VehicleVerdict

2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 160 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 17.8 times the median Highlander Hybrid year — the 2007 model ranks #3 of 22 Highlander Hybrid years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Brakes leads the complaint categories with 46 reports (29% of the total).

160

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

2

Investigations

21

Crash-involved

4

Fires reported

3

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2007 compare to other Highlander Hybrid years?

Highlander Hybrid NHTSA complaints by model year, 2007 highlighted481 complaints2004: 0 complaints2005: 2 complaints2006: 481 complaints2007: 160 complaints2008: 272 complaints2009: 55 complaints2010: 26 complaints2011: 5 complaints2012: 11 complaints2013: 6 complaints2014: 2 complaints2015: 5 complaints2016: 9 complaints2017: 7 complaints2018: 7 complaints2019: 9 complaints2020: 9 complaints2021: 17 complaints2022: 10 complaints2023: 10 complaints2024: 0 complaints2025: 0 complaints
Highlander Hybrid NHTSA complaints by model year, 2007 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Highlander Hybrid years to avoid →

What are the most common 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes4629%
Electrical System3924%
Fuel System2214%
Speed Control159%
Engine117%
Tires & Wheels53%
Visibility & Wipers43%
Transmission43%
Airbags32%
Other32%
Steering32%
Body & Structure21%
Suspension11%
Seats11%
Lighting11%

Does the 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

13V396000Fuel SystemSeptember 4, 2013 · 133,081 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

11V342000Electrical SystemJune 29, 2011 · 82,273 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“I OWN A 2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THE BRAKES MOMENTARILY DO NOT ENGAGE (ESSENTIALLY SKIP) WHEN I APPLY THEM WHILE GOING OVER A BUMP OR A POTHOLE. I HAVE NOTICED THIS FOR A LONG TIME, HOWEVER CONSIDERED IT A 'QUIRK' UNTIL I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED IF THE ISSUE HAD NOT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · January 4, 2010 · crash

“CAR WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY AND WAS STATIONARY. WARMING CAR UP TO GET RID OF FROST ON WINDSHIELD. THE CAR STARTED ON FIRE - TOTAL LOST. 3 TO 4 FEET FLAMES COMING OUT OF ENGINE.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · November 6, 2017 · fire

“I WAS LEAVING MY CONDO DRIVING UP HILL WHEN MY CAR LOST POWER AND ROLLED BACKWARDS . I PANICKED DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS HAPPENING AND ROLLED INTO ANOTHER CAR . I HAD TO ROLL DOWNHILL AND CALL AAA TO TOW TO HOOMAN TOYOTA LONG BEACH. TOYOTA KNOWINGLY SOLD A CAR WITH A DEFECTIVE HYBRID SYSTEM BUT WANT ME…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · July 17, 2013 · crash

“ ON SEPT 5, 2013, I PUT MY TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID IN REVERSE TO STRAIGHTEN IT UP IN A PARKING SPACE, BEFORE I COULD EVEN BREATHE, IT TOOK OFF IN REVERSE GOING OVER 60 MI. AN HOUR AND I HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE CAR. IT FINALLY HIT A GARAGE FROM BEHIND AND TOOK DOWN THE WHOLE SIDE OF THE GARAGE AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · September 5, 2013 · crash

“CAR WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY AND WAS STATIONARY. WARMING CAR UP TO GET RID OF FROST ON WINDSHIELD. THE CAR STARTED ON FIRE - TOTAL LOST. 3 TO 4 FEET FLAMES COMING OUT OF ENGINE.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · November 6, 2017 · fire

2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid — common questions

Is the 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 160 complaints put the 2007 model at #3 of 22 Highlander Hybrid years. It is one of the Highlander Hybrid years to avoid.

What are the most common 2007 Highlander Hybrid problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (46 complaints), electrical system (39 complaints), fuel system (22 complaints).

Does the 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Toyota Highlander Hybrid years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Highlander Hybrid years to avoid are 2006, 2008, 2007, 2009. The cleanest record among Highlander Hybrid years belongs to 2025.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.