2010 Toyota Highlander
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.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1997 | 1 |
| 1998 | 1 |
| 1999 | 0 |
| 2000 | 0 |
| 2001 | 137 |
| 2002 | 301 |
| 2003 | 258 |
| 2004 | 286 |
| 2005 | 224 |
| 2006 | 274 |
| 2007 | 123 |
| 2008 | 403 |
| 2009 | 134 |
| 2010 | 216 |
| 2011 | 181 |
| 2012 | 181 |
| 2013 | 205 |
| 2014 | 133 |
| 2015 | 186 |
| 2016 | 109 |
| 2017 | 260 |
| 2018 | 254 |
| 2019 | 463 |
| 2020 | 298 |
| 2021 | 471 |
| 2022 | 219 |
| 2023 | 162 |
| 2024 | 39 |
| 2025 | 7 |
| 2026 | 1 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
23% of complaints: electrical system — 50 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow 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
14% of complaints: visibility/wiper — 31 distinct reports on file.
12% of complaints: service brakes — 25 distinct reports on file.
CRASHShow 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
10% of complaints: steering — 21 distinct reports on file.
CRASH8% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 18 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Upper Steering Column Separation
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
WORST 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 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.