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2007 Toyota Highlander Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2007 Toyota Highlander has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 8 recurring issue clusters, led by “ABS brake actuator failure.” Toyota's owner's manual splits service into Schedule 1 (severe) and Schedule 2 (normal). Most US drivers fall under Schedule 1 because it covers short trips, extreme temperatures, dusty roads, or heavy idling. The intervals below reflect Schedule 1 — the schedule Toyota recommends for typical real-world use.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2007 Toyota Highlander.

Reported to NHTSA

ABS brake actuator failure

SERVICE BRAKES

36 NHTSA complaints · 2009-08 → 2025-07

“While driving a vehicle came across me and when i pressed on the brake hard, the car would stop normally, and ABS, brake, VSC came on the display along with a high pitch sound”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11500828
“TOYOTA HAD PREVIOUSLY RECALLED THE ABS BRAKE MODULE ON SEVERAL TOYOTA HIGHLANDERS. THE SAME PART THAT THEY RECALLED IN OTHER MODULES HAS NOW FAILED IN MY VEHICLE WHICH HAS LESS THAN 130K MILES ON IT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11298848
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT IT TOOK A LONGER DISTANCE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VSC WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10775915

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Sun visor fails to stay in stored position

VISIBILITY

12 NHTSA complaints · 2010-04 → 2016-04

“I AM WRITING CONCERNING MY 2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER SUN VISOR. MY DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR HAS FALLEN DOWN, AND I SEE NO WAY TO TIGHTEN IT UP. IT APPEARS THE SUN VISOR IS TOO HEAVY FOR THE ROD IT IS SUSPENDED FROM”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10514727
“THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR DROPS AND REMAINS DOWN AT ALL TIMES PREVENTING DRIVER FULL VISABILITY. THE MECHANISM TO KEEP THE SUN VISOR PROPPED AGAINST CAR CEILING HAS FAILED. *TR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10454987
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN TRAVELING OVER SLIGHT ROAD BUMPS, THE DRIVERS SIDE SUN VISOR WOULD FALL DOWN, OBSTRUCTING HIS LINE OF VISION”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10325874

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Tire sidewall separation and premature wear

TIRES

12 NHTSA complaints · 2007-10 → 2023-03

“WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH THE REAR TIRE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE FELL APART. THE TIRE SEPARATED AT THE SIDE WALL. MY WIFE MANAGED TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CAME TO A STOP ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE DEALER WAS NO HELP”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10245144
“NOTIFIED BY FELLOW TRAVELER THAT TIRE WAS LOW. CHECKED DASH FOR WARNING LIGHT - NO WARNING. TOOK AUTO TO TIRE DEALERSHIP. MADE ME REPLACE TIRE - TOLD IT WAS UNSAFE. SAID SENSORS WERE REQUIRED IN AUTO AS OF 2006. HAD SENSOR IN PREVIOUS HIGHLANDER. CALLED TOYOTA”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10207094

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Transmission hesitation and unintended surge

POWER TRAIN

6 NHTSA complaints · 2006-12 → 2013-04

“2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER - UNCONTROLLED TRANSMISSION SURGES CAUSE VEHICLE TO MOVE FORWARD UNEXPECTEDLY. TRANSMISSION ALWAYS SHIFTING DOWN TO 5TH GEAR AT VERY SLOW SPEEDS, PUSHING CAR FORWARD UNEXPECTEDLY WHEN NOT DESIRED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10176069
“TRANSMISSION SEEMS TO SHIFT AT RANDOM TIMES. AT A STOP IT WILL NOT ENGAGE IMMEDIATELY AND THE HIGHLANDER WILL COAST TO SPEED, AT OTHER TIMES I TOUCH THE ACCELERATOR AND THE CAR LAUNCH OFF LIKE A RACE CAR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10214672

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Frame and suspension corrosion

SUSPENSION, STRUCTURE

3 NHTSA complaints · 2019-01 → 2020-12

“BUYING NEW CAR, POTENTIAL BUYER OF THIS CAR HAD A MECHANIC CHECK IT OUT. FOUND EXTENSIVE RUST INVOLVING FRAME AND SUSPENSION. NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. I LIVE IN NC MOUNTAINS WITH EXTENSIVE SNOW AND ICE AND SALTED ROADS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11165675
“THE STRAPS SUPPORTING THE FUEL TANK BROKE. BOTH STRAPS BROKE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE, RENDERING IT UNDRIVABLE AS THE TANK WAS ON THE GROUND. WIFE HEARD A CLUNK WHEN AT A STOP, STARTED TO MOVE, HEARD SCRAPING. STOPPED, CHECKED, FOUND RIGHT SIDE OF FUEL TANK ON GROUND”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11382930

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Excessive oil consumption and oil line failure

ENGINE

4 NHTSA complaints · 2012-07 → 2022-12

“ON MY WAY HOME, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, THEN STARTS BLINKING. GOT HOME AND FIND OUT THE OILS ALL GONE AND DEAD CAR. MY MECHANIC SAYS THE OIL LINE HAS A RECALL AND THAT IT BROKE LETTING ALL OIL OUT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10933855
“MY 2007 TOYOTA HIGLANDER WAS DIAGNOSED WITH ENGINE SLUDGE EVEN THOUGH THE OIL HAS BEEN CHANGED AT THE RECOMMENDED SERVICE INTERVALS. *TR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10465935

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Unintended acceleration in parking maneuvers

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

16 NHTSA complaints · 2007-09 → 2013-01

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO EXIT A PARKING SPACE, THE ALL WEATHER FLOOR MATS THAT HE PURCHASED IN 2007 CAUSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO STICK. AS A CONSEQUENCE HE CRASHED INTO SEVERAL TREES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10285021
“2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 6-CYL LIMITED RUNNING UNDER CRUISE CONTROL WILL SLOWLY BEGIN TO ACCELERATE WHEN "RESUME" IS PRESSED IN ORDER TO GET BACK UP TO THE CRUISING SPEED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10307824
“WAS PULLING INTO PARKING SPACE UNDER 5 MPH AND THERE WAS A SUDDEN SURGE FORWARD AND THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK. WENT OVER CURB THROUGH BUSHES OFF ANOTHER CURB HITTING UNDERNEATH OF CAR AND BRAKES THEN WORKED AGAIN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10204479

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Hybrid electrical system stall or no-start

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

12 NHTSA complaints · 2006-12 → 2021-06

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 65 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE POWER INVERTER WOULD NEED REPLACING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10423974
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE 12-VOLT BATTERY IN HER VEHICLE. ON AT LEAST TEN OCCASIONS, THE 12-VOLT BATTERY WOULD NOT START”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10233537
“WHEN TRAVELING DOWN HILL FOR EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME THE BATTERIES CHARGE AND THEN START TO EMIT NOXIOUS FUMES INTO THE CAB OF THE VEHICLE. (OZONE I THINK.) ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WE HAVE HAD TO ROLL THE WINDOWS DOWN OR STOP AND EXIT THE VEHICLE TO ALLOW THE FUMES TO CLEAR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10210128

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 5,000 mi

Replace 0W-20 full-synthetic oil and filter every 5,000 miles under Schedule 1, or 10,000 miles under Schedule 2. Toyota covers the first 2 oil changes through ToyotaCare.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 5,000 mi

Rotate tires every 5,000 miles. Toyota recommends rotation at every oil change to maximize tire life on FWD and AWD models.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 5,000 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, and parking brake every 5,000 miles. Toyota recommends measuring pad thickness at each service.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace DOT 3 brake fluid every 30,000 miles or 36 months. Critical for the integrity of the ABS, VSC, and brake assist systems.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace the engine air filter every 30,000 miles. Earlier under Schedule 1 if driven on unpaved roads.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 60,000 mi

Toyota labels ATF as 'lifetime fill' on most automatics, but recommends inspection and replacement every 60,000 miles under severe service. Use Toyota WS or Type-IV — no substitutes.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Spark Plugs

Every 120,000 mi

Toyota iridium-tipped spark plugs are rated for 120,000 miles. Earlier replacement reduces fuel economy and can cause misfires on direct-injection engines.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Super Long Life Coolant (SLLC)

Every 50,000 mi

Toyota SLLC (pink): first change at 100,000 miles, then every 50,000 miles. Do not substitute green or orange coolant — it will damage the cooling system seals.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace the cabin air filter every 30,000 miles, sooner in dusty climates. Located behind the glove box on most Toyota and Lexus models.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Serpentine / Drive Belt Inspection

Every 60,000 mi

Inspect the serpentine belt and tensioner every 60,000 miles. Toyota uses long-life EPDM belts that rarely fail before 100,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$195–$235

Shop

~$135–$165

DIY

~$20–$50

DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.

Timing Chain — No Replacement

On condition / lifetime

Toyota's 2AR-FE, 2GR-FKS, A25A-FKS, and most Toyota engines built since 2010 use a timing chain rated for the life of the engine. No scheduled replacement.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Pro only

Timing chains are normally lifetime. Listen for rattle on cold start — that's the actionable signal. Replacement is major work, quote separately.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

55 crashes 1990–2024

How the 55 occupant deaths break down

46

driver deaths

9

passenger deaths

55

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2006 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

11

complaints mentioning a crash

1

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2007 Toyota Highlander reflects Toyota's published service intervals and the Maintenance Required Light system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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