2010 Toyota Highlander

● Typical for this model
2010 Toyota Highlander
BUILT 2026-08-02

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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Toyota Highlander Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2010 highlighted. 1997: 1 complaints 1997 1998: 1 complaints 1999: 0 complaints 2000: 0 complaints 2001: 137 complaints 2001 2002: 301 complaints 2003: 258 complaints 2004: 286 complaints 2005: 224 complaints 2005 2006: 274 complaints 2007: 123 complaints 2008: 403 complaints 2009: 134 complaints 2009 2010: 216 complaints 2010 2011: 181 complaints 2012: 181 complaints 2013: 205 complaints 2013 2014: 133 complaints 2015: 186 complaints 2016: 109 complaints 2017: 260 complaints 2017 2018: 254 complaints 2019: 463 complaints 2020: 298 complaints 2021: 471 complaints 2021 2022: 219 complaints 2023: 162 complaints 2024: 39 complaints 2025: 7 complaints 2025 2026: 1 complaints 2026
2010: 216 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19971
19981
19990
20000
2001137
2002301
2003258
2004286
2005224
2006274
2007123
2008403
2009134
2010216
2011181
2012181
2013205
2014133
2015186
2016109
2017260
2018254
2019463
2020298
2021471
2022219
2023162
202439
20257
20261

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 23%

23% of complaints: electrical system — 50 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
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, 20260305

VISIBILITY/WIPER 14%

14% of complaints: visibility/wiper — 31 distinct reports on file.

SERVICE BRAKES 12%

12% of complaints: service brakes — 25 distinct reports on file.

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, 20240117

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, 20130427

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, 20120803

STEERING 10%

10% of complaints: steering — 21 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 8%

8% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 18 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
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, 20260305

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, 20130427

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, 20101213

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20100205 — vehicle speed control

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 M

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 BE

Campaign 10V017000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20100330 — vehicle speed control

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 IT

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 APPROPRIAT

Campaign 10V023000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20100527 — equipment

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 S

Campaign 10V036000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20100527 — equipment

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 VE

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 RECAL

Campaign 10V035000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20130321 — air bags, 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, an

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 contac

Campaign 13V014000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20130528 — equipment

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 Toy

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 be

Campaign 13V123000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20141027 — air bags

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.

Campaign 14V168000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20150129 — seats

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.

Campaign 14V743000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20151125 — visibility

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.

Campaign 15V689000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20160714 — seats

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.

Campaign 16V396000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20180504 — PE (closed 20181120)

Upper Steering Column Separation

I 20181116 — EA (closed 20240402)

Steering Column Separation

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2010 Toyota Highlander — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (50 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for visibility/wiper issues (31 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (25 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 10V017000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 10V023000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 10V036000 (equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 10V035000 (equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 13V014000 (air bags, seats) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 13V123000 (equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 14V168000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 14V743000 (seats) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 15V689000 (visibility) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 16V396000 (seats) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2024 ▲ 2016 ▲ 2007

WORST YEARS

■ 2021 ■ 2019 ◆ 2008

See all years ranked →

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 23% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2010 Toyota Highlander have?

10 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.