Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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 and caused major damage. It also shoved the car into their garage, split the frame in half and ripped off brick from their home. The surface was slippery with wet leaves and there was a slight incline going up the driveway, but I just had brand new top of the line winter tires put on and I was probably only going 5 MPH. It did not make any sense. From reading the forums on line, I believe this is a major defect with the Hybrid and Toyota is not doing anything about it. They need to do a recall. Lives are at stake. Thank god no one was hurt, but it could have been fatal.
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 a pressure test at the dealership). The gas tank is attached with two straps, fore and aft. The right sides of both straps snapped very close to where the straps are bolted to the main body in a place that could not have possibly been damaged. The flat bed truck driver who delivered the vehicle to berkeley Toyota noted that there were no signs that the vehicle had been abused in any way. He also argued that had this happened on the freeway at high speed, it could have been quite dangerous.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. While driving approximately 50 MPH, the engine stalled, the vehicle shut off, and the check Hybrid indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the Hybrid inverter malfunctioned. The Hybrid system needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact back to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000. The VIN was not provided.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. While driving approximately 5 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 13V396000 (Hybrid propulsion system); however, the remedy was insufficient. The vehicle was repaired for the second time by the dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 112,000.
Check engine light came on yesterday while driving. We were told this morning that we must replace the fuel system charcoal canister. This item is under recall for many Toyota vehicles 2006-2015, but they did not tell me that it is covered on mine. He said there is a crack and when they replace the canister they need to replace the fuel containment valve as well. Can you please confirm if my vehicle is covered under the recall? My vehicle is acting perfectly fine.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact spoke with the manufacturer regarding NHTSA campaign number: 13V396000 (Hybrid propulsion system). Even though the vehicle was made between 2/16/05 and 7/29/10, the contact was informed that the VIN was not included and the vehicle would not be repaired. The contact experienced the failure listed in the recall twice. The failure mileage was 128,000.
Tl* 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. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 119,000.
Received temperature warning for Hybrid system while driving on highway and pulled over. Vehicle locked up after pulling over, made very loud noise and could not drive. Towed to dealer and was told that the Hybrid inverter assembly failed and requires replacement. There is a recall for defect in this assembly on my model year, but my VIN is not included in the current recall.
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 repair .never was informed about recall.
Driving on the interstate at 55 MPH the car, without warning, died. No power, lights, brakes, steering, nothing worked. At side of road tried to restart. All warning lights came on, would not restart, everything then went dead. Car was towed to dealer. It was claimed to be a coil pack, however upon further investigation, I found out it was actually the power inverter that converts 12vdc to ac to power the electric motors on the car. When the inverter shorted out, it killed the entire electric battery system, the Hybrid batteries and the gas engine battery causing all systems to shut down. The car is a death trap. Toyota knew this would happen when they sold me the car and did not tell me. I found out that this has happened to hundreds of Highlander Hybrid owners, mostly 2006, 2007 and some 2008. If the car is over 7 year/100,000 warranty Toyota will not fix it. …
Related recalls
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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA investigations
Hybrid inverter failure - vehicle stall
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.
Fuel System complaints in other Highlander Hybrid years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, 20% of the model year's 110 complaints. The component named most often is inverter (12 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid fuel system problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 13V-396 (inverter, Sep 4, 2013). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 114,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to fuel & propulsion system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.