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.
The worst 2007 Toyota Highlander problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Brakes36
- Electrical23
- Acceleration16
- Visibility15
- Engine9
- Tires8
- Transmission8
- Driver assistance6
- Fuel system6
- Steering6
- Body5
- Wheels5
- Airbags2
- Suspension2
- Seat belts1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2007 Toyota Highlander
Recalls 4
Seats: front assembly: seat heater/cooler
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
- 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. SET number for this recall is SET16B.
Recall number 16V396000 · Recall details
Seats: front assembly: seat heater/cooler
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- Damage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and causing personal injury to the occupant.
- 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. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1‑866‑405‑4226.
Recall number 14V743000 · Recall details
Equipment: other: labels
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- This does not meet the standard requirements.
- 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 recall began on may 27, 2010. Owners may contact gulf states toyota at 713‑580‑3300.
Recall number 10V035000 · Recall details
Equipment: other: labels
- What is wrong
- 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." these vehicles were sold without the requisite load carrying capacity modification labels.
- Risk
- A driver may overload a vehicle which may increase the risk of a crash.
- 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 southeast toyota at 1‑800‑301‑6859.
Recall number 10V036000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2007 Toyota Highlander 171
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Some 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a...
- Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical...
- To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used...
- The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix...
- Toyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal...
- Vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad...
- Some 2005 – 2024 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a...
- Toyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal...
- This is to advise of various price adjustments that will affect Toyota Genuine Motor Oil and Long Life...
- Obsolete notice
2007 Toyota Highlander fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.3L 6‑cyl Hybrid | FWD | 28 | 25 | 26 |
| 3.3L 6‑cyl Hybrid | 4WD | 27 | 25 | 26 |
| 2.4L 4‑cyl | FWD | 19 | 25 | 22 |
| 2.4L 4‑cyl | 4WD | 18 | 23 | 20 |
| 3.3L 6‑cyl | FWD | 17 | 23 | 19 |
| 3.3L 6‑cyl | 4WD | 16 | 22 | 19 |
What 2007 Toyota Highlander owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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.
2007 hybrid ABS brake actuator problem. The primer motor continues to run to prime the pump even when car if off. The humming noise changes when you press on the brakes to load knocking groaning noises. No dash warning signs. I bought this car used and it has always made the humming noise since I bought it. I thought this was normal for a hybrid. Sometimes brake pedal would push easily to floor, but then get tighter. I would hear the knocking grinding noise. No warning lights, had brakes checked and they are good. Thought maybe air in line. This noise and loose pedal started about 1 year ago. 6/2024 it did not happen all the time. I also have a company car, so I do not drive the toyota highlander that often. Now I cannot drive it at all. For fear that the brakes would go out. I started looking further online on information regarding this. It seems toyota and lexus rx 300 hybrids (same part model number) 44510-48060 are all doing this. I looked up recall's and nothing for ABS hybrid problems. Just last week all warning lights came on in my car brake vsc. Reading all the problems with this ABS actuator pump, this should be recalled. 6/2025 per online, it is a known problem with toyota in the hybrid models. All of these units will need to be replaced, only a matter of time. Usually toyota's run up to and overr 300k miles. I planned on keeping mine around. But it is a 2007 with 189k miles on it. I am not sure I want to invest $2000.00 on just a part for a car this old! Junk yards sell used ones for $800+. Same model number and only in time that will fail. Apparently toyota has issued a new model number 44510-48061. There is also another new model 44050-48191. The replacement part (no labor) varies in price 44510-48060 new $1200.00, 44510-48061 $1350.00, 44050-48191 $2000.00
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. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2007 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 116,000, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 240,126. The contact also stated that the seller had crossed out the mileage and penned in "EXEMPT" on the tile. Local authorities were notified.
Subject: Urgent Safety Concern - Recurring Issues with Toyota Highlander Hybrid Models We owned the car since almost new, after repeated attempts with Toyota, like others 300K customers from their own site, I am writing to file a formal complaint regarding persistent safety issues with Toyota Highlander Hybrid models, specifically between the years 2004 and 2007. Despite previous reports and numerous attempts to seek assistance from Toyota, the response has been unsatisfactory, with the company deflecting responsibility rather than providing a resolution. **Vehicle Information:** - Make: Toyota - Model: Highlander Hybrid - Year: 2007 - VIN: [XXX] **Description of the Issue:** 1) The primary concerns involve the hybrid a) BRAKE actuators failing/loosing braking power 2) the electrical inverters, which have shown a pattern of failure across many vehicles, including my own. 3) Leaky blow back from engine into intake. 4) Seat belts are not properly retracting, These failures could compromise the safety of the vehicle but also risk to the driver, passengers, and others on the road. **Previous Reports:** I have previously reported these issues to Toyota, but the attempts to resolve the matter have been met with deflection of blame. It is imperative to note that these issues are not isolated incidents but are widely reported by other owners of the same model. **Impact on Safety:** The malfunctioning of critical components such as the braking system has led to near-miss incidents that could have resulted in severe injuries or fatalities. It is unacceptable for such critical safety issues to remain unaddressed. **Request for Action:** I urge the federal safety agency to investigate these reports thoroughly and take appropriate action to hold Toyota and its CEO accountable. The safety of countless drivers and the integrity of our transportation system depend on your prompt attention to this matter. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S
Only six months after installation as a set of 4 new tires at Sam's Club in May 2021, multiple cracks start to develop around the rims on both inside and outside of the tires. With time, the cracks grow in size. This happens on two tires, one is on the front passage side, and the other on the rear driver side.
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. I quickly reacted by pressing the E-Brake and shift to B - braking mode to be able to stop or slow down. The dealer said it was the Brake actuator that failed and its out of warrant, there was an enhancement warrant program that was issued by Toyota but expired. I feel the safety of people and property that this should've been a recall knowingly it can go out anytime. Contacted Toyota Corp. and they said this would be an out of pocket cost to the consumer which is around $3000. The manufacturer knew this could go out at any moment and should've made the RECALL instead. during the enhancement warranty program they would not replace it since it was still functioning.
The VTT - I oil line leaks oil may burst
Driving at about 50 mph on two lane road, the VSC and ABS lights come on with a little chime warning, along with some other warnings. Check VSC is also in the small screen instead of the odometer. Toyota knows about ABS actuator issues on this vehicle, but Toyota did not extend the warranty beyond 150k miles and 10 years. This could be a safety issue with the ABS, VSC and brakes. Toyota published a "Warranty Enhancement Program - ZG1" on April 19, 2016, but only to dealers. After the initial warranty period, I've used independent repair shops, so I didn't get any notice. I did get other recall notices from Toyota on this vehicle and had them repaired by the dealer. Toyota should be more accountable for brake issues that could be safety related.
Compare the 2007 Toyota Highlander
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Other model years
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Questions about the 2007 Toyota Highlander
Is the 2007 Toyota Highlander reliable?
Owners have filed 124 complaints about the 2007 Toyota Highlander, fewer than a typical Highlander model year.
What is the 2007 Toyota Highlander year score?
The 2007 Toyota Highlander scores 83 out of 100 (good). The score compares it with the other model years of the Toyota Highlander: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2007 Toyota Highlander?
Brakes, with 36 complaints, typically around 100,000 miles. Next is electrical (23).
How many recalls does the 2007 Toyota Highlander have?
4 recalls, covering seats and equipment.
What year does the Toyota Highlander have bad brakes?
The Toyota Highlander model years with the most brakes complaints are 2006 (102 complaints), 2008 (82 complaints) and 2021 (68 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2007 Toyota Highlander get?
Official estimates for the 2007 Toyota Highlander range from 19 to 26 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.3L 6-cyl hybrid, FWD) gets 28 city and 25 highway.
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