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2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

103 reports with mileage · 7 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

14 crash reports2 fire reports2 injury reports

What owners actually said

110 reports
47,000 miles · Oct 19, 2015
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes

THE VSC SYSTEM WARNING APPEARS AND IT SMELL LIKE THE BRAKE IS IMGAGE OF ATTACHED LIKE A BURNING METAL SMELL.

NHTSA ODI #10783187

124,180 miles · Aug 29, 2015
Service Brakes

I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR A FLAT TIRE REPAIR AND AN ALIGNMENT. AFTER THE SERVICES WERE PERFORMED THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO RESET THE COMPUTER AS IT KEPT SHOWING AN ERROR. ALL LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD WERE LIGHTED. I DROVE THE CAR TO A TOYOTA SERVICE CENTER. WHEN DRIVING I NOTICED THAT THE BRAKES DID NOT FEEL QUITE RIGHT. IT DIDN'T FE…

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I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR A FLAT TIRE REPAIR AND AN ALIGNMENT. AFTER THE SERVICES WERE PERFORMED THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO RESET THE COMPUTER AS IT KEPT SHOWING AN ERROR. ALL LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD WERE LIGHTED. I DROVE THE CAR TO A TOYOTA SERVICE CENTER. WHEN DRIVING I NOTICED THAT THE BRAKES DID NOT FEEL QUITE RIGHT. IT DIDN'T FEEL LIKE THEY WOULD BRAKE QUICKLY IF NEED BE. THE ULTIMATE DIAGNOSIS WAS THE CAR HAD A C1345 LINEAR VALVE OFFSET UNDONE AND C1368 LINEAR VALVE OFFSET MALFUNCTION. A NEW BRAKE ACTUATOR WAS INSTALLED AT A COST OF $3200. PER MY RESEARCH, THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED FOR THE TOYOTA CAMRY HYBRID AS AN ISSUE. PERHAPS THE HIGHLANDER SHOULD ALSO BE LOOKED INTO.

NHTSA ODI #10760137

100,820 miles · Aug 3, 2015
Electrical SystemService Brakes

I WAS TRAVELLING 45 MPH, WHEN A CAR IN FRONT OF ME SUDDENLY STOPPED. I HAD TO BRAKE HARD AND MY CAR STALLED. I FELT A THUD, WENT TO ACCELERATE AND REALIZED MY CAR HAD NO POWER. I HAD TO PUT IT IN PARK AND RESTART THE CAR. MY CAR HAD A RECALL IN 2013 REGARDING POSSIBLE STALL DUE TO HEAT POSSIBLY CAUSING A DEFECT IN THE HYBRID COM…

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I WAS TRAVELLING 45 MPH, WHEN A CAR IN FRONT OF ME SUDDENLY STOPPED. I HAD TO BRAKE HARD AND MY CAR STALLED. I FELT A THUD, WENT TO ACCELERATE AND REALIZED MY CAR HAD NO POWER. I HAD TO PUT IT IN PARK AND RESTART THE CAR. MY CAR HAD A RECALL IN 2013 REGARDING POSSIBLE STALL DUE TO HEAT POSSIBLY CAUSING A DEFECT IN THE HYBRID COMPUTER BOARD. I TOOK IT IN AND THIS WAS SUPPOSEDLY FIXED. THIS IS THE ONE AND ONLY TIME MY CAR HAS STALLED, BUT IT WAS SCARY BECAUSE I HAD MULTIPLE CARS BEHIND ME AND I COULD HAVE REAR-ENDED. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR INTO TOYOTA TO BE EXAMINED.

NHTSA ODI #10745729

90,501 miles · May 29, 2015
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service BrakesVehicle Speed Control

FIRST NOTICED ON DATE ABOVE, BUT OCCURS AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK. WHEN SLOWING DOWN, AND BRAKES ARE APPLIED, IF A BUMP, POTHOLE, AND TRACTION IS LOST FOR A SPLIT SECOND THE BRAKES STOP WORKING AND THE CAR SURGES,COASTS, DISENGAGE. FIRM PRESSURE ON BRAKES IS USED TO COMPENSATE FOR THE LOSS OF BRAKING POWER. AS A RESULT STOPPING DI…

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FIRST NOTICED ON DATE ABOVE, BUT OCCURS AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK. WHEN SLOWING DOWN, AND BRAKES ARE APPLIED, IF A BUMP, POTHOLE, AND TRACTION IS LOST FOR A SPLIT SECOND THE BRAKES STOP WORKING AND THE CAR SURGES,COASTS, DISENGAGE. FIRM PRESSURE ON BRAKES IS USED TO COMPENSATE FOR THE LOSS OF BRAKING POWER. AS A RESULT STOPPING DISTANCE IS INCREASED. THIS LOSS OF BREAKING POWER LASTS FOR 1/2 TO 1 SECOND. PERHAPS ITS RELATED TO THE HYBRID REGENERATING SYSTEM. NEVER THE LESS IT IS VERY DISCONCERTING TO LOSE BRAKES, EVEN FOR A SPLIT SECOND

NHTSA ODI #10722110

107,000 miles · May 21, 2015
Wheels

THIS CAR IS NOTHING BUT A JOKE WHEN IT COMES TO TIRES!!!! IT SHOULD BE CALLED TOYOTA TIRE EATER! I JUST GOT MY 5TH (THAT'S RIGHT) 5TH SET OF TIRES FOR THIS VEHICLE SINCE I PURCHASED IT NEW IN '07. I FOUND OUT THROUGH OTHER OWNERS OF THE SAME TYPE OF VEHICLE THAT THEY'RE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM... I ALSO HAVE DONE SO…

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THIS CAR IS NOTHING BUT A JOKE WHEN IT COMES TO TIRES!!!! IT SHOULD BE CALLED TOYOTA TIRE EATER! I JUST GOT MY 5TH (THAT'S RIGHT) 5TH SET OF TIRES FOR THIS VEHICLE SINCE I PURCHASED IT NEW IN '07. I FOUND OUT THROUGH OTHER OWNERS OF THE SAME TYPE OF VEHICLE THAT THEY'RE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM... I ALSO HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT THAT THIS VEHICLE'S TIRES ARE NOT SPEC. OUT CORRECTLY! IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT COMPANY YOU BUY YOUR TIRE FROM THOUGH IT CAME WITH GOOD YEAR INTEGRITY'S ON IT - 18K BEFORE THEY WERE GONE! THE TIRE SIZE FOR THIS VEHICLE IS ONLY MADE BY CERTAIN MANUFACTURER'S I FINALLY SAID THAT THIS WOULD BE THE LAST TIME I BUY A TOYOTA! THEY DON'T CARE APPARENTLY AND THERE EXCUSE IS THEY DON'T WARRANTY TIRES! BUT THEY SPEC THEM OUT AND PUT THE CRAP ON THERE CARS! MAKES YOU THINK DOESN'T IT! WHO PAYED OFF WHO HERE! I HAVE MICHELIN'S NEW DEFENDER TIRE ON THE VEHICLE NOW A 90K TIRE... SO I HOPE TO GET AT LEAST 30 TO 35 K OUT OF THESE! I HAVE COMPLAINED ONCE BEFORE ABOUT THIS AS WELL.... THANKS, FOR LOOKING OUT FOR THE NEXT FIRESTONE AND FORD TIRE ISSUE... I GUESS THIS WILL BE THE NEXT SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH TIRES! THE GARBAGE THAT WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH AS CONSUMERS OVER CORPORATE GREED AND GOV'T PAY OFF'S! PROVE ME AND OTHERS WRONG! DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT! I WILL FINALLY BE STARTING A CHAT AND SITE WERE OTHERS CAN VIEW AND COMMENT OF THIS ISSUE!

NHTSA ODI #10717748

128,000 miles · May 14, 2015
Hybrid Propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V396000 (HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM). EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS MADE BETWEEN 2/16/05 AND 7/29/10, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT BE REPAIRED. THE CONTA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V396000 (HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM). EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS MADE BETWEEN 2/16/05 AND 7/29/10, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT BE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE LISTED IN THE RECALL TWICE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000.

NHTSA ODI #10716387

112,000 miles · Feb 25, 2015
Hybrid Propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V396000 (HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE REMEDY…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V396000 (HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE REMEDY WAS INSUFFICIENT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE SECOND TIME BY THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000.

NHTSA ODI #10690687

105,000 miles · Feb 24, 2015
Service BrakesVisibility/wiper

I AM REPORTING TWO ISSUES WITH MY HIGHLANDER. THE FIRST IS IN REGARDS TO THE BRAKE SYSTEM. WHILE LOOKING AT ANOTHER COMPLAINT THAT HAD BEEN FILED, I REALIZED THAT MY CAR DID THE SAME THING. BRAKES BECOME MOMENTARILY UNRESPONSIVE WHEN STOPPING. CAR LURCHES FORWARD AND ADDITIONAL FORCE IS NEEDED ON PEDAL TO REGAIN CONTROL. I COPIE…

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I AM REPORTING TWO ISSUES WITH MY HIGHLANDER. THE FIRST IS IN REGARDS TO THE BRAKE SYSTEM. WHILE LOOKING AT ANOTHER COMPLAINT THAT HAD BEEN FILED, I REALIZED THAT MY CAR DID THE SAME THING. BRAKES BECOME MOMENTARILY UNRESPONSIVE WHEN STOPPING. CAR LURCHES FORWARD AND ADDITIONAL FORCE IS NEEDED ON PEDAL TO REGAIN CONTROL. I COPIED WORD FOR WORD WHAT THE OTHER PERSON WROTE, AS THAT DESCRIBES IT PERFECTLY. MY SECOND COMPLAINT REGARDS THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS. THE WIPER ON THE LEFT HAS STOPPED WORKING WELL, AND WILL NOT WIPE BACK AND FORTH PROPERLY ON THE WINDOW. IT STOPS OR GETS STUCK MID-WIPE, OBSCURING MY VISION. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS, AND I AM HAVING THEM REPAIRED TOMORROW. THANK YOU. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10690323

110,000 miles · Jan 20, 2015
Service Brakes

FAILED. CAR NOT SAFE TO DRIVE PER TOYOTA SERVICE TECHNICIAN, AND REQUIRES REPLACEMENT COSTING $3700. THE FAULT WAS A FAILED ABS BRAKE ACTUATOR (?SAME AS IN '07 HYBRID CAMRY?). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10676845

110,000 miles · Dec 31, 2014
Hybrid Propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HYBRID SYSTEM SHUT DOWN AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V396000 (HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM), BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

NHTSA ODI #10669387

Official recalls

2

13V396000 · Hybrid Propulsion System: Inverter

Sep 4, 2013

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: The vehicle may enter a fail-safe/limp-home mode that limits the drivability of the vehicle. It is possible that the hybrid system will shut down while the vehicle is being driven, causing the vehicle to stall unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

11V342000 · Electrical System

Jun 29, 2011

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE VEHICLE MAY ENTER A FAIL-SAFE/LIMP-HOME MODE THAT LIMITS THE DRIVABILITY OF THE VEHICLE. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE HYBRID SYSTEM WILL SHUT DOWN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL UNEXPECTEDLY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

DP22005 · Pedestrian Alert Sounds

Opened Jan 27, 2023 · Closed Aug 7, 2023

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System:propulsion System

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.

PE11005 · Hybrid Inverter Failure - Vehicle Stall

Opened Feb 15, 2011 · Closed Jul 20, 2011

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Hybrid Propulsion System: Inverter

In a June 29, 2011 letter to NHTSA, Toyota submitted a Defect Information Report regarding a safety recall of certain Toyota Highlander Hybrid and Lexus RX400h vehicles to address a defect condition with the hybrid inverter assembly (NHTSA Recall No. 11V-342).Toyota's letter identified a defect related to inadequately soldered transistors on the Intelligent Power Module (IPM) of some of the subject vehicles that could result in sudden loss of power while driving.Toyota's remedy procedure instructs dealers to inspect the hybrid inverter production number to determine if the inverter contains suspect transistors.If so, the dealer will replace the IPM.The recall covers approximately 45,528 model year (MY) 2006 and 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid vehicles manufactured from February 16, 2005 through August 29, 2006 and approximately 36,745 MY 2006 and 2007 Lexus RX400h vehicles manufactured from February 23, 2005 through August 30, 2006.This Preliminary Evaluation is closed.