Trouble codes › By vehicle › Toyota Highlander
Common check-engine codes on the Toyota Highlander
2008-2023
Most Highlanders use the 3.5L V6 (2GR), with catalyst, air-fuel sensor and EVAP codes the usual ones at higher mileage, plus variable valve timing codes linked to oil.
Most common: P0420, P0171, P2195, P0441, P0011, P0300.
P0420 Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1)
P0420 means the catalytic converter on bank 1 isn't cleaning the exhaust well enough, usually a worn converter, an exhaust leak or a lazy oxygen sensor.
On the Toyota Highlander: Catalyst efficiency at higher mileage, often with P0430: check for misfires and exhaust leaks first.
P0420: causes, can I keep driving, and what to check first →
P0171 System Too Lean (Bank 1)
P0171 means bank 1 is running lean (too much air or too little fuel), most often from a vacuum leak or a dirty MAF sensor.
On the Toyota Highlander: Lean codes, often with P0174: a dirty MAF sensor or a vacuum leak.
P0171: causes, can I keep driving, and what to check first →
P2195 O2 Sensor Signal Biased/Stuck Lean (Bank 1 Sensor 1)
P2195 means bank 1's front oxygen sensor reads lean when it shouldn't, from a leak, a dirty MAF or an aging sensor.
On the Toyota Highlander: Front air-fuel sensor reading lean: an aging sensor or exhaust leak.
P2195: causes, can I keep driving, and what to check first →
P0441 Evaporative Emission System Incorrect Purge Flow
P0441 means the EVAP purge system isn't flowing fuel vapor to the engine as expected, often a stuck purge valve.
On the Toyota Highlander: EVAP purge flow: the purge valve or charcoal canister.
P0441: causes, can I keep driving, and what to check first →
P0011 "A" Camshaft Position - Timing Over-Advanced or System Performance (Bank 1)
P0011 means bank 1's intake camshaft is more advanced than the engine computer asked for, usually from low or dirty oil or a sticking variable valve timing solenoid.
On the Toyota Highlander: Variable valve timing codes on the 2GR V6: oil condition first. Some earlier 2GR engines had a rubber section in the VVT-i oil line that Toyota replaced with an all-metal line; check for bulletins.
P0011: causes, can I keep driving, and what to check first →
P0300 Random/Multiple Cylinder Misfire Detected
P0300 means the engine is misfiring in more than one cylinder, often from worn plugs or coils, a vacuum leak or low fuel pressure.
On the Toyota Highlander: Misfires: plugs and coils at higher mileage.
P0300: causes, can I keep driving, and what to check first →
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Common codes and known problems as widely reported for these model years; your vehicle may differ. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a dealer about service bulletins for your VIN, and confirm in your service information.