2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
90/100
#3 most-complained of 21 Highlander Hybrid years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid has 110 owner complaints and 2 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 90 out of 100 — #3 highest of 21 Highlander Hybrid model years (verdict: Avoid). The most reported problem area is brakes (54 complaints, 49% of the total). Complaints report 14 crashes, 2 fires, and 3 injuries.
- Complaints
- 110
- Recalls
- 2
- Crashes / fires
- 14 / 2
- Injuries / deaths
- 3 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 26
- 27.5 city / 25 hwy
Top 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Brakes54 (49%)
- Electrical System28 (25%)
- Engine25 (23%)
- Fuel System22 (20%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires5 (5%)
- Transmission & Powertrain4 (4%)
- Airbags3 (3%)
- Other3 (3%)
- Steering3 (3%)
- Structure & Body3 (3%)
2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 13V396000Sep 4, 2013Fuel System133,081 vehicles
Hybrid propulsion system: inverter
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.
Remedy: 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.
- NHTSA 11V342000Jun 29, 2011Electrical System82,273 vehicles
Electrical system
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.
Remedy: 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.
2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 27.5 MPG
- Highway
- 25 MPG
- Combined
- 26 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,500
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2007 compared with other Highlander Hybrid years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid a reliable year?
- Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid ranks #3 of 21 among Highlander Hybrid model years (Complaint Index 90/100, verdict: Avoid). It has 110 complaints and 2 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
- What are the most common problems with the 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid?
- The most reported problem areas are brakes (54 complaints), electrical system (28 complaints), and engine (25 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 105,000 miles.
- Does the 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid have any recalls?
- Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, most recently reported 2013, covering fuel system and electrical system.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid?
- EPA rates the 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid at 26 MPG combined (27.5 city / 25 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,500. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.