2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 110 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes (22% of complaints); the 2009 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Sep 2013
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 110 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact's son stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer to be diagnosed. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 196,000.”Owner report · Engine · Jan 2022
“A sound of squeaking/pumping air occurs sometimes when I depress the brakes. This sometimes continues to happen even with the car is stopped completely. If the brake is depressed less, the sound occurs less frequently. I had it inspected by an independent mechanic and a dealership mechanic and was told the ABS assembly has a leak and needs to be completely replaced for a fee of roughly $2,300. This first occurred with mileage around 152,000.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jan 2019
“Tl* the contact owns a 2007 toyota highlander hybrid. While driving various speeds, the vehicle stalled and "vehicle stability control" and "hybrid system" displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to hudson toyota (599 nj-440, jersey city, new jersey) where it was diagnosed that the inverter was faulty. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 119,000.”Owner report · Hybrid Propulsion System · Jan 2019
Show 7 more owner reports
“When braking at any speed, the brake pedal vibrates and makes a "chirping" sound. After researching I've discovered it's a brake actuator issue. Toyota did extend the warranty briefly, but no recall was issued. My toyota certified mechanic said brake failure could definitely occur when the actuator fails completely. When braking over bumps, the brakes seem to give out briefly as well which is quite startling. The replacement part is $1800 plus labor, which is ridiculous considering this is definitely a safety issue.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Sep 2018
“Check engine light came on yesterday while driving. We were told this morning that we must replace the fuel system charcoal canister. This item is under recall for many toyota vehicles 2006-2015, but they did not tell me that it is covered on mine. He said there is a crack and when they replace the canister they need to replace the fuel containment valve as well. Can you please confirm if my vehicle is covered under the recall? My vehicle is acting perfectly fine.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jun 2018
“The ABS brake pump leaks. It's a $2000 repair. There was a recall, but I never got the recall letter. The recall expired 8 months ago and toyota won't honor it, even though they confirmed they sent the recall letter to the former owner, 17 months after I purchased the car. They did not send the letter to the registered owner on file with the state, they sent it to the address they had on file with toyota.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jun 2018
“Vsc light came on and the car would not drive. Towed to toyota and had it diagnosed. The poa80, p3020 hv battery inoperative/shorted. The vehicle was in motion on the highway when it happened.”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2018
“Brake actuator assembly enhancer/ABS module went out in 11/2017. Toyota had a warranty enhancement on this that ended in 12/31/2017. This went out in 11/2017, but was not diagnosed at a toyota service department, but the svc dept was called about it.. It was diagnosed at midas. A case was opened with toyota on 1/8/2018. Toyota is saying they will not honor the warranty because it is past the 12/31/2017 date. This is a known issue with these type of vehicles and should be fixed by toyota.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Nov 2017
“Car was parked in driveway and was stationary. Warming car up to get rid of frost on windshield. The car started on fire - total lost. 3 to 4 feet flames coming out of engine.”Owner report · Engine · Nov 2017
“Received temperature warning for hybrid system while driving on highway and pulled over. Vehicle locked up after pulling over, made very loud noise and could not drive. Towed to dealer and was told that the hybrid inverter assembly failed and requires replacement. There is a recall for defect in this assembly on my model year, but my VIN is not included in the current recall.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Mar 2017
When filing, owners marked a crash in 14 of these complaints and injuries in 3 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid vehicles manufactured February 16, 2005, through July 29, 2010; and model year 2006-2008 Lexus RX400h vehicles manufactured February 23, 2005, through December 2, 2008. The Intelligent Power Module (IPM) inside the inverter module may contain transistors that have higher operating temperatures than the solder can support and the transistors may be heat damaged by the solder. If this occurs, various warning lamps, including the malfunction indicator lamp, slip indicator light, brake system warning light, and master warning light, will be illuminated on the instrument panel.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the IPM free of charge. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331. Vehicles that had their IPM replaced under recall 11V-342 are not affected by this campaign.
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2007 HIGHLANDER HYBRID AND LEXUS RX400H PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 16, 2005, THROUGH AUGUST 30, 2006. A MODULE INSIDE THE INVERTER MODULE MAY CONTAIN INADEQUATELY SOLDERED TRANSISTORS THAT DURING HIGH-LOAD DRIVING, MAY BE DAMAGED BY HEAT CAUSED BY THE LARGE CURRENT. IF THIS OCCURS, VARIOUS WARNING LAMPS, INCLUDING THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP, SLIP INDICATOR LIGHT, BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT, AND MASTER WARNING LIGHT, WILL BE ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL.
Remedy: TOYOTA/LEXUS MAILED AN INTERIM OWNER NOTIFICATION ON JULY 19, 2011 TO ADVISE OWNERS OF THIS RECALL AND THE FACT THAT THEY WILL RECEIVE A FUTURE NOTICE WHEN PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE TO COMPLETE REPAIRS. TOYOTA DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE HYBRID INVERTER PRODUCTION NUMBER TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE INVERTER CONTAINS SUSPECT TRANSISTORS AND REPLACE THE MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
How other years compare
Check your exact Highlander Hybrid by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid reliable?
NHTSA has 110 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The most complained-about area is service brakes (22% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 105,000 miles or less.
Does the 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning hybrid propulsion system: inverter. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.