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
123 reports, newest first.
Structure, Oct 7, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. MICE ENTERED THE VEHICLE ENGINE AND CHEWED THE WIRE RELAY. AS A CONSEQUENCE, WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE IT WAS IN LIMP MODE; WHICH CAUSED SUDDEN VEHICLE DECELERATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 500. THE CURRENT MILEAGE 29,000. THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS AVAILABLE.
Vehicle speed control, Sep 23, 2009, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO EXIT A PARKING SPACE, THE ALL WEATHER FLOOR MATS THAT HE PURCHASED IN 2007 CAUSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO STICK. AS A CONSEQUENCE HE CRASHED INTO SEVERAL TREES. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. HE AND THREE OTHER OCCUPANTS WERE INJURIED. THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER WERE BOTH NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 41,212.
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.
Vehicle speed control, Aug 13, 2009, crash
MY ACCELERATOR PEDAL GOT CAUGHT BETWEEN MY TOES AND BOTTOM OF MY FOOT AND THE BOTTOM OF AN OPEN-TOED SHOE AND I COULD NOT PULL MYSELF FREE TO STOP MY CAR AND I RAN INTO A STOPPED CAR IN FRONT OF ME AT AN INTERSECTION, WHICH WAS PUSHED INTO ANOTHER CAR. I WAS TRAVELING VERY SLOWLY, BUT MY ACTIVITY IN TRYING TO FREE MY FOOT CAUSED MY CAR TO ACCELERATE SOME. THIS HAD NEVER HAPPENED TO ME BEFORE. WHEN I TOLD A NEIGHBOR SHE SAID THE SAME THING HAD HAPPENED TO HER, BUT THAT SHE WAS NOT OUT IN TRAFFIC AT THE TIME. I NOTICED THAT BOTH OF OUR VEHICLES HAVE VERY NARROW ACCELERATOR PEDALS, AND THAT THIS COULD HAVE HAPPENED TO ANYONE. I HAVE NOT BEEN DRIVING WITH SANDALS SINCE THEN, BUT A GREAT MANY PEOPLE DO. *TR
Tires, Jun 15, 2009
AT 22,356 MILES I HAD TO REPLACE ALL 4 TIRES ON THIS VEHICLE THE BRAND WAS TOYO TIRES. *TR
Tires, Mar 31, 2009
TOOK CAR FOR SERVICE AND WAS TOLD THAT AT 12,500 MILES THE TIRES ON OUR 2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER WHERE WORN OUT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED THE TIRES ARE A TOYO TRANPATH A11 225 70 R 16. *TR
Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Nov 24, 2008, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, STRUCK A CURB, CROSSED THE MEDIAN, AND CRASHED INTO TWO PARKED VEHICLES. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BUMPER AND DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WERE DAMAGED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD INSPECT THE VEHICLE WITHIN 30 DAYS. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000. UPDATED 12/15/08. *LJ THE CONSUMER THE POILCE WERE NOT CALLED. UPDATED 12/15/08. *JB
Tires, Oct 11, 2008
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH THE REAR TIRE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE FELL APART. THE TIRE SEPARATED AT THE SIDE WALL. MY WIFE MANAGED TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CAME TO A STOP ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE DEALER WAS NO HELP. WE FEEL THAT THESE TIRES ARE UNSAFE AND WANT TO REPLACE THEM. TIRES-TOYO P225 70R16 101S M+S 97H1407 THESE TIRES HAD ONLY 19800 MILES ON THEM. *TR
Electrical system, Jul 8, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE 12-VOLT BATTERY IN HER VEHICLE. ON AT LEAST TEN OCCASIONS, THE 12-VOLT BATTERY WOULD NOT START. THE CONTACT WOULD ATTEMPT TO START THE VEHICLE, BUT THE IGNITION WOULD NOT TURN OVER. SHE HEARD OF INSTANCES WHERE OTHER PEOPLE'S VEHICLES COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING; THEREFORE, SHE WAS CONCERNED THAT IT COULD EVENTUALLY HAPPEN TO HER. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOUR DIFFERENT TIMES, BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE DEALER CHARGED THE BATTERY AND RELEASED THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE CONTACT. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT BECAUSE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED, THEY COULD NOT ASSIST. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 38,500 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 10,000.
Tires, May 23, 2008
TIRE WENT FLAT DUE TO FAILURE OR BREAKDOWN OF SIDE WALL. *TR
Equipment, May 9, 2008
2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID WITH 45,000 MILE ON IT. UNPROTECTED AIR CONDITIONING CONDENSER DAMAGED BY ROAD DEBRIS - COST ME $1300 TO FIX AT DEALER. I FOUND OTHER HIGHLANDER OWNERS ON INTERNET WITH IDENTICAL PROBLEM. ALSO APPEARS TO BE PROBLEM ON TOYOTA COROLLA (TOYOTA ISSUED TSB AC002-06 ON THIS). CLEARLY DEFECTIVE DESIGN - ABSOLUTELY NO PROTECTION IN FRONT OF A/C CONDENSER WHICH IS MOUNTED VERY LOW WITH BIG OPEN HOLES IN SHROUD IN FRONT OF IT. ALMOST FORMS A FUNNEL FOR COLLECTING ROCKS, BROKEN TIRE CHUNK'S, ETC. FROM ROADWAYS AND HAVING THIS DEBRIS PUNCTURE AIR CONDITIONING CONDENSER. COMPLAINED TO TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE. RESPONSE ABYSMAL. AND WE WERE A TOYOTA FAMILY - CURRENTLY OWN TWO OTHER TOYOTAS. SHAME ON TOYOTA. *TR
Fuel system, Other, Apr 14, 2008
SLOW THROTTLE RESPONSE UPON TAKE-OFFS. CAN BE HAZARDOUS IN A NEED TO QUICKLY GET OUT OF A SITUATION FROM A STANDING STOP OR SLOW ROLLING TAKE OFF. *TR
Power train, Jan 13, 2008
TRANSMISSION SEEMS TO SHIFT AT RANDOM TIMES. AT A STOP IT WILL NOT ENGAGE IMMEDIATELY AND THE HIGHLANDER WILL COAST TO SPEED, AT OTHER TIMES I TOUCH THE ACCELERATOR AND THE CAR LAUNCH OFF LIKE A RACE CAR. WHEN COASTING IT SEEMS TO SHIFT AT RANDOM TIMES AND SOME TIMES SPEED UP WHEN I WANT TO SLOW DOWN BY HITTING BRAKES. THIS SEEMS TO RISK A COLLISION. *TR
Electrical system, Dec 14, 2007
SLOW INTERMITTENT DRAIN ON TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID 2007 AUXILIARY BATTERY. SINCE APRIL 2007, THE BATTERY HAS DIED 5 TIMES. DEALER REPLACED WITH NEW BATTERY, NEW DVD PLAYER BUT STILL CANNOT IDENTIFY THE SOURCE OF THE BATTERY DRAW. *TR
Electrical system, Nov 27, 2007
WHEN TRAVELING DOWN HILL FOR EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME THE BATTERIES CHARGE AND THEN START TO EMIT NOXIOUS FUMES INTO THE CAB OF THE VEHICLE. (OZONE I THINK.) ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WE HAVE HAD TO ROLL THE WINDOWS DOWN OR STOP AND EXIT THE VEHICLE TO ALLOW THE FUMES TO CLEAR. THE LOCAL DEALER SAYS THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE, AND THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT OUR COMPLAINTS. *TR
Tires, Oct 28, 2007
NOTIFIED BY FELLOW TRAVELER THAT TIRE WAS LOW. CHECKED DASH FOR WARNING LIGHT - NO WARNING. TOOK AUTO TO TIRE DEALERSHIP. MADE ME REPLACE TIRE - TOLD IT WAS UNSAFE. SAID SENSORS WERE REQUIRED IN AUTO AS OF 2006. HAD SENSOR IN PREVIOUS HIGHLANDER. CALLED TOYOTA. TOLD BY TWO DIFFERENT PEOPLE THAT HYBRID HAD SENSOR. TOOK AUTO TO DEALERSHIP. HAD CHECKED. NO SENSOR!! WAS TOLD BY THEM THAT IT WAS NOT REQUIRED. *TR
Electrical system, Sep 30, 2007
WAS PULLING INTO PARKING SPACE UNDER 5 MPH AND THERE WAS A SUDDEN SURGE FORWARD AND THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK. WENT OVER CURB THROUGH BUSHES OFF ANOTHER CURB HITTING UNDERNEATH OF CAR AND BRAKES THEN WORKED AGAIN. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALER WHERE THEY DROVE IT PUT IT ON A MACHINE AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR! *JB
Electrical system, Jul 26, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE CANNOT SEE THE SPEEDOMETER ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DURING THE DAYTIME. HE STATED THAT THE LENSES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ARE TINTED, WHICH HE BELIEVES IS THE REASON FOR THE POOR VISIBILITY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD BE UNABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE AND ADVISED HIM TO CALL TOYOTA. A COMPLAINT WAS FILED WITH TOYOTA AND THE CONTACT WAS ISSUED COMPLAINT NUMBER 200707203477. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50. UPDATED 09/05/07 *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 16, 2007
2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER LIMITED WITH STALLING CONCERNS CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE CARS IDLE SPEED CONTROL VALVE AND IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE HAD TO BE REPLACED**CC
Electrical system, Jun 13, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING IN THE SUNLIGHT, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS ARE DIFFICULT TO READ. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT TO HAVE THE DEALER TEST THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD BE UNABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THAT IS HOW IT WAS MANUFACTURED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE ONLY OCCURS DURING THE DAYTIME. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 100 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37.
Trailer hitches, Apr 9, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHEN PURCHASING THE VEHICLE THE CONTACT ALSO PURCHASED A TOWING PACKAGE WHICH INCLUDES A HITCH. THE DEALER DID NOT HAVE THE HITCH IN STOCK AND THE CONTACT WAS SENT TO ANOTHER STORE TO RETRIEVE THE PART. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A BILL FOR THE HITCH. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 500 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41. *AK
Electrical system, Dec 15, 2006
HYBRID INVERTER FAILURE. *NM
Power train, Dec 13, 2006
2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER - UNCONTROLLED TRANSMISSION SURGES CAUSE VEHICLE TO MOVE FORWARD UNEXPECTEDLY. TRANSMISSION ALWAYS SHIFTING DOWN TO 5TH GEAR AT VERY SLOW SPEEDS, PUSHING CAR FORWARD UNEXPECTEDLY WHEN NOT DESIRED. TAKING FOOT OFF GAS PEDAL, CAR MAINTAINS SPEED (LIKE ON CRUISE CONTROL). CAR WILL DRIVE AND MAINTAIN SPEEDS WITHOUT GAS PEDAL INPUT. DRIVER MUST FIGHT TO SLOW VEHICLE DOWN. SLOWING DOWN, COMING TO A STOP SIGN, CAR STILL ALWAYS WANTS TO SHIFT DOWN INTO 5TH GEAR, PUSHING CAR FORWARD FASTER JUST BEFORE FULL STOP, RISKING REAR END COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. FIGHTING WITH CAR TO SLOW DOWN. TOYOTA DEALER SAYS CAR IS WORKING AS DESIGNED. *JB