2007 Toyota HIGHLANDER HYBRID problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
110 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
105,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2007 model year. Data snapshot: . 103 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 28 of 110 complaints (25.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 57 | 51.8% |
| Engine operation | 20 | 18.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 12 | 10.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 4.5% |
| Steering behavior | 5 | 4.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 0.9% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 28 |
| Service Brakes | 28 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 14 |
| Hybrid Propulsion System: Inverter | 12 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 12 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 10 |
| Engine | 8 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 8 |
Electrical System: 28; Service Brakes: 28; Vehicle Speed Control: 14; Hybrid Propulsion System: Inverter: 12; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 12; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 10; Engine: 8; Fuel/Propulsion System: 8
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 14 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 14 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 10 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 9 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 39 |
| 150,000 and above | 17 |
Under 25,000: 14; 25,000 to 49,999: 14; 50,000 to 74,999: 10; 75,000 to 99,999: 9; 100,000 to 149,999: 39; 150,000 and above: 17
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (39). 7 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2010 | 22 |
| 2011 | 8 |
| 2012 | 9 |
| 2013 | 20 |
| 2014 | 9 |
| 2015 | 10 |
| 2016 | 6 |
| 2017 | 6 |
| 2018 | 8 |
| 2019 | 7 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
2009: 3; 2010: 22; 2011: 8; 2012: 9; 2013: 20; 2014: 9; 2015: 10; 2016: 6; 2017: 6; 2018: 8; 2019: 7; 2022: 1; 2024: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 57 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 20 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 12 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10291096 · 2009-11-05 (November 5, 2009)
ON OCTOBER 13, 2009, MY 2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID WAS PARKED AT A SMALL BUSINESS PARKING LOT, ABOUT 40 FT. AWAY FROM ANOTHER PARKED CAR. THE WEATHER WAS CLEAR AND DRY. DURING THE PROCESS OF PUTTING THE CAR IN REVERSE, WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE,(NECESSARY FOR IGNITION) MY CAR ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN AT A VERY HIGH SPEED, AND SMASHED INTO THE PARKED CAR BEHIND ME. I HAD ABSOLUTELY NO CONTROL OF THIS CAR. IT DAMAGED THE BACK OF THE OTHER CAR SO COMPLETELY THAT IS WAS UNDRIVABLE AND HAD TO BE TOWED. MY CAR HAD SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE REAR …
Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10291096 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10305174 · 2010-02-04 (February 4, 2010)
WE HAVE A 2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID THAT IS EXHIBITING THE SAME BRAKING PROBLEMS THAT ARE BEING REPORTED WITH THE PRIUS. WHEN PRESSING THE BRAKES THE CAR BEGINS TO SLOW THEN IT FEELS THAT THE BRAKES MOMENTARILY RELEASE, CAUSING THE CAR TO LURCH FORWARD, BEFORE THEY RE-ENGAGE AND FINISH STOPPING THE CAR. I HAVEN'T NOTICED IF IT HAPPENS MORE OVER BUMPS BUT IT DOES HAPPEN ON A FAIRLY REGULAR BASIS. WE HAVE SPOKEN WITH THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP ABOUT THIS MULTIPLE TIMES AND EACH TIME HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT IT IS WORKING HOW IT SHOULD AND THE PAUSI…
Owner-reported narrative. 65,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10305174 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10277384 · 2009-07-19 (July 19, 2009)
I HAVE A 2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID WITH FRONT WHEEL DRIVE WHICH IS EQUIPPED WITH TRACTION CONTROL. ON TWO OCCASIONS I HAVE BEEN IN SITUATIONS WHERE THE TRACTION CONTROL HAS ENGAGED DUE TO AN UNSTABLE TRAVEL SURFACE. IN BOTH INSTANCES, THE VEHICLE HAS "SHUT DOWN" AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE FORWARD DUE TO THE TRACTION CONTROL NOT ALLOWING THE VEHICLE TO DO SO. I CONTACTED MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER. THEY INDICATED THAT THIS WAS NORMAL TO "PROTECT" THE CVT FROM DAMAGE ON UNSTABLE SURFACES. THEY COULD NOT PROVIDE A REMEDY FOR THIS SITUATION. LIVING I…
Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10277384 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10342598 · 2010-07-12 (July 12, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HV. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THREE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO IDENTIFY THE WARNING LIGHTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 24,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 24,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10342598 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10308560 · 2010-02-10 (February 10, 2010)
I BELIEVE MY 2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID HAS THE SAME BRAKING PROBLEMS AS DESCRIBED WITH THE TOYOTA PRIUS. I HAD THIS PROBLEM SINCE DAY ONE OF PURCHASE AND I WAS TOLD IT WAS NORMAL. HERE IS MY DESCRIPTION OF MY BRAKING PROBLEM. WHEN I AM TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY OR CITY DRIVING, WHENEVER I PUSH ON THE BRAKE PEDAL YOU CAN FEEL NORMAL BRAKING ALSO YOU CAN SEE THE DASH GAUGE NEEDLE POINTING TO THE BLUE AS IT RECHARGES THE BATTERIES AND THEN THE VEHICLE COMES TO A STOP. EVER SO OFTEN, WHEN I AM BRAKING I CAN FEEL THE VEHICLE LETTING UP ON THE BRA…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10308560 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10369999 · 2010-12-11 (December 11, 2010)
I OWN 2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID 4WD CAR WOULD NOT START 56,300. MLS VSC LITE ON -PUT IN PARK (WAS IN PARK) 12V BATTERY DEAD WHEN RESEARCHING HAVE FOUND KNOWN PROBLEM,MY CAR HAS LEXUS ENGINE, KNOWN PROBLEMS, MOST PEOPLE TOLD BATTERY DEAD..REAL PROBLEM BAD INVERTER,SOME HAVE ALMOST DIED HAPPENED WHEN DRIVING SOME MAY HAVE TOYOTA LOOKING OTHER WAY, TELL PEOPLE BAD BATTERY ..HM LAST TOYOTA BATTERY I HAD IN DIF CAR LASTED 7 YRS,PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW I WILL BE IN AFIGHT WITH LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER , PLEASE CHECK THIS OUT I AM A NURSE AND PEOPLE COUL…
Owner-reported narrative. 56,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10369999 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10306296 · 2010-02-05 (February 5, 2010)
I OWN A 2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. ON MONDAY, JAN. 25TH, MY WIFEWAS PARKING OUR HIGHLANDER. SHE PULLED INTO THE PARKING SPACE. HER FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. WHEN SHE WENT TO PUT THE TRANSMISSION INTO PARK, THE CAR SUDDENLY SHOT FORWARD AND HIT A TREE, DAMAGING THE FRONT FENDER. MY WIFE WAS SURE SHE HAD THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED. WE BELIEVE THIS ACCIDENT WAS CAUSED BY A PROBLEM OF SUDDEN ACCELERATION OR BRAKING THAT MADE THE CAR GO FORWARD OVERPOWERING THE BRAKE. WE ALSO BELIEVE THAT THIS PROBLEM MAY BE RELATED TO THE TOYOTA ACCELERAT…
Owner-reported narrative. 29,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10306296 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10297489 · 2009-12-30 (December 30, 2009)
I PURCHASED 4 SUMITOMO TIRES FROM NTB ON WEDNESDAY, 12-15-09. ON FRIDAY, 12-17, JUST 2 DAYS LATER, I PACKED UP FOR A TRIP TO BOSTON FROM DC WITH MY WIFE AND 2 TODDLER CHILDREN FOR A SCHEDULED EVENT THAT I WAS SLATED TO SPEAK AT. BY THE TIME WE REACHED THE NEW JERSEY TURNPIKE, WE PULLED OVER FOR GAS. THE GAS ATTENDANT NOTICED OUR LEFT FRONT TIRE WAS FLAT. THE AUTOSHOP ATTENDANT THERE INFLATED THE TIRE AND ROLLED IT AROUND IN WATER BUT COULD NOT FIND A LEAK. THEY TOLD ME TO DRIVE A LITTLE LONGER AND SEE IF I STILL HAVE A PROBLEM. I PULLED OVER LA…
Owner-reported narrative. 36,925 miles reported. Look up ODI 10297489 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10457383 · 2012-05-03 (May 3, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CHECK VSC WARNING AND POWER STEERING WARNING LAMPS ILLUMINATED IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE INVERTER WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,990 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 114,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 113,990 miles reported. Look up ODI 10457383 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11015596 · 2017-08-15 (August 15, 2017)
THE GAS TANK FELL PARTIALLY OFF AND DRAGGED ON THE ROAD. I WAS DRIVING ON CITY STREETS, TURNING RIGHT AT 5 MPH WHEN I HEARD A LOUD POP/SNAP SOUND AND THEN A TERRIBLE SOUND OF SOMETHING DRAGGING UNDER THE CAR. FORTUNATELY, I COULD PULL OVER AND STOP WITHIN 50 FEET. THE GAS TANK WAS NOT DAMAGED SIGNIFICANTLY (IT PASSED A PRESSURE TEST AT THE DEALERSHIP). THE GAS TANK IS ATTACHED WITH TWO STRAPS, FORE AND AFT. THE RIGHT SIDES OF BOTH STRAPS SNAPPED VERY CLOSE TO WHERE THE STRAPS ARE BOLTED TO THE MAIN BODY IN A PLACE THAT COULD NOT HAVE P…
Owner-reported narrative. 98,883 miles reported. Look up ODI 11015596 at NHTSA ↗