Dealer visit checklist
2025 Toyota Highlander checklist
Print it or keep it on your phone. Tick each item as you go so nothing gets missed.
Inspect the car
- Check every panel gap and look for mismatched paint (signs of past accident repair)
- Look at the tires: even wear, matching brands, at least 4/32" tread
- Check under the car and engine bay for oil, coolant or other leaks
- Start the engine cold; listen for knocks, ticks or squeals and watch for smoke
- Test every window, lock, seat, light, the A/C, heat and infotainment
- Test drive on city streets and highway: straight braking, smooth shifts, no pulling
- Ask for the service records and a vehicle history report
- Have an independent mechanic do a pre-purchase inspection (about $100–$200)
Known 2025 Toyota Highlander problems to check
- Transmission hesitation or hunting reported on 2.4L turbo four-cylinder models during low-speed maneuvering
- Infotainment system (Audio Multimedia) can be laggy or freeze, requiring software updates
- Higher-than-expected oil consumption flagged on some early 2.4T engines — worth monitoring between changes
- Third-row seat comfort is notably tight for adults on longer trips, adding to driver fatigue
- Active safety system (Toyota Safety Sense 3.0) can produce false alerts in certain highway lighting conditions
Ask: have these recalls been fixed?
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Toyota Venza, 2023-2025 RAV4 Prime, RAV4, Highlander, GR Corolla, Crown, 2024-2025 Lexus TX, LS, Toyota Tacoma, Grand Highlander, and 2025 Lexus RX, Toyota Crown Signia, Camry, RAV 4 Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV), and 4 Runner vehicles.
- BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022-2026 Toyota, Lexus, and Subaru Solterra vehicles equipped with a Panoramic View Monitor (PVM) system.
- SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER:ANCHORAGE: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles.
- SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY:RECLINER: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles.
Negotiate the price
- Know the typical price: about $38,500 for this model year
- Negotiate the out-the-door price, not the monthly payment
- Get the full price with every fee listed in writing before you sign
- Bring your own loan pre-approval so the dealer has a rate to beat
- Say no to add-ons you didn't ask for (paint protection, VIN etching, nitrogen tires)
- Negotiate your trade-in separately, after the car's price is agreed
- Be ready to walk away; another listing is usually a click away