2007 Toyota Highlander

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/30/2022· ENGINE

  The VTT - I oil line leaks oil may burst

• 12/29/2018· ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),SERVICE BRAKES

  THE BRAKE ACTUATOR FOR THE ABS SYSTEM FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS WAS AND IS A KNOWN POTENTIAL PROBLEM BY THE TOYOTA COMPANY AS A RESULT OF MANY TOYOTA OWNERS REPLACING THEIR VEHICLE ACTUATORS DUE TO FAILURE BUT NO RECALLS HAVE BEEN ACTIVATED AND AVAILABLE FOR MY VEHICLE AS OF THIS CURRENT DATE. I FORTUNATELY DID NOT GET INTO AN ACCIDENT AS A RESULT BUT STOP USE OF THE VEHICLE AND HAD IT REPAIRED IMMEDIATELY BY A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AT MY OWN EXPENSE. THIS WAS A VERY COSTLY EXPENSE I INCURRED BOTH IN THE ACTUATOR PART AND THE LABOR TO REPLACE IT. THE ACTUATOR AFFECTED THE BRAKE SYSTEM OF MY VEHICLE AND IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE.

• 12/22/2020· STEERING

  ALL MOTOR MOUNTS ARE ROTTED. WHILE DRIVING WHEN TAKE FOOT OFF THE GAS, THE CAR SWAYS AND PULLS. IT HAPPENS AT ALL SPEEDS.

• 12/19/2016· TIRES,WHEELS

  I BOUGHT FOUR GOODYEAR ASSURANCE TRIPLE TREAD TIRES ON JAN. 29, 2013. AFTER ABOUT A YEAR I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MAINTAINING AIR PRESSURE IN THE TIRES. I TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO WHERE I BOUGHT THE TIRES AND THEY WOULD DO MAINTENANCE SUCH AS REMOUNTING OR REPLACING VALVE STEMS. I STILL WOULD HAVE AIR PRESSURE ISSUES. ON DEC. 9, 2016 WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY I NOTICED A THUMPING NOISE. IT GOT PROGRESSIVELY LOUDER AND MADE THE VEHICLE SWAY. I PULLED TO THE EMERGENCY BERM AND SAW THAT I HAD A FLAT TIRE. I TOOK THE TIRE BACK TO CONRAD'S TIRE EXPRESS & TOTAL CARE WHICH WHERE I BOUGHT THE TIRES FROM. THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN PUT AIR IN THE TIRE AND SAID THAT THERE WERE BROKEN BELTS IN THE SIDE WALL. HE LAID THE BLAME TO A ROAD HAZARD PROBLEM AND LAID THE BLAME OF LOSING AIR TO DEFECTIVE TOYOTA RIMS, EVEN THOUGH WITH THE ORIGINAL TIRES ON THE VEHICLE I NEVER EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM OF LOSING AIR FROM THE TIRES. MY OPINION IS THAT THE TIRES MUST BE DEFECTIVE SINCE THEY CAN NOT MAINTAIN AIR PRESSURE. THIS IS A REAL CONCERN SINCE THE POSSIBILITY OF SOMEONE BEING INJURED OR KILLED BECAUSE OF A TIRE BLOW OUT. *TR

• 12/16/2009· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHEN ENTERING A PARKING SPACE THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED FORWARD WITHOUT INTENTION. CONSEQUENTLY SHE CRASHED INTO A SIGN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN INSTALLED A SECONDARY HOOK TO SECURE THE FLOOR-MAT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50398. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50998.

• 12/15/2020· SERVICE BRAKES

  ABOUT A MONTH AGO, MY WIFE CALLED ME FROM FAR AWAY TELLING ME THAT SHE SUDDENLY HAD BRAKE-RELATED WARMING LIGHTS. I QUICKLY READ UP ON THE ABS SYSTEM FAILURES IN THIS CAR, AND SINCE SHE DID NOT YET HAVE SYMPTOMS, I TOLD HER TO DRIVE BACK CAREFULLY. I THEN REVIEWED MY FILES ON THE CAR AND SAW THAT THEY HAD SENT ME AN EXTENDED WARRANTY NOTICE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, AND SUGGESTED THAT WE BRING THE CAR IN IF WE HAVE THESE WARNING LIGHTS. BUT WE NEVER HAD THE WARNING LIGHTS PREVIOUSLY, SO I MISSED THE BOAT ON THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. WE DID, HOWEVER, ALMOST FROM THE TIME THE CAR WAS JUST A FEW YEARS OLD, HAVE A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE FROM UNDER THE HOOD ON STARTUP OR SHUTDOWN. ACCORDING TO VARIOUS HIGHLANDER FORUMS, THIS IS A CLASSIC SYMPTOM OF ABS ACTUATOR FAILURE AND IF TOYOTA HAD JUST MENTIONED THIS IN THE THEIR EXTENDED WARRANTY NOTICE, I WOULD HAVE BROUGHT THE CAR IN IMMEDIATELY. I HAD THE SAME SOUND FROM MY 2007 PRIUS; I MENTIONED THE NOISE TO THE TOYOTA SERVICE PEOPLE AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE COOLANT THERMOS BOTTLE AND WAS OF NO CONCERN. TO FIX MY HIGHLANDER, TOYOTA WANTED AROUND THREE THOUSAND DOLLARS; I TOLD THEM THAT WAS NOT REASONABLE SINCE REPLACING IT IS SIMPLE: 2 BOLTS, 1 ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR, 6 BRAKE LINES, AND A BRAKE BLEED. THEY WANTED ABOUT $2000 JUST FOR THE PART. THE TOYOTA SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME I COULD STILL DRIVE THE CAR SINCE IT IS NOT A SAFETY CONCERN: IF IT FAILS THE ABS SYSTEM WILL STOP WORKING BUT NOT THE BRAKES. BASED ON THE EXPERIENCES OF OTHER HH OWNERS THAT I AM READING ABOUT AT THE NHTSA WEB SITE, HOWEVER, I FIND THIS HARD TO BELIEVE. ALSO, THE BRAKES ARE NOW GRABBING STRANGELY AND PULSATING WHEN THEY DON'T NEED TO BE. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL SINCE 1.) THE PART SHOULD LAST THE LIFE OF THE CAR, 2. IT IS A SAFETY CONCERN, AND 3. TOYOTA DID NOT GIVE ACCURATE INFORMATION IN THEIR NOTICE TO ALLOW ME TO SPOT THE PROBLEM IN TIME.

• 12/15/2006· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  HYBRID INVERTER FAILURE. *NM

• 12/14/2007· 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

• 12/13/2006· POWER TRAIN

  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 END COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. FIGHTING WITH CAR TO SLOW DOWN. TOYOTA DEALER SAYS CAR IS WORKING AS DESIGNED. *JB

• 12/10/2020· FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  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.

• 12/08/2016· ENGINE

  ON MY WAY HOME, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, THEN STARTS BLINKING. GOT HOME AND FIND OUT THE OILS ALL GONE AND DEAD CAR. MY MECHANIC SAYS THE OIL LINE HAS A RECALL AND THAT IT BROKE LETTING ALL OIL OUT.

• 12/04/2018· SERVICE BRAKES

  IN 2015 I WAS TOLD BY THE TOYOTA DEALER THAT MY ABS PUMP AND ACCUMULATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THAT WAS DONE AND I IMMEDIATELY STARTING HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES. TWO THINGS: (1) PER THE SERVICE REP, THIS REPLACEMENT NEEDED TO BE DONE DUE TO A PUMPING SOUND BEING EMITTED FROM THE ABS PUMP AFTER THE SUV WAS TURNED OFF. THE EXACT SAME NOISE STARTED UP WITHIN A FEW DAYS OF THE REPLACEMENT. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND POINTED THE NOISE OUT AND WAS TOLD THAT THAT NOISE WAS "NORMAL" (SIC) (2) IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE NEW ABS SYSTEM WAS INSTALLED, A SERIOUS DEFECT IN THE BRAKES APPEARED: AS I PULLED TO A STOP THE CAR WOULD SPEED UP OR SUDDENLY MOVE FORWARD AS IF I HAD STOPPED BRAKING. I WOULD HAVE TO READJUST MY BRAKING INSTANTLY TO KEEP FROM HAVING AN ACCIDENT. THIS HAS BEEN SCARY FOR YEARS. FOR YEARS BECAUSE EACH TIME I HAD THE CAR SERVICED AND BROUGHT THIS UP TO TOYOTA AND TEST DRIVES WERE PERFORMED, I WAS ALWAYS TOLD THAT THEY DIDN'T EXPERIENCE IT OR DIDN'T SEE IT OR SOME SUCH. TWICE THEY DID OTHER BRAKE WORK WHICH DID NOTHING TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. LASTLY, I WAS RECENTLY DRIVING ON HIGHWAY US 19 AND ALL THE ABS AND BRAKE WARNINGS CAME ON AND A LOUD SCREECH STARTED AND CONTINUED -- ABSOLUTELY EAR SPLITTING. I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WENT WAY DOWN AND WITH EFFORT I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CFAR TO SLOW DOWN. THE POWER ASSIST HAD DISAPPEARED ALONG WITH THE ABS. THE MESSAGE IN THE READOUT STATES SOMETHING LIKE "VCS PROBLEM" OR ERROR -- I DON'T REMEMBER SITTING HERE WRITING THIS, BUT IT IS A VCS PROBLEM. I CALLED TOYOTA AND WAS TOLD THAT 6 MONTHS AFTER MY ABS SYSTEM WAS OVERHAULED, A SERVICE BULLETIN WAS ISSUED STATING THAT THE OLDER (MINE) ABS PUMPS HAVE CRACKS OR A CRACK IN THEM. I BELIEVE ANY AUTO WITH AN ABS SYSTEM WITH A CRACK IN THE PUMP BODY SHOULD BE RECALLED AND THOSE ABS SYSTEMS REPLACED AT THE COST OF THE TOYOTA.

• 12/01/2016· WHEELS

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RIMS ON THE VEHICLE WERE VERY RUSTY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE DETAILS OF THE DIAGNOSIS COULD NOT BE PROVIDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,210. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED A STATUS UPDATE. UPDATED 10/04/2017*JS

• 12/01/2011· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID, V6, 4X4 --- ON NOVEMBER 23RD, 2011, AT APPROXIMATELY 10:00AM, I WAS DRIVING WITH MY FAMILY ON I-5 SOUTH IN THE CENTRAL VALLEY OF CALIFORNIA. THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ON, BUT NOT ENGAGED BECAUSE THE TRAFFIC WAS TOO HEAVY. MY SPEED WAS APPROXIMATELY 65 MILES-PER-HOUR, GOING UPHILL. UNEXPECTEDLY, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RACE. I APPLIED THE BRAKES TO KEEP THE CAR AT THE SPEED OF TRAFFIC AND EXAMINED MY CABIN FOR CLUES OF THE PROBLEM. THE TRANSMISSION LEVER WAS STILL IN "D". I TURNED OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL, BUT THAT MADE NO DIFFERENCE. I MOMENTARILY RELEASED THE BRAKE AND USED MY RIGHT FOOT TO ENSURE THAT THE ACCELERATOR WAS NOT STUCK. IT WAS NOT. DURING THAT TIME THE ENGINE POWER METER JUMPED UP TO FULL POWER AROUND 200 KW. I RE-APPLIED THE BRAKES TO DECELERATE AND BROUGHT THE CAR TO A STOP ON THE RIGHT SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY. AS SOON AS THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY STOPPED, I SHIFTED TO "P" AND TURNED THE KEY TO THE OFF POSITION. SOME SMOKE APPEARED FOR ABOUT TWO SECONDS, WHICH I PRESUMED WAS FROM THE BRAKES. I THEN EXAMINED THE FLOOR MAT, BUT IT WAS NOT OUT OF POSITION. I WAITED ABOUT 30 SECONDS AND TURNED THE KEY BACK TO THE ON POSITION AND THE "READY" SIGNAL ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH. THE ACCELERATION PROBLEM WAS GONE. I DROVE ABOUT 15 MILES TO THE NEXT EXIT AND STOPPED FOR GAS. I CHECKED THE OIL, COOLANT, AND BRAKE FLUID LEVELS, WHICH WERE ALL GOOD. THE PROBLEM DID NOT RE-OCCUR DURING THE ADDITIONAL 250 MILES THAT I DROVE DURING THAT DAY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. I CALLED "CROWN TOYOTA", WHERE I HAD PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW AND SPOKE TO A REPRESENTATIVE THERE. HE TOLD ME THAT HE DID NOT KNOW OF ANY OTHER ACCELERATION PROBLEMS OTHER THAN THOSE THAT WERE FLOOR MAT RELATED. *TR

• 11/27/2012· STRUCTURE,WHEELS

  2007 HIGHLANDER WHEELS ARE RUSTING SO BAD THAT 2 OF 4 TIRES ARE LOSING AIR PRESSURE. THIS 2007 WAS PURCHASED NEW FROM TOYOTA. WE HAD PREVIOUSLY PURCHASED A 2002 HIGHLANDER WITH THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. I SEARCH ONLINE AND SEE OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD SAME ISSUE WITH TOYOTA WHEELS. WHEELS SHOULD NOT RUST THIS BAD IN THIS SHORT A PERIOD OF TIME AND MILEAGE. LUCKILY WE HAD NO SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE I MONITOR OUR VEHICLES CLOSELY. LOW TIRE PRESSURE COULD DEFINITELY CAUSE A SAFETY CONCERN FOR PEOPLE WHO DO NOT MONITOR THEIR CARS AS CLOSELY AS I DO. I FEEL TOYOTA HAS A QUALITY AND A SAFETY ISSUE WITH THESE WHEELS. *TR

• 11/27/2007· 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 THE VEHICLE, AND THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT OUR COMPLAINTS. *TR

• 11/24/2008· AIR BAGS,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, STRUCK A CURB, CROSSED THE MEDIAN, AND CRASHED INTO TWO PARKED VEHICLES. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BUMPER AND DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WERE DAMAGED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD INSPECT THE VEHICLE WITHIN 30 DAYS. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000. UPDATED 12/15/08. *LJ THE CONSUMER THE POILCE WERE NOT CALLED. UPDATED 12/15/08. *JB

• 11/19/2014· VISIBILITY/WIPER

  THE PASSENGER SIDE SUN VISOR DROPPED FROM THE UP OR STORED POSITION TO THE DOWN POSITION WHILE MAKING A TURN, PARTIALLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY OBSTRUCTING THE DRIVER'S VIEW. THE VISOR NOW WILL NOT STAY IN THE STORED POSITION.THE DRIVER'S SIDE VISOR IS BEGINNING TO SHOW SIGNS OF THE SAME FAILURE. *TR

• 11/17/2015· SERVICE BRAKES

  2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID LIMITED WAS EXPERIENCING CONCERNING BRAKES BEGINNING TO LURCH FORWARD, BRAKE PEDAL STIFFNESS, AND ASSOCIATED NOISE. IN SHORT, THE ISSUE IS A CRITICAL LOSS OF ASSISTED BRAKING. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP IN TEXAS AND WAS INSTRUCTED THAT THE ABS ACTUATOR HAD FAILED. MECHANIC INDICATED THAT THIS FAILURE IS FAIRLY COMMON IN TOYOTA HYBIRDS FROM 07 (BOTH HIGHLANDER AND CAMRY). THE HIGHLANDER ABS ACTUATOR COMPONENT IS IDENTICAL TO THE ABS ACTUATOR IN THE 2007 CAMRY HYBRID THAT WAS THE SUBJECT OF A NHTSA INVESTIGATION WHICH CULMINATED IN 2014 WITH TOYOTA ISSUING AN ENHANCED WARRANTY PROGRAM COVERING THE 2007 CAMRY HYBRID (NHTSA INVESTIGATION PE 14-001, CONDUCTED BY KAREEM HABIB). WAS INFORMED THAT OTHER OWNERS OF 2007 HIGHLANDER HYBRIDS HAD EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEMS. A QUICK SEARCH ONLINE SHOWS THAT THESE ISSUES ARE QUITE UBIQUITOUS IN THE 07 HYBRID MODELS. THIS PRESENTS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE. I SUBSEQUENTLY RELOCATED FOR WORK TO THE WASHINGTON, DC AREA AND CALLED TOYOTA TO SEE IF THEY WOULD OFFER A FIX OR COVER THE REPAIR. WAS INSTRUCTED TO BRING THE CAR INTO A DIFFERENT DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP CONFIRMED THAT THE ISSUE IS A FAULTY ABS ACTUATOR (DESIGN DEFECT) AND THE COST OF REPAIR/REPLACEMENT WOULD BE $3506.02. DEALERSHIP SENT TOYOTA CORPORATE THE INFORMATION AND REQUESTED THAT THEY REPAIR BE COVERED. TOYOTA CORPORATE DENIED COVERAGE OF THE REPAIR. WAS ALSO INSTRUCTED BY TOYOTA CORPORATE THAT DESPITE THE FACT THEY HAD REQUESTED THAT I TAKE THE CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP, I OWED $129.95 FOR THE MECHANICAL INSPECTION. THE FAILURE OF ASSISTED BRAKING PRESENTS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE. THIS ISSUE WAS RECOGNIZED BY NHTSA IN IT'S AFOREMENTIONED INVESTIGATION OF IDENTICAL FAILURES IN THE 2007 TOYOTA CAMRY HYBRID. I RESPECTFULLY REQUEST THAT NHTSA INITIATE AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE 07 HIGHLANDER HYBRID ABS ACTUATOR.

• 11/04/2019· SERVICE BRAKES

  I HAD A WHEEL BEARING REPLACED IN MY 2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER AND AS SOON AS IT WAS FIXED ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON IN THE CAR, INCLUDING THE VSC LIGHT, ABS LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT, AND SEVERAL OTHERS. IT WAS NOT SHOWING ANY CODES WHEN CHECKED SO THEY TURNED THEM OFF. OVER A PERIOD OF ABOUT A YEAR THE LIGHTS CAME ON AND OFF BUT WITH NO AFFECT TO MY BRAKING SYSTEM. I HAD BROUGHT THE CAR INTO TOYOTA (TALLAHASSEE, FL) FOR A RECALL ON THE HYBRID SYSTEM THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS READING A CODE FOR THE RECALL AND THAT WAS WHY THE LIGHTS WERE ON AND ONCE THEY FIXED THE RECALL THEY WERE OFF UNTIL THE NEXT DAY FOLLOWING PICKING THE CAR UP AND THEY ALL CAME BACK ON AND NOW THEY ARE SAYING THE ABS CONTROL MODULE WHICH WOULD COST $3000+ TO FIX. THE BRAKES ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY AT ALL AND SOMETIMES NOT AT ALL. THIS IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE AND SHOULD BE A RECALL! I HAVE HEARD SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME TOYOTA HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUE.

• 11/04/2009· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO APPLY THE BRAKES AT 5 MPH THE PEDAL FELL TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD OVER A STONE LEDGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP , BUT THE TECHNICIANS COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE, THEREFORE THEY COULD NOT PROVIDE A REMEDY. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 18000.

• 11/04/2009· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. WHEN APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE ENGINE WOULD OCCASIONALLY REV MAKING BRAKING MORE FORCEFUL. HE SPECULATED THAT THE ENGINE CONTROL SYSTEM FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THERE WAS NO DIAGNOSTIC TESTING EQUIPMENT AVAILABLE TO DETECT THE MALFUNCTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 42,000. UPDATED 02/1710 *BF UPDATED 02/19/10 UPDATED 03/02/10 THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE PROBLEM WAS ENGINE IDLE, NOT ACCELERATING OR BRAKING. UPDATED 03/22/10.*JB THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM HE EXPERIENCED WAS NOT DUE TO A STUCK ACCELERATOR, BECAUSE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ALSO RUNS THE HYBRID MOTOR. THE HYBRID MOTOR IS NOT ACCELERATING THE VEHICLE LIKE THE GAS ENGINE. IF THE GAS PEDAL WAS THE PROBLEM, THE VEHICLE WOULD STILL RUN AWAY IN ELECTRIC MOTOR. THEREFORE, IT IS DEFINITELY AN ENGINE PROBLEM, NOT AN ELECTRIC MOTOR OR ELECTRIC GENERATOR. AND IT IS SOMETHING THAT CONTROLS THE ENGINE AND THE HYBRID ELECTRIC MOTOR. UPDATED 04/09/10.*JB THE CONSUMER STATED HE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION AGAIN. UPDATED 05/03/10

• 11/02/2013· VISIBILITY/WIPER

  THE VISOR ON THE DRIVER SIDE HANGS DOWN CREATING A DISTRACTION WHILE DRIVING. *TR

• 11/01/2014· SUSPENSION,ENGINE

  WATER PUMP BROKE, SUSPENSION LEAKING, BEARINGS BROKEN, ENGINE HEAD BOLTS ARE STRIPPED. *TR

• 10/28/2007· 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 DEALERSHIP. HAD CHECKED. NO SENSOR!! WAS TOLD BY THEM THAT IT WAS NOT REQUIRED. *TR

• 10/22/2015· STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  ON MY 2007 TOYOTA HIGH LANDER THE HORN HAS STOPPED WORKING I HAVE NO HORN , WHEN I PRESS THE HORN BUTTON IT DOES NOT SOUND THE HORN. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY CHECK THE HORN AND THE DEALER SAID IT WAS WORKING AFTER I LEFT THE DEALER IT DID NOT WORK , I ASKEDTHE SERVICE ADVISER AND HE SAID ITS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM, , THE HORN STILL DOES NOT WORK I STILL HAVE NO WORKING HORN, SOMETHING IS GROUNDING OUT IN THE STEERING COLUMN. I STILL HAVE NO WORKING HORN AND THE DEALER CANT FIND THE PROBLEM.

• 10/22/2014· VISIBILITY/WIPER

  FAULTY 2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER SUN VISOR. MY DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR HAS FALLEN DOWN, AND WONT TIGHTEN. THE SUN VISOR IS TOO HEAVY FOR THE ROD IT IS SUSPENDED FROM. CURRENTLY, THE VISOR HAS FALLEN IN FRONT OF MY LINE OF VISION WHICH OBSTRUCTS MY VIEW WHILE DRIVING. MY WIFE AS WELL AS MY YOUNG TEEN DAUGHTER HAS ALSO COMPLAINED AND ALSO STATES SOMEDAY IT MAY MAKE THEM CRASH DUE TO NO VISIBILITY WHEN IT HAPPENS. THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY HAZARD. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS THAT HAVE BEEN POSTED CONCERNING TOYOTAS DEFECTIVE SUN VISORS ON 2007 HIGHLANDERS. HOW MANY MORE COMMENTS ARE NEEDED BEFORE TOYOTA WILL ISSUE A SAFETY RECALL ON THESE SUN VISORS? I HOPE IT WILL BE SOONER RATHER THAN LATER, AND BEFORE THERE IS A TRAGIC ACCIDENT. *TR

• 10/21/2019· SERVICE BRAKES

  THE BRAKE ACTUATORS MAKE WEIRD SOUND ONLY WHEN YOU HIT THE BRAKES. THE CAR MAY BE IN A TURNED ON OR OFF POSITION. ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS PRESS THE BRAKES AND THERE IS A WEIRD SUCKING AND CHIRPING SOUND COMING FROM THE BRAKE ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY. TALKED TO DEALER AND THEY DID A BRAKE FLUID FLUSH BUT THAT DID NOT HELP. TOYOTA REIMBURSED THE SERVICE CHARGES BUT I THINK THEY DID THAT TO SHUT ME UP. THE BRAKE ACTUATORS CAN FAIL ANYTIME AND I AM WORRIED THAT TOYOTA HAS KNOWN THIS PROBLEM FOR A WHILE NOW AND IS NOT FIXING THEM. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE AND THE FAULTY BRAKE ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BY TOYOTA.

• 10/15/2022· SERVICE BRAKES

  Driving at about 50 mph on two lane road, the VSC and ABS lights come on with a little chime warning, along with some other warnings. Check VSC is also in the small screen instead of the odometer. Toyota knows about ABS actuator issues on this vehicle, but Toyota did not extend the warranty beyond 150k miles and 10 years. This could be a safety issue with the ABS, VSC and brakes. Toyota published a "Warranty Enhancement Program - ZG1" on April 19, 2016, but only to dealers. After the initial warranty period, I've used independent repair shops, so I didn't get any notice. I did get other recall notices from Toyota on this vehicle and had them repaired by the dealer. Toyota should be more accountable for brake issues that could be safety related.

• 10/11/2008· TIRES

  WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH THE REAR TIRE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE FELL APART. THE TIRE SEPARATED AT THE SIDE WALL. MY WIFE MANAGED TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CAME TO A STOP ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE DEALER WAS NO HELP. WE FEEL THAT THESE TIRES ARE UNSAFE AND WANT TO REPLACE THEM. TIRES-TOYO P225 70R16 101S M+S 97H1407 THESE TIRES HAD ONLY 19800 MILES ON THEM. *TR

• 10/07/2009· STRUCTURE

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. MICE ENTERED THE VEHICLE ENGINE AND CHEWED THE WIRE RELAY. AS A CONSEQUENCE, WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE IT WAS IN LIMP MODE; WHICH CAUSED SUDDEN VEHICLE DECELERATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 500. THE CURRENT MILEAGE 29,000. THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS AVAILABLE.

• 10/02/2019· SERVICE BRAKES

  MY 2007 HIGHLANDER HYBRID LOST IT'S POWER BRAKES LAST WEEK AND I HAD TO LIMP HOME, THEN HAVE IT TOWED TO A DEALER. THEY SAID MY ABS ACTUATOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND IT WILL COST ME $2600! MY CAR HAS 127,000 MILES ON IT, AND IS IN GOOD SHAPE, I HAVE IT SERVICED REGULARLY. WHY ISN'T MY CAR PART OF THE ACTUATOR RECALL?

• 09/30/2007· 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

• 09/24/2015· SERVICE BRAKES

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT IT TOOK A LONGER DISTANCE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VSC WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE ACTUATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

• 09/23/2009· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO EXIT A PARKING SPACE, THE ALL WEATHER FLOOR MATS THAT HE PURCHASED IN 2007 CAUSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO STICK. AS A CONSEQUENCE HE CRASHED INTO SEVERAL TREES. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. HE AND THREE OTHER OCCUPANTS WERE INJURIED. THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER WERE BOTH NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 41,212.

• 09/22/2025· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  Odometer Fraud. The contact owns a 2007 Toyota Highlander. The vehicle was purchased from a private seller on Facebook Marketplace on 9/3/2025. The mileage at the time of purchase was 129,950. The contact wanted a larger vehicle and called another dealer on Facebook Marketplace to trade the vehicle and was provided the most recent mileage recorded for the vehicle on November 17, 2021, at 262,597 miles. The dealer informed the contact that the VIN was recorded to have over 150,000 miles over 4 years before the purchase. The contact reached out to the owner who sold the vehicle to the private seller who the contact purchased the vehicle from, and it was confirmed that on July 27, 2025, the vehicle was sold at 299,150 miles. The contact had not reported to any other agencies but had planned to.

• 09/22/2014· VISIBILITY

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR WINDOW FAILED TO CLOSE OR OPEN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

• 09/22/2013· VISIBILITY/WIPER

  SUN VISOR DROPS AT ANY GIVEN TIME DUE TO POOR DESIGN. PROBLEM STARTED WAY BEFORE WARRANTY PERIOD EXPIRED.

• 09/19/2020· UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE

  2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID WITH 100,000 MILES STALLED AND DIED WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE AT APPROX 65-70MPH, ILLUMINATING MULTIPLE WARNING AND SAFETY LIGHTS ON DASH BEFORE BECOMING INOPERABLE. CAR WAS TOWED TO LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. LOCAL REPAIR SHOP STATES THE HYBRID SYSTEM FAILED.

• 09/14/2016· ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFire

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. AFTER THE CONTACT RETURNED HOME AND PARKED THE VEHICLE, THE HORN STARTED TO BEEP. THE CONTACT WALKED OUTSIDE AND OBSERVED SPARKS UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE WITH THE HOSE, BUT THE VEHICLE BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 152,000.

• 09/13/2012· SERVICE BRAKES

  I WAS DRIVING ON DOUBLE R BOULEVARD IN RENO AT ABOUT 35 MPH WHEN SUDDENLY LOSS BRAKES. I HAD TO PUSH VERY HARD ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE BRAKE PEDAL STUMPED AND THE BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS NOT IN USE AND THE BRAKE WILL FOR A FEW SECONDS AND THEN NOT WORK. THIS HAPPENED REPEATEDLY. I MANAGE TO PARK THE CAR AT A NEARBY SMITH'S. MY HUSBAND TOOK THE CAR TO THE RENO TOYOTA (DEALER) , WHERE THEY TOLD US IT WAS THE MASTER CYLINDER AND THAT HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE NEXT DAY THEY TOLD US THE REPLACEMENT DIDN'T SOLVED THE PROBLEM AND THE BOOSTER HAD TO BE REPLACED, THIS PROBLEM SOUNDS VERY FAMILIAR TO THE RECALL OF TOYOTA ON 2004-2006 MODELS BUT TOYOTA WON'T ASSIST US WITH THE REPAIRS. WE ARE JUST THANKFUL THAT WERE NOT ON THE FREEWAY WITH OUR KIDS. THIS WAS A VERY SCARY SITUATION WHEN YOU REALIZE THERE ARE NO BRAKES TO STOP THE CAR. I WOULD LIKE TOYOTA TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS OF THE DEFECTIVE PARTS ($1,750). *TR

• 09/10/2016· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  DRIVING ABOUT 70 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, HEARD AN EXTREMELY LOUD BANG. CHECKED WINDOWS AND WINDSHIELDS, AT THAT TIME, BUT DIDN'T THINK TO CHECK THE MOON ROOF. A FEW DAYS LATER (YESTERDAY), I TRIED TO OPEN THE MOONROOF AND DISCOVERED THAT IT HAD SHATTERED.

• 09/09/2010· STRUCTURECrash

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HOOD DESIGN IS DEFECTIVE. SHE WASN'T ABLE TO SEE THE DISTANCE OF OBJECTS IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WAS CAUSED HER TO CRASH INTO A TELEPHONE POLE, A PARKED VEHICLE, AND A FENCE. THE DEALER WAS AWARE OF THE FRONT HOOD DESIGN BECAUSE OF VEHICLES THEY RECEIVED WITH FRONT END DAMAGED. THE MANUFACTURER WILL BE CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 81,000.

• 09/07/2016· VISIBILITY/WIPER

  I RETURNED HOME IN THE LATE AFTERNOON TO FIND MY REAR WINDSHIELD COMPLETELY SHATTERED AND WITH A BASKETBALL SIZED HOLE. GLASS WAS ALL OVER THE DRIVEWAY. THERE WAS NO GLASS NOR OBJECT OF DESTRUCTION IN THE TRUNK. THE TRUCK WAS LOCKED AND THERE WASN'T ANY OTHER DAMAGE. THE WINDSHIELD APPEARED TO BE BOWED OUTWARD A BIT. IT WAS A WARM DAY BUT COOLER COMPARED TO TEMPS THE PAST FEW WEEKS.

• 09/06/2011· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 65 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE POWER INVERTER WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 123,000.

• 09/04/2022· SERVICE BRAKES

  All of the sensors for tires were removed before I bought this car and the tire light keeps on(the pressure is good). My friend said they might adjust the mileage, I wonder if there is something wrong with this car. There was only one break working while getting this car, the mechanics from other maintenance store found this critical issue out while I asked them to fix the working one. Nobody from that car dealer told me about this issue and let me drive this car with only one break for one month. Meanwhile, they promised me there would not be any safety issue and charged me for safety checking. Thank you for your time on my case. Best Regards [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

• 09/03/2015· ENGINE

  WE ARE THE ORIGINAL OWNERS OF THIS CAR. WE HAVE CHANGED THE OIL AND OIL FILTER AS REQUIRED BY TOYOTA. NEVER HAD A PROBLEM UNTIL THE LAST FEW MONTHS. ALL OF A SUDDEN WE ARE GOING THROUGH MULTIPLE QUARTS OF OIL BETWEEN OIL CHANGES. WE NEVER HAD TO ADD OIL PREVIOUSLY. SEARCHING ONLINE I SEE THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. I ALSO READ THAT TOYOTA WON'T FIX IT. WANTED TO ADD MY NAME TO THE LIST OF COMPLAINTS IN THE HOPE THAT TOYOTA WILL BE FORCED TO FIX THIS ISSUE.

• 08/28/2009· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE ROTORS WERE RUSTING AND THE PADS WERE WORN DUE TO THE WINTER WEATHER. THE BRAKE PADS, ROTORS, AND CALIPERS HAD RUST ON THEM AND THEY WERE STUCK TOGETHER DUE TO THE INCLEMENT WEATHER. WHEN ENGAGING THE BRAKE PEDAL THERE WAS A PULSATING AND UNEVEN FEELING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS STATED THAT THEY WERE WAITING FOR A RESPONSE FROM THE DEALER TO SEE WHAT THE OUTCOME WOULD BE. THERE WERE RELATED RECALLS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE FAILURE FOR OTHER YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL TOYOTA'S. THE VEHICLE WILL BE REPAIRED; HOWEVER, HE DOESN'T KNOW WHO WILL ASSUME THE REPAIR COST. THE CONTACT IS AWARE OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 28000.

• 08/24/2012· POWER TRAIN

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE THE BEGAN TO DECELERATE INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION HOWEVER, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD CONTINUE TO DECELERATE INDEPENDENTLY. THREE WEEKS AFTER THE REPAIR THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH WHEN SHE HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE DIFFERENTIAL WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE TRANSMISSION INITIALLY DID NOT REQUIRE REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000.

• 08/16/2012· SERVICE BRAKES

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH SHE ENGAGED THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT DECELERATE OR STOP. THE CONTACT THEN ENGAGED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE, WHICH WAS THEN TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTER AND THE MASTER CYLINDER WOULD NEED TO BE REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE MASTER CYLINDER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND AGREED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT NORMAL WEAR. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 73,933.