Highlander (XU20)
NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings
Engine Reliability Ratings
2AZ-FE
2.4L 4-cyl / 155 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
Toyota Highlander Unidentified Engine
View details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
1MZ-FE
3.0L 6-cyl / 220 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
3MZ-FE + 1JM, 2FM
3.3L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
Show 2 additional engine variants with limited data
22R / 22R-EC / 22R-TEC
2.4L 4-cyl / 116 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
2GR-FE
3.5L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
Battery & Propulsion Reliability
Hybrid (HEV)
Battery & propulsion complaint analysis for the 2001-2007 Toyota Highlander
That's roughly 13.8x the typical rate for hybrids in this dataset (median 7.0 per year). This generation has materially more battery & propulsion complaints than its peers, even after accounting for sales volume.
What kind of battery complaint?
Among the 245 battery-related complaints, here's the type mix. These percentages describe what the complaints are about — not how reliable the vehicle is overall.
Loss of power, drive unit, inverter, traction motor, DC-DC converter.
Hybrid system warnings, eCVT, motor-generator, hybrid transaxle.
Low-voltage battery deaths, common on EVs and hybrids that use a 12V for accessories.
Propulsion battery defects, capacity loss, BMS faults, replacement claims.
Battery fires, smoke, thermal runaway. Includes any complaint with fire reported.
Charge port, cable, mobile connector, or session failures.
Battery & propulsion recalls (2)
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.
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.
Sample complaint excerpts
Electric Propulsion
- [2006] While normally driving on the highway and without no warning the vehicle the power steering stops working , it just dies with no power and dash lights warning start to flash and Check Hybrid System turns on. I am not a mechanic nor a technician . The mechanic disconnected the ground cable after waiting about 5 minutes and it resets the system. He told me that it has something that may be caused by
- [2006] DRIVING CAR AND IT STALLED THEN MESAGE CAME ON WHICH STATED CHECK HYBRID ENGINE. TOOK IT TO SHOP AND WAS TOLD WOULD COST $9,000 AS IT WAS THE INVERTER. THEY SAID MY VIN WAS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST FOR THE RECALL OF 2006 HIGHLANDER HYBRIDS. HAD THE POWER MODULE REPLACED AS RECALL IN 2012 BUT WHY WASNT MY CAR ON RECALL LIST FOR THE INVERTER?
- [2006] WHILE IN THE MOUNTAINS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, THE VEHICLE ALL THE VEHICLE WARNING LIGHTS WENT ON AND THE VEHICLE SHUTDOWN. WHILE NEGOTIATING THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, I BARELY AVOIDED AN AN ACCIDENT WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND IT RESTARTED AND DROVE IT TO A MECHANIC WHO DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY AND ALL OF THE VEHICLE WARNING LIGHTS DISAPPEARED AND IT DROVE FINE. IT H
Hybrid Drivetrain
- [2006] I was on the interstate driving about 72 mph when the car just shut off all the dash lights came on and the dash it said check hybrid system I had no brakes or steering I got it off the road turned it off and back on again it started up and I drove it home but the dash still displayed check hybrid system , a week later I get in it to go to work and there’s an alarm that won’t cut off and the abs ,
- [2006] While normally driving on the highway and without no warning the vehicle the power steering stops working , it just dies with no power and dash lights warning start to flash and Check Hybrid System turns on. I am not a mechanic nor a technician . The mechanic disconnected the ground cable after waiting about 5 minutes and it resets the system. He told me that it has something that may be caused by
- [2006] ONCE AFTER PARKING AND THEN TWICE WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY, THE CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM LIGHT, THE VSC LIGHT, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, AND THE CAUTION LIGHT ALL ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER INCLUDING STEERING ASSISTANCE . EACH TIME REQUIRING MULTIPLE KEY TURNS TO RESTART THE VEHICLE INTO LIMP HOME MODE. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED ONCE BEFORE FOR A SIMILAR ISSUE WHICH OCCURRED WHILE
12V Auxiliary Battery
- [2007] 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
- [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
- [2006] I WAS PULLING INTO OUR DRIVEWAY AND WHEN I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR, THE CAR STOPPED AND BEGAN TO ROLL BACKWARDS. ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON ALONG WITH A WARNING ON THE LCD PANEL THAT STATED "CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM" AND "CHECK VSC". IT WAS TOWED TO A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. THEY INDICATED THAT THE HYBRID INVERTER AND ESU HAD FAILED AND THEY REPLACED THEM. THE VEHICLE STILL DISPLAYED SEVERAL WARNI
High-Voltage Battery
- [2006] TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH WHEN THE BEGAN VEHICLE LOOSING POWER. THE HYBRID WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE THEN STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS A FAILURE IN THE BATTERY CELL. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE INVERTER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT ST
- [2006] TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH WHEN THE BEGAN VEHICLE LOOSING POWER. THE HYBRID WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE THEN STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS A FAILURE IN THE BATTERY CELL. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE INVERTER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT ST
- [2007] VSC LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR WOULD NOT DRIVE. TOWED TO TOYOTA AND HAD IT DIAGNOSED. THE POA80, P3020 HV BATTERY INOPERATIVE/SHORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN IT HAPPENED.
Thermal Events
- [2006] TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID (N/A). WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT SUDDENLY CAUGHT FIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ROUTINELY MAINTENANCED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND FILED A COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 37,000. UPDATED 02/17/11*LJ UPDATED 05/02/11
- [2006] TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID (N/A). WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT SUDDENLY CAUGHT FIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ROUTINELY MAINTENANCED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND FILED A COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 37,000. UPDATED 02/17/11*LJ UPDATED 05/02/11
- [2006] WE DROVE OUR 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID HOME FROM TOWN AT ABOUT 7:00 P.M. ON A COOL EVENING, (SIX MILES) 1/2 MILE IS A FAIRLY STEEP HILL TO CLIMB. ON PULLING INTO THE DRIVEWAY AND STOPPING I NOTICED A BURNING SMELL AND TOLD MY HUSBAND I THOUGHT THE BRAKES WERE HOT. AFTER A COUPLE MINUTES HE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM AROUND THE HOOD. HE OPENED IT AND THERE WERE FLAMES COMING FROM THE LOWER C
Charging System
- [2007] MY BRAKES FAILED ABS ANITA BREAKING SYSTEM FAILED BECAUSE IF THAT SB'S FAILED MY HYBRID BATTERY IS NOT CHARGING AND MY CAR IS FAILED TO STOP
- [2007] MY BRAKES FAILED ABS ANITA BREAKING SYSTEM FAILED BECAUSE IF THAT SB'S FAILED MY HYBRID BATTERY IS NOT CHARGING AND MY CAR IS FAILED TO STOP
- [2007] WHILE DRIVING UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS, ALL DASH LIGHTS WENT ON SAYING CHECK VSC SYSTEM, ABS, BRAKE LIGHTS, WARNINGS AND TRACTION. TOOK VEHICLE TO SERVICE AT TOYOTA DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE ABS ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY HAS TO BE REPLACED, FOR NEARLY $2500. THIS IS A VEHICLE WITH UNDER 65,000 MILES ON IT AND THE ACTUATOR SHOULD LAST FOR THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. I JUST HAD THE RADIATOR REPLACED AND BRAKES RE
Source: classified from NHTSA complaint and recall data. "Battery-related" includes high-voltage propulsion battery, charging system, hybrid drivetrain, electric propulsion, regenerative braking, 12V auxiliary battery, and thermal-event complaints. Other complaints (suspension, steering, brakes, infotainment) appear in the engine and vehicle-level sections. Rates are absolute counts, not normalized per-VIN — high-volume models naturally produce more raw complaints than low-volume ones. Self-reported death and injury counts are capped per complaint to limit form abuse.
Vehicle-Level Issues
These issues affect the Toyota Highlander regardless of engine variant.
Recalls (15)
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.
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.
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.
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.
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 HIGHLANDER, HIGHLANDER HYBRID, AND MODEL YEAR 2004-2007 LEXUS RX330, RX350, AND RX400H VEHICLES. IF THE FORWARD RETENTION CLIP USED TO SECURE THE FLOOR CARPET COVER, WHICH IS LOCATED IN FRONT OF THE CENTER CONSOLE, IS NOT INSTALLED PROPERLY THE COVER MAY LEAN TOWARD THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND INTERFERE WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ARM.
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 AVALON VEHICLES; 2004 AND 2005 CAMRY, CAMRY SOLARA, HIGHLANDER, AND SIENNA VEHICLES, 2006 HIGHLANDER HYBRID; 2004 AND 2005 LEXUS ES330 AND RX330; AND 2006 LEXUS RX400H VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 1, 2004 THROUGH MARCH 31, 2005, EQUIPPED WITH THE 1MZ-FE OR 3MZ-FE ENGINE. THE AMOUNT OF ADHESIVE AGENT APPLIED BETWEEN THE OUTER RING AND THE TORSIONAL RUBBER DAMPER (INNER RING) IN THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY MAY BE INADEQUATE. IF THE ADHESIVE IS INSUFFICIENT, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE OUTER RING MAY BECOME MISALIGNED AND IT MAY NOT PROPERLY ROTATE WITH THE INNER RING, CAUSING NOISE AND/OR ILLUMINATION OF THE BATTERY DISCHARGE INDICATOR LIGHT.
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2006 AVALON, MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 HIGHLANDER, MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 LEXUS RX, AND MODEL YEAR 2006 LEXUS GS AND IS VEHICLES. BRAKE FLUID CONTAINING POLYMERS IS USED THAT ACTS AS LUBRICANTS FOR CERTAIN BRAKE SYSTEM COMPONENTS. IF REPLACEMENT BRAKE FLUID IS USED THAT DOES NOT CONTAIN SUCH POLYMERS, OR THAT CONTAINS ONLY SMALL AMOUNTS, A PART OF THE RUBBER SEAL LOCATED AT THE REAR OF THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER MAY BECOME DRY, AND THE SEAL MAY CURL DURING MOVEMENT OF THE PISTON. IF THIS OCCURS, A SMALL AMOUNT OF BRAKE FLUID COULD SLOWLY LEAK FROM THE SEAL INTO THE BRAKE BOOSTER.
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.
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.
TOYOTA IS RECALLING 27,080 MODEL YEAR 2005 THROUGH 2010 PASSENGER CARS BUILT FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 TO MAY 4, 2009. THESE VEHICLES WERE NOT EQUIPPED WITH LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS."
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY AND HYBRID VEHICLES, THE TWO RETAINING CLIPS FOR THE DRIVER'S SIDE FORWARD CENTER CONSOLE CAN BECOME LOOSE. IF BOTH CLIPS SEPARATE FROM THE FLOOR CARPET COVER, THE COVER MAY LEAN TOWARD THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, CAUSING INTERFERENCE WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ROD.
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES HAVE A CHILD PROTECTION LOCK (CPL) SYSTEM ON BOTH OF THE REAR SIDE DOORS. WHEN AN OPERATOR OF THE VEHICLE CLOSES THE DOOR VERY HARD WITH THE CPL LEVER SET TO THE LOCK POSITION, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE LEVER MAY CONTACT THE BODY PANEL, CAUSING THE CPL LEVER TO MOVE INTO THE UNLOCK POSITION.
ON SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THERE IS A BREATHER HOSE THAT ATTACHES TO THE NOZZLE OF THE ON-BOARD REFUELING VAPOR RECOVERY (ORVR) VALVE, WHICH IS LOCATED ON THE TOPSIDE OF THE FUEL TANK. THE BREATHER HOSE IS ATTACHED WITH A CLAMP, WHOSE "TABS" FACE IN THE UPWARD DIRECTION. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS CRASHED UNDER THE NEW CAR ASSESSMENT PROGRAM (NCAP) TEST (I.E., 35 MPH FRONTAL BARRIER CRASH), THE CLAMP "TABS" CONTACTED THE UNDERSIDE OF THE BODY DUE TO MOVEMENT OF THE FUEL TANK, CAUSING THE NOZZLE TO BREAK.
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FIVE FACTORY ALLOY WHEELS (MODEL 6934 AND 6936), WITH FACTORY LLAT, AND WITH PORT INSTALLED WR4, FOUR ALLOY WHEEL UPGRADE PROCESSED AT THE JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA PORT AND DISTRIBUTED BY SOUTHEAST TOYOTA DISTRIBUTORS IN THE STATES OF ALABAMA, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, NORTH AND SOUTH CAROLINA, WHEN THE VEHICLES WERE PROCESSED AT THE PORT, AN ALLOY TIRE/WHEEL UPGRADE WAS INSTALLED. THE UPGRADE INCLUDED 4 ALLOY WHEELS. THE ORIGINAL SPARE TIRE/ALLOY WHEEL WAS NOT CHANGED. THE SPARE TIRE REQUIRES THE USE OF A DIFFERENT STYLE OF WHEEL NUT TO ATTACH IT TO THE VEHICLE.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTIITY VEHICLES. THE RESERVOIR FILLER CAP OF THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER MAY INDUCE A VACUUM, INTRODUCING SOME AIR INTO THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER RESERVOIR. THIS COULD CAUSE ABNORMAL BRAKE NOISE AND INCREASED PEDAL STROKE WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2001-2007 Toyota Highlander problems?
The 2001-2007 Toyota Highlander has accumulated 2,085 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Brakes, Electrical System, Engine. As with any used vehicle, an inspection before buying and a vehicle history report are recommended.
Which Toyota Highlander engine is most reliable?
The 2001-2007 Toyota Highlander was offered with 6 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2.4L 4-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.
Is the 2001-2007 Toyota Highlander a good used car?
The 2001-2007 Toyota Highlander can be a sound used car depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 2,085 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2001-2007 Toyota Highlander have?
The 2001-2007 Toyota Highlander has 2,085 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.
What recalls affect the 2001-2007 Toyota Highlander?
There are 15 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2001-2007 Toyota Highlander vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN — check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.
What should I check before buying a used Toyota Highlander?
Before buying a used Toyota Highlander, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Brakes, Electrical System, Engine, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or title issues.
What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the Highlander?
The 2007 Toyota Highlander received an overall N/A-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: N/A stars. Side crash: N/A stars. Rollover: 4 stars (17.4% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: Standard. Forward Collision Warning: No. Lane Departure Warning: No. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 2,085 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-05-22.