2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid 4-DR. w/SAB

Overall

Not Rated

Front Crash

Not Rated

Side Crash

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

Campaign: 11V342000

HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM: INVERTER

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.

Campaign: 13V396000

ELECTRICAL 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 150,000 miles over 4 years before the purchase. The contact reached out to the owner who sold the vehicle to the private seller who the contact purchased the vehicle from, and it was confirmed that on July 27, 2025, the vehicle was sold at 299,150 miles. The contact had not reported to any other agencies but had planned to.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES

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 LIGHTS, HAD BRAKES CHECKED AND THEY ARE GOOD. THOUGHT MAYBE AIR IN LINE. THIS NOISE AND LOOSE PEDAL STARTED ABOUT 1 YEAR AGO. 6/2024 IT DID NOT HAPPEN ALL THE TIME. I ALSO HAVE A COMPANY CAR, SO I DO NOT DRIVE THE TOYOTA HIGHLANDER THAT OFTEN. NOW I CANNOT DRIVE IT AT ALL. FOR FEAR THAT THE BRAKES WOULD GO OUT. I STARTED LOOKING FURTHER ONLINE ON INFORMATION REGARDING THIS. IT SEEMS TOYOTA AND LEXUS RX 300 HYBRIDS (SAME PART MODEL NUMBER) 44510-48060 ARE ALL DOING THIS. I LOOKED UP RECALL'S AND NOTHING FOR ABS HYBRID PROBLEMS. JUST LAST WEEK ALL WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON IN MY CAR BRAKE VSC. READING ALL THE PROBLEMS WITH THIS ABS ACTUATOR PUMP, THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED. 6/2025 PER ONLINE, IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH TOYOTA IN THE HYBRID MODELS. ALL OF THESE UNITS WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED, ONLY A MATTER OF TIME. USUALLY TOYOTA'S RUN UP TO AND OVERR 300K MILES. I PLANNED ON KEEPING MINE AROUND. BUT IT IS A 2007 WITH 189K MILES ON IT. I AM NOT SURE I WANT TO INVEST $2000.00 ON JUST A PART FOR A CAR THIS OLD! JUNK YARDS SELL USED ONES FOR $800+. SAME MODEL NUMBER AND ONLY IN TIME THAT WILL FAIL. APPARENTLY TOYOTA HAS ISSUED A NEW MODEL NUMBER 44510-48061. THERE IS ALSO ANOTHER NEW MODEL 44050-48191. THE REPLACEMENT PART (NO LABOR) VARIES IN PRICE 44510-48060 NEW $1200.00, 44510-48061 $1350.00, 44050-48191 $2000.00

STEERING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES

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, and a tube replaced, however the lights are still on, and the vehicle now violently shakes after reaching speeds of 45 mph (mirroring the complaints from the following site: [XXX] ). Toyota has refused to acknowledge this and put consumers out thousands of dollars. This is clearly something toyota needs to honor. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

ELECTRICAL 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 notified.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SEAT BELTS,SERVICE BRAKES

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 assistance from Toyota, the response has been unsatisfactory, with the company deflecting responsibility rather than providing a resolution. **Vehicle Information:** - Make: Toyota - Model: Highlander Hybrid - Year: 2007 - VIN: [XXX] **Description of the Issue:** 1) The primary concerns involve the hybrid a) BRAKE actuators failing/loosing braking power 2) the electrical inverters, which have shown a pattern of failure across many vehicles, including my own. 3) Leaky blow back from engine into intake. 4) Seat belts are not properly retracting, These failures could compromise the safety of the vehicle but also risk to the driver, passengers, and others on the road. **Previous Reports:** I have previously reported these issues to Toyota, but the attempts to resolve the matter have been met with deflection of blame. It is imperative to note that these issues are not isolated incidents but are widely reported by other owners of the same model. **Impact on Safety:** The malfunctioning of critical components such as the braking system has led to near-miss incidents that could have resulted in severe injuries or fatalities. It is unacceptable for such critical safety issues to remain unaddressed. **Request for Action:** I urge the NHTSA to investigate these reports thoroughly and take appropriate action to hold Toyota and its CEO accountable. The safety of countless drivers and the integrity of our transportation system depend on your prompt attention to this matter. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR

The contact owns a 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a drained battery. The dealer determined that the battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with an ABS actuator malfunction, and the ABS actuator was replaced. The failure recurred and the ABS actuator was replaced a second time. The contact stated that the brake pedal needed to be depressed multiple times for the brakes to respond as needed. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed with ABS actuator malfunction for the third time. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 96,153.

TIRES,WHEELS

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.

SERVICE BRAKES

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 property that this should've been a recall knowingly it can go out anytime. Contacted Toyota Corp. and they said this would be an out of pocket cost to the consumer which is around $3000. The manufacturer knew this could go out at any moment and should've made the RECALL instead. during the enhancement warranty program they would not replace it since it was still functioning.

ENGINE

The VTT - I oil line leaks oil may burst

SERVICE BRAKES

Driving at about 50 mph on two lane road, the VSC and ABS lights come on with a little chime warning, along with some other warnings. Check VSC is also in the small screen instead of the odometer. Toyota knows about ABS actuator issues on this vehicle, but Toyota did not extend the warranty beyond 150k miles and 10 years. This could be a safety issue with the ABS, VSC and brakes. Toyota published a "Warranty Enhancement Program - ZG1" on April 19, 2016, but only to dealers. After the initial warranty period, I've used independent repair shops, so I didn't get any notice. I did get other recall notices from Toyota on this vehicle and had them repaired by the dealer. Toyota should be more accountable for brake issues that could be safety related.