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Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2007 Toyota HighlanderRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 124 owner complaints for the 2007 Toyota Highlander. Most complaints involve service brakes (29) and electrical system (23). The EPA rates it 19–22 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
19–22mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
4campaigns
Latest Jun 2016
Owner complaints
124
Top: service brakes
Fuel cost / yr
$2,850est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

4 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Seats: seat heater

Free remedy

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, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.

SeatsReported Jun 2, 2016NHTSA 16V396000

Seats: seat heater

Free remedy

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 and 4x4, and 2007-2011 Rav4 and 4Runner. The affected vehicles may experience compression of the seat cushion which may damage the seat heater wiring.

SeatsReported Nov 19, 2014NHTSA 14V743000

Equipment: labels

Free remedy

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 VEHICLES WERE SOLD BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 AND JUNE 2, 2008 WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.

EquipmentReported Feb 3, 2010NHTSA 10V035000
See all 4 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 7, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

124 complaints filed with NHTSA · Dec 2006 – Oct 2026
  1. Service brakes29
  2. Electrical system23
  3. Vehicle speed control16
  4. Tires8
  5. Visibility8
  6. Power train8
  7. Engine7
  8. Visibility/wiper7
  9. Steering6

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Highlander model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2001136
2002327
2003270
2004286
2005225
2006278
2007124
2008406
2009134
2010238
2011187
2012191
2013212
2014138
2015193
2016111
2017271
2018273
2019508
2020323
2021535
2022266
2023189
202443
202510
Crashes reported
11
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
7
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 7, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Service brakes

29 reports
“The brake actuator for the hybrid system has failed. My vehicle brake pedal is difficult do depress and unsafe to drive. This is a known issue with other Toyota hybrids that have been recalled but for some reason the highlander is not recalled even though it uses the same problem part as the recalled vehicles. The replacement part and repair is typically more than value of the car and it being a safety issue with brake system caused by a known faulty component Toyota should repair these.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 5, 2026Service brakesODI 11769016

Electrical system

23 reports1 crash1 fire
“Odometer Fraud. The contact owns a 2007 Toyota Highlander. The vehicle was purchased from a private seller on Facebook Marketplace on 9/3/2025. The mileage at the time of purchase was 129,950. The contact wanted a larger vehicle and called another dealer on Facebook Marketplace to trade the vehicle and was provided the most recent mileage recorded for the vehicle on November 17, 2021, at 262,597 miles. The dealer informed the contact that the VIN was recorded to have over 150,000 miles over 4 years before the purchase. The contact reached out to the owner who sold the vehicle to the private seller who the contact purchased the vehicle from, and it was confirmed that on July 27, 2025, the vehicle was sold at 299,150 miles. The contact had not reported to any other agencies but had planned to.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 22, 2025Electrical systemODI 11688863

Vehicle speed control

16 reports8 crashes
“My vehicle about a year ago started to display the dash lights for the VSC, ABS, and Emergency Brake however there was no indication from the feel of the brakes as they were applied, or any indication that something was wrong with the vehicle. I had my brakes replaced on my rear tires, and for a time the lights went off. In April of 2025, the lights came back on however this time there was a distinct feeling that the brakes weren't working. I had the calipers, pads, rotors, and a tube replaced, however the lights are still on, and the vehicle now violently shakes after reaching speeds of 45 mph (mirroring the complaints from the following site: [XXX] ). Toyota has refused to acknowledge this and put consumers out thousands of dollars. This is clearly something toyota needs to honor.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 29, 2025Steering, Vehicle speed control, Service brakesODI 11663740
All 2007 Highlander problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 7, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl · 3.3L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd · Automatic 5-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 7, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Highlander 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
192522$2,850404
Highlander 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
182320$3,100444
Highlander 2WD
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L · Front-Wheel Drive
172319$3,300468
Highlander 4WD
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
162219$3,300468
  • Highlander 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    19 city · 25 hwy · $2,850/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Highlander 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    18 city · 23 hwy · $3,100/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Highlander 2WD
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L
    17 city · 23 hwy · $3,300/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Highlander 4WD
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L
    16 city · 22 hwy · $3,300/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 7, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2007 Toyota Highlander as of Nov 7, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 7, 2026Vehicle 2168
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2007 Highlander questions

How many recalls does the 2007 Toyota Highlander have?

4 safety recalls as of Nov 7, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2007 Toyota Highlander problems?

Owners filed 124 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are service brakes (29), electrical system (23), vehicle speed control (16). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2007 Toyota Highlander get?

The EPA rates the 2007 Toyota Highlander at 19–22 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 7, 2026