2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid has a complaint index of 90, ranking 3rd worst among 21 model years, and is rated Avoid. Brakes account for 49% of its 110 complaints, with 2 recalls covering the fuel system inverter and electrical inverter module.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 90/100
- #3 of 21 Highlander Hybrid years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 110
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 14
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 2
- Injuries
- 3
- Top issue
- Brakes
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 26
- 27.5 city / 25 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 3 / 0
Top 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Brakes reportedly skip or momentarily fail to engage when pressed over bumps or potholes.
- Some owners describe sudden unintended forward or reverse acceleration while shifting into park or reverse, even with the brake pedal depressed.
- Complete brake failure has been reported, including one case where calipers did not respond on ice, leading to a multi-vehicle collision.
- One owner reported the vehicle lost power and rolled backward while driving uphill, related to the hybrid fuel system.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy during a low-speed unintended acceleration crash into a garage.
- A parked vehicle reportedly caught fire from the engine area with flames several feet high while warming up.
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 reliable?
- NHTSA data shows it has a complaint index of 90, the 3rd worst among 21 Highlander Hybrid model years, and it carries an Avoid verdict. Brakes are the top problem area, making up 49% of its 110 complaints.
- What are the most common problems with the 2007 Highlander Hybrid?
- Brakes lead with 54 complaints (49% share), followed by electrical system issues (28 complaints), engine problems (25 complaints), and fuel system complaints (22 complaints).
- Does the 2007 Highlander Hybrid have recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 2 recalls: one for the fuel system inverter power module (campaign 13V396000) and one for the electrical inverter module's soldering (campaign 11V342000). Neither is classified as do-not-drive.
- What mileage do problems typically show up at on this year?
- Across all reported problem areas, the median mileage at failure for the 2007 Highlander Hybrid overall is 105,000 miles, though brake failures had a median mileage of 98,076.
- How does the 2007 model compare to other Highlander Hybrid years?
- The 2007 model's complaint index of 90 is close to the worst year, 2006, which scored 100. Later years like 2011, 2012, and 2013 scored much lower, in the 30-45 range, and earned Good verdicts.