2010 Toyota Highlander Hybrid problems
Owners have filed 26 complaints with NHTSA about the 2010 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. Brakes is the most reported problem area, at 23% of complaints. After that come engine (15%) and electrical system (8%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 26 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Brakes 23% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 1 and 0
- Injuries and deaths
- 1 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 35,000 miles 23 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 7 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 5 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 1 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 4 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 3 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 2 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 1 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 0 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 0 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Among the 23 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 35,000 miles.
Safety-related details: 1 complaint mentions a crash; 1 injury reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2010 ranks 5th most-complained-about out of 5 model years of the Toyota Highlander Hybrid with enough data (18 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 4 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Accelerator moved to full speed as backing up began. Auto plowed 110 feet full speed through plants and trees, coming to a stop by some trees. Car was parked on private driveway. Driver slightly injured. Rear end car damage is $6,000+.
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.
Hybird system overrides all wheel drive system when tires slip disabling the system, in effect rendering it nonfunctional, so that the generator is not damaged. Combustion engine will not turn on and when you hit gas nothing happens. I had to be towed out. Service quoted after examining "did experience concern trac/vcs cuts power to wheel when slippage occurs. Unfortunatly, there is no way to disable this.
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).