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Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2010 Toyota HighlanderRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 10 safety recalls and 238 owner complaints for the 2010 Toyota Highlander. Most complaints involve electrical system (55) and visibility/wiper (31). The EPA rates it 19–22 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
19–22mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
10campaigns
Latest Jun 2016
Owner complaints
238
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$2,850est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

10 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

Visibility: power window devices and controls

Free remedy

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, 2006-2010 Yaris, and 2009-2010 Scion xD and Pontiac Vibe vehicles. During the manufacturing of the Power Window Master Switch (PWMS), grease lubricant may have been inconsistently applied to the sliding electrical contacts.

VisibilityReported Oct 22, 2015NHTSA 15V689000

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
See all 10 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

238 complaints filed with NHTSA · Dec 2009 – May 2026
  1. Electrical system55
  2. Visibility/wiper31
  3. Service brakes30
  4. Vehicle speed control23
  5. Steering23
  6. Engine15
  7. Structure15
  8. Air bags14
  9. Exterior lighting12

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
2006279
2007124
2008406
2009134
2010238
2011187
2012191
2013212
2014138
2015193
2016111
2017271
2018273
2019508
2020323
2021535
2022266
2023189
202443
202510
Crashes reported
19
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
15
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

55 reports1 crash2 fires
“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. There are not open recalls. The only lights on the dash were for TPMS sensor.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 5, 2026Electrical system, Vehicle speed controlCrash reportedODI 11722240

Visibility/wiper

31 reports
“SUN ROOF GLASS EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 60 TO 65 MILES PER HOUR. WE HAD THE SUN SHADE CLOSED SO WE DID NOT KNOW THE SUN ROOF GLASS HAD EXPLODED. PULLED OFF THE ROAD, NO OTHER CAR OR TRUCK WAS NEAR US, AND DISCOVERED THE SUN ROOF GLASS HAD EXPLODED AND GLASS WAS PREVENTED FROM ENTERING THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT BECAUSE THE SHADE WAS CLOSED. WENT TO A TOYOTA DEALER ABOUT 10 MILES AWAY AND THEY SAID IT WAS PROBABLY CAUSED BY A ROCK. I SAID NO ONE WAS NEAR US, FRONT OR BACK, AND THEY SAID WE MIGHT HAVE HAD A CHIP IN THE SUN ROOF GLASS FROM BEFORE THIS HAPPENED. IT WAS A NICE DAY, NO RAIN, NOT TOO HOT, AROUND 65 DEGREES, COMFORTABLE, SUN WAS OUT. THEY TAPED THE GLASS THAT WAS STILL TOGETHER SO WE COULD DRIVE HOME AND HAVE IT REPAIRED. THEY DID NOT HAVE THE GLASS AND WOULD TAKE SEVERAL DAYS. THIS HAPPENED IN JULY, 2012.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 20, 2017Visibility/wiperODI 11035198

Service brakes

30 reports4 crashes
“We received this from Toyota. Customer Support Program Bulletin Date: Page: POL19-06 6/6/2019 1 of 3 REVISED 8/28/19 CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM BULLETIN (ZKC): REPAIR COVERAGE FOR BRAKE ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY AND BRAKE BOOSTER PUMP ASSEMBLY ON CERTAIN 2008-2010 MY HIGHLANDER HYBRID VEHICLE. When we received this bulletin, we asked our Toyota Dealer Service Department (Stevenson Toyota East, Denver, CO) to address this issue multiple times when bringing in our vehicle for service in 2019 and 2020 and were told repeatedly they would not fix this issue since the ABS light was not on. Now that this bulletin is expired the ABS light is on. We took our Highlander to the Toyota Dealership in Melbourne, Florida and were told that this repair will now cost us $2473.89. Our 2010 Highlander is barely worth that, and now we have to repair this on our own even though Toyota knew the brake actuator assembly and brake booster pump would eventually fail at some point in time. Despite this, Toyota refused to resolve this issue when we asked (more than once) right after receiving the service bulletin in 2019 and as a result is causing a safety issue for our college aged son who drives…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 24, 2024Service brakes, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11604358
All 2010 Highlander problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
2.7L 4-cyl · 3.5L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S6) · Automatic (S5)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · 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 10, 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 (S6), 4 cyl, 2.7 L · Front-Wheel Drive
202722$2,850404
Highlander 2WD
Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
182420$3,100444
Highlander 4WD
Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · All-Wheel Drive
172319$3,300468
  • Highlander 2WD
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.7 L
    20 city · 27 hwy · $2,850/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Highlander 2WD
    Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    18 city · 24 hwy · $3,100/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Highlander 4WD
    Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    17 city · 23 hwy · $3,300/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 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 2010 Toyota Highlander as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 5778
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

2010 Highlander questions

How many recalls does the 2010 Toyota Highlander have?

10 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 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 2010 Toyota Highlander problems?

Owners filed 238 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (55), visibility/wiper (31), service brakes (30). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2010 Toyota Highlander get?

The EPA rates the 2010 Toyota Highlander at 19–22 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026