YearToAvoid

2007 Toyota Highlander Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Good The 2007 Toyota Highlander has a complaint index of 5, ranking 20th out of 21 model years, and carries a Good verdict, though that rating is capped because 2005-2009 complaint records are less complete. Brakes are the top problem area with 39 complaints and a median failure mileage of 100,535.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
5/100
#20 of 21 Highlander years
Verdict
Good
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
123
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
4
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
11
reported in complaints
Fires
1
Injuries
7
Top issue
Brakes
Best nearby year
2014
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
19.5
17.5 city / 23 hwy
Injuries / deaths
7 / 0

Top 2007 Toyota Highlander problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Brakes39 (32%)
  2. Engine24 (20%)
  3. Electrical System23 (19%)
  4. Visibility & Wipers15 (12%)
  5. Suspension, Wheels & Tires13 (11%)
  6. Other10 (8%)
  7. Transmission & Powertrain8 (7%)
  8. Fuel System6 (5%)
  9. Steering6 (5%)
  10. Structure & Body6 (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 describe sudden unintended forward movement while pulling into parking spaces, sometimes with the accelerator pedal sticking under floor mats.
  • Several drivers report the vehicle surging or lurching at low speed, leading to low-speed collisions with curbs, vehicles, or structures.
  • Airbags reportedly failed to deploy fully or at all during low-speed crashes.
  • One owner reported sudden loss of brakes leading to a rear-end collision.
  • An electrical fire was reported starting near the horn area after the vehicle was parked, with sparks seen underneath before the vehicle became engulfed.
  • One owner described the hood design blocking visibility of objects in front of the vehicle, contributing to a crash.
2007 Toyota Highlander complaints: complaints filed per quarter142006 Q42008 Q42010 Q32012 Q32014 Q42018 Q12020 Q32022 Q4
123 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2006 Q4 to 2025 Q3; peak 2010 Q1 (14).

2007 Toyota Highlander recalls

4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 16V396000Jun 2, 2016Structure & Body7,749 vehicles

    Seats:front assembly:seat heater/cooler

    Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.

    Risk: If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.

    Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET number for this recall is SET16B.

  2. NHTSA 14V743000Nov 19, 2014Structure & Body3,233 vehicles

    Seats:front assembly:seat heater/cooler

    Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Prius and Corolla, 2009-2011 Venza, 2006-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2005-2011 Sienna and Sequoia, 2006-2011 Tacoma 4x2 and 4x4, Camry, Highlander, Tundra 4x2 and 4x4, and 2007-2011 Rav4 and 4Runner. The affected vehicles may experience compression of the seat cushion which may damage the seat heater wiring.

    Risk: Damage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and causing personal injury to the occupant.

    Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the heaters with copper strand heating elements and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory, free of charge. The recall is expected to began in January 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226.

  3. NHTSA 10V035000Feb 3, 2010Other271,417 vehicles

    Equipment:other:labels

    Gulf states toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "tire selection and rims." these vehicles were sold between september 1, 2005 and june 2, 2008 without the requisite load carrying capacity modification labels.

    Risk: This does not meet the standard requirements.

    Remedy: Dealers will mail to consumers the corrected label or the customer will have the option for dealers to install the label free of charge. Dealers will also correct the owner's manual. The safety recall began on may 27, 2010. Owners may contact gulf states toyota at 713-580-3300.

See all 4 recalls for the 2007 Toyota Highlander →

2007 Toyota Highlander fuel economy and fuel cost

City
17.5 MPG
Highway
23 MPG
Combined
19.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,325
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 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2005Good30224620
2006Caution55277719.5
2007Good5123419.5
2008Avoid804041119.5
2009Caution35134920

All Toyota Highlander years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2007 Toyota Highlander reliable?
NHTSA data gives the 2007 Highlander a complaint index of 5, one of the lowest among the 21 model years covered, and its verdict is Good, though the rating is capped due to less complete complaint records for 2005-2009.
What is the biggest problem with the 2007 Toyota Highlander?
Brakes are the top problem area, with 39 complaints (32% of the total) and a median failure mileage of 100,535.
Does the 2007 Toyota Highlander have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2007 Highlander, covering structure and body issues (including seat heaters) and tire/rim labeling compliance under FMVSS 110. None are do-not-drive recalls.
How does the 2007 Highlander compare to other years?
With a complaint index of 5, the 2007 model ranks better than most other Highlander years; by contrast the 2021 model has a complaint index of 100 and an Avoid verdict.
What is the fuel economy of the 2007 Toyota Highlander?
The EPA rates the 2007 Highlander at 19.5 mpg combined (17.5 city / 23 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,325.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.