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2007 Toyota Highlander

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2007 Toyota Highlander do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 186.5.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

95 reports with mileage · 28 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.

  • Service Brakes. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

11 crash reports1 fire reports4 injury reports

What owners actually said

123 reports
45,000 miles · May 9, 2008
Equipment

2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID WITH 45,000 MILE ON IT. UNPROTECTED AIR CONDITIONING CONDENSER DAMAGED BY ROAD DEBRIS - COST ME $1300 TO FIX AT DEALER. I FOUND OTHER HIGHLANDER OWNERS ON INTERNET WITH IDENTICAL PROBLEM. ALSO APPEARS TO BE PROBLEM ON TOYOTA COROLLA (TOYOTA ISSUED TSB AC002-06 ON THIS). CLEARLY DEFECTIVE DESIGN -…

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2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID WITH 45,000 MILE ON IT. UNPROTECTED AIR CONDITIONING CONDENSER DAMAGED BY ROAD DEBRIS - COST ME $1300 TO FIX AT DEALER. I FOUND OTHER HIGHLANDER OWNERS ON INTERNET WITH IDENTICAL PROBLEM. ALSO APPEARS TO BE PROBLEM ON TOYOTA COROLLA (TOYOTA ISSUED TSB AC002-06 ON THIS). CLEARLY DEFECTIVE DESIGN - ABSOLUTELY NO PROTECTION IN FRONT OF A/C CONDENSER WHICH IS MOUNTED VERY LOW WITH BIG OPEN HOLES IN SHROUD IN FRONT OF IT. ALMOST FORMS A FUNNEL FOR COLLECTING ROCKS, BROKEN TIRE CHUNK'S, ETC. FROM ROADWAYS AND HAVING THIS DEBRIS PUNCTURE AIR CONDITIONING CONDENSER. COMPLAINED TO TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE. RESPONSE ABYSMAL. AND WE WERE A TOYOTA FAMILY - CURRENTLY OWN TWO OTHER TOYOTAS. SHAME ON TOYOTA. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10227128

26,900 miles · Apr 14, 2008
Fuel System, Other

SLOW THROTTLE RESPONSE UPON TAKE-OFFS. CAN BE HAZARDOUS IN A NEED TO QUICKLY GET OUT OF A SITUATION FROM A STANDING STOP OR SLOW ROLLING TAKE OFF. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10224430

18,090 miles · Jan 13, 2008
Power Train

TRANSMISSION SEEMS TO SHIFT AT RANDOM TIMES. AT A STOP IT WILL NOT ENGAGE IMMEDIATELY AND THE HIGHLANDER WILL COAST TO SPEED, AT OTHER TIMES I TOUCH THE ACCELERATOR AND THE CAR LAUNCH OFF LIKE A RACE CAR. WHEN COASTING IT SEEMS TO SHIFT AT RANDOM TIMES AND SOME TIMES SPEED UP WHEN I WANT TO SLOW DOWN BY HITTING BRAKES. THIS S…

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TRANSMISSION SEEMS TO SHIFT AT RANDOM TIMES. AT A STOP IT WILL NOT ENGAGE IMMEDIATELY AND THE HIGHLANDER WILL COAST TO SPEED, AT OTHER TIMES I TOUCH THE ACCELERATOR AND THE CAR LAUNCH OFF LIKE A RACE CAR. WHEN COASTING IT SEEMS TO SHIFT AT RANDOM TIMES AND SOME TIMES SPEED UP WHEN I WANT TO SLOW DOWN BY HITTING BRAKES. THIS SEEMS TO RISK A COLLISION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10214672

1,995 miles · Dec 14, 2007
Electrical System

SLOW INTERMITTENT DRAIN ON TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID 2007 AUXILIARY BATTERY. SINCE APRIL 2007, THE BATTERY HAS DIED 5 TIMES. DEALER REPLACED WITH NEW BATTERY, NEW DVD PLAYER BUT STILL CANNOT IDENTIFY THE SOURCE OF THE BATTERY DRAW. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10211935

5,000 miles · Nov 27, 2007
Electrical System

WHEN TRAVELING DOWN HILL FOR EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME THE BATTERIES CHARGE AND THEN START TO EMIT NOXIOUS FUMES INTO THE CAB OF THE VEHICLE. (OZONE I THINK.) ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WE HAVE HAD TO ROLL THE WINDOWS DOWN OR STOP AND EXIT THE VEHICLE TO ALLOW THE FUMES TO CLEAR. THE LOCAL DEALER SAYS THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH T…

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WHEN TRAVELING DOWN HILL FOR EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME THE BATTERIES CHARGE AND THEN START TO EMIT NOXIOUS FUMES INTO THE CAB OF THE VEHICLE. (OZONE I THINK.) ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WE HAVE HAD TO ROLL THE WINDOWS DOWN OR STOP AND EXIT THE VEHICLE TO ALLOW THE FUMES TO CLEAR. THE LOCAL DEALER SAYS THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE, AND THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT OUR COMPLAINTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10210128

6,341 miles · Oct 28, 2007
Tires

NOTIFIED BY FELLOW TRAVELER THAT TIRE WAS LOW. CHECKED DASH FOR WARNING LIGHT - NO WARNING. TOOK AUTO TO TIRE DEALERSHIP. MADE ME REPLACE TIRE - TOLD IT WAS UNSAFE. SAID SENSORS WERE REQUIRED IN AUTO AS OF 2006. HAD SENSOR IN PREVIOUS HIGHLANDER. CALLED TOYOTA. TOLD BY TWO DIFFERENT PEOPLE THAT HYBRID HAD SENSOR. TOOK AUTO TO DE…

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NOTIFIED BY FELLOW TRAVELER THAT TIRE WAS LOW. CHECKED DASH FOR WARNING LIGHT - NO WARNING. TOOK AUTO TO TIRE DEALERSHIP. MADE ME REPLACE TIRE - TOLD IT WAS UNSAFE. SAID SENSORS WERE REQUIRED IN AUTO AS OF 2006. HAD SENSOR IN PREVIOUS HIGHLANDER. CALLED TOYOTA. TOLD BY TWO DIFFERENT PEOPLE THAT HYBRID HAD SENSOR. TOOK AUTO TO DEALERSHIP. HAD CHECKED. NO SENSOR!! WAS TOLD BY THEM THAT IT WAS NOT REQUIRED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10207094

3,062 miles · Sep 30, 2007
Electrical System

WAS PULLING INTO PARKING SPACE UNDER 5 MPH AND THERE WAS A SUDDEN SURGE FORWARD AND THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK. WENT OVER CURB THROUGH BUSHES OFF ANOTHER CURB HITTING UNDERNEATH OF CAR AND BRAKES THEN WORKED AGAIN. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALER WHERE THEY DROVE IT PUT IT ON A MACHINE AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR! *JB

NHTSA ODI #10204479

50 miles · Jul 26, 2007
Electrical System

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE CANNOT SEE THE SPEEDOMETER ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DURING THE DAYTIME. HE STATED THAT THE LENSES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ARE TINTED, WHICH HE BELIEVES IS THE REASON FOR THE POOR VISIBILITY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD BE UNABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICL…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE CANNOT SEE THE SPEEDOMETER ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DURING THE DAYTIME. HE STATED THAT THE LENSES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ARE TINTED, WHICH HE BELIEVES IS THE REASON FOR THE POOR VISIBILITY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD BE UNABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE AND ADVISED HIM TO CALL TOYOTA. A COMPLAINT WAS FILED WITH TOYOTA AND THE CONTACT WAS ISSUED COMPLAINT NUMBER 200707203477. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50. UPDATED 09/05/07 *TR

NHTSA ODI #10197552

48,239 miles · Jul 16, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER LIMITED WITH STALLING CONCERNS CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE CARS IDLE SPEED CONTROL VALVE AND IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE HAD TO BE REPLACED**CC

NHTSA ODI #10196960

37 miles · Jun 13, 2007
Electrical System

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING IN THE SUNLIGHT, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS ARE DIFFICULT TO READ. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT TO HAVE THE DEALER TEST THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD BE UNABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THAT IS HOW IT WAS MANUFACTURED. THE CONTACT STAT…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING IN THE SUNLIGHT, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS ARE DIFFICULT TO READ. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT TO HAVE THE DEALER TEST THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD BE UNABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THAT IS HOW IT WAS MANUFACTURED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE ONLY OCCURS DURING THE DAYTIME. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 100 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37.

NHTSA ODI #10193154

Official recalls

4

16V396000 · Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/cooler

Jun 2, 2016

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.

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.

14V743000 · Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/cooler

Nov 19, 2014

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Damage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and causing personal injury to the occupant.

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.

10V035000 · Equipment:other:labels

Feb 3, 2010

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.

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.

10V036000 · Equipment:other:labels

Feb 3, 2010

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

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.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.