2007 Toyota Highlander: problems, recalls and reliability
6 recalls and 233 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes (20% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jun 2016
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 233 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2007 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 116,000, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 240,126. The contact also stated that the seller had crossed out the mileage and penned in "EXEMPT" on the tile. Local authorities were notified.”Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 2025
“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
“Only six months after installation as a set of 4 new tires at Sam's Club in May 2021, multiple cracks start to develop around the rims on both inside and outside of the tires. With time, the cracks grow in size. This happens on two tires, one is on the front passage side, and the other on the rear driver side.”Owner report · Wheels · Jan 2022
Show 7 more owner reports
“we were station in the Military base in Belle chasse LA. I'm having a SAFETY issue with the vehicle brake system and ABS.I contacted Toyota and nothing was done this vehicle has like 76000 miles and this a mayor concerned, and safety issue I believe this is a factory problem from day one. I have read thousands of same complaints on line with same problem. I also read that Toyota had the same issue with Prius and my understanding is that it was a recall on those. My car is low in millage for the year and I have been the only owner. This is a safety issue and I need help I'm very concern for our safety and others . Thank you, and your attention to this matter is appreciated.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Aug 2021
“My vcs light,ABS,brake,traction control light is on. Plus a horrible buzzing noise always on. Brakes are hard to press down on. It happened when we were driving it.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Feb 2021
“All motor mounts are rotted. While driving when take foot off the gas, the car sways and pulls. It happens at all speeds.”Owner report · Steering · Dec 2020
“The straps supporting the fuel tank broke. Both straps broke on the passenger side of vehicle, rendering it undrivable as the tank was on the ground. Wife heard a clunk when at a stop, started to move, heard scraping. Stopped, checked, found right side of fuel tank on ground.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Nov 2020
“2007 toyota highlander hybrid with 100,000 miles stalled and died while driving on interstate at approx 65-70mph, illuminating multiple warning and safety lights on dash before becoming inoperable. Car was towed to local repair shop. Local repair shop states the hybrid system failed.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Sep 2020
“While we were driving, going around a corner the antilock system decided to do it itself... And make my vehicle slip sideways. It was very dangerous as it took me from side to side. I have never had this happen before and I don't want it happening again. How do we fix this as fast as possible?”Owner report · Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · Jul 2020
“While driving I got error codes check vsc system, brakes light. I took it to the dealership and the car needed brake actuator assembly replaced, the cost is 2900$ . This should be a recall as the car became unsafe to drive and this is my second hybrid toyota car with the same problem with huge cost of repair for a defective part installed by the company”Owner report · Service Brakes · Feb 2020
When filing, owners marked a crash in 25 of these complaints and injuries in 10 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 6 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.
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Prius and Corolla, 2009-2011 Venza, 2006-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2005-2011 Sienna and Sequoia, 2006-2011 Tacoma 4x2 and 4x4, Camry, Highlander, Tundra 4x2 and 4x4, and 2007-2011 Rav4 and 4Runner. The affected vehicles may experience compression of the seat cushion which may damage the seat heater wiring.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the heaters with copper strand heating elements and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory, free of charge. The recall is expected to began in January 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226.
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET number for this recall is SET16B.
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.
GULF STATES TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 AND JUNE 2, 2008 WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. DEALERS WILL ALSO CORRECT THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GULF STATES TOYOTA AT 713-580-3300.
SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2007 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Highlander 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 reliable?
NHTSA has 233 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on record for the 2007 Toyota Highlander. The most complained-about area is service brakes (20% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2007 Toyota Highlander problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 96,077 miles or less.
Does the 2007 Toyota Highlander have open recalls?
6 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.