2010 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2010 Toyota Highlander Hybrid carries a complaint index of 80, ranking 5th worst out of 21 model years, and is rated Avoid. NHTSA lists 22 complaints, 4 recalls, 1 crash, and 1 injury tied to this year, with brakes as the top problem area.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 80/100
- #5 of 21 Highlander Hybrid years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 22
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 1
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 1
- Top issue
- Brakes
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 26
- 27 city / 25 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
Top 2010 Toyota Highlander Hybrid problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Brakes7 (32%)
- Engine5 (23%)
- Other4 (18%)
- Fuel System3 (14%)
- Electrical System2 (9%)
- Steering2 (9%)
- Structure & Body1 (5%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report a delayed brake response when braking around 20 mph, sometimes with a jerking or shaking sensation at idle.
- Some describe poor braking traction in snow or icy conditions, with the vehicle skidding for a distance even at low speeds despite full brake pressure.
- Several owners report the engine stalling while driving, in one case linked to a defective coil pack and in another to a failed wheel bearing sensor.
- One owner reports the inverter failing and the car stalling on a freeway during rainy, dark conditions.
- Multiple reports describe unexplained battery drain requiring repeated jump starts.
- One owner reports the hybrid system disabling all-wheel drive when tires slip, cutting power to the wheels.
2010 Toyota Highlander Hybrid recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 15V689000Oct 22, 2015Visibility & Wipers1,814,284 vehicles
Visibility:power window devices and controls
Toyota Motor Company (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Tundra, Sequoia, Corolla, Corolla Matrix and Scion xB, 2008-2011 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2007 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2009 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2006-2011 RAV4, 2006-2010 Yaris, and 2009-2010 Scion xD and Pontiac Vibe vehicles. During the manufacturing of the Power Window Master Switch (PWMS), grease lubricant may have been inconsistently applied to the sliding electrical contacts.
Risk: If the sliding electrical contacts are not protected by lubricant, debris and moisture that get into the switch may cause a short circuit and the switch assembly may overheat and melt, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the switch, applying a lubricant if no abnormality is found. If abnormality is found, the PWMS circuit board will be replaced, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin December 20, 2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is C0M.
- 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 13V123000Apr 9, 2013Other7,525 vehicles
Equipment:other:labels
Southeast Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 and 2010-2013 Toyota Tundra, 2010-2012 Rav4, 2012 Toyota Sequoia, 2010-2011 Toyota Corolla, 2010-2011 Toyota Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser, 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser, 2010-2013 Toyota Venza, 2010-2011 Toyota 4Runner, 2010-2013 Toyota Tacoma, 2011-2012 Toyota Sienna, 2012 Toyota Prius, 2013 Scion FR-S, 2011 Scion XD, 2011 Scion XB, and 2012 Scion TC vehicles. These vehicles were sold with labels that were outside the allowable one percent of accuracy of actual weight added. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) Number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Risk: An inaccurate label could lead to owners overloading their vehicles and tires. An overloaded vehicle can result in a tire failure which may result in a vehicle crash, personal injury, or property damage.
Remedy: Southeast Toyota will notify owners and provide a corrected label with instructions concerning its installation. A small group of the affected vehicles will need additonal remedies which are still being developed. The recall began on May 28, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
2010 Toyota Highlander Hybrid fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 27 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.
2010 compared with other Highlander Hybrid years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2010 Toyota Highlander Hybrid reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2010 model ranks 5th worst of 21 Highlander Hybrid model years, with a complaint index of 80 and a verdict of Avoid.
- What are the most common problems with the 2010 Toyota Highlander Hybrid?
- Brakes make up 32% of complaints, followed by engine issues at 23% and fuel system issues at 14%. Median mileage at failure for brake complaints was 34,500.
- Does the 2010 Toyota Highlander Hybrid have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this year, covering visibility/wipers, fuel system, structure and body, and other components. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2010 Highlander Hybrid compare to other years?
- Its complaint index of 80 is lower than 2006 (100) and 2008 (95) but higher than later years like 2011 (35) and 2013 (30), which are rated Good.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2010 Toyota Highlander Hybrid?
- EPA rates it at 26 mpg combined (27 city / 25 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,500.