2007 Toyota Highlander problems, complaints & recalls

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 30 complaints with NHTSA about the 2007 Toyota Highlander, most often about brakes. There are 4 recalls for this model year.

Complaints
30
Recalls
4
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Median mileage
159,000 mi
at time of problem

Key facts

  • Brakes is the most-reported problem area, named in 18 of 30 complaints (60%).
  • Electrical System (6) and driver assistance & safety tech (3) follow.
  • Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 159,000 mi.
  • The 2007 Toyota Highlander has 4 recalls on file.
  • It ranks 20th of 22 Toyota Highlander model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
  • That is 55% fewer complaints than the 2006 model year (66).

2007 Toyota Highlander problems by category

  • Brakes
    18 complaints
  • Electrical System
    6 complaints
  • Other / Unknown
    5 complaints
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
    3 complaints
  • Steering
    2 complaints
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    2 complaints
  • Engine
    2 complaints
  • Seats & Seat Belts
    1 complaints
  • Acceleration & Cruise Control
    1 complaints
  • Wheels & Tires
    1 complaints

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)Complaints
Service brakes18
Unknown or other5
Electrical system4
Electrical system:instrument panel:speedometer/odometer2
Steering2
Fuel/propulsion system2
Electronic stability control (esc)2
Engine2

When problems happen (mileage)

Under 10k10k–30k30k–60k160k–100k5100k–150k10150k+
Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2007 Toyota Highlander complaints that list mileage.

2007 Toyota Highlander recalls (4)

  • Recall 16V396000Jun 2, 20167,749 vehicles
    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.

    Remedy: 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.

  • Recall 14V743000Nov 19, 20143,233 vehicles
    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.

    Remedy: 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.

  • Recall 10V035000Feb 3, 2010271,417 vehicles
    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.

    Remedy: 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.

  • Recall 10V036000Feb 3, 2010153,418 vehicles
    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.

    Remedy: 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.

Recent 2007 Toyota Highlander complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

  1. Filed Oct 5, 2026COBrakes
    The brake actuator for the hybrid system has failed. My vehicle brake pedal is difficult do depress and unsafe to drive. This is a known issue with other Toyota hybrids that have been recalled but for some reason the highlander is not recalled even though it uses the same problem part as the recalled vehicles. The replacement part and repair is typically more than value of the car and it being a safety issue with brake system caused by a known faulty component Toyota should…
    NHTSA complaint #11769016 · source
  2. Filed Sep 22, 2025299,150 miWAElectrical System
    Odometer Fraud. The contact owns a 2007 Toyota Highlander. The vehicle was purchased from a private seller on Facebook Marketplace on 9/3/2025. The mileage at the time of purchase was 129,950. The contact wanted a larger vehicle and called another dealer on Facebook Marketplace to trade the vehicle and was provided the most recent mileage recorded for the vehicle on November 17, 2021, at 262,597 miles. The dealer informed the contact that the VIN was recorded to have over…
    NHTSA complaint #11688863 · source
  3. Filed Jul 4, 2025VABrakesElectrical System
    2007 hybrid abs brake actuator problem. The primer motor continues to run to prime the pump even when car if off. The humming noise changes when you press on the brakes to load knocking groaning noises. No dash warning signs. I bought this car used and it has always made the humming noise since i bought it. I thought this was normal for a hybrid. Sometimes brake pedal would push easily to floor, but then get tighter. I would hear the knocking grinding noise. No warning…
    NHTSA complaint #11671239 · source
  4. Filed May 29, 2025NYBrakesAcceleration & Cruise ControlSteering
    My vehicle about a year ago started to display the dash lights for the VSC, ABS, and Emergency Brake however there was no indication from the feel of the brakes as they were applied, or any indication that something was wrong with the vehicle. I had my brakes replaced on my rear tires, and for a time the lights went off. In April of 2025, the lights came back on however this time there was a distinct feeling that the brakes weren't working. I had the calipers, pads, rotors,…
    NHTSA complaint #11663740 · source
  5. Filed Apr 10, 2025240,126 miSCElectrical System
    Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2007 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 116,000, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 240,126. The contact also stated that the seller had crossed out the mileage and penned in "EXEMPT" on the tile. Local authorities were…
    NHTSA complaint #11653924 · source
  6. Filed May 25, 2024GABrakesElectrical SystemSeats & Seat Belts
    Subject: Urgent Safety Concern - Recurring Issues with Toyota Highlander Hybrid Models Dear National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, We owned the car since almost new, after repeated attempts with Toyota, like others 300K customers from their own site, I am writing to file a formal complaint regarding persistent safety issues with Toyota Highlander Hybrid models, specifically between the years 2004 and 2007. Despite previous reports and numerous attempts to seek…
    NHTSA complaint #11590708 · source
  7. Filed Mar 31, 2023MDWheels & Tires
    Only six months after installation as a set of 4 new tires at Sam's Club in May 2021, multiple cracks start to develop around the rims on both inside and outside of the tires. With time, the cracks grow in size. This happens on two tires, one is on the front passage side, and the other on the rear driver side.
    NHTSA complaint #11514815 · source
  8. Filed Jan 9, 2023CABrakes
    While driving a vehicle came across me and when i pressed on the brake hard, the car would stop normally, and ABS, brake, VSC came on the display along with a high pitch sound. I quickly reacted by pressing the E-Brake and shift to B - braking mode to be able to stop or slow down. The dealer said it was the Brake actuator that failed and its out of warrant, there was an enhancement warrant program that was issued by Toyota but expired. I feel the safety of people and…
    NHTSA complaint #11500828 · source

Compare the 2007 Toyota Highlander with another vehicle →

Other 2007 Toyota models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 11, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology