A few absurd Toyota recommendations, such as: A complete radiator hose replacement for $800. Sturt replacement for $1200. The 2nd timing belt repalacement cost $1300 by an independent repair shop. Toyota wanted $1600. Services were initially $69, but within 3 services were over $125 without air filters or anything extra. They wanted $800 to replace the headlight lense covers and I had done for $450.
        These service centers claim that they need to use only Toyota parts to guarantee the work. I think this alone makes me unhappy with Toyota, although this SUV has been the most reliable vehical I have ever owned. The seats haven’t stood up as well, but the leatherette is actually Vinyl quality. I will probably buy a Lexus next to get the better leather and a bit higher end. I can’t complain about the car, but the service that Toyota performs is limited to what the service manual states and work is recommended before it is necessary. Totally dishonest and mainly designed to generate revenue for Toyota.

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  6. So glad to see that they are still worth it! I am looking at a 2006 Highlander with 100k miles and I just wasn’t sure. Now I know that it will run twice that with no problems! Thank you!

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  7. I have a 2002 6-cylinder Highlander. It only has 86,000 miles since I have a very short commute. It runs like a champ, always starting up right away. It uses no oil at all, but it likes gas. (15-18 mpg, but that’s due to my short commute; best freeway, 20 mpg.) My only complaint, besides the gas mileage, is the funky headlight covers that cloud up. The only mechanical issue was, I believe, replacing the water pump.

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  8. I have a 2006 Highlander Hybrid that has 160,000 miles and drives like it did when it had 50,000miles on it; I bought it new; it has regular services per the owners manuals recommendations; I have had to replace the radiator and water pump, timing chain, battery and brakes are soon to be replaced. Third set of Michelins. I get 27 mpg and sometimes 30 mpg. Great car and I will probably drive it until it dies. Even if I have to replace the hybrid battery. I will probably buy a Audi Q5 diesel next to get that 35+ mpg.

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  9. 2006 Highlander V6 with 120,000 miles. 20 mpg. Perform all scheduled maintenance and oil changes. Brake replacement pending. Front headlight clouding can be eliminated. You can Do it yourself. “Meguiar’s” makes headlight restoration products for varying levels of oxidation. Meguiar’s “PlastX” is sold in stores (e.g. Super Walmart) or meguiars.com

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    2. We purchased our 2003 Highlander new in 10/2002. To date it’s just going past 210,000. We change the oil at 5,000. The funny part is we never drove a car past 100,000 till I opted to let my 2002 4 Runner lease expire in 2005 and I took over this gem. The wife has since had a 2005, 2008 & now a 2012 Higlander. I said to her let me see how far this goes. Was I supprised. The biggest issue is the check engine light that has been plaguing the car since 200,000 miles. Have changed Coil pack in 4,5& 6 cylinders. The o2 fuel sensor in bank 2. I’m going to look into the hose issue with the oil change memtioned earlier. My plan is 2 drive this to at least 250,000. Items that can be bought used if anyone is near Don’s Automotive ( used parts) in Southern New York State will save you a ton of $. That’s my go to with my local mechanic. Also don’t forget to change the engine belts every 100,000 miles( which includes a new water pump- don’t buy a reconditioned pump). Dealer charges upwards of 1,000 to do this belt change & water pump. My local mechanic runs about half the cost. I discovered from a friend with a transmission shop the transmission in these SUVs are equipped with Lexus Transmissions( much higher cost to rebuild vs Toyota Trans fingers crossed not needed). My friend recommended not dropping the fluid after 100,000 miles because the metal fillings can clog & do harm. He did on my insistence with this check engine issue swaped out an old quart for Trans X to lubricate the Trans! The key is to stay away from your local Toyota Dealer and find a good local mechanic!
      Happy Motoring!
      Joe from Pa
      National

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    3. Are you driving your Highlander? I am just shy of 250k and about to change the timing belt and hope for another 50-100k. No issues with mine, either. Do you think this is reasonable?

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  12. 2006 hybrid limited. 250000 miles and runs like a champ. Going to drive this till the wheels fall off. Speaking of, Toyo all terrain tires have over a hundred k on them as well. Toyota said they were at 50 percent life!!!!

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  13. I have a 2005 Highlander V6 with 244,000 miles on it. I bought it in 2009 with 114,000 on it…the previous owner had cared for it very well with maintenance records to prove it. I haven’t had to do anything other than the standard maintenance you would expect with a vehicle with this many miles (oil change every 3k, tires, a new battery, new brake pads at some point). I haven’t changed the timing belt (and do not recall if the previous owner had), so I know that I am driving on borrowed time at this point. I am getting a new timing belt and water pump next week, though, and hoping to get another 50-100k+ out of this amazing machine.

    Does anyone have any input/opinions or experience with their Highlander reaching 250k and beyond? Anything else I need to consider at this high mileage and ambition to continue?

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  16. Thanks to Pa Joe for the maintenace advice. I am now keeping my 2003 Highlander V6 4WD “run it to to the ground”

    MY QUESTION I HAVE A 2003 4WHEEL DRIVE 6 CYL Mileaage: 171,000 Km.. NEVER USED THE 4WD. (
    Should I be doing something to look after it?
    This sure is a good website! Lots of good info. Thanks.

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  17. I have a 2008 Highlander Hybrid. I love this car. I paid cash for it new. Its at 190,000 miles and I hope to put on 100,000 more. The check engine light came on last week and it turned out to be a leaky hose. I had that fixed and had the timing belt changed while it was in the shop since it was nearing that time anyway. Other than that it has just been routine maintenance. The body is a little rough as I hit a deer a couple of years ago. I’m considering getting the body work done and painted just because I can see myself driving this vehicle for years to come.

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  18. 2003 Highlander, 180,000k, 6 cyl. Regular oil changes, brakes, routine 100,000 maint, and still running great! My favorite car ever!

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  24. Knowing the reliability of Toyotas, I bought a used 2010 Highlander with 185K miles but had all the service history. Have had it a year now with no use of oil or other issues. Great reliable SUV!!

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  25. I have a 2011 Highlander 6 cyl. 4 wheel drive with 59,000. It’s great to see all these comments about how many miles these vehicles will run. Purchased mine new in 2011 and just regular servicing and new tires and a new battery. I hope to keep this car as long as possible.

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  26. Just turned over 300,000 miles on our 2007 Toyota Highlander Limited. Bought in 2009 with 20,000 miles. Change oil every 3,000 miles and just replaced water pump, belts, hoses and timing chain. Love this SUV. Looking for 300,000 more.

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  27. My 06 Highlander has 170,000 on the odo. The only repairs I’ve done on it was to replace one front and one rear wheel bearing, plus a brake caliper. I use Amsoil which claims to be good for 25,000 miles. My last oil change I kept it for 18,500 miles and when draining it, I kept a sample and sent it to Blackstone Labs for analysis. The report said the oil will still good for more miles of driving and there was remarkably little metal in the oil. This meant that the engine is just hardly wearing out. I’ll be selling the car to my grandson and I bet he can get 500,000 out of it!

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  28. My 2012 Highlander 3l V6 AWD has 196k on it. Have had regular oil changes w/0w-20 synthetic. Routine maintenance kept up. Due for plugs and a water pump soon. When they change the plugs, I’ll probably change out the MAP sensor. Runs like new. Had a rear left wheel bearing replaced recently, Great car, and a keeper!!

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