Most common 2010 Toyota Highlander Hybrid problems
Share of the 22 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Toyota Highlander Hybrid complaints by model year
Best Highlander Hybrid years: 2017, 2011, 2013. Years to avoid: 2021, 2010, 2006, 2008, 2007. Compare all years →
2010 Toyota Highlander Hybrid recalls (4)
Visibility › Power window devices and controls
Toyota Motor Company (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Tundra, Sequoia, Corolla, Corolla Matrix and Scion xB, 2008-2011 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2007 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2009 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2006-2011 RAV4, 2006-2010 Yaris, and 2009-2010 Scion xD and Pontiac Vibe vehicles.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the switch, applying a lubricant if no abnormality is found. If abnormality is found, the PWMS circuit board will be replaced, free of charge.
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.
Equipment › Other › Labels
Southeast Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 and 2010-2013 Toyota Tundra, 2010-2012 Rav4, 2012 Toyota Sequoia, 2010-2011 Toyota Corolla, 2010-2011 Toyota Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser, 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser, 2010-2013 Toyota Venza, 2010-2011…
Remedy: Southeast Toyota will notify owners and provide a corrected label with instructions concerning its installation. A small group of the affected vehicles will need additonal remedies which are still being developed.
Seats
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and…
Remedy: Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 3 possible defects involving the 2010 Toyota Highlander Hybrid:
Upper Steering Column Separation
On May 4, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE18-005 to investigate three allegations of steering column separation for Model Year (MY) 2008 through 2013 Toyota Highlander vehicles. Two (2) of the 3 complaints were received by ODI in April 2018 and occurred while the vehicle was in motion.
Steering Column Separation
On November 16, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened an Engineering Analysis (EA18-006) as an upgrade to a Preliminary Evaluation (PE18-005). The investigation focused on allegations of steering wheel separation from the lower steering column after using the tilt and/or telescoping mechanism.
Pedestrian alert sounds
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.
What 2010 Toyota Highlander Hybrid owners say
Brakes
I almost got in to an accident on 5/11/2018 due to the ABS system not stopping the vehicle while driving in I-95. I got a warning light on the dash as I was pressing the brakes, later the car did not wanted to stop, but it did not prevent me from hitting the other car. I press on the emergency brake and I was able to stop the car. Later, I took the car to get diagnose and put error codes c1391, ABS accumulator leak or malfunction. Contacted delray Toyota in delray beach, fl and they deny to do a recall when there is an extented warranty recall on camry and prius model line for the same problem. Called Toyota corp. And they are denying to do anything to fix the safety problem with this vehicle. They stated that since there were not enough buyers for this model, they will not cover or make a recall on safety for the public. …
I was driving to pick up my son when a brake malfunction warning light came on indicating a problem with ABS system. After picking up my son I went directly to the dealer and the found the problem was given by code c1391, a brake accumulator vacuum leak. Was told vehicle was unsafe to drive without repair, internal pressure loss could prevent car from stopping in a panic situation. Although it appears this is covered by warranty extension for some model years of Highlander, camry and prius, Toyota would not extend same courtesy to me, nor was dealer able to offer me a goodwill adjustment. Pump assembly and actuator assembly parts and repair cost about $5300.00. Vehicle was purchased new from the dealer, had all recommended and necessary maintenance at dealer on dealer schedule.
Engine & cooling
While driving down a road without warning one of the ignition coils failed causing the engine and the car to immediately stop in traffic. Fortunately, we were on a rural road and going less than 30 MPH, but on a freeway at speed we would have been in an extremely dangerous situation. The Highlander Hybrid unlike most cars will not run at all with an ignition coil failure. Thus, there is a risk of a sudden loss of power. The Toyota dealer was unable to offer any explanation other than thee things happen. The vehicle had only 80,000 miles, had been maintained by Toyota dealers on a regular basis and is five years old. I have been driving for 58 years and have never experienced an ignition coil failure.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact was driving approximately 20 MPH, during braking there was a delay in the response time. The failure occurred intermittently. The vehicle was able to continue in operation. Additionally, when in an idling position the vehicle would shake causing a jerking motion to occur. The authorized dealer was notified of the malfunctions which there were no resolutions. The vehicle had not been repaired at the time of the complaint. The failure mileage was 1,000.
Fuel & propulsion system
The Hybrid inverter failed when accelerating from a red light. A loud clunk was heard and the car would not move forward. The engine was still running but car would not accelerate and had to be pushed out of the road. "check Hybrid system" warning flashed. Car was towed to a dealer who confirmed that it was not covered by the warranty at 9 years, 117K miles (warranty is 8 years, 110K miles). The previous recalls for the Hybrid inverter had been completed ~3 years ago and so the recall also would not cover the repair. The quoted cost of the repair is ~$11K.
The inverter failed and the car stalled on a busy freeway (I-5) during a dark, rainy evening. The car could not make it all the way to the side of the shoulder and stopped partially blocking a lane. It was extremely dangerous and the driver, my wife, was lucky not to be injured.
2010 Toyota Highlander Hybrid engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.3L 6-cyl hybrid | CVT | AWD | 27 / 25 / 26 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2010 Toyota Highlander Hybrid a good car?
Based on 22 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2010 Highlander Hybrid rates use caution: 2.1× as many complaints as a typical year of the Highlander Hybrid at the same age. It is one of the Highlander Hybrid years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2010 Toyota Highlander Hybrid?
The brakes — 6 complaints, 27% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the engine & cooling (4) and fuel & propulsion system (3).
How many recalls does the 2010 Toyota Highlander Hybrid have?
There are 4 recalls for the 2010 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, the most recent from October 22, 2015 (power window devices and controls). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Toyota Highlander Hybrid?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2017, 2011 and 2013. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2021, 2010, 2006, 2008 and 2007. See the full Toyota Highlander Hybrid years comparison.
At what mileage do 2010 Toyota Highlander Hybrid problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 52,000 miles; 50% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.