Buy Toyota Highlander Fender Liner Or Splash Shield

Quick Summary

The fender liner-also called a wheel-well liner, inner fender, splash guard, or splash shield-is the molded plastic barrier that sits between the tire and the sheet-metal fender on your Toyota Highlander. Its job is simple but vital: it blocks water, mud, salt, small rocks, and even road noise, keeping the engine bay, wiring, suspension, and cabin quieter and cleaner. A cracked or missing liner can let grit chew up paint, corrode parts, and even spray the alternator or belts with dirty water. Replacing the liner is a low-cost, do-it-yourself repair that helps your SUV last longer, ride quieter, and stay more aerodynamic. (H&H Truck Accessories, Reddit)

What It Does

• Stops debris-keeps sand, stones, and salty slush from hitting brake hoses, sensors, and body panels. (H&H Truck Accessories)
• Blocks water-reduces the chance of leaks like the 2016 water-intrusion issue Toyota flagged in a Technical Service Bulletin. (NHTSA)
• Cuts noise-plastic absorbs the pinging sound of gravel better than bare metal. (Reddit)
• Helps airflow-guides air around the wheel to squeeze out a bit more fuel economy, the same principle automakers use to meet mileage rules. (Green Car Reports)

Materials

Most Highlander liners are molded from polypropylene (PP), a light, flexible thermoplastic that resists corrosion and heat up to about 171 °C. (Wikipedia)
Some aftermarket versions use PET textile or recycled thermoplastic-elastomer blends to cut weight or use greener content. (Plastics Today, Recycling Today)

Fit Years

• 2008-2013 (XU40) second-gen Highlander
• 2014-2019 (XU50) third-gen Highlander-the most common splash-shield swap.
• 2020-present (XU70) fourth-gen models use a similar multi-piece liner but clips differ. (Wikipedia, Wikipedia)

Signs Of Trouble

• Dragging plastic sound after hitting debris. (YourMechanic)
• Rust spots or wires visible above the tire. (Reddit)
• Belt squeal or wet alternator after puddles.

DIY Replacement

1. Jack and remove wheel.
2. Pop out the nylon push-clips with a trim-clip tool-YouTube demos show the exact clip angles. Watch a clip-removal guide.
3. Peel the damaged liner away.
4. Match the new liner; slide the rear edge in first. Full Highlander install video.
5. Re-seat clips; replace any missing with 10-mm push-pins.
6. Snap the small splash shield under the engine back into place. Engine-shield how-to.

Torque on nearby fasteners (if you remove them) is typically 66 in-lb (about 5.5 ft-lb) for the liner screws and 78 ft-lb for wheel lugs. (Reddit)

Care Tips

• Rinse wheel wells when you wash the SUV-salt buildup can double the weight of fiber liners and kill their sound-deadening ability. (Plastics Today)
• Check clips every oil change; missing clips let the liner flap and crack.
• After off-roading, pop out the lowest clip to flush out packed mud.

Environmental Note

Hard PP liners don't soak up water like felt liners, so they stay lighter and save fuel over time. Keeping the liner intact also prevents excess road grime entering waterways, a small but real benefit noted in corrosion-control studies. (DOI Resolver)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What's the difference between a fender liner and a splash shield?
A: On the Highlander they're the same part-people just use different names like inner fender, wheel-well guard, or splash shield. (H&H Truck Accessories)

Q: Can I drive without one for a while?
A: You can, but dirt and water can reach belts, wiring, and paint, speeding up wear. Replace it as soon as you can. (Reddit)

Q: Does it really help gas mileage?
A: Yes, though only a small amount-owners note smoother airflow and less wind howl; even a 0.1 mpg gain adds up across years. (, Green Car Reports)

Q: What tools do I need?
A: Jack, lug wrench, 10-mm socket, trim-clip tool, and new push-clips. No special tools. (YouTube)

Q: Are liners side-specific?
A: Yes-left (driver) and right (passenger) shapes mirror each other. Check fit years and side before ordering. (Wikipedia)

Q: Can I upgrade to a thicker off-road liner?
A: Aftermarket PET or TPE liners with extra splash flaps are available; look for ones labeled "HD" or "off-road" grade. They're heavier but tougher. (Recycling Today)

Q: Do I need to remove the bumper?
A: No. For most Highlander models the liner slides out once the wheel and clips are off. (YouTube)

Q: Will failing state inspection without a liner?
A: Some states can mark it as a safety fault because exposed wiring could fail; check your local inspection checklist. (NHTSA)

Q: Why does the new liner smell?
A: Fresh polypropylene gives off a mild odor that fades in days. It's normal and not harmful. (Wikipedia)

Extra Resources

• Toyota Highlander service manuals (PDF).
• NHTSA Technical Service Bulletins archive.
• Engineering paper on under-body aerodynamics (SAE).
• PlasticsToday study on PET wheel-well liners. (NHTSA, Plastics Today)

These links give deeper specs, part numbers, and scientific background without steering you to specific retailers.