Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.
2010 Toyota Highlander — Known Issues & Recalls
Complaints from Jan 2011 to Dec 2016
The most reported issue is electrical system problems (33 complaints). 19 complaints involved crashes. 2 involved fires.
Open Safety Recalls (10)
NHTSA Campaign: 14V743000
Component: 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.
Fix: 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.
NHTSA Campaign: 16V396000
Component: 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.
Fix: 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.
NHTSA Campaign: 14V168000
Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006-2008 RAV4, 2006-2010 Yaris, 2008-2010 Highlander, and 2009-2010 Tacoma, Corolla, Corolla Matrix and General Motors Pontiac Vibe vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the steering column assembly contains electrical connections to the driver's airbag module housed in a spiral cable assembly, which includes a Flexible Flat Cable (FFC). Due to the shape and location of the FFC's retainer, the FFC could become damaged when the steering wheel is turned.
Risk: If the FFC is damaged, connectivity to the driver's air bag module could be lost and the air bag deactivated. The failure of the driver's air bag to deploy in the event of a crash that typically necessitates deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver.
Fix: Toyota will notify the Toyota vehicle owners, and General Motors will notify the Pontiac Vibe owners. Toyota sent owners an interim notification letter in May 2014 to advise owners of the recall. Toyota will mail owners a second letter when remedy parts are available. General Motors sent Pontiac Vibe owners an Interim letter on June 20, 2014 notifying them that parts are currently unavailable. General Motors sent notices to the Pontiac Vibe owners on September 15, 2014, that a remedy is available. The recall began on October 27, 2014. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-762-2737.
NHTSA Campaign: 15V689000
Component: 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.
Fix: 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 Campaign: 13V014000
Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model year 2010-2012 Sequoia. During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.
Risk: If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.
Fix: Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
NHTSA Campaign: 13V123000
Component: 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.
Fix: 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.
NHTSA Campaign: 10V035000
Component: 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.
Fix: 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.
NHTSA Campaign: 10V036000
Component: EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
Risk: A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.
NHTSA Campaign: 10V023000
Component: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2010 HIGHLANDER, MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 COROLLA, VENZA AND MATRIX PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CAN GET STUCK IN THE WIDE OPEN POSITION DUE TO ITS BEING TRAPPED BY AN UNSECURED OR INCOMPATIBLE DRIVER'S FLOOR MAT. THIS RECALL IS AN EXPANSION OF A CAMPAIGN OF 3.8 MILLION OTHER TOYOTA VEHICLES ANNOUNCED IN 2009 FOR THE SAME ISSUE (SEE 09V-388).
Risk: A STUCK OPEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY RESULT IN VERY HIGH VEHICLE SPEEDS AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO STOP THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH, SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
Fix: TOYOTA WILL MODIFY OR REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR PEDALS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES. FLOOR SURFACE MODIFICATIONS ARE ALSO BEING CONSIDERED AND WILL BE INCLUDED FOR ANY MODEL FOR WHICH IT IS DEEMED APPROPRIATE. INITIALLY, DEALERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED ON HOW TO RESHAPE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FOR THE REPAIR. AS REPLACEMENT PARTS WITH THE SAME SHAPE AS THE MODIFIED PEDAL BECOME AVAILABLE, THEY WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE DEALERS FOR THE REPAIR. CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE HAD THE PEDAL RESHAPE REMEDY COMPLETED WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO RECEIVE A NEW PEDAL IF THEY DESIRE, AFTER REPLACEMENT PEDALS BECOME AVAILABLE. IN ADDITION, TOYOTA WILL REPLACE ANY TOYOTA ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MAT IN A SUBJECT VEHICLE WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED MAT, FREE OF CHARGE. FOR THOSE CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE THE PREVIOUS DESIGN ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MAT BUT DO NOT NEED OR WANT THE NEWLY DESIGNED ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MAT, TOYOTA WILL RECOVER THE PREVIOUS DESIGN ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MAT AND REIMBURSE ITS PRICE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN MARCH 30, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
NHTSA Campaign: 10V017000
Component: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 AVALON, MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 CAMRY, MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 COROLLA, COROLLA MATRIX, RAV4, MODEL YEAR 2010 HIGHLANDER, MODEL YEAR 2008-2010 SEQUOIA, AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 TUNDRA VEHICLES. DUE TO THE MANNER IN WHICH THE FRICTION LEVER INTERACTS WITH THE SLIDING SURFACE OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL INSIDE THE PEDAL SENSOR ASSEMBLY, THE SLIDING SURFACE OF THE LEVER MAY BECOME SMOOTH DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. IN THIS CONDITION, IF CONDENSATION OCCURS ON THE SURFACE, AS MAY OCCUR FROM HEATER OPERATION (WITHOUT A/C) WHEN THE PEDAL ASSEMBLY IS COLD, THE FRICTION WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS OPERATED MAY INCREASE, WHICH MAY RESULT IN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECOMING HARDER TO DEPRESS, SLOWER TO RETURN, OR, IN THE WORST CASE, MECHANICALLY STUCK IN A PARTIALLY DEPRESSED POSITION.
Risk: THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY BECOME HARD TO DEPRESS, SLOW TO RETURN TO IDLE, OR, IN THE WORST CASE, MECHANICALLY STUCK IN A PARTIALLY DEPRESSED POSITION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REINFORCEMENT BAR IN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WHICH WILL ALLOW THE PEDAL TO OPERATE SMOOTHLY. GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS FOR THE PONTIAC VIBE PLEASE SEE 10V-018. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON FEBRUARY 5, 2010 AND WILL BE COMPLETED ON MARCH 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
Owner-Reported Issues (20 of 237)
Service Brakes →9 issues
Your brakes may fail to respond when you try to stop at slow speeds (under 15 mph), causing your Highlander to roll into the vehicle ahead of you. This has happened multiple times and resulted in two accidents, even after a complete brake service where the mechanic found nothing wrong with the pads or shoes. No warning lights or sounds appear before the brake failure occurs.
Parts you may need:
As an Amazon Associate, MyCarTSB earns from qualifying purchases.
Your brake system may be experiencing a malfunction where the brake actuator and accumulator fail, causing warning lights to appear on your dashboard. When this happens, your ABS (anti-lock braking) and VSC (vehicle stability control) systems become disabled, which reduces your vehicle's braking safety and stability control. This is a known issue on 2010 Toyota Highlander Hybrids, and the manufacturer's support program for it expired in 2020. Fixing this typically requires replacing the brake actuator and accumulator assembly.
Parts you may need:
As an Amazon Associate, MyCarTSB earns from qualifying purchases.
Your vehicle is displaying multiple brake system warning messages and lights indicating a brake system malfunction. Your car's stability control safety feature has been disabled as a result. The diagnostic code points to an abnormal leak in the brake accumulator, which Toyota has acknowledged as a known issue in certain 2008-2010 Highlander Hybrid models, though your vehicle may not be covered under their customer support program. Repair will likely require replacement of the brake actuator assembly or brake booster pump assembly.
Parts you may need:
As an Amazon Associate, MyCarTSB earns from qualifying purchases.
When you press the brake pedal, your car accelerates for 1-2 seconds instead of slowing down. This unexpected acceleration during braking creates a serious safety risk for you, your passengers, and others on the road. The problem has been happening for over a year, but you haven't had it diagnosed by a dealer yet. A dealer inspection and brake system diagnostic will be needed to identify whether the issue is in the brake components, engine control system, or their interaction.
Parts you may need:
As an Amazon Associate, MyCarTSB earns from qualifying purchases.
Your brake actuator and brake booster pump have malfunctioned, triggering multiple warning lights on your dashboard including ABS, traction control, and a "Brake Malfunction: pull over car immediately" message. This is a known safety issue that Toyota acknowledged in 2019 with a recall program, but the program has since expired and many vehicles no longer qualify for free repairs despite continuing to experience this problem. The fix will likely involve replacing the faulty brake actuator and brake booster pump components.
Parts you may need:
As an Amazon Associate, MyCarTSB earns from qualifying purchases.
While driving on the highway, your ABS, stability control, and airbag warning lights came on together with a warning triangle, followed by continuous loud beeping. When your wife tried to pull over, she had to press hard on the brakes to stop the car, which was frightening. You believe the ABS accumulator may be losing pressure, causing the brake pump to run constantly and potentially burn out. Fixing this will likely require inspecting and possibly replacing the ABS accumulator and brake pump assembly.
Parts you may need:
As an Amazon Associate, MyCarTSB earns from qualifying purchases.
While driving, your traction control, ABS, and brake warning lights came on together with an urgent message to pull over. Your power brakes failed completely, requiring you to press the brake pedal hard all the way to the floor to get minimal braking response. A loud alarm sounded during the incident, and you nearly hit other cars in a parking lot. This issue likely involves the brake booster or master cylinder and needs immediate professional inspection.
Parts you may need:
As an Amazon Associate, MyCarTSB earns from qualifying purchases.
Your brake system's actuator assembly and brake booster pump have failed, which control your brakes and anti-lock brake system (ABS). You may experience unpredictable stopping distance, inconsistent ABS performance, and a brake pedal that feels either too soft or too firm—creating a serious collision risk. You'll likely see multiple warning lights including ABS and Brake System warnings on your dashboard. The fix will require replacement of the failed brake booster pump assembly and actuator assembly components.
Parts you may need:
As an Amazon Associate, MyCarTSB earns from qualifying purchases.
You received a brake warning light on your 2010 Toyota Highlander. Your concern is that Toyota has acknowledged this is a known issue but will only repair it for free if it occurs before December 30, 2020, or before the vehicle reaches 150,000 miles. You believe Toyota should take responsibility for this brake-related problem regardless of timing or mileage.
Parts you may need:
As an Amazon Associate, MyCarTSB earns from qualifying purchases.
Engine →2 issues
Your engine suddenly failed and locked up while driving, despite regular maintenance every 3-4 months and adequate oil and water levels. The car had to be towed to a mechanic for diagnosis and repair. This type of failure typically requires complete engine inspection or replacement.
Parts you may need:
As an Amazon Associate, MyCarTSB earns from qualifying purchases.
Your oil cooler line failed without any warning lights appearing on your dashboard, causing oil to leak from the front of your vehicle and leaving a trail on the road. You noticed smoke coming from the front and tire areas, and when you checked the dipstick, the oil level was completely dry. The shop confirmed the Toyota oil cooler line is the problem, and you're concerned this is a known issue affecting many owners without a recall in place.
Parts you may need:
As an Amazon Associate, MyCarTSB earns from qualifying purchases.
Electrical System →2 issues
Your gear shifter has gotten stuck multiple times. The dealer replaced fuses several times, but the problem kept happening. Eventually, the dealer found that the rearview mirror wiring had failed and was causing the shifter to stick. After the wiring was repaired, the issue was resolved. The fix involved replacing the faulty wiring harness connected to the rearview mirror.
Parts you may need:
As an Amazon Associate, MyCarTSB earns from qualifying purchases.
While driving at 40 mph, your vehicle suddenly lost electrical power, causing it to drift toward the right side of the road. You were able to brake and stop safely, but the vehicle needed to be towed to a mechanic. The problem was diagnosed as a faulty alternator, which was replaced to restore power to your vehicle.
Parts you may need:
As an Amazon Associate, MyCarTSB earns from qualifying purchases.
Exterior Lighting →2 issues
Your aftermarket H4 LED headlight bulbs may be causing unwanted light to reflect into the high beam reflector, which can blind oncoming drivers. Unlike standard halogen bulbs that have a shield to direct light in one direction, these LED bulbs have lights on both sides, causing low beam light to spill onto the high beam reflector. The manufacturer dismissed your concerns and did not provide adequate customer service to address this safety issue. A solution would likely involve either replacing the bulbs with properly shielded LED headlights or returning to OEM halogen bulbs.
Parts you may need:
As an Amazon Associate, MyCarTSB earns from qualifying purchases.
Your headlamps are becoming cloudy and new bulbs are burning out within a few months, which is unusually quick. According to online reports, Toyota is aware of this issue, but your dealership may try to charge you hundreds of dollars for an electrical system evaluation before addressing it. The fix likely involves replacing the headlamp assembly or addressing moisture/ventilation issues in the headlight housing.
Parts you may need:
As an Amazon Associate, MyCarTSB earns from qualifying purchases.
Electrical System,vehicle Speed Control →1 issue
While braking gently, your car suddenly accelerated to full speed and crashed into an object 500 feet away. The only warning light on your dashboard was the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) sensor. This appears to be related to the electrical system or speed control, and the vehicle is currently available for inspection before the insurance company takes it.
Parts you may need:
As an Amazon Associate, MyCarTSB earns from qualifying purchases.
Service Brakes,forward Collision Avoidance →1 issue
Your 2010 Highlander Hybrid may have a faulty brake actuator assembly or brake booster pump that can fail over time. Toyota issued a service bulletin in 2019 covering this repair for free, but the dealership refused to fix it when you requested service because the ABS warning light wasn't on yet. Now that the ABS light has come on and your son is experiencing brake issues, the repair costs over $2,400 and is no longer covered. The fix will require replacing the brake actuator and booster pump assemblies at a Toyota dealership.
Parts you may need:
As an Amazon Associate, MyCarTSB earns from qualifying purchases.
Air Bags →1 issue
Your vehicle was involved in a head-on collision with a barrier, but the front airbags failed to deploy when they should have. The vehicle became airborne and flipped, and only the side airbags deployed during the crash. This indicates a failure in the front airbag system that should have protected you during the initial impact.
Parts you may need:
As an Amazon Associate, MyCarTSB earns from qualifying purchases.
Steering →1 issue
Your steering column makes a clunking noise, especially when driving on rough or bumpy roads. This indicates loose components in the steering assembly that should be inspected and tightened.
Parts you may need:
As an Amazon Associate, MyCarTSB earns from qualifying purchases.
Unknown Or Other →1 issue
Your front armrests on both the driver and passenger sides are caving in or collapsing inward. This appears to be caused by a design flaw in the clip supports that hold them up. The fix would likely involve replacing the armrest assembly or reinforcing the clip support structure.
Parts you may need:
As an Amazon Associate, MyCarTSB earns from qualifying purchases.
Get notified when any of these become free repairs
We'll alert you if a new recall is issued for your vehicle — that means a free fix at the dealer.
Related Vehicles
Other Toyota Highlander years: