Free Toyota Highlander VIN Decoder

Unlock the secrets of the rugged Toyota Highlander for free! Explore its distinctive features and understand what sets it apart. Enter your VIN in the decoder below to get started.

Free Toyota Highlander VIN Decoder

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What you’ll get from Toyota Highlander VIN check?

  • Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year as 2017, offering insights into the age and potential historical value of the vehicle.
  • Manufacturing Details: The 2017 Toyota Highlander is manufactured in Princeton, Indiana, USA, by Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana, Inc., showcasing the depth of information regarding the vehicle’s origin and production specifics.
  • Engine and Performance Specifications: The vehicle is powered by a 3.5L V-Shaped engine with 6 cylinders, capable of producing 256 hp. It uses a combination of gasoline and electric fuel, highlighting the hybrid electrification level it operates at, potentially influencing its performance and fuel economy.
  • Safety Features: Standard safety features include Adaptive Cruise Control, Anti-lock Braking System, Backup Camera, Blind Spot Warning, and Crash Imminent Braking among others, indicating a strong emphasis on passenger safety.
  • Drive Type and Body Class: It is a 4WD Sport Utility Vehicle, offering insights into its off-road capabilities and suitability for varying terrains. It can accommodate up to 7 passengers across 3 seat rows, potentially making it ideal for families, although this may vary depending on individual preferences and requirements.
  • Fuel Efficiency and Environmental Impact: The Highlander uses a Nickel-Metal-Hydride battery for its hybrid operation, emphasizing its commitment to fuel efficiency and reduced environmental impact, which may contribute to lower fuel costs and reduced carbon emissions.
  • Transmission and Drive Technology: Equipped with an Electronic Continuously Variable (e-CVT) transmission, it merges efficiency with performance, providing a potentially smooth driving experience, although individual driving experiences may vary.
  • Additional Comfort and Convenience Features: With standard features such as Keyless Ignition and optional Parking Assist, the vehicle blends luxury with functionality, potentially catering to a wide audience’s needs and preferences.
Toyota Highlander VIN Decoder

Toyota Highlander Vehicle History Risk Factors

Toyota’s reputation for reliability is well-earned and consistent across most of its lineup, but used Toyota buyers still benefit from a vehicle history check — particularly for three areas where problems cluster.

Frame rust on pre-2010 Tacomas and Tundras. Toyota issued a major frame rust recall affecting Tacomas from 2005–2010 and Tundras from 2000–2003 in rust-prone states. Affected trucks had frames that could rust completely through, creating a serious safety hazard. Not all affected vehicles had the repair performed. A Bumper report will show whether the recall was addressed on the specific VIN you’re checking. This is the single most important check for any pre-2010 Toyota truck purchase.

Unintended acceleration recall compliance. Toyota’s 2009–2011 unintended acceleration recalls — affecting Camry, Corolla, RAV4, Prius, and several other models — were among the most high-profile recalls in automotive history. Check recall compliance on any Toyota from this era.

Salvage and flood title RAV4s and Camrys. Toyota’s most popular models also appear most frequently in flood-damaged vehicle reports, particularly from Gulf Coast states. A RAV4 or Camry from Florida or Texas with no accident history is not necessarily clean — flood damage is frequently uninsured and won’t appear as an accident record. Run a dedicated flood check.

High-mileage Prius battery replacement history. Used Prius vehicles are popular precisely because of their durability, but a high-mileage Prius approaching hybrid battery replacement ($2,000–$4,000) is a very different purchase than one with a recent replacement. Ownership history and service records in a Bumper report can give you a clearer picture of where the vehicle is in its maintenance cycle.

A Bumper VIN check shows accident history, title brands, flood damage, and odometer records for this specific vehicle.

How to decode a Toyota Highlander VIN

Characters 1-3 of a Toyota Highlander VIN

World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are unique sequences that provide detailed information about a vehicle, including its manufacturer and vehicle type. Toyota Highlanders have two specific WMIs indicating their origin and model specifics. The ‘JTE’ WMI indicates that the vehicle was manufactured by Toyota Motor North America, Inc., in Washington, DC, United States, covering models from 2001 to 2013. On the other hand, the ‘5TD’ WMI is associated with Toyota Highlander models produced between 2010 and 2024 by Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana, Inc., in Princeton, Indiana. These codes are integral in identifying the manufacturer’s details and ensuring the vehicle’s authenticity and specifications.

List of WMI Codes for a Toyota Highlander

WMI: JTE

  • Model Years Covered: 2001-2013
  • Example VIN: JTEGD21A010003564
  • Manufacturer Name: Toyota Motor North America, Inc.
  • Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
  • City: Washington
  • State or Province: DC
  • Country: United States

WMI: 5TD

  • Model Years Covered: 2010-2024
  • Example VIN: 5TDEK3EH0AS001289
  • Manufacturer Name: Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana, Inc.
  • Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
  • City: Princeton
  • State or Province: Indiana
  • Country: United States

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Toyota Highlander VIN

These characters correspond to components like:

  • Engine type
  • Transmission
  • Model or trim
  • Body style
  • Gross vehicle weight range

Toyota’s Vehicle Descriptor Section is one of the more structured in the industry, using consistent positional encoding across its major model lines. The 4th and 5th characters typically encode body style and restraint system, while the 6th through 8th characters encode engine type and trim configuration — useful for confirming whether a Camry was originally equipped with the 2.5L four-cylinder or the 3.5L V6, which have meaningfully different reliability profiles and insurance costs. Toyota’s hybrid models (Prius, RAV4 Hybrid, Camry Hybrid) have distinct VDS patterns that make it straightforward to confirm whether a vehicle is a true hybrid or a standard powertrain.

Auto manufacturers have some discretion to decide how they want to code this section, but its contents and decoded results are generally consistent.

Character 9 is the “check digit” in a Toyota Highlander VIN.

Based on a formula developed by the US Department of Transportation, it helps reduce fraud by ensuring the validity of the VIN.

10th Character in the Toyota Highlander VIN — Year Code

Year Code Year
R 2024 Toyota Highlander
P 2023 Toyota Highlander
N 2022 Toyota Highlander
M 2021 Toyota Highlander
L 2020 Toyota Highlander
K 2019 Toyota Highlander
J 2018 Toyota Highlander
H 2017 Toyota Highlander
G 2016 Toyota Highlander
F 2015 Toyota Highlander
E 2014 Toyota Highlander
D 2013 Toyota Highlander
C 2012 Toyota Highlander
B 2011 Toyota Highlander
A 2010 Toyota Highlander
9 2009 Toyota Highlander
8 2008 Toyota Highlander
7 2007 Toyota Highlander
6 2006 Toyota Highlander
5 2005 Toyota Highlander
4 2004 Toyota Highlander
3 2003 Toyota Highlander
2 2002 Toyota Highlander
1 2001 Toyota Highlander

11th Character in the Toyota Highlander VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known Toyota Highlander Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code Plant City Plant State Plant Country Plant Company Name Example VIN
0 Miyawaka Fukuoka Japan Toyota Motor Kyushu, Inc. JTEGD21A010003564
1 Miyawaka Fukuoka Japan Toyota Motor Kyushu, Inc. JTEHF21A411003401
2 Miyawaka Fukuoka Japan Toyota Motor Kyushu, Inc. JTEES43A082001348
S Princeton Indiana United States Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana, Inc. 5TDEK3EH0AS001289

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Toyota Highlander

The final 6 characters in a Toyota Highlander’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Want to unlock even more detailed info about your vehicle?

How to find a Toyota Highlander’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your Toyota Highlander is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

  1. Look at the lower corner of the windshield on the driver’s side of your Toyota Highlander. The VIN is commonly displayed here on a metal or plastic plaque.
  2. Open the driver’s side door and examine the door jamb area. The Toyota Highlander’s VIN can often be found on a sticker or plate where the door latches when closed.
  3. Check your Toyota Highlander’s vehicle registration documents. The VIN is listed there and is a good place to find it accurately without needing to go to the vehicle.
  4. Review the insurance card or insurance policy documents for your Toyota Highlander. Insurance providers always list the VIN on these documents.
  5. For newer models of Toyota Highlander, sometimes the VIN can be found in the vehicle’s multimedia system under the Settings or About menu.
Toyota Highlander VIN Decoder

Don’t have your Toyota Highlander’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

Sample VIN Decode Report for a Toyota Highlander

Vehicle Spec Value
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) Standard
Adaptive Driving Beam (ADB) Standard
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) Standard
Auto-Reverse System for Windows and Sunroofs Standard
Automatic Pedestrian Alerting Sound (for Hybrid and EV only) Standard
Axles 2
Backup Camera Standard
Base Price ($) 44760.00
Battery Type Nickel-Metal-Hydride/NiMH
Blind Spot Warning (BSW) Standard
Body Class Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV)
Brake System Description Calipers / Front Vented Discs
Crash Imminent Braking (CIB) Standard
Curb Weight (pounds) 4861
Curtain Air Bag Locations All Rows
Daytime Running Light (DRL) Standard
Displacement (CC) 3500.0
Displacement (CI) 213.58310433156
Displacement (L) 3.5
Doors 5
Drive Type 4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4
Dynamic Brake Support (DBS) Standard
Electrification Level Strong HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle)
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) Standard
Engine Brake (hp) From 256
Engine Configuration V-Shaped
Engine Manufacturer Toyota
Engine Model 2GR-FXS, 4JM+2FM
Engine Number of Cylinders 6
Entertainment System CD + Stereo
Forward Collision Warning (FCW) Standard
Front Air Bag Locations 1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Fuel Type - Primary Gasoline
Fuel Type - Secondary Electric
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From Class 2E: 6,001 - 7,000 lb (2,722 - 3,175 kg)
Keyless Ignition Standard
Knee Air Bag Locations Driver Seat Only
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) Standard
Lane Keeping Assistance (LKA) Standard
Model Highlander
Model Year 2017
Number of Seat Rows 3
Number of Seats 7
Number of Wheels 4
Other Engine Info PORT+DIRECT, Direct Fuel Injection
Parking Assist Optional
Pedestrian Automatic Emergency Braking (PAEB) Standard
Plant City Princeton
Plant Company Name Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana, Inc.
Plant Country United States
Plant State Indiana
Seat Belt Type Manual
Seat Cushion Air Bag Locations Passenger Seat Only
Semiautomatic Headlamp Beam Switching Standard
Series ASU50L/GSU50L/GSU55L/GVU58L
Series2 Wagon body style
Side Air Bag Locations 1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Steering Location Left-Hand Drive (LHD)
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type Indirect
Track Width (inches) 64.40
Traction Control Standard
Transmission Style Electronic Continuously Variable (e-CVT)
Trim Ltd/Ltd Platinum Hybrid
Trim2 G Grade
Valve Train Design Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC)
Vehicle Descriptor 5TDDGRFH*HS
Vehicle Type Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle
Wheel Base (inches) From 109.80
Wheel Base Type Standard
Wheel Size Front (inches) 19
Wheel Size Rear (inches) 19
Sample VIN 5TDDGRFH0HS020708

Specs tell you what it was built with. A VIN check tells you what's happened since.

Check any Toyota Highlander for accident history, flood damage, salvage title, and odometer fraud.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the VIN on a Toyota Highlander?

On most Toyota vehicles, the VIN is located on the driver’s side dashboard, visible through the windshield from outside the car. It’s also on a sticker inside the driver’s side door jamb, and on your insurance card, title, and registration documents.

How do I check a Toyota Highlander's history for free?

Enter the Toyota Highlander’s 17-digit VIN into Bumper’s free VIN check at bumper.com. The free check shows factory specs and open NHTSA recalls. For the full history including accident records, title brands, theft status, and ownership history, run a full Bumper report.

What do Toyota Highlander VIN numbers start with?

Toyota Highlander VIN's start with JTE for vehicles manufactured by Toyota Motor North America, Inc. in United States, 5TD for vehicles manufactured by Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana, Inc. in United States. The first three characters of any VIN identify the manufacturer. The full WMI table on this page lists all known codes for the Toyota Highlander.

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