U.S. public vehicle records

2009 Toyota HIGHLANDER HYBRID problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

40 owner complaints analyzed

4 distinct recall campaigns

63,100 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2009 model year. Data updated: 2026-10-01 (October 1, 2026). 34 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Service Brakes is the most frequently named component, appearing in 17 of 40 complaints (42.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic	Matching reports	Share of complaints
Braking behavior	32	80.0%
Electrical and battery issues	4	10.0%
Engine operation	3	7.5%
Steering behavior	1	2.5%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Service Brakes

Service Brakes, Electric

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Engine

Electrical System

Fuel/Propulsion System

Hybrid Propulsion System: Inverter

Tires

Service Brakes: 17; Service Brakes, Electric: 7; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 5; Engine: 4; Electrical System: 2; Fuel/Propulsion System: 2; Hybrid Propulsion System: Inverter: 2; Tires: 2

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000

25,000 to 49,999

50,000 to 74,999

75,000 to 99,999

100,000 to 149,999

150,000 and above

Under 25,000: 13; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 7; 150,000 and above: 5

Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (13). 6 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2010

2011

2012

2013

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2010: 16; 2011: 1; 2012: 1; 2013: 4; 2015: 2; 2016: 5; 2017: 4; 2018: 3; 2019: 4

Pattern summary

Service Brakes leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 32 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 4 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10303845 · 2010-02-02 (February 2, 2010)

BRAKES FADE FOR A BRIEF MOMENT -- PERHAPS HALF OF A SECOND -- AND THEN COME BACK. ALTHOUGH THE BRAKES ARE BEING APPLIED CONSISTENTLY THROUGHOUT, THE SENSATION IS AS IF THE DRIVER WERE EASING OFF THE BRAKE AND THEN COMING BACK ON WITH MORE PRESSURE. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 8,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10303845 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10305276 · 2010-02-04 (February 4, 2010)

I OWN A 2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID, PURCHASED NEW IN AUG. 2009. I HAVE EXPERIENCED A FEW INCIDENTS RELATED TO BRAKING THAT ARE SIMILAR TO WHAT'S BEING DESCRIBED BY PRIUS OWNERS. ON CERTAIN ROAD SURFACES/CONDITIONS, I HAVE FELT WHAT I WOULD DESCRIBE AS A PAUSE IN THE BRAKING SYSTEM. IT'S ALMOST LIKE A SLIDING SENSATION ON ICE, EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE IS NOT SLIDING. THE DURATION IS FOR PROBABLY LESS THAN A SECOND IN DURATION, BUT ENOUGH TO GET THE ATTENTION OF THE DRIVER. IT HAS HAPPENED ONLY IN ISOLATED CIRCUMSTANCES, AND THE MAJORITY OF THE…

Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10305276 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10307746 · 2010-02-09 (February 9, 2010)

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN BRAKING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE BRAKE WOULD RELEASE ON ITS OWN AT A DISTANCE; HOWEVER, WHEN HIS SPEED INCREASED THE BRAKES PERFORMED NORMALLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED MORE FREQUENTLY WHEN HE APPROACHED A STOP SIGN IN COLDER WEATHER. THE DEALER TOLD HIM THAT THE BRAKING SYSTEM SENT POWER TO THE BATTERY AND THE FAILURE WAS NORMAL. HE HAD NOT SPOKEN WITH THE MANUFACTURER TO-DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 7,773. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100.

Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10307746 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10316586 · 2010-03-04 (March 4, 2010)

TOYOTA HYBRIDS SURGE WHEN BRAKING. I TOOK THE CAR IN TWICE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER TOLD ME THEY WERE AWARE OF THE SURGE. IT OCCURS WHEN THE CAR IS BRAKING AND THE CAR GOES FROM GAS TO CHARGING THE BATTERY. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10316586 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10328602 · 2010-05-03 (May 3, 2010)

IN EARLY FEBRUARY 2010 DURING HEAVY SNOWFALL, I LOST PARTIAL TRACTION IN MY ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE (AWD), 2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID WHILE DRIVING UP THE STEEP STREET TO MY HOME. WHEN THE TRACTION LOSS OCCURRED, ALL POWER FROM THE GAS ENGINE AND THE FRONT AND REAR WHEEL ELECTRIC MOTORS WAS CUT OFF BY THE COMPUTERIZED VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL (VSC)/TRACTION CONTROL (TRAC) SYSTEM. THE LOSS OF POWER TO ALL FOUR WHEELS RESULTED IN THE VEHICLE SKIDDING PERPENDICULAR TO THE STREET AND THEN SLIDING SIDEWAYS DOWN THE MOUNTAIN ABOUT 200 FEET. THAT SITUATIO…

Owner-reported narrative. 10,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10328602 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10499998 · 2013-02-25 (February 25, 2013)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED THEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE HYBRID INVERTER WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED TWO MORE TIMES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,000. UPDATED 6/21/13 *CN UPDATED 07/18/2013 *JS

Owner-reported narrative. 21,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10499998 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11220968 · 2019-06-18 (June 18, 2019)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING UP A HILL AT 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE ABS, TRACTION CONTROL, STEERING SYSTEM, AND BATTERY WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, "STOP VEHICLE IN A SAFE PLACE IMMEDIATELY" APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL WITH EXCESSIVE FORCE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND HAD IT TOWED HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. T…

Owner-reported narrative. 124,842 miles reported. Look up ODI 11220968 at NHTSA ↗

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

40 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.

85.0%Usable mileage34 / 40 records

100.0%Valid incident date40 / 40 records

100.0%Valid filing date40 / 40 records

100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates40 / 40 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

From model yearThrough model year

Component complaint heatmap
Component	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023	2024	2025
Service Brakes	120.0% ODI 11098122 · 153,000 mi BREAK LIGHT WARNINGS ALL CAME ON. BRAKES WENT OUT WHILE IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET. HAD TO SHOVE BREAK PEDAL DOWN WITH BOTH FEET TO THE FLOOR GOING UPHILL TO STOP. DEALERSHIP TOLD US IT'S THE BREAK ACTUATOR PUMP AND WILL BE $5000 TO REPAIR. THIS IS A SERIOUS HARDSHIP ON US. I'M A FOSTER PARENT AND NEED MY VEHICLE IN WORKING ORDER. DEALERSHIP SAID ONLY THEY CAN DO THE REPAIR DUE TO SENSOR CALIBRATIONS. Look up ODI 11098122 at NHTSA ↗	111.1% ODI 11152787 · 114,000 mi BRAKE BOOSTER PUMP/ABS ACTUATOR C1391/C1256 WERE CODES GIVEN IN ATTACHED REPORT FROM TOYOTA. THIS IS APPARENTLY BEEN A PROBLEM WITH OTHER MODELS OF TOYOTAS AND ARE COVERED UNDER A WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT, HOWEVER THE 2012 IS NOT COVERED. NOTHING SEEMS WRONG WITH THE CAR AND THEY CANNOT REALLY TELL ME WHAT EXACTLY IS WRONG OR IF IT IS A BAD SENSOR, HOWEVER THEY WANT $4,200 TO REPLACE THE WHOLE UNIT. SEEMS LIKE THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE THAT THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIX FROM PREVIOUS MODELS AND WOULD LIKE IT COVERED DUE TO POTENTIAL SAFETY RISK. Look up ODI 11152787 at NHTSA ↗	120.0% ODI 10892270 · 53,400 mi 8/1/2016 2013 HIGHLANDER HYBRID WAS TRAVELING AT 60MPH WHEN LIGHTS ON DASH STARTED BLINKING WITH A LOUD BEEPING NOISE. BRAKE MALFUNCTION, CHECK ABS WAS READING ON THE INFORMATION SCREEN. TRAFFIC AHEAD ON 2 LANE HIGHWAY WITH A SPEED LIMIT OF 55MPH HAD SUDDENLY STOPPED AND I WAS FORCED TO SLAM ON BRAKES. AT THIS POINT THE BRAKES FELT VERY HEAVY, HEAVIER THAN USUAL, AS I DETECTED WHEEL LOCK UP AND PROCEEDED TO PUMP THE BRAKES TO AVOID REAR ENDING THE VEHICLE AHEAD. Look up ODI 10892270 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	350.0% ODI 11133443 · 163,000 mi I WAS STOPPED AND IN PARK WITH THE VEHICLE RUNNING WHEN THE "CHECK VSC SYSTEM," "CHECK ABS, BRAKE MALFUNCTION" WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. THEY HAVE SINCE GONE AWAY AND RETURNED INTERMITTENTLY. FORTUNATELY, THERE WAS NO FAILURE WHILE IN MOTION, BUT DEALER ESTIMATED $4600 FOR REPAIR. IF THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM FOR WHICH WARRANTY COVERAGE WAS EXTENDED FOR 2006-07 MODELS, THIS APPEARS TO BE AN ONGOING ISSUE. Look up ODI 11133443 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	111.1% ODI 11668825 After driving on an interstate and having my foot on the brake - the car jumps forward and accelerates. It has done this for a couple years, and it continues to happen more frequently. Sometimes it just jumps forward when you are driving through town and go to slow down. This seems like a safety issue. Look up ODI 11668825 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	233.3% ODI 11534894 · 20,000 mi The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated while driving approximately 20 MPH and slowing down for a traffic signal, the contact felt as if the brakes had failed. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle was still rolling forward. The contact stated that he depressed the brake pedal with more force and eventually the brakes grabbed and stopped the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, but the failure could not be d… Look up ODI 11534894 at NHTSA ↗	111.1% ODI 11611346 · 6,000 mi The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, there was a hesitation, and the vehicle surged forward before coming to a stop. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact became aware of TSB 0059/23, NHTSA ID Number: 10244133 (Electrical System, Air Bags, Service Brakes) for the 2021 - 2022 Toyota Highlander. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with brake failure. The contact was informed that the brake actuator needed to be replaced; however, the deal… Look up ODI 11611346 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Electrical System	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	111.1% ODI 10683807 · 86,000 mi NO PRIOR HISTORY OF HYBRID PROBLEMS DURING PREVIOUS 65,000 MILES. ON MONDAY MORNING, THE HIGHLANDER HYBRID STARTED UP FINE. AFTER WARMING UP FOR 5 MINUTES TO SCRAPE OFF SNOW, SHIFTED TO DRIVE AND BEGAN DRIVING. CAR SHUT DOWN AFTER ABOUT 12 FEET. CAR WOULD NOT RESTART. WARNING MESSAGE APPEARED ON DISPLAY, INDICATING HYBRID SYSTEM PROBLEM. AAA CAME, PUT ON FLATBED, AND TOOK TO NEAREST DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE CAUSE OR FIX PROBLEM FOLLOWING 6+ HOURS OF TROUBLESHOOTING BY THEIR HYBRID EXPERT YESTERDAY. THEY INDICATE… Look up ODI 10683807 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	150.0% ODI 10681857 · 17,200 mi CAR WAS DRIVEN FROM HOME LOCATION AT APPROXIMATELY 3 PM ON FEBRUARY 4, 2015. AFTER A QUARTER OF A MILE AN AUDIBLE WARNING SOUNDED AND THE CAR BEGAN TO SLOW. A FLASHING WARNING TO THE EFFECT OF "HYBRID SYSTEM FAILURE, STOP CAR IMMEDIATELY" APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. CAR CONTINUED TO SLOW TO ABOUT 1 MPH. PULLED CAR TO SIDE OF ROAD AND TURNED IT OFF. CONSULTED OWNERS MANUAL WHICH SUGGESTED TRYING TO RESTART THE CAR. RESTARTED. THE SAME WARNING REAPPEARED. TRIED ONE MORE CYCLE WITH NO SUCCESS. TOWED TO DEALER NEXT DAY. THEY WERE NO… Look up ODI 10681857 at NHTSA ↗	125.0% ODI 10958546 · 16,425 mi THE HATCH CONTINUES TO FAIL EVEN AFTER THEY REPLACED "DEFECTIVE" PART. THE BATTERIES HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THEY HAD FAILED. ON 3/2/17 I WAS SITTING IN THE DRIVER SEAT WITH THE CAR IN PARK WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING AND SUDDENLY THE DRIVER SEAT MOVED ALL THE WAY FORWARD, THEN THE BACK STRAIGHTENED COMPLETELY AND THE SIDE VIEW MIRRORS ADJUSTED ALL THE WAY UP. I PLACED A CALL TO THE DEALERSHIP AT 2:51PM, WAS TOLD I'D GET A CALL BACK. I DROVE THE CAR HOME WITH MY ADULT DAUGHTER. RADIO WAS OFF. WHEN I WAS STOPPED IN EITHER TRAFFIC OR A LIGHT WE… Look up ODI 10958546 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	133.3% ODI 10971485 · 10 mi I EXPERIENCED ISSUES RIGHT AFTER BUYING CAR NEW. CAR UNABLE TO READ SID CARD, GSP NOT WORKING, MULTI-MEDIA SCREEN WHITE WASH (WHITE) AND UNABLE TO READ, KEEPS TRYING TO RESTART 'BLUETOOTH', AUTO WIPER SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK, SEAT BELT WARNING SYSTEM DOES NOT ALWAYS WORK, FORWARD COLLISION BUTTON ON STEERING WORK DOES NOT WORK, BLIND SPOT WARNING DOES NOT WORK ALL THE TIME, HYBRID ENGINE DOES NOT ALWAYS START, REAR AUTO LIFT GATE DOES NOT ALWAYS OPEN. Look up ODI 10971485 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	16.7% ODI 11720641 · 77,900 mi The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the instrument panel lights were flashing. The vehicle then independently turned off and restarted repeatedly. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was determined that the battery level was low and needed to be replaced. The battery was replaced, and other unknown repairs for shifting failure were performed. The vehicle was driven back to the residence; however, the failure recurred upon starting the vehicle the following day. Additiona… Look up ODI 11720641 at NHTSA ↗	233.3% ODI 11620999 · 23,000 mi The contact's wife owns 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated that while his wife was driving 70 MPH, the vehicle shut off with the "Maintenance Required Visit Your Dealer" message displayed. The contact’s wife restarted the vehicle and immediately pulled over to the shoulder. Despite the failure, the contact's wife was able to drive back to the residence. The contact stated that prior to the failure, a similar warning light illuminated and disrupted the contact's ability to use the GPS feature. The contact called the local dealer a… Look up ODI 11620999 at NHTSA ↗	111.1% ODI 11611346 · 6,000 mi The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, there was a hesitation, and the vehicle surged forward before coming to a stop. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact became aware of TSB 0059/23, NHTSA ID Number: 10244133 (Electrical System, Air Bags, Service Brakes) for the 2021 - 2022 Toyota Highlander. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with brake failure. The contact was informed that the brake actuator needed to be replaced; however, the deal… Look up ODI 11611346 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	133.3% ODI 11422739 · 55,000 mi The contact owns a 2017 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 35 mph, the brake power low, stop at a safe place warning message was displayed. The contact stated that shortly after several warning lights were illuminated, the brake pedal was depressed and was firm. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, and the vehicle was diagnosed with needing the vacuum pump and brake booster needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approxim… Look up ODI 11422739 at NHTSA ↗	120.0% ODI 11493057 · 36,000 mi The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated while coming to a complete stop and depressing the brake pedal, he heard abnormal squeaking and rubbing sounds. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure persisted while at a complete stop. The contact stated that upon inspecting under the hood of the vehicle while someone depressed the brake pedal, he noticed that the ABS pump was emitting abnormal humming sounds. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that th… Look up ODI 11493057 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	111.1% ODI 11556081 · 38,000 mi The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the brake pedal would depress to the floorboard and the vehicle would fail to stop. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the mechanic repaired the brake calibrations and brake alignment. Despite the repair, the contact stated that the failure returned. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 38,000. Look up ODI 11556081 at NHTSA ↗	16.7% ODI 11668610 · 6,000 mi The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at slower speeds, the braking system experienced intermittent brake failures, causing the brakes to erroneously release while being depressed. During the failure, the vehicle unintendedly lurched forward. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted regarding the failures. The failure mileage was 6,000. Look up ODI 11668610 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Vehicle Speed Control	240.0% ODI 10586382 · 72,000 mi MY HIGHLANDER HYBRID: PUSHED START BUTTON, AND BEHAVED NORMALLY. UPON BEING PLACED IN GEAR, THE VEHICLE ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE AS IF THE GAS PEDAL WAS PUSHED TO THE FLOOR. ONLY HEAVY BRAKE PRESSURE PREVENTED A SERIOUSLY DANGEROUSNESS CONDITION OF FULL ACCELERATION IN A SMALL PARKING LOT. WHEN PLACED IN PARK, THE THROTTLE REDUCED TO IDLE. I REPEATED THE ACTION OF PLACING THE CAR IN GEAR (EITHER REVERSE OR DRIVE), AND AGAIN, THE THROTTLE ADVANCED TO A FULL ACCELERATION MODE. AGAIN, ONLY VERY HEAVY PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE PREVENTED UNCONT… Look up ODI 10586382 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	116.7% ODI 11326887 · 42,000 mi WE WERE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY ON 5/16/20. WE WERE DRIVING AROUND 65 MPH STRAIGHT. WE WERE DRIVING ON BLACK ASPHALT AND THEN WHEN WE DROVE OVER A BRIDGE WITH WHITE/GRAYISH CONCRETE, THE CAR'S EMERGENCY BRAKING SYSTEM ACTIVATED AND APPLIED SUDDEN BRAKING EVEN THOUGH WE WERE NORMALLY DRIVING. THE CAR JOLTED AND SLOWED DOWN AND ALL PASSENGERS WERE STOPPED BY AUTO-LOCKING SEATBELTS. *TR Look up ODI 11326887 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	16.7% ODI 11564106 · 10 mi The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated while depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle continued to accelerate forward before coming to a stop. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer on several occasions but no cause for the failure was found. The contact was informed that the vehicle operated normally due to the hybrid system. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 10. Look up ODI 11564106 at NHTSA ↗	116.7% ODI 11619151 · 36,000 mi The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle independently accelerated while the brake pedal was depressed. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer on several different occasions to be diagnosed; however, the dealer was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 36,000. Look up ODI 11619151 at NHTSA ↗	111.1% ODI 11611594 · 20,000 mi The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle surged forward and accelerated before coming to a stop. The failure occurred intermittently; however, the failure seemed most pronounced while decelerating from highway speeds. There were no warning lights illuminated. The dealer was informed of the failure; however, the vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been made aware of the failure… Look up ODI 11611594 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	120.0% ODI 10892270 · 53,400 mi 8/1/2016 2013 HIGHLANDER HYBRID WAS TRAVELING AT 60MPH WHEN LIGHTS ON DASH STARTED BLINKING WITH A LOUD BEEPING NOISE. BRAKE MALFUNCTION, CHECK ABS WAS READING ON THE INFORMATION SCREEN. TRAFFIC AHEAD ON 2 LANE HIGHWAY WITH A SPEED LIMIT OF 55MPH HAD SUDDENLY STOPPED AND I WAS FORCED TO SLAM ON BRAKES. AT THIS POINT THE BRAKES FELT VERY HEAVY, HEAVIER THAN USUAL, AS I DETECTED WHEEL LOCK UP AND PROCEEDED TO PUMP THE BRAKES TO AVOID REAR ENDING THE VEHICLE AHEAD. Look up ODI 10892270 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	133.3% ODI 11015603 · 2,900 mi TOTAL SYSTEM FAILURE. SEE DETAILED ATTACHED DOCUMENT. Look up ODI 11015603 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Hybrid Propulsion System: Inverter	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Engine	120.0% ODI 11187501 · 105,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, A GRINDING NOISE WAS PRESENT COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NORTH BROOK TOYOTA (1530 FRONTAGE RD, NORTH BROOK, IL) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RUBBER OIL HOSE WAS DAMAGED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE SAME DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE WAS DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000. Look up ODI 11187501 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	125.0% ODI 11035322 · 16,000 mi I UNKNOWINGLY FAILED TO TURN OFF MY CAR LAST NIGHT. IT HAS A KEYLESS IGNITION (FOB) AND SETS OFF AN ALARM WHEN LEFT ON. UNFORTUNATELY, LAST NIGHT MY HUSBAND ARRIVED HOME AT THE SAME TIME AND BETWEEN 2 GARAGE DOORS CLOSING AND EXCITED, BARKING DOGS I DIDN'T HEAR THE ALARM. WE WENT TO BED SHORTLY THEREAFTER. MY HUSBAND WOKE UP VERY EARLY AND HEARD OUR CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTOR GOING OFF IN THE GARAGE. WHEN HE OPENED THE DOOR HE DISCOVERED IT WAS VERY HOT AND THE DETECTOR WAS REGISTERING HIGH LEVELS OF CM. HE OPENED THE GARAGE DOORS AND WINDOWS IN … Look up ODI 11035322 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	266.7% ODI 10971485 · 10 mi I EXPERIENCED ISSUES RIGHT AFTER BUYING CAR NEW. CAR UNABLE TO READ SID CARD, GSP NOT WORKING, MULTI-MEDIA SCREEN WHITE WASH (WHITE) AND UNABLE TO READ, KEEPS TRYING TO RESTART 'BLUETOOTH', AUTO WIPER SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK, SEAT BELT WARNING SYSTEM DOES NOT ALWAYS WORK, FORWARD COLLISION BUTTON ON STEERING WORK DOES NOT WORK, BLIND SPOT WARNING DOES NOT WORK ALL THE TIME, HYBRID ENGINE DOES NOT ALWAYS START, REAR AUTO LIFT GATE DOES NOT ALWAYS OPEN. Look up ODI 10971485 at NHTSA ↗	120.0% ODI 11110214 · 6,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A PARKING LOT, THE CONTACT WAS NOTIFIED BY THE FAIRFAX FIRE MARSHALL THAT THE VEHICLE SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT FIRE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FIRE STARTED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT CALLED A LOCAL DEALER (PRIORITY TOYOTA SPRINGFIELD, 7601 LOISDALE RD, SPRINGFIELD, VA 22150 [phone removed]) AND WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT INFORMED THE CONTACT TO CALL THE INSURANCE … Look up ODI 11110214 at NHTSA ↗	116.7% ODI 11414436 · 9,655 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER AND DECELERATED. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT, HYBRID SYSTEM MALFUNCTION WARNING LIGHT, AND PRE-COLLISION SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO EXECUTIVE MOTORS LTD (AUTOMALL GROUP - SHIRLEY ST, NASSAU, BAHAMAS, [phone removed]) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL RAIL PRESSURE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RELATED THE FAILURE TO… Look up ODI 11414436 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	233.3% ODI 11609670 · 35,000 mi The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and approaching a traffic light, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the engine surged. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer on several occasions, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000. Look up ODI 11609670 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Service Brakes, Electric	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
Component	Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)	Median	Usable records	Examples
Service Brakes	86,750–158,300 mi	125,921 mi	16	ODI 10553759 · 4,300 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED, THE STOPPING DISTANCE WOULD INCREASE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION BUT THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,300 UPDATED 01/07/2014 *LJ ALSO, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER REPLACED A SENSOR Look up ODI 10553759 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10749605 · 89,000 mi BRAKE AND ABS WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON WHILE TRAVEL CITY SPEED (35-40MPH). NO NOTICEABLE BRAKING PROBLEM BUT ADVISED CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. DEALER SAYS THERE IS AN INTERNAL LEAK AND THE BRAKE ACTUATOR AND BOOSTER NEED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $5,100 (MAINLY THE COST OF TOYOTA PARTS). THIS IS A SOCCER MOM CAR NO ROUGH DRIVING OR BRAKING...AND NO ACCIDENTS. I CALLED TOYOTA CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE AND THEY SAY THE PARTS ARE OUT OF WARRANTY. HOW DOES THESE TWO PARTS ACCOUNT FOR OVER 10% OF THE ORIGINAL VALUE OF THE CAR 6 YEARS AGO. SHOULDN'T I… Look up ODI 10749605 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10839207 · 147,000 mi 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. Look up ODI 10839207 at NHTSA ↗
Service Brakes, Electric	6,500–9,500 mi	8,000 mi	6	ODI 10303845 · 8,000 mi BRAKES FADE FOR A BRIEF MOMENT -- PERHAPS HALF OF A SECOND -- AND THEN COME BACK. ALTHOUGH THE BRAKES ARE BEING APPLIED CONSISTENTLY THROUGHOUT, THE SENSATION IS AS IF THE DRIVER WERE EASING OFF THE BRAKE AND THEN COMING BACK ON WITH MORE PRESSURE. *TR Look up ODI 10303845 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10306266 · 10,000 mi I OWN A 2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. IT HAS HAD THREE INSTANCES OF UNINTENDED LOW SPEED ACCELERATION SINCE I PURCHASED IT IN JUNE 2009. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED, IT WAS SO UNEXPECTED AND UNCONVENTIONAL THAT I THOUGHT IT MUST HAVE BEEN A MISTAKE IN MY PERCEPTION. THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED I WAS MORE AWARE BECAUSE IT HAD HAPPENED ONCE BEFORE. AND THE THIRD TIME EVEN MORE SO. NOW I AM ALERT FOR THE EVENT AND WILL TRY TO RECORD IT AS ACCURATELY AS POSSIBLE IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN. AS BEST I CAN DESCRIBE IT, I WAS SLOWING DOWN, ALMOS… Look up ODI 10306266 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10307266 · 6,000 mi I OWN A 2009 HIGHLANDER HYBRID AND AM CONCERNED THAT I AM EXPERIENCING THE SAME TYPE OF PROBLEMS WITH BRAKING THAT ARE NOW BEING REPORTED FOR THE PRIUS. SOMETIMES, WHEN BRAKING IT FEELS LIKE THE BRAKES ARE NOT ENGAGING AND THERE IS A SENSATION THAT THE CAR IS SPEEDING UP. CONTINUED PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL FINALLY SLOWS THE CAR DOWN. I WAS RECENTLY INVOLVED IN A MINOR ACCIDENT WHEN I WAS UNABLE TO BRAKE QUICKLY ENOUGH WHEN APPROACHING A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND HIT THE CAR IN FRONT. THE SENSATION THAT THE BRAKES WERE NOT ENGAGING WAS EXPERIENCED… Look up ODI 10307266 at NHTSA ↗
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	Too few reports for a range	5,600 mi	3 (sparse)	ODI 10305276 · 6,000 mi I OWN A 2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID, PURCHASED NEW IN AUG. 2009. I HAVE EXPERIENCED A FEW INCIDENTS RELATED TO BRAKING THAT ARE SIMILAR TO WHAT'S BEING DESCRIBED BY PRIUS OWNERS. ON CERTAIN ROAD SURFACES/CONDITIONS, I HAVE FELT WHAT I WOULD DESCRIBE AS A PAUSE IN THE BRAKING SYSTEM. IT'S ALMOST LIKE A SLIDING SENSATION ON ICE, EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE IS NOT SLIDING. THE DURATION IS FOR PROBABLY LESS THAN A SECOND IN DURATION, BUT ENOUGH TO GET THE ATTENTION OF THE DRIVER. IT HAS HAPPENED ONLY IN ISOLATED CIRCUMSTANCES, AND THE MAJORITY OF THE… Look up ODI 10305276 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10307746 · 100 mi TLTHE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN BRAKING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE BRAKE WOULD RELEASE ON ITS OWN AT A DISTANCE; HOWEVER, WHEN HIS SPEED INCREASED THE BRAKES PERFORMED NORMALLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED MORE FREQUENTLY WHEN HE APPROACHED A STOP SIGN IN COLDER WEATHER. THE DEALER TOLD HIM THAT THE BRAKING SYSTEM SENT POWER TO THE BATTERY AND THE FAILURE WAS NORMAL. HE HAD NOT SPOKEN WITH THE MANUFACTURER TO-DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 7,773. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100. Look up ODI 10307746 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10325836 · 5,600 mi TL THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 15 MPH AND APPLYING THE BRAKES ON A ROUGH ROAD SURFACE, THERE WAS A DELAY IN BRAKE APPLICATION. THE VEHICLE DID COME TO A STOP AFTER MOMENTARY HESITATION. THE DEALER HAD NOT YET BEEN CONTACTED TO REPORT THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,600 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 6,858. UPDATED 05/19/10. *LJ Look up ODI 10325836 at NHTSA ↗
Engine	Too few reports for a range	92,521 mi	4 (sparse)	ODI 10480201 · 60,200 mi 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. TR Look up ODI 10480201 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10544729 · 57,780 mi DRIVING ABOUT 40MPH WENT TO ACCELERATE AND THE WHOLE CAR STOPPED RESPONDING TO ANYTHING. COULDN'T DRIVE IT AT ALL, WAS ABLE TO LIMP TO SIDE OF ROAD, AT FIRST COULDN'T TURN VEHICLE OFF. ONCE ABLE TO TURN OFF AND BACK ON CAR WOULD DRIVE. WARNING MESSAGES CAME ON "CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM-HAVE YOUR VEHICLE CHECKED BY DEALER IMMEDIATELY" AND THEN "CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM-STOP THE VEHICLE IN A SAFE PLACE (AS IF I HAD A CHOICE SINCE THE VEHICLE STOPPED ITSELF0, IMMEDIATELY CONTACT DEALER" HAD IT TOWED TO DEALER WHO DID A CHECK AND INFORMED ME THAT THE PROBLEM… Look up ODI 10544729 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10787806 · 125,000 mi TL THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND FAILED TO ACCELERATE OR RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER IMMEDIATELY NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE SEEMED TO CONSUME ABNORMAL QUANTITIES OF OIL. THE VEHICLE HAD AN OIL CHANGE A MONTH AND A HALF PRIOR TO THE FAILURE AND THE OIL METER MEASURED ONE QUART OF ENGINE OIL LEFT IN THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. SEVERAL MONTHS LA… Look up ODI 10787806 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System	Too few reports for a range	103,600 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10480201 · 60,200 mi 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. *TR Look up ODI 10480201 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10839207 · 147,000 mi 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. Look up ODI 10839207 at NHTSA ↗
Fuel/Propulsion System	Too few reports for a range	53,069 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10557530 · 40,138 mi WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER IN FOR A 5,000 MILE SERVICE MAINTENANCE. AFTER OUR SERVICE ADVISOR LOOKED OVER THE VEHICLE HE SAID WE NEEDED NEW SET OF TIRES AS THE CURRENT ONES WERE AT THE WEAR INDICATORS. OUR SERVICE ADVISOR ALSO SAID OUR VEHICLE WAS IN THE OPEN CAMPAIGN (NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V396000) TO REPLACE THE INTELLIGENT POWER MODULE (IPM) IN THE VEHICLE HYBRID SYSTEM. THE SERVICE ADVISOR SAID IT WOULD TAKE ABOUT FOUR HOURS AND THERE WOULD BE NO CHARGE. SINCE THE REPLACEMENT OF THE IPM THE VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED A SIGNIFI… Look up ODI 10557530 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11166620 · 66,000 mi TAKATA RECALL- WHEN FUILING FROM THE PUMP, NUZZLES KEEP SHUTING OFF ITSELF LIKE THE TANK IS ALREADY FULL. ITS BEEN HAPPENING RECENTLY. AT THE SAME TIME, CHECK BREAK SYSTEM BY DELER START APPERING. IT TAKES 3 TO 4 PUSH TO START THE CAR AFTER THIS ERROR MESSAGE. SOMETIMES IT TAKES LONGER AND ESPECIALLY IT HAPPENS IN THE MORNING. TOOK TO DELER BUT THEY DID NOT FIND A CODE TO CHECK BUT THIS IS STILL HAPPENING. Look up ODI 11166620 at NHTSA ↗
Hybrid Propulsion System: Inverter	Too few reports for a range	30,569 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10499998 · 21,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED THEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE HYBRID INVERTER WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED TWO MORE TIMES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,000. UPDATED 6/21/13 CN UPDATED 07/18/2013 JS Look up ODI 10499998 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10557530 · 40,138 mi WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER IN FOR A 5,000 MILE SERVICE MAINTENANCE. AFTER OUR SERVICE ADVISOR LOOKED OVER THE VEHICLE HE SAID WE NEEDED NEW SET OF TIRES AS THE CURRENT ONES WERE AT THE WEAR INDICATORS. OUR SERVICE ADVISOR ALSO SAID OUR VEHICLE WAS IN THE OPEN CAMPAIGN (NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V396000) TO REPLACE THE INTELLIGENT POWER MODULE (IPM) IN THE VEHICLE HYBRID SYSTEM. THE SERVICE ADVISOR SAID IT WOULD TAKE ABOUT FOUR HOURS AND THERE WOULD BE NO CHARGE. SINCE THE REPLACEMENT OF THE IPM THE VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED A SIGNIFI… Look up ODI 10557530 at NHTSA ↗
Tires	Too few reports for a range	27,233 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10378199 · 27,233 mi THE TIRES ON MY 2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE CAR WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE IN THE SNOW EVEN THOUGH IT WAS AN ALL WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLE. *TR Look up ODI 10378199 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

ComponentPeriod

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples

Monthly complaint and recall timeline
Month	Campaigns announced	Examples
2024-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-10	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-10 (partial)	None	No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Observation windowFirst model yearSecond model year

2022: 6 complaints · 2023: 7 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model year	Through age 0	Through age 1	Through age 2
2022	1	3	6
2023	4	7	7

Date coverage across each selected cohort

Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year	Incident dates used	Filing date fallbacks	Excluded dates
2022	6	0	0
2023	8	0	1

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
Component	Service Brakes	Service Brakes, Electric	Service Brakes, Hydraulic	Engine	Electrical System	Fuel/Propulsion System	Hybrid Propulsion System: Inverter	Tires
Service Brakes	—	0	0	1 ODI 11220968 · 124,842 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING UP A HILL AT 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE ABS, TRACTION CONTROL, STEERING SYSTEM, AND BATTERY WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, "STOP VEHICLE IN A SAFE PLACE IMMEDIATELY" APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL WITH EXCESSIVE FORCE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND HAD IT TOWED HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. T… Look up ODI 11220968 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 10839207 · 147,000 mi 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. Look up ODI 10839207 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 11166620 · 66,000 mi TAKATA RECALL- WHEN FUILING FROM THE PUMP, NUZZLES KEEP SHUTING OFF ITSELF LIKE THE TANK IS ALREADY FULL. ITS BEEN HAPPENING RECENTLY. AT THE SAME TIME, CHECK BREAK SYSTEM BY DELER START APPERING. IT TAKES 3 TO 4 PUSH TO START THE CAR AFTER THIS ERROR MESSAGE. SOMETIMES IT TAKES LONGER AND ESPECIALLY IT HAPPENS IN THE MORNING. TOOK TO DELER BUT THEY DID NOT FIND A CODE TO CHECK BUT THIS IS STILL HAPPENING. Look up ODI 11166620 at NHTSA ↗	0	0
Service Brakes, Electric	0	—	0	0	0	0	0	0
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	0	0	—	0	0	0	0	0
Engine	1 ODI 11220968 · 124,842 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING UP A HILL AT 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE ABS, TRACTION CONTROL, STEERING SYSTEM, AND BATTERY WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, "STOP VEHICLE IN A SAFE PLACE IMMEDIATELY" APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL WITH EXCESSIVE FORCE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND HAD IT TOWED HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. T… Look up ODI 11220968 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	—	1 ODI 10480201 · 60,200 mi 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. *TR Look up ODI 10480201 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0
Electrical System	1 ODI 10839207 · 147,000 mi 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. Look up ODI 10839207 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	1 ODI 10480201 · 60,200 mi 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. *TR Look up ODI 10480201 at NHTSA ↗	—	0	0	0
Fuel/Propulsion System	1 ODI 11166620 · 66,000 mi TAKATA RECALL- WHEN FUILING FROM THE PUMP, NUZZLES KEEP SHUTING OFF ITSELF LIKE THE TANK IS ALREADY FULL. ITS BEEN HAPPENING RECENTLY. AT THE SAME TIME, CHECK BREAK SYSTEM BY DELER START APPERING. IT TAKES 3 TO 4 PUSH TO START THE CAR AFTER THIS ERROR MESSAGE. SOMETIMES IT TAKES LONGER AND ESPECIALLY IT HAPPENS IN THE MORNING. TOOK TO DELER BUT THEY DID NOT FIND A CODE TO CHECK BUT THIS IS STILL HAPPENING. Look up ODI 11166620 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	0	—	1 ODI 10557530 · 40,138 mi WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER IN FOR A 5,000 MILE SERVICE MAINTENANCE. AFTER OUR SERVICE ADVISOR LOOKED OVER THE VEHICLE HE SAID WE NEEDED NEW SET OF TIRES AS THE CURRENT ONES WERE AT THE WEAR INDICATORS. OUR SERVICE ADVISOR ALSO SAID OUR VEHICLE WAS IN THE OPEN CAMPAIGN (NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V396000) TO REPLACE THE INTELLIGENT POWER MODULE (IPM) IN THE VEHICLE HYBRID SYSTEM. THE SERVICE ADVISOR SAID IT WOULD TAKE ABOUT FOUR HOURS AND THERE WOULD BE NO CHARGE. SINCE THE REPLACEMENT OF THE IPM THE VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED A SIGNIFI… Look up ODI 10557530 at NHTSA ↗	0
Hybrid Propulsion System: Inverter	0	0	0	0	0	1 ODI 10557530 · 40,138 mi WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER IN FOR A 5,000 MILE SERVICE MAINTENANCE. AFTER OUR SERVICE ADVISOR LOOKED OVER THE VEHICLE HE SAID WE NEEDED NEW SET OF TIRES AS THE CURRENT ONES WERE AT THE WEAR INDICATORS. OUR SERVICE ADVISOR ALSO SAID OUR VEHICLE WAS IN THE OPEN CAMPAIGN (NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V396000) TO REPLACE THE INTELLIGENT POWER MODULE (IPM) IN THE VEHICLE HYBRID SYSTEM. THE SERVICE ADVISOR SAID IT WOULD TAKE ABOUT FOUR HOURS AND THERE WOULD BE NO CHARGE. SINCE THE REPLACEMENT OF THE IPM THE VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED A SIGNIFI… Look up ODI 10557530 at NHTSA ↗	—	0
Tires	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

Search patterns

4 patterns with matching reports.

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

8 mentions · 20.0% of complaints

Median mileage: 105,500 mi (8 usable records).

ODI 10499998 · 21,000 mi

Look up ODI 10499998 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10553759 · 4,300 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED, THE STOPPING DISTANCE WOULD INCREASE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION BUT THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,300 UPDATED 01/07/2014 *LJ ALSO, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER REPLACED A SENSOR

Look up ODI 10553759 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10749605 · 89,000 mi

BRAKE AND ABS WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON WHILE TRAVEL CITY SPEED (35-40MPH). NO NOTICEABLE BRAKING PROBLEM BUT ADVISED CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. DEALER SAYS THERE IS AN INTERNAL LEAK AND THE BRAKE ACTUATOR AND BOOSTER NEED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $5,100 (MAINLY THE COST OF TOYOTA PARTS). THIS IS A SOCCER MOM CAR NO ROUGH DRIVING OR BRAKING...AND NO ACCIDENTS. I CALLED TOYOTA CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE AND THEY SAY THE PARTS ARE OUT OF WARRANTY. HOW DOES THESE TWO PARTS ACCOUNT FOR OVER 10% OF THE ORIGINAL VALUE OF THE CAR 6 YEARS AGO. SHOULDN'T I…

Look up ODI 10749605 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(warning light\w*|check engine|dashboard warning\w*|malfunction indicator)\b

Brake response concerns

7 mentions · 17.5% of complaints

Median mileage: 80,000 mi (5 usable records).

ODI 10305650

I WRITE TO HIGHLIGHT SOME UNUSUAL BEHAVIOR EXHIBITED BY MY 2009 HYBRID HIGHLANDERS BRAKING SYSTEM WHICH I PURCHASED IN MAY 2009. IN SHORT, IN CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS, THERE IS A SLIGHT DELAY/PAUSE BETWEEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL AND ANY BRAKING FORCE APPLIED BY THE BRAKING SYSTEM. THE DELAY IS MOMENTARY AND I'VE EXPERIENCED THIS TO LAST NO MORE THAN HALF SECOND (.5 SEC.) AT MOST I'VE NOTICED THAT THIS OCCURS MOSTLY IN A SITUATION WHERE I HAVE FORCEFULLY APPLIED THE BRAKE. IT HAS SEEMED TO RECUR MOSTLY WHEN DRIVING DOWN A DECLINE. IT DO…

Look up ODI 10305650 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10307266 · 6,000 mi

I OWN A 2009 HIGHLANDER HYBRID AND AM CONCERNED THAT I AM EXPERIENCING THE SAME TYPE OF PROBLEMS WITH BRAKING THAT ARE NOW BEING REPORTED FOR THE PRIUS. SOMETIMES, WHEN BRAKING IT FEELS LIKE THE BRAKES ARE NOT ENGAGING AND THERE IS A SENSATION THAT THE CAR IS SPEEDING UP. CONTINUED PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL FINALLY SLOWS THE CAR DOWN. I WAS RECENTLY INVOLVED IN A MINOR ACCIDENT WHEN I WAS UNABLE TO BRAKE QUICKLY ENOUGH WHEN APPROACHING A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND HIT THE CAR IN FRONT. THE SENSATION THAT THE BRAKES WERE NOT ENGAGING WAS EXPERIENCED…

Look up ODI 10307266 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10334452 · 8,000 mi

RIGHT FRONT BRAKE "CLANKS" WHEN BRAKE PEDAL IS PRESSED FAIRLY HARD. DEALER CLAIMS THIS IS NORMAL FOR HIGHLANDERS AND THAT HIS ENTIRE INVENTORY EXHIBITS THE SAME SYMPTOMS. (START LAST YEAR AND CONTINUES; COMMENTS ARE FROM DEALER TODAY -- JUNE 3, 2010.) *TR

Look up ODI 10334452 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

Stalling or loss of power

4 mentions · 10.0% of complaints

Median mileage: 72,921 mi (4 usable records).

ODI 10328602 · 10,500 mi

Look up ODI 10328602 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10499998 · 21,000 mi

Look up ODI 10499998 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10787806 · 125,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND FAILED TO ACCELERATE OR RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER IMMEDIATELY NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE SEEMED TO CONSUME ABNORMAL QUANTITIES OF OIL. THE VEHICLE HAD AN OIL CHANGE A MONTH AND A HALF PRIOR TO THE FAILURE AND THE OIL METER MEASURED ONE QUART OF ENGINE OIL LEFT IN THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. SEVERAL MONTHS LA…

Look up ODI 10787806 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b

Hard or delayed shifting

2 mentions · 5.0% of complaints

Median mileage: 36,100 mi (2 usable records).

ODI 10332639 · 12,000 mi

2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. WE HAVE SEVERAL SAFETY RELATED COMPLAINTS: 1. MY WIFE HAS NEVER HAD AN ACCIDENT & TO OUR RECOLLECTION HAS NEVER HAD A TRAFFIC TICKET. SHE HAD A MINOR UNINTENDED ACCELERATION AND SHE TAPPED THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF HER. SHE TOOK HER FOOT OFF THE BRAKE & THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD. THE DEALER SAID IT WAS NOT INVOLVED IN A RECALL BUT THE TOYOTA WEBSITE SAYS IT IS INVOLVED IN A FLOOR MATT RECALL. I'VE THROWN THE MATT IN THE REAR CARGO AREA. 2. OUR GARAGE IS ATTACHED TO OUR HOUSE WITH OUR BEDROOM ABOVE THE GARAGE. W…

Look up ODI 10332639 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10480201 · 60,200 mi

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. *TR

Look up ODI 10480201 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule