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2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 110 complaints with NHTSA about the 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, most often about the brakes (37% of complaints, typically around 96,000 miles). It is the 3rd most complained-about Highlander Hybrid model year since 2000 and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid problems
Brakes
41 complaints · 37%Half of these problems showed up before 96,000 miles. Parts named most often: antilock.
Brakes become momentarily unresponsive when stopping. Car lurches forward and additional force is needed on pedal to regain control. Appears to happen when braking system switches over from regenerative to friction. Happens at various speeds when trying to stop.
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…
Electrical
28 complaints · 26%Half of these problems showed up before 115,500 miles.
Nhtsa action number : pe11005 exact same situation. This issue kills the car immediately with no time to prepare. I was very lucky as I was just entering onto the freeway. I drifted over to the right median. If I was in the middle or far left lane this would have been a major safety concern. There are more highlanders…
I was driving on i15 near lake elsinore on the way home from a trip and the car lost power on the freeway in rush hour and big rig traffic. We were lucky to roll off to the right and escape death by a 40 wheeler crash. The car was towed to Toyota carlsbad where all maintenance was performed per schedule since the car…
Speed control
15 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 86,000 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal.
While entering into a driveway at a very slow speed, I stepped on the brake to slow down further. But instead of braking, the car lunged forward. I felt I was not in control of the vehicle. I continued to hit the brakes, but the vehicle continued to go forward. It slammed into the car that was parked in the driveway…
First noticed on date above, but occurs at least once a week. When slowing down, and brakes are applied, if a bump, pothole, and traction is lost for a split second the brakes stop working and the car surges,coasts, disengage. Firm pressure on brakes is used to compensate for the loss of braking power. As a result…
Hybrid system
14 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 116,500 miles. Parts named most often: inverter.
The contact owns a 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 5 MPH the vehicle stalled. The check vsc warning and power steering warning lamps illuminated immediately after the failure occurred. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who diagnosed that the inverter was defective and needed to be…
The contact owns a 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. While driving various speeds, the vehicle stalled and "vehicle stability control" and "hybrid system" displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to hudson Toyota (599 nj-440, jersey city, new jersey) where it was diagnosed that the inverter was faulty.…
Engine
11 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 88,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine.
Car was parked in driveway and was stationary. Warming car up to get rid of frost on windshield. The car started on fire - total lost. 3 to 4 feet flames coming out of engine.
Driving on an interstate received a check hybrid light then the engine powered down and then shut down. Was able to pull off interstate without crashing. Had to have it towed to Toyota dealer where they said it was the ivs, inverter system, which overheated and shut engine down. The vehicle was recalled in 2014 for…
Stability control
10 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 129,000 miles.
While accelerating from a stoplight and driving in a 45mph zone, our 2007 Highlander Hybrid began to accelerate on its own. The engine revved as if someone were flooring the gas pedal. Neither my husband nor I knew what was happening. Then we heard a loud thud sound from the back seat and we lost power steering, power…
First noticed on date above, but occurs at least once a week. When slowing down, and brakes are applied, if a bump, pothole, and traction is lost for a split second the brakes stop working and the car surges,coasts, disengage. Firm pressure on brakes is used to compensate for the loss of braking power. As a result…
Fuel system
8 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 102,000 miles.
The gas tank fell partially off and dragged on the road. I was driving on city streets, turning right at 5 MPH when I heard a loud pop/snap sound and then a terrible sound of something dragging under the car. Fortunately, I could pull over and stop within 50 feet. The gas tank was not damaged significantly (it passed…
I was leaving my condo driving up hill when my car lost power and rolled backwards . I panicked didn't know what was happening and rolled into another car . I had to roll downhill and call aaa to tow to hooman Toyota long beach. Toyota knowingly sold a car with a defective hybrid system but want me to pay $8000 for…
Wheels and tires
5 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 28,000 miles. Parts named most often: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs.
While changing tires, one of the five right front wheel studs broke off. Inspection reveals a faulty void (air bubble) in the center of the stud where it broke off. I have that piece. I bought a new replacement stud and wheel nut from bighorn Toyota in glenwood springs, co. They will replace it for me in approximately…
After parking on an incline, in cold weather, with the emergency brake on, then starting up the car and driving slowly, the rear tires make a grinding noise. I have taken the car in to the dealer twice to address the issue, and they have completely replaced all the brake equipment and still the issue continues. They…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid recalls
Hybrid system: inverter
Risk: 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.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ipm free of charge. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331. Vehicles that had their ipm replaced under recall 11v-342 are not affected by this campaign.
Full defect summary
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.
Electrical: electrical system
Risk: 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.
Fix: Toyota/lexus mailed an interim owner notification on july 19, 2011 to advise owners of this recall and the fact that they will receive a future notice when parts become available to complete repairs. Toyota dealers will inspect the hybrid inverter production number to determine whether the inverter contains suspect transistors and replace the module free of charge. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Pedestrian alert sounds
Summary
Nhtsa received a petition on or about july 18, 2022, requesting that federal motor vehicle safety standard (fmvss) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the united states. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under odi number 11486072. Fmvss 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 kg or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after march 1, 2021.on january 27, 2023, NHTSA opened defect petition (dp) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matt
Hybrid inverter failure - vehicle stall
Summary
In a june 29, 2011 letter to NHTSA, toyota submitted a defect information report regarding a safety recall of certain toyota highlander hybrid and lexus rx400h vehicles to address a defect condition with the hybrid inverter assembly (NHTSA recall no. 11v-342).toyota's letter identified a defect related to inadequately soldered transistors on the intelligent power module (ipm) of some of the subject vehicles that could result in sudden loss of power while driving.toyota's remedy procedure instructs dealers to inspect the hybrid inverter production number to determine if the inverter contains suspect transistors.if so, the dealer will replace the ipm.the recall covers approximately 45,528 mode
Questions about the 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
- What are the most common problems with the 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: brakes (41 complaints, typically around 96,000 miles); electrical (28 complaints, typically around 115,500 miles); speed control (15 complaints, typically around 86,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid have?
- 2 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from September 4, 2013 (hybrid system). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2007 a bad year for the Toyota Highlander Hybrid?
- It is the 3rd most complained-about Highlander Hybrid model year since 2000, with 110 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.