2010 Toyota Highlander Hybrid: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 22 owner complaints on record; most reports concern service brakes.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 2015
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 22 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The hybrid inverter failed when accelerating from a red light. A loud clunk was heard and the car would not move forward. The engine was still running but car would not accelerate and had to be pushed out of the road. "check hybrid system" warning flashed. Car was towed to a dealer who confirmed that it was not covered by the warranty at 9 years, 117k miles (warranty is 8 years, 110k miles). The previous recalls for the hybrid inverter had been completed ~3 years ago and so the recall also would not cover the repair. The quoted cost of the repair is ~$11k.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jun 2019
“Defective intermediate steering shaft. Clunking, etc. Seems dangerous, no recall.... This is one complaint to add to the numerous others. Toyota, when are you going to do something about this?”Owner report · Steering · Feb 2018
“Very common problem is being reported in all of the highlanders of 2008 forward. At low mileage, the steering column has a bearing in it called a stub shaft but apparently gets loose leaving to a clunk and looseness in the steering. It is so common that our dealer has to keep multiple replacement parts in stock. People are reporting this within the 36,000 mile warranty, my car began to do it at about 60,000 miles. It is a $700 repair. Loss of control of the vehicle is possible.”Owner report · Steering · Feb 2016
Show 7 more owner reports
“Door locks on passenger front and rear, driver front and rear, have all been replaced or repaired at least twice due to malfunctions. As of december 2015, the locks are failing again for a third time, creating a safety hazard. Locks don't work. They will either stay locked, failing to open, or now, they will not lock at all. This is an ongoing problem that has never been fixed properly. Keeps recurring.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Dec 2015
“Accelerator moved to full speed as backing up began. Auto plowed 110 feet full speed through plants and trees, coming to a stop by some trees. Car was parked on private driveway. Driver slightly injured. Rear end car damage is $6,000+.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Nov 2015
“When I depress the brake to make a consistent smooth stop if the vehicle hits bumps the car seems to loose its braking power and almost feels like it slips out from under me as it lurches ahead. This problem is consistent in that it happens in the same spots under the same conditions. It seems as though it could be hazardous in certain conditions. *js”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jun 2014
“The inverter failed and the car stalled on a busy freeway (I-5) during a dark, rainy evening. The car could not make it all the way to the side of the shoulder and stopped partially blocking a lane. It was extremely dangerous and the driver, my wife, was lucky not to be injured. *tr”Owner report · Hybrid Propulsion System · Feb 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2010 toyota highlander hybrid. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 mph, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the wheel bearing sensor needed to be replaced. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was taken to the dealer for the same failure on three occasions. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The approximate failure and current mileage was 77,000. *tr”Owner report · Engine · Apr 2013
“Tl* the contact owns a 2010 toyota highlander hybrid. The contact stated while driving 40 mph, the vehicle stalled. The contact towed the vehicle to a dealer. The dealer performed a diagnostic test. The test showed a defective coil pack which caused the vehicle to stall. The dealer replaced the coil as well as the battery. The failure mileage was 25,400.”Owner report · Engine · Feb 2013
“2010 toyota highlander hybrid. Consumer states that vehicle is suppose to be all wheel drive, however the hybrid system is not compatible with the all wheel drive system *tgw the consumer stated when the vehicle would slide, the hybrid system shut down the all-wheel drive system because the computer was trying to prevent damage to the generator which is a part of the hybrid system. *jb”Owner report · Traction Control System · Feb 2011
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 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 Motor Company (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Tundra, Sequoia, Corolla, Corolla Matrix and Scion xB, 2008-2011 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2007 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2009 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2006-2011 RAV4, 2006-2010 Yaris, and 2009-2010 Scion xD and Pontiac Vibe vehicles. During the manufacturing of the Power Window Master Switch (PWMS), grease lubricant may have been inconsistently applied to the sliding electrical contacts.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the switch, applying a lubricant if no abnormality is found. If abnormality is found, the PWMS circuit board will be replaced, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin December 20, 2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is C0M.
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model year 2010-2012 Sequoia. During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.
Remedy: Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
Southeast Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 and 2010-2013 Toyota Tundra, 2010-2012 Rav4, 2012 Toyota Sequoia, 2010-2011 Toyota Corolla, 2010-2011 Toyota Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser, 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser, 2010-2013 Toyota Venza, 2010-2011 Toyota 4Runner, 2010-2013 Toyota Tacoma, 2011-2012 Toyota Sienna, 2012 Toyota Prius, 2013 Scion FR-S, 2011 Scion XD, 2011 Scion XB, and 2012 Scion TC vehicles. These vehicles were sold with labels that were outside the allowable one percent of accuracy of actual weight added. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) Number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Remedy: Southeast Toyota will notify owners and provide a corrected label with instructions concerning its installation. A small group of the affected vehicles will need additonal remedies which are still being developed. The recall began on May 28, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
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.
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Is the 2010 Toyota Highlander Hybrid reliable?
NHTSA has 22 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2010 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The most complained-about area is service brakes.
Does the 2010 Toyota Highlander Hybrid have open recalls?
4 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.