Electrical complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
ABS light on with warning, brakes performing poorly. The ABS actuator assembly and break pump failed requiring replacement with a cost of over $3764 in repairs. The Toyota camry Hybrid had millions of recalls for the ABS actuator but the Highlander Hybrid was currently not on recall. I own a 2000 Toyota 4 runner with over 200,000 miles and never had an ABS issue. This car is only 6 years old and shouldn't require this problem so early.
Depressed accelerator after being stopped at traffic light. Car jerked forward, stopped and would not restart. Warning messages for the Hybrid system (message was 'stop immediately and notify dealer'), brake system and 4 wheel drive. Car was towed to dealer who determined it was failure of Hybrid inverter requiring complete replacement. I'm concerned because this sound similar to issues reported for 2006 and 2007 Highlander models.
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated that it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 92,000, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 212,000.
My car has the same problem as described here and in many places online and Toyota refused to include my vehicle for recall. The problem as described by NHTSA as follows report receipt date: sep 04, 2013 NHTSA campaign number: 13V396000 component(s): Hybrid propulsion system all products associated with this recall expand details close 12 associated documents expand manufacturer: Toyota motor engineering & manufacturing 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. …
I replaced my brakes after several warning lights and codes kept popping up on my dash. Had the rotors turned. But when I returned to driving my car after I thought it was fixed the brakes would all of a sudden just go out the hydraulic part would go completely to the floor. The car would make a high pitched noise and then no brakes. Took it to Toyota in clinton tn. Said my ABS brake actuator was failing. Would cost me 2200 dollars to fix. This certain part on your car is supposed to last you a lifetime. I dont have money like that now it was take me a lifetime to save up for the repairs. Very scary. This would happen to me randomly as I was driving no matter where or how far the trip I was taking. Didn't know if I was going to be able to make it home sometimes. You just never knew when. Sometimes it would be fine and others it would be absolutely scary.
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 bad soldering in the ivs system. Car has only 72,000 miles on it, but over 8 years on warranty. So I am waiting on Toyota to decide if they are going to assume responsibility for $9,500 repair. I am now aware of lawsuits and complaints on the inverter system of the Hybrid Highlander.
While driving home from work in normal free-flowing traffic conditions on the freeway, several lights came on the dash indicating brake issues including vsc, ABS, skid, parking brake light. Continued to cautiously drive home, brakes seemed OK. Had our non-dealer mechanic look at the brakes all were fine and had recently been replaced. He could not find a brake issue. Took to the local Toyota dealer and one code came up c1391 "abnormal leak in accumulator" and was told I needed a new brake actuator at the cost of $3273.00. Diagnostic cost $138.00. Additional information on diagnostic paperwork from dealer says, "check for DTC's found c1391, check for fluid leaks, could not find leaks, check accumulator pressure voltage (3.5 v), depressed pedal 4-5 times accumulator pressure drops below 3.0 v, recommend replace brake/ABS actuator". …
On 12/02/13 the brake light and vcs system light came on. The warning light also went on and a beep noise inside the cabin, brakes does not function (breaks not responding). I took the car to an authorized Toyota dealership. According to the dealer codes (c1241 low or high power supply voltage, c1256 accumulator low pressure, and c1391 abnormal leak in accumulator) must be replaced the actuator assy, b part no. 4405048190. Actuator was replaced on 12/28/13 at $1,495 with tax for $ 1,600 and labor cost of $333.84. Ust be replaced. On 05/25/15 again the brake light and vcs system light came on. The warning light also went on and a beep noise inside the cabin, brakes does not function (no break). I took the car to an authorized Toyota dealership for a diagnostic and I pay $64.20. Again they mentioned that for a second time the actuator assy, b part no. 4405048190 needs a replacement. …
Related recalls (1)
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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA investigations
Unintended and Uncontrolled Acceleration
On February 16, 2010, NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened RQ10-003 to determine whether the scope of prior Toyota recalls relating to potential unintended acceleration were sufficiently broad, including, among others, Toyota recalls 07E-082, 09V-388, 10V-017, and 10V-023.NHTSA also requested information regarding potential electronic causes of unintended acceleration in Toyota and Lexus vehicles.I.
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.
Power Window Master Switch Fire
ODI has identified certain Toyota vehicles experiencing a higher rate of fire and thermal event incidents among all Toyota vehicles that use the same power window master switch design.They include a total of approximately 1.4 million model year (MY) 2007 through 2009 Camry, Camry Hybrid, RAV4 and Yaris vehicles built from approximately September 2006 through August 2008, as well as all MY 2008 Highlander Hybrid…
Power Window Master Switch Fire
On October 10, 2012, Toyota initiated a safety recall of approximately 2.5 million U.S. vehicles involving the following models and model years:2007-2009 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2009 Corolla and Corolla Matrix, 2008 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2007-2009 RAV4, 2008-2009 Scion xB and xD, 2008-2009 Sequoia, 2007-2008 Tundra, 2007-2008 Yaris, and 2009 Pontiac Vibe.See NHTSA recall number 12V-491 for more details,…
Frequently asked questions
Which Toyota Highlander Hybrid years have electrical problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2006 (74), 2008 (35) and 2007 (28) model years. Electrical complaints make up 20% of all complaints for the 2006.
Is there a recall for Toyota Highlander Hybrid electrical problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 11V-342 (electrical system, Jun 29, 2011). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Toyota Highlander Hybrid electrical problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 113,000 miles; 15% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the 12v/24v/48v battery (3 mentions), followed by the ignition › anti-theft › control module (1).
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.