2007 Toyota HIGHLANDER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
123 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
60,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2007 model year. Data snapshot: . 95 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes is the most frequently named component, appearing in 28 of 123 complaints (22.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 43 | 35.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 9 | 7.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 8 | 6.5% |
| Engine operation | 6 | 4.9% |
| Steering behavior | 5 | 4.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 0.8% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes | 28 |
| Electrical System | 17 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 16 |
| Unknown Or Other | 8 |
| Engine | 7 |
| Tires | 7 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 7 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 6 |
Service Brakes: 28; Electrical System: 17; Vehicle Speed Control: 16; Unknown Or Other: 8; Engine: 7; Tires: 7; Visibility/Wiper: 7; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 6
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 25 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 15 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 14 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 6 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 22 |
| 150,000 and above | 13 |
Under 25,000: 25; 25,000 to 49,999: 15; 50,000 to 74,999: 14; 75,000 to 99,999: 6; 100,000 to 149,999: 22; 150,000 and above: 13
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (25). 28 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 |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 8 |
| 2008 | 7 |
| 2009 | 9 |
| 2010 | 18 |
| 2011 | 6 |
| 2012 | 8 |
| 2013 | 10 |
| 2014 | 5 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2016 | 9 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2020 | 12 |
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2022 | 6 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 4 |
2006: 2; 2007: 8; 2008: 7; 2009: 9; 2010: 18; 2011: 6; 2012: 8; 2013: 10; 2014: 5; 2015: 4; 2016: 9; 2018: 3; 2019: 5; 2020: 12; 2021: 4; 2022: 6; 2023: 2; 2024: 1; 2025: 4
Pattern summary
Service Brakes leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 43 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 9 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 8 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 10204479 · 2007-09-30 (September 30, 2007)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 3,062 miles reported. Look up ODI 10204479 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10214672 · 2008-01-13 (January 13, 2008)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 18,090 miles reported. Look up ODI 10214672 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10211935 · 2007-12-14 (December 14, 2007)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 1,995 miles reported. Look up ODI 10211935 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10233537 · 2008-07-08 (July 8, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE 12-VOLT BATTERY IN HER VEHICLE. ON AT LEAST TEN OCCASIONS, THE 12-VOLT BATTERY WOULD NOT START. THE CONTACT WOULD ATTEMPT TO START THE VEHICLE, BUT THE IGNITION WOULD NOT TURN OVER. SHE HEARD OF INSTANCES WHERE OTHER PEOPLE'S VEHICLES COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING; THEREFORE, SHE WAS CONCERNED THAT IT COULD EVENTUALLY HAPPEN TO HER. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOUR DIFFERENT TIMES, BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. …
Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10233537 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10176069 · 2006-12-13 (December 13, 2006)
2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER - UNCONTROLLED TRANSMISSION SURGES CAUSE VEHICLE TO MOVE FORWARD UNEXPECTEDLY. TRANSMISSION ALWAYS SHIFTING DOWN TO 5TH GEAR AT VERY SLOW SPEEDS, PUSHING CAR FORWARD UNEXPECTEDLY WHEN NOT DESIRED. TAKING FOOT OFF GAS PEDAL, CAR MAINTAINS SPEED (LIKE ON CRUISE CONTROL). CAR WILL DRIVE AND MAINTAIN SPEEDS WITHOUT GAS PEDAL INPUT. DRIVER MUST FIGHT TO SLOW VEHICLE DOWN. SLOWING DOWN, COMING TO A STOP SIGN, CAR STILL ALWAYS WANTS TO SHIFT DOWN INTO 5TH GEAR, PUSHING CAR FORWARD FASTER JUST BEFORE FULL STOP, RISKING REAR …
Owner-reported narrative. 800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10176069 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10196960 · 2007-07-16 (July 16, 2007)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 48,239 miles reported. Look up ODI 10196960 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10314571 · 2010-02-26 (February 26, 2010)
MY TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 2007 (7 SEATS) STALLS SINCE THE DAY I BOUGHT IT. I THOUGHT IT WAS NORMAL BUT IT IS BECOMING VERY DANGEROUS SINCE IT STALLS FOR A SEC OR 2 EVERYTIME YOU SLOW AND TRY TO ACCELERATE AFTERWARD. IT STALL MAINLY AT YIELD SIGN, WHEN SLOWLY TRYING TO CRUISE INTERSECTIONS AND WHEN YOU TRY TO PASS ON HIGHWAYS. I READ MANY STORY ON THE INTERNET WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10314571 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10329319 · 2010-05-07 (May 7, 2010)
SUDDEN LOSS OF BRAKES ON A 2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. CAR REAR ENDED A TRUCK. DRIVER BROKE RIGHT BRAKING ANKLE. NO SKID MARKS. DRIVER'S HEAD HIT STEERING WHEEL EVEN THOUGH AIR BAG DEPLOYED. BELIEVE AIR BAG ONLY PARTIALLY DEPLOYED. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 27,059 miles reported. Look up ODI 10329319 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10449738 · 2012-02-29 (February 29, 2012)
AT 68,000 MILES, MY TOYOTA HIGHLANDER STEERING HAS BECOME VERY LOOSE. THE STEERING WHEEL PLAY IS ABOUT TWO INCHES. DEALER TELLS ME NO RECALLS, BUT, AFTER MAKING HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF THESE UNITS, ONE BAD ONE IS BOUND TO OCCUR. UNFORTUNATELY, I GOT THE BAD ONE. DEALER ADMITS THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN VERY WELL TAKEN CARE OF. IT IS OTHERWISE IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. I AM 73 YEARS OLD AND DRIVE VERY CAREFULLY. NO ACCIDENTS OR ABUSE OF THE VEHICLE. NO TICKETS OR ACCIDENTS IN 55YEARS. WHY WOULD A VEHICLE I HAVE MAINTAINED WELL AND TAKEN CARE OF SUDDEN…
Owner-reported narrative. 68,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10449738 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11382930 · 2020-12-10 (December 10, 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-reported narrative. 205,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11382930 at NHTSA ↗