Model year record

2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid recalls & problems

The 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid has 2 safety recalls and 110 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (28 complaints).

Recalls2safety recalls

Complaints110filed by owners

Crashes · fires14 · 2reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths3 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Hybrid propulsion systemSep 4, 2013

Inverter

Recall 13V396000133,081 vehicles

Problem: 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.
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 systemJun 29, 2011

Electrical system

Recall 11V34200082,273 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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.
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.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid 4-DR. w/SAB

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Highlander Hybrid 2WD Hybrid

26mpg combined

City / highway	28 / 25 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,600/year to fuel

Highlander Hybrid 4WD Hybrid

26mpg combined

City / highway	27 / 25 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $2,600/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Electrical system	28	1	1	0	115,250 mi
Service brakes	28	5	0	0	112,339 mi
Vehicle speed controlAccelerator pedal	15	6	0	0	86,074 mi
Hybrid propulsion systemInverter	14	0	0	0	116,495 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic	12	3	0	1	31,333 mi
Electronic stability control (esc)	10	0	0	0	129,064 mi
Engine	8	0	1	0	96,421 mi
Fuel/propulsion system	8	2	0	0	101,941 mi
Service brakes, electric	5	2	0	0	29,300 mi
Power train	4	0	1	0	123,000 mi
Engine and engine coolingEngine	3	0	0	0	24,000 mi
WheelsLugs/nuts/bolts/studs	3	0	0	0	28,000 mi

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Service brakes, air › Antilock › Abs warning light
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. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with an ABS actuator malfunction, and the ABS actuator was replaced. The failure recurred and the ABS actuator was replaced a second time. The contact stated that the brake pedal needed to be depressed multiple times for the brakes to respond as needed. The vehicle was taken back to the…
Dec 5, 2018 · 96,153 miles
Engine
The contact owns a 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contactâs 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 contactâs residence. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer to be diagnosed. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 196,000.
Jan 24, 2022 · 196,000 miles
Electronic stability control (esc)
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 TOYOTA IN CLINTON TN. SAID MY ABS BRAKE ACTUATOR WAS FAILING. WOULD COST ME 2200 DOLLARS TO FIX. THIS CERTAIN PART ON YOUR CAR IS SUPPOSED TO LAST YOU A LIFETIME. I DONT HAVE MONEY LIKE THAT NOW IT WAS TAKE ME A LIFETIME TO SAVE UP FOR THE REPAIRS. VERY SCARY. THIS WOULD HAPPEN TO ME RANDOMLY AS I WAS DRIVING NO MATTER WHERE OR HOW FAR THE TRIP I WAS…
May 1, 2019 · 210,000 miles
Electrical system
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.
May 9, 2018 · 171,908 miles
Service brakes
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 INSTRUMENT WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED, INCLUDING: MASTER WARNING LIGHT, BRAKE WARNING LIGHT, ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED BRAKE WARNING, ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM, AND SLIP INDICATOR. ALL THIS INDICATES A FAILURE OF THE ABS BRAKE MODULAR COMPONENT. TOYOTA MOTOR SALES, USA, INC. PUBLISHED WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM - ZG1 TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. THE…
May 10, 2019 · 155,000 miles
Service brakes
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 MAKING THESE LOUD NOISES AND THE ABS, BRAKE, CHECK VSC, AND MASTER WARNING LIGHT ALL CAME ON. THE BRAKING FUNCTION HAS DEFINITELY CHANGED AND NOW DOES A SUDDEN JOLT FORWARD WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED ON WHILE ALSO HEARING THE ABS ACTUATOR MAKING UNUSUAL NOISES. IT TURNS OUT THAT THE ABS ACTUATOR HAS AN INTERNAL MALFUNCTION. TOYOTA HAS TOLD ME THAT…
May 1, 2019 · 128,000 miles
Service brakes
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 AND A SAFETY HAZARD, AS THE BRAKES WILL FAIL AFTER THIS FAULTY PART REMAINS IN THE DYSFUNCTIONAL STATE. IT APPEARS TO ME THAT TOYOTA, WAS TRYING TO APPEASE AS FEW AS PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE BY EXTENDING A WARRANTY ON SOMETHING AS DANGEROUS AS THIS. THEY REFUSE TO FIX THE PROBLEM, EVEN THOUGH IT WILL CAUSE DEATH TO MANY. THE MECHANIC SAID THIS HAS…
Apr 30, 2019 · 108,000 miles
Service brakes
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 COMPLETELY REPLACED FOR A FEE OF ROUGHLY $2,300. THIS FIRST OCCURRED WITH MILEAGE AROUND 152,000.
Jan 18, 2019 · 152,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

Pedestrian alert soundsClosedLed to recall 22V063000
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…
DP22005 · opened Jan 27, 2023 · closed Aug 7, 2023
Hybrid inverter failure - vehicle stallClosedLed to recall 11V342000
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…
PE11005 · opened Feb 15, 2011 · closed Jul 20, 2011