Does A Toyota Highlander Have A Timing Belt Or Timing Chain?

Researched By AutoPadre

Date Posted 2020-09-23

Last Updated 2021-11-23

Toyota Highlander Belt Or Chain

All 4 cylinder Toyota Highlanders from 2001 up to 2021 are equipped with a timing chain and an interference engine.

All V6 Toyota Highlanders from 2007 and older have timing belts and non-interference engines.

All V6 Toyota Highlanders from 2008 to 2021 have timing chains and interference engines.

For example, the 2021 Toyota Highlander 3.5L V6, 295 hp (2GR-FKS) option has a timing chain while the 2010 Toyota Highlander 3.3L V6 Hybrid, 270 hp (3MZ-FE) option has a timing belt.

Toyota Highlander Timing Belt Or Chain
Model Years	Engine Option	Timing Belt Or Chain	Interference Or Non-Interference
2001-2007, 2009-2014	4 Cylinder	timing chain	interference
2001-2007	V6	timing belt	non-interference
2008-2021	V6	timing chain	interference

2006-2010	V6	timing belt	non-interference
2011-2021	V6	timing chain	interference

Scroll down for detailed information on your particular Toyota Highlander model year.

Check the belt or chain for other makes and models here.

Timing Belt Basics

A timing belt on the left versus a timing chain on the right.

The primary purpose of the timing belt or timing chain is to maintain the timing (syncronization) between the crankshaft and the camshaft(s).

A timing belt is made of a rubber compound while a timing chain is made of chain similiar to a bicycle chain.

A timing belt wears out over time and must be replaced at the manufacturer's specified interval. Timing belt failure can result in serious engine damage.

Although a timing chain will wear over time it is usually good for the lifetime of the engine but it should be routinely inspected.

Timing Belt Questions? See Our Educational Timing Belt Articles

What Does A Timing Belt Do?
Timing Belt Vs. Serpentine Belt - Differences Explained
Toyota Highlander Timing Belt Replacement Costs? Click to see our study on different makes and models

Note: Replacement intervals are broad recommendations and can be affected by age, weather conditions, running conditions etc. Check with the owner's manual/ manufacturer/ dealership.

2021 Toyota Highlander - Timing Belt Or Chain

All 2021 Toyota Highlander models have a timing chain and an interference engine. See the data outlined in the table below.

2021 Toyota Highlander Timing Belt Or Chain
Engine Option	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-interference	Replacement Interval
3.5L V6, 295 hp (2GR-FKS)	timing chain	interference	lifetime
2.5L 4 Cyl. Hybrid, 243 hp (A25A-FXS)	timing chain	interference	lifetime

2020 Toyota Highlander - Timing Belt Or Chain

All 2020 Toyota Highlander models have a timing chain and an interference engine. See the data outlined in the table below.

2020 Toyota Highlander Timing Belt Or Chain
Engine Option	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-interference	Replacement Interval
3.5L V6, 295 hp (2GR-FKS)	timing chain	interference	lifetime
2.5L 4 Cyl. Hybrid, 240 hp (A25A-FXS)	timing chain	interference	lifetime

2019 Toyota Highlander - Timing Belt Or Chain

All 2019 Toyota Highlander models have a timing chain and an interference engine. See the data outlined in the table below.

2019 Toyota Highlander Timing Belt Or Chain
Engine Option	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-interference	Replacement Interval
3.5L V6, 295 hp (2GR-FKS)	timing chain	interference	lifetime
2.7L 4 Cyl., 185 hp (1AR-FE)	timing chain	interference	lifetime
3.5L V6 Hybrid, 306 hp (2GR-FXE)	timing chain	interference	lifetime

2018 Toyota Highlander - Timing Belt Or Chain

All 2018 Toyota Highlander models have a timing chain and an interference engine. See the data outlined in the table below.

2018 Toyota Highlander Timing Belt Or Chain
Engine Option	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-interference	Replacement Interval
3.5L V6, 295 hp (2GR-FKS)	timing chain	interference	lifetime
2.7L 4 Cyl., 185 hp (1AR-FE)	timing chain	interference	lifetime
3.5L V6 Hybrid, 306 hp (2GR-FXE)	timing chain	interference	lifetime

2017 Toyota Highlander - Timing Belt Or Chain

All 2017 Toyota Highlander models have a timing chain and an interference engine. See the data outlined in the table below.

2017 Toyota Highlander Timing Belt Or Chain
Engine Option	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-interference	Replacement Interval
3.5L V6, 295 hp (2GR-FKS)	timing chain	interference	lifetime
2.7L 4 Cyl., 185 hp (1AR-FE)	timing chain	interference	lifetime
3.5L V6 Hybrid, 306 hp (2GR-FXE)	timing chain	interference	lifetime

2016 Toyota Highlander - Timing Belt Or Chain

All 2016 Toyota Highlander models have a timing chain and an interference engine. See the data outlined in the table below.

2016 Toyota Highlander Timing Belt Or Chain
Engine Option	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-interference	Replacement Interval
3.5L V6, 270 hp (2GR-FE)	timing chain	interference	lifetime
2.7L 4 Cyl., 185 hp (1AR-FE)	timing chain	interference	lifetime
3.5L V6 Hybrid, 280 hp (2GR-FXE)	timing chain	interference	lifetime

2015 Toyota Highlander - Timing Belt Or Chain

All 2015 Toyota Highlander models have a timing chain and an interference engine. See the data outlined in the table below.

2015 Toyota Highlander Timing Belt Or Chain
Engine Option	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-interference	Replacement Interval
3.5L V6, 270 hp (2GR-FE)	timing chain	interference	lifetime
2.7L 4 Cyl., 185 hp (1AR-FE)	timing chain	interference	lifetime
3.5L V6 Hybrid, 280 hp (2GR-FXE)	timing chain	interference	lifetime

2014 Toyota Highlander - Timing Belt Or Chain

All 2014 Toyota Highlander models have a timing chain and an interference engine. See the data outlined in the table below.

2014 Toyota Highlander Timing Belt Or Chain
Engine Option	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-interference	Replacement Interval
3.5L V6, 270 hp (2GR-FE)	timing chain	interference	lifetime
2.7L 4 Cyl., 185 hp (1AR-FE)	timing chain	interference	lifetime
3.5L V6 Hybrid, 280 hp (2GR-FXE)	timing chain	interference	lifetime

2013 Toyota Highlander - Timing Belt Or Chain

All 2013 Toyota Highlander models have a timing chain and an interference engine. See the data outlined in the table below.

2013 Toyota Highlander Timing Belt Or Chain
Engine Option	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-interference	Replacement Interval
3.5L V6, 270 hp (2GR-FE)	timing chain	interference	lifetime
2.7L 4 Cyl., 185 hp (1AR-FE)	timing chain	interference	lifetime
3.5L V6 Hybrid, 280 hp (2GR-FXE)	timing chain	interference	lifetime

2012 Toyota Highlander - Timing Belt Or Chain

All 2012 Toyota Highlander models have a timing chain and an interference engine. See the data outlined in the table below.

2012 Toyota Highlander Timing Belt Or Chain
Engine Option	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-interference	Replacement Interval
3.5L V6, 270 hp (2GR-FE)	timing chain	interference	lifetime
2.7L 4 Cyl., 185 hp (1AR-FE)	timing chain	interference	lifetime
3.5L V6 Hybrid, 280 hp (2GR-FXE)	timing chain	interference	lifetime

2011 Toyota Highlander - Timing Belt Or Chain

All 2011 Toyota Highlander models have a timing chain and an interference engine. See the data outlined in the table below.

2011 Toyota Highlander Timing Belt Or Chain
Engine Option	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-interference	Replacement Interval
3.5L V6, 270 hp (2GR-FE)	timing chain	interference	lifetime
2.7L 4 Cyl., 185 hp (1AR-FE)	timing chain	interference	lifetime
3.5L V6 Hybrid, 280 hp (2GR-FXE)	timing chain	interference	lifetime

2010 Toyota Highlander - Timing Belt Or Chain

All conventional 2010 Toyota Highlander models have timing chains and interference engines while the Highlander Hybrid has a timing belt along with a non-interference engine. See the data outlined in the table below.

2010 Toyota Highlander Timing Belt Or Chain
Engine Option	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-interference	Replacement Interval
3.5L V6, 270 hp (2GR-FE)	timing chain	interference	lifetime
2.7L 4 Cyl., 185 hp (1AR-FE)	timing chain	interference	lifetime
3.3L V6 Hybrid, 270 hp (3MZ-FE)	timing belt	non-interference	90k miles

2009 Toyota Highlander - Timing Belt Or Chain

All conventional 2009 Toyota Highlander models have timing chains and interference engines while the Highlander Hybrid has a timing belt along with a non-interference engine. See the data outlined in the table below.

2009 Toyota Highlander Timing Belt Or Chain
Engine Option	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-interference	Replacement Interval
3.5L V6, 270 hp (2GR-FE)	timing chain	interference	lifetime
2.7L 4 Cyl., 185 hp (1AR-FE)	timing chain	interference	lifetime
3.3L V6 Hybrid, 270 hp (3MZ-FE)	timing belt	non-interference	90k miles

2008 Toyota Highlander - Timing Belt Or Chain

The conventional 2008 Toyota Highlander models have timing chains and interference engines while the Hybrids have timing belts and non-interference engines. See the data outlined in the table below.

2008 Toyota Highlander Timing Belt Or Chain
Engine Option	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-interference	Replacement Interval
3.5L V6, 270 hp (2GR-FE)	timing chain	interference	lifetime
3.3L V6 Hybrid, 270 hp (3MZ-FE)	timing belt	non-interference	90k miles

2007 Toyota Highlander - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 4 cylinder 2007 Toyota Highlander has a timing chain and interference engine while both the conventional V6 and Hybrid V6 have timing belts and non-interference engines. See the data outlined in the table below.

2007 Toyota Highlander Timing Belt Or Chain
Engine Option	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-interference	Replacement Interval
2.4L 4 Cyl., 160 hp (2AZ-FE)	timing chain	interference	lifetime
3.3L V6, 230 hp (3MZ-FE)	timing belt	non-interference	100k miles
3.3L V6 Hybrid, 270 hp (3MZ-FE)	timing belt	non-interference	100k miles

2006 Toyota Highlander - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 4 cylinder 2006 Toyota Highlander has a timing chain and interference engine while both the conventional V6 and Hybrid V6 have timing belts and non-interference engines. See the data outlined in the table below.

2006 Toyota Highlander Timing Belt Or Chain
Engine Option	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-interference	Replacement Interval
2.4L 4 Cyl., 160 hp (2AZ-FE)	timing chain	interference	lifetime
3.3L V6, 230 hp (3MZ-FE)	timing belt	non-interference	100k miles
3.3L V6 Hybrid, 270 hp (3MZ-FE)	timing belt	non-interference	100k miles

2005 Toyota Highlander - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 4 cylinder 2005 Toyota Highlander has a timing chain and an interference engine while the V6 has a timing belt and a non-interference engine. See the data outlined in the table below.

2005 Toyota Highlander Timing Belt Or Chain
Engine Option	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-interference	Replacement Interval
2.4L 4 Cyl., 160 hp (2AZ-FE)	timing chain	interference	lifetime
3.3L V6, 230 hp (3MZ-FE)	timing belt	non-interference	100k miles

2004 Toyota Highlander - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 4 cylinder 2004 Toyota Highlander has a timing chain and an interference engine while the V6 has a timing belt and a non-interference engine. See the data outlined in the table below.

2004 Toyota Highlander Timing Belt Or Chain
Engine Option	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-interference	Replacement Interval
2.4L 4 Cyl., 160 hp (2AZ-FE)	timing chain	interference	lifetime
3.3L V6, 230 hp (3MZ-FE)	timing belt	non-interference	90k miles

2003 Toyota Highlander - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 4 cylinder 2003 Toyota Highlander has a timing chain and an interference engine while the V6 has a timing belt and a non-interference engine. See the data outlined in the table below.

2003 Toyota Highlander Timing Belt Or Chain
Engine Option	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-interference	Replacement Interval
2.4L 4 Cyl., 160 hp (2AZ-FE)	timing chain	interference	lifetime
3.3L V6, 230 hp (3MZ-FE)	timing belt	non-interference	90k miles

2002 Toyota Highlander - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 4 cylinder 2002 Toyota Highlander has a timing chain and an interference engine while the V6 has a timing belt and a non-interference engine. See the data outlined in the table below.

2002 Toyota Highlander Timing Belt Or Chain
Engine Option	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-interference	Replacement Interval
2.4L 4 Cyl., 155 hp (2AZ-FE)	timing chain	interference	lifetime
3.3L V6, 230 hp (3MZ-FE)	timing belt	non-interference	90k miles

2001 Toyota Highlander - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 4 cylinder 2001 Toyota Highlander has a timing chain and an interference engine while the V6 has a timing belt and a non-interference engine. See the data outlined in the table below.