2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Service Brakes (21) · Vehicle Speed Control (14) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic (11)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Toyota Highlander Hybrid model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
102 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (2)
Hybrid Propulsion System: Inverter 2013-09-04 · campaign 13V396000 · 133,081 vehicles
Defect: 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
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Electrical System 2011-06-29 · campaign 11V342000 · 82,273 vehicles
Defect: 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 ILLUMINA
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (85)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Engine 2026-02-13 · T-SB-0009-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin includes basic procedures for performing a rescue charge on ni-mh high voltage (hv) batteries. this bulletin should be used in conjunction with the applicable model and model year repair manual while performing a rescue charge. the grx-5100 should be used wherever the repair manual ref
Engine 2026-02-13 · T-SB-0119-15 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
obsolete notice february 13, 2026: this bulletin is now obsolete. please see t-sb-0009-26.
Unknown Or Other 2026-01-07 · T-SB-0055-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2005 – 2026 toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. the purpose of this service bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0039-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. if these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicle surface, especially the horizonal areas of the hood, roof,
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0038-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
to prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. the purpose of the wheel film is to shield the disc brake rotor from weather elements and initial rust before the vehicle is delivered to the customer.
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0035-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. if these acidic compounds settle on an exposed vehicle, especially the horizontal areas such as the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage to the painted surfa
Showing the 6 most recent of 85 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2024-04-02 · Service Brakes, Air:antilock:abs Warning Light · 96,153 mi“the contact owns a 2007 toyota highlander hybrid. the contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, several unknown warning lights were illuminated. the vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a drained battery. the dealer determined that the battery needed to be replaced. the vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred…”
2022-01-26 · Engine · 196,000 mi“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 w…”
2019-07-24 · Steering · 210,000 mi“i replaced my brakes after several warning lights and codes kept popping up on my dash. had the rotors turned. but when i returned to driving my car after i thought it was fixed the brakes would all of a sudden just go out the hydraulic part would go completely to the floor. the car would make a high pitched noise and then no brakes. took it to toy…”
2019-07-20 · Electrical System · 171,908 mi“vsc light came on and the car would not drive. towed to toyota and had it diagnosed. the poa80, p3020 hv battery inoperative/shorted. the vehicle was in motion on the highway when it happened.…”
2019-05-13 · Service Brakes · 155,000 mi“the abs brake modulator began exhibiting very loud and continuous pumping/priming sounds for several weeks. during this time period upon hard braking the brake system would fail to respond immediately - there was a delay between the instant the brake pedal was depressed, and when the brakes were actually engaged to slow the vehicle. today, all the …”
2019-05-06 · Service Brakes · 128,000 mi“this complaint is in regards to the toyota warranty enchancement program zg1. this warranty was applicable for 10 years after first use or 150,000 miles whichever comes first. in order to get the abs actuator replaced a set of symptoms was required. i own a 2007 toyota highlander hybrid fwd with 128,000 miles. last week the abs actuator started mak…”
2019-04-30 · Service Brakes · 108,000 mi“the vsdc warning came on with code c1391, which means the abs pump accumulator assembly has gone bad, which costs thousands of dollars to fix. when i contacted toyota, they said they extended the warranty on this and that extension ran out a couple of years ago. however, this makes no sense to extend a warranty on a part you have admitted is bad an…”
2019-02-21 · Service Brakes · 152,000 mi“a sound of squeaking/pumping air occurs sometimes when i depress the brakes. this sometimes continues to happen even with the car is stopped completely. if the brake is depressed less, the sound occurs less frequently. i had it inspected by an independent mechanic and a dealership mechanic and was told the abs assembly has a leak and needs to be co…”
2019-01-30 · Hybrid Propulsion System: Inverter · 119,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2007 toyota highlander hybrid. while driving various speeds, the vehicle stalled and "vehicle stability control" and "hybrid system" displayed on the instrument panel. the vehicle was taken to hudson toyota (599 nj-440, jersey city, new jersey) where it was diagnosed that the inverter was faulty. the vehicle was not repaired.…”
2018-09-12 · Service Brakes · 100,000 mi“when braking at any speed, the brake pedal vibrates and makes a "chirping" sound. after researching i've discovered it's a brake actuator issue. toyota did extend the warranty briefly, but no recall was issued. my toyota certified mechanic said brake failure could definitely occur when the actuator fails completely. when braking over bumps, the bra…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.