2007 Toyota Highlander
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Service brakes is the leading concern among 123 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 22nd highest complaint count among 25 Highlander model years with reports.
Of the 2007 reports, 11 involved a crash and 1 involved a fire. 7 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Seats, front assembly, seat heater/coolerJun 2, 2016
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.
If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
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.
Campaign 16V396000 on NHTSA.gov
Seats, front assembly, seat heater/coolerNov 19, 2014
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 14V743000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, other, labelsFeb 3, 2010
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.
A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
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.
Campaign 10V036000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, other, labelsFeb 3, 2010
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.
THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.
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.
Campaign 10V035000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: service brakes
35 reports, newest first. Show all
Service brakes, Sep 24, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT IT TOOK A LONGER DISTANCE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VSC WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE ACTUATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
Service brakes, Sep 13, 2012
I WAS DRIVING ON DOUBLE R BOULEVARD IN RENO AT ABOUT 35 MPH WHEN SUDDENLY LOSS BRAKES. I HAD TO PUSH VERY HARD ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE BRAKE PEDAL STUMPED AND THE BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS NOT IN USE AND THE BRAKE WILL FOR A FEW SECONDS AND THEN NOT WORK. THIS HAPPENED REPEATEDLY. I MANAGE TO PARK THE CAR AT A NEARBY SMITH'S. MY HUSBAND TOOK THE CAR TO THE RENO TOYOTA (DEALER) , WHERE THEY TOLD US IT WAS THE MASTER CYLINDER AND THAT HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE NEXT DAY THEY TOLD US THE REPLACEMENT DIDN'T SOLVED THE PROBLEM AND THE BOOSTER HAD TO BE REPLACED, THIS PROBLEM SOUNDS VERY FAMILIAR TO THE RECALL OF TOYOTA ON 2004-2006 MODELS BUT TOYOTA WON'T ASSIST US WITH THE REPAIRS. WE ARE JUST THANKFUL THAT WERE NOT ON THE FREEWAY WITH OUR KIDS. THIS WAS A VERY SCARY SITUATION WHEN YOU REALIZE THERE ARE NO BRAKES TO STOP THE CAR. I WOULD LIKE TOYOTA TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS OF THE DEFECTIVE PARTS ($1,750). *TR
Service brakes, Aug 16, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH SHE ENGAGED THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT DECELERATE OR STOP. THE CONTACT THEN ENGAGED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE, WHICH WAS THEN TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTER AND THE MASTER CYLINDER WOULD NEED TO BE REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE MASTER CYLINDER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND AGREED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT NORMAL WEAR. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 73,933.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 20, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK WITH SLIGHT HESITATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE MASTER CYLINDER. THE VEHICLE REMAINED AT THE DEALER FOR ONE WEEK TO REPLACE THE MASTER CYLINDER. THERE WAS A RECALL RELATED TO THE DEFECT ON THE MODEL YEARS 2004-2006 UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V499000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: FOUNDATION COMPONENTS: MASTER CYLINDER). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000. UPDATED 06/16/11*LJ UPDATED 06/27/11
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 4, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED HE WOULD NEED TO BLEED THE BRAKES AND CHANGE THE OIL. THE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE MADE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS WAITING FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, WHO STATED THEY WERE UNABLE TO ASSIST, AND THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE AT HER EXPENSE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000.
Service brakes, Electric, May 21, 2010
I PURCHASED A 2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER, HYBRID IN SEP OF 2009. I HAVE NOTICED AN INTERRUPTION IN ENGAGING THE BRAKES EVERY TIME I PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL. TOYOTA SAYS THIS IT A NORMAL DELAY BETWEEN THE MECHANICAL AND ABS ENGAGING. I AM A LONG TIME DRIVER AND THIS IS VERY UNSETTLING. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Air bags, May 7, 2010, crash
SUDDEN LOSS OF BRAKES ON A 2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. CAR REAR ENDED A TRUCK. DRIVER BROKE RIGHT BRAKING ANKLE. NO SKID MARKS. DRIVER'S HEAD HIT STEERING WHEEL EVEN THOUGH AIR BAG DEPLOYED. BELIEVE AIR BAG ONLY PARTIALLY DEPLOYED. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 24, 2010
WHEN NEW I HAD NO DIFFICULTY WITH THE BRAKES ON MY VEHICLE. THEY PERFORMED WELL, AND I NEVER FELT ANXIETY THAT MY BRAKES "WOULDN'T BE THERE" WHEN NEEDED. BUT OVER THE PAST YEAR THIS HAS CHANGED. AT FIRST I NOTICED THE BRAKE PEDAL FELT SOFT, AND WAS LOWER TO THE FLOOR. I BROUGHT MY CAR IN TO WESTBURY (NY) TOYOTA. THEY MADE SOME ADJUSTMENTS WHICH APPEARED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM AT THAT TIME. THEN, ABOUT TWO MONTHS AGO, THE BRAKE PEDAL AGAIN BEGAN TO FEEL SOFT. IN ADDITION, IT WOULD INTERMITTENTLY SINK ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR WHILE DEPRESSED. THIS WOULD HAPPEN MAIN;Y WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICE (STOP SIGN OR LIGHT), BUT OCCASIONALLY ALSO HAPPENED WHILE USING MODERATE BREAKING TO CONTROL VEHICLE SPEED WHILE DRIVING DOWN AN INCLINE. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN TO MARIETTA (GA) TOYOTA. THEY MADE SOME ADJUSTMENTS, WHICH SEEMED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, A FEW WEEKS LATER THE BRAKES BEGAN AGAIN TO EXHIBIT THE SAME SYMPTOMS. THIS BECAME EXTREMELY ALARMING WHEN, WHILE DRIVING DOWN AN INCLINE, I WAS UNABLE TO FULLY STOP BEFORE MY VEHICLE TRAVELED INTO THE NEAR LANE OF CROSS TRAFFIC. I AGAIN BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO MARIETTA TOYOTA. THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG, AND TOLD ME THE MASTER CYLINDER IS DESIGNED TO RELEASE PRESSURE WHILE THE PEDAL IS HELD. I OPENED A TICKET WITH TOYOTA (#1003232005), BUT I AM CONCERNED THEY MAY SAY THE BRAKES ARE WORKING CORRECTLY, EVEN THOUGH THEY CLEARLY SEEM UNSAFE TO ME.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 31, 2010
SINCE THE PURCHASE OF OUR 2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID WE HAVE HAD BRAKE DECELERATION ISSUES. THE BRAKES SEEM TO OCCASIONALLY SKIP, THEN LURCH FORWARD AS SOON AS THE BRAKING SYSTEM INITIATES. WHILE I HAVE NOT GOTTEN INTO ANY ACCIDENT, I HAVE BECOME ACCUSTOMED TO BRAKING EARLY IN PREPARATION FOR STOPPING. IT HAPPENS AT LOW SPEEDS (BETWEEN 5-45MPH) ALTHOUGH THAT IS WHEN I'M MOST LIKELY TO COME TO A FULL STOP. NOT SURE WHAT WOULD HAPPEN AT FULL HIGHWAY SPEED. CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS HAS NOT BEEN REPORTED TO THEM, THOUGH THEY WOULD TAKE A LOOK. AFTER READING POSTS OF IDENTICAL BRAKING ISSUES, AND WITH THE ACCELERATION ISSUES IN CONSIDERATION I FEEL IT BEST TO FILE A COMPLAINT FOR THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 28, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE ROTORS WERE RUSTING AND THE PADS WERE WORN DUE TO THE WINTER WEATHER. THE BRAKE PADS, ROTORS, AND CALIPERS HAD RUST ON THEM AND THEY WERE STUCK TOGETHER DUE TO THE INCLEMENT WEATHER. WHEN ENGAGING THE BRAKE PEDAL THERE WAS A PULSATING AND UNEVEN FEELING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS STATED THAT THEY WERE WAITING FOR A RESPONSE FROM THE DEALER TO SEE WHAT THE OUTCOME WOULD BE. THERE WERE RELATED RECALLS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE FAILURE FOR OTHER YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL TOYOTA'S. THE VEHICLE WILL BE REPAIRED; HOWEVER, HE DOESN'T KNOW WHO WILL ASSUME THE REPAIR COST. THE CONTACT IS AWARE OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 28000.