Take a look at The Car Care Nut Channel on You Tube

 

Not sure what you're hearing about the AWD. I'm not aware of it being troublesome on the 2nd Gen Highlander. Yes, it would be expensive if the transfer case or the rear differential failed. But if you keep the tires rotated, change the gear oil every now and then, don't overload it, and drive like you've got some sense, you shouldn't have an issue.

Don't know if you get any snow where you are. My 2010 AWD Highlander was the best snow vehicle I've ever owned.

 

Bottom line is the 2012 - 2013 as they have the latest factory fixes in their builds
Then V6 3.5L with AWD and done after that trim is personal. Inspect carefully.

 

Check to see the A/C is working properly. Run it for a while at coldest setting, front and rear. Look for compressor oil leaking out of condensation tube under car. Typical multi-colored oil sheen. I bought car in the spring and didn't focus on a/c. Had to go to a dealer, dashboard has to come out, very expensive - about $3,000.

 

same issue here with AC.
compressor needed to be replaced (i think it was $1,500) maybe 1800. it was awhile ago.

sunroof drains back up into the cabin. (i think this happens to allot of cars)

window detaches from the track. (easy fix)

entune head unit (radio) becomes unresponsive. ( expensive factory replacement / inexpensive aftermarket replacement)

VVTI oil lines were rubber and would burst. later on they were changed to metal. (easy to spot)

FWD v6 is allot of power going to the front wheels. AWD is much better suited to the V6. IMO. havent heard any real issues with AWD system. infact, the AWD on the 2nd gen is supposed to be very stout.

ive "heard" that the 5speed is more reliable than the 6spd on the 3rd gen. (something about the physical gears being narrower to fit in the same width housing as the 5spd.) and that the 10spd tans is always "searching" for the right gear.

the 4cyl is a good engine (i believe) but weight it weight and the HL is heavy. i think the 4cyl is stressed trying to pull all the weight. but gets better MPG if you never plan to tow...

i am 100% biased; i believe later 2nd gen HL's with AWD + V6 is one of the "better"/"robust" models of the whole lineup.
again, full disclosure, i own a 2013 2nd gen v6 awd HL.

 

Lol that 6-speed transmission is in tens of millions of Toyota's and running just fine.. I don't get where you guys get all these anecdotes from.

 

Personally own a 2011 V6 AWD.

I agree that the best Highlander is the V6 from 2012-2013.

Some Highlanders have the possibility of having rubber oil lines for the VVTI line and oil cooler line. They should be replaced to all-metal because the rubber lines are more prone to failure and it can be catastrophic for an engine. Now, how you check to see if you have a metal oil line or if it is rubber. Go on Youtube: Search up: "This problem can destroy your Toyota V6 engine! Owners be aware!" The video is made by a channel called "Car Care Nut." If you scroll to 21:19. He will walk you through how to look for the two lines.

Another thing that this generation of highlander has is the "intermediate steering shaft" issue. You can read more about it on the NHTSA website. Here is the TSB number: T-SB-0034-13. You should look for the updated document with a April 2017 revision. My local dealer quoted me $700 total to do this fix + do an alignment afterwards.

 

By late 2011 production the oil cooler issue was updated in production.

 

If I had listened to the advice on here about buying a used Toyota I wouldn't have had three of the most reliable cars probably in the world. If one in 50 million Toyotas has a problem people here apply it to the 1% instead of the 99 that don't.

 

its a moot point. seems like the OP dropped a question and bounced. i wonder if they went through with it.
as for the 6spd, yeah. its just what i heard/read. go to the 3rd gen forum and you can track the transmission repair threads.
i didnt say it was a bad trans and that it was going to fail either. just that i heard they had more issues.
just because there is allot of a car out there, does not mean its a good, solid, reliable car that is going to last forever. likewise, you could have the most reliable car on earth that wont last 100 miles if you forget to refill the oil after an oil change.

ive had cars/boats that were hated for their unreliability that i thoroughly enjoyed. i also knew what i was getting into. It was more a "heads up" than anything else.