MYRModel Year Report

2010 Toyota Highlander

● Typical for this model
2010 Toyota Highlander
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
216
Recalls
10

Campaigns on file for 2010

Investigations
2

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Electrical system

25% of complaints

Complaints per year

1997: 1 complaint 1997 1998: 1 complaint 1999: 0 complaints 2000: 0 complaints 2001: 137 complaints 2001 2002: 301 complaints 2003: 258 complaints 2004: 286 complaints 2005: 224 complaints 2005 2006: 278 complaints 2007: 124 complaints 2008: 403 complaints 2009: 134 complaints 2010: 216 complaints 2010 216 2011: 181 complaints 2012: 182 complaints 2013: 207 complaints 2014: 136 complaints 2015: 192 complaints 2016: 111 complaints 2017: 269 complaints 2017 2018: 267 complaints 2019: 490 complaints 2020: 317 complaints 2021: 527 complaints 2021 2022: 257 complaints 2023: 181 complaints 2024: 42 complaints 2025: 9 complaints 2025 2026: 1 complaint
1997: 1 complaint 1997 1998: 1 complaint 1999: 0 complaints 1999 2000: 0 complaints 2001: 137 complaints 2001 2002: 301 complaints 2003: 258 complaints 2003 2004: 286 complaints 2005: 224 complaints 2005 2006: 278 complaints 2007: 124 complaints 2007 2008: 403 complaints 2009: 134 complaints 2010: 216 complaints 2010 216 2011: 181 complaints 2012: 182 complaints 2013: 207 complaints 2013 2014: 136 complaints 2015: 192 complaints 2015 2016: 111 complaints 2017: 269 complaints 2017 2018: 267 complaints 2019: 490 complaints 2019 2020: 317 complaints 2021: 527 complaints 2021 2022: 257 complaints 2023: 181 complaints 2023 2024: 42 complaints 2025: 9 complaints 2025 2026: 1 complaint
1997: 1 complaint 1997 1998: 1 complaint 1999: 0 complaints 1999 2000: 0 complaints 2001: 137 complaints 2001 2002: 301 complaints 2003: 258 complaints 2003 2004: 286 complaints 2005: 224 complaints 2005 2006: 278 complaints 2007: 124 complaints 2007 2008: 403 complaints 2009: 134 complaints 2010: 216 complaints 2010 216 2011: 181 complaints 2012: 182 complaints 2013: 207 complaints 2013 2014: 136 complaints 2015: 192 complaints 2015 2016: 111 complaints 2017: 269 complaints 2017 2018: 267 complaints 2019: 490 complaints 2019 2020: 317 complaints 2021: 527 complaints 2021 2022: 257 complaints 2023: 181 complaints 2023 2024: 42 complaints 2025: 9 complaints 2025 2026: 1 complaint

2010: 216 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19971
19981
19990
20000
2001137
2002301
2003258
2004286
2005224
2006278
2007124
2008403
2009134
2010216
2011181
2012182
2013207
2014136
2015192
2016111
2017269
2018267
2019490
2020317
2021527
2022257
2023181
202442
20259
20261

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Electrical system

25% · 54 reports

Most commonly citing 12v/24v/48v battery and alternator/generator/regulator.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

When applying the brake slowly all of a sudden the car went full acceleration and crashed 500ft away at high speed. The car is crashed but available for inspection for a short period of time until the insurance company takes full posession.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-03-05

Also filed under Vehicle speed control

Visibility/wiper

14% · 31 reports

Service brakes

14% · 30 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and electric.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

When traveling a slow speeds (less than 15 mph) and needing to stop, the brakes are pressed but do not respond.

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-01-17

I'd stopped on the residential street to let a car pass. After the car passed, I attempted to pull up along the curb to park, but the car accelerated and crashed into a tree. The brakes did not respond and the steering did not seem to respond.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-04-27

Also filed under Vehicle speed control

As I was driving traffic came to a sudden stop. I applied the brakes hard, however was not able to stop before hitting the vehicle in front of me.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-08-03

Vehicle speed control

10% · 22 reports

Most commonly citing accelerator pedal.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Driver backed out of an end parking space (Nose in, curb in front and on right). Driver felt wheel (Right side) go over curb (Turned too quickly). Driver stopped, shifted to drive (Forward) to get off the curb.

NHTSA ODI report, 2010-12-13

Tl*the contact owns a 2010 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated while sitting idle in a parking space, the vehicle abnormally accelerated without driver intent.

NHTSA ODI report, 2010-04-20

Steering

10% · 21 reports
CRASH

Safety timeline

10 recalls · 2 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2010-02-05Vehicle speed control10V017000 Toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 Avalon, model year 2007-2010 Camry, model year 2009-2010 Corolla, Corolla Matrix, RAV4, model year 2010 Highlander, model year 2008-2010 Sequoia, and…

    Remedy: Dealers will install a reinforcement bar in the accelerator pedal which will allow the pedal to operate smoothly. GM will notify owners for the Pontiac vibe please see 10V-018. This service will…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    2010-03-30Vehicle speed control10V023000 Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Highlander, model year 2009-2010 Corolla, Venza and Matrix passenger vehicles. The accelerator pedal can get stuck in the wide open position due to…

    Remedy: Toyota will modify or replace the accelerator pedals on the subject vehicles. Floor surface modifications are also being considered and will be included for any model for which it is deemed…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2010-05-27Equipment10V036000 Southeast Toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 passenger vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 110, "Tire selection and rims."

    Remedy: Dealers will mail to consumers the corrected label or the customer will have the option for dealers to install the label free of charge. The safety recall began on May 27, 2010. Owners may contact…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2010-05-27Equipment10V035000 Gulf States Toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 110, "Tire selection and rims." These…

    Remedy: Dealers will mail to consumers the corrected label or the customer will have the option for dealers to install the label free of charge. Dealers will also correct the owner's manual. The safety…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2013-03-21Air bags, seats13V014000 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…

    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. Owners may…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2013-05-28Equipment13V123000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2014-10-27Air bags14V168000 Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006-2008 RAV4, 2006-2010 Yaris, 2008-2010 Highlander, and 2009-2010 Tacoma, Corolla, Corolla Matrix and General Motors Pontiac Vibe vehicles.

    Remedy: Toyota will notify the Toyota vehicle owners, and General Motors will notify the Pontiac Vibe owners. Toyota sent owners an interim notification letter in May 2014 to advise owners of the recall.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    2015-01-29Seats14V743000 Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Prius and Corolla, 2009-2011 Venza, 2006-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2005-2011 Sienna and Sequoia, 2006-2011 Tacoma 4x2 and 4x4, Camry, Highlander, Tundra 4x2...

    Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the heaters with copper strand heating elements and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory, free of charge. The recall is expected to began in January 2015.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. R
    2015-11-25Visibility15V689000 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,...

    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. The recall is expected to begin December 20, 2015.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  10. R
    2016-07-14Seats16V396000 Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser,...

    Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  11. I
    2018-05-04Preliminary evaluationClosed 2018-11-20 Upper Steering Column Separation
  12. I
    2018-11-16Engineering analysisClosed 2024-04-02 Steering Column Separation

Buy-smart checklist

2010 Toyota Highlander — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Electrical system: 54 reports on file for this year.
  • Visibility/wiper: 31 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 30 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 10V017000 · Vehicle speed control
  • Recall 10V023000 · Vehicle speed control
  • Recall 10V036000 · Equipment
  • Recall 10V035000 · Equipment
  • Recall 13V014000 · Air bags, seats
  • Recall 13V123000 · Equipment
  • Recall 14V168000 · Air bags
  • Recall 14V743000 · Seats
  • Recall 15V689000 · Visibility
  • Recall 16V396000 · Seats
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2010 Toyota Highlander reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2010 Toyota Highlander is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2010 Toyota Highlander?
The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 25% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2010 Toyota Highlander have?
10 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.