2010 Toyota Highlander electrical problems

Filed Mar 5, 2026 · Acceleration, Electrical · IL · crash · 2 injuries

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.

Filed Dec 23, 2025 · Electrical · TX

The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that the gear shifter had been stuck on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the fuses were replaced on several occasions; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the rearview mirror wiring had failed. The vehicle was repaired. The contact related the failure to an unknown recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Apr 11, 2025 · Electrical · 185,420 miles · CO

The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle lost automotive power and started to drift to the right side of the road. The brake pedal was depressed, and the vehicle was able to come to a complete stop. The contact mentioned she waited for AAA for roadside assistance. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed alternator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 185,420.

Filed Jun 30, 2021 · Brakes, Driver assistance · MS

The brake actuator assembly and brake booster pump assembly had a recall on it but my truck was not having problems then. I noticed that when I start braking, the truck speeds up. Then all the light on the dash board came on. When my vehicle started having problems I call and they told me that the recall had expired 3 months earlier for my vehicle and it was up to the owner to have it fixed. I didn't get a notice and I wasn't aware of such recall so why am I liable for the repairs. I need help with this please.

Filed Apr 21, 2021 · Body, Electrical · 170,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2010 toyota highlander. The contact stated that the hydraulic liftgate would not open as needed electrically and manually. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who opened the liftgate with a mechanical tool. The mechanic then unscrewed an arm piece on the driver's side of the liftgate which allowed him to open the liftgate manually. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000.

Filed Mar 5, 2021 · Body, Electrical · TX · fire

2010 toyota highlander caught on fire while parked in garage of residence, destroying the highlander and the car parked adjacent to it, along with most of the house. Prior to the fire, there were no issues with the vehicle. The highlander was stationary, with the ignition off and parked in the garage. A subsequent investigation including inspecting burn patterns and thermal damage indicated the fire originated at the front of the toyota highlander on the driver's side where the fuse panel, battery and starter/solenoid were located. All three sources of ignition remain energized with the ignition off. The upper portion of the plastic housing on the fuse panel and battery had melted exposing the receivers for the fuses and plates inside the battery. The ends of the receivers had alloying on the receivers, but no failures were noted on fuse panel or battery. Extreme thermal damage was observed on the connector end of the solenoid where most of the facing had melted or was consumed. Lines of demarcation from extreme heat was observed on the remaining section of the solenoid facing. The cable connecting the battery to the solenoid was not connected to the solenoid due to the extreme damaged to the solenoid. The terminal connector on the cable sustained arcing and/or melting of the metal terminal. The conclusions were that the fire was caused by a failed solenoid attached to the starter on the 2010 toyota highlander. Lab analysis of the starter/solenoid revealed failure at the connection end of the solenoid with beading and arcing on contacts inside the solenoid.

Filed Jan 19, 2021 · Electrical, Steering · 100,000 miles · PR

While I was driving, the steering wheel locked and I was not able to move the car. I put the car on pkg and it got locked too. Could not put in reverse or drive. Windows got locked too. The ABS system light up. A miracle that few minute before I exited a highway. A tow truck took the car and it has been in the toyota dealer for the past week and they do not now what is wrong with the car

Filed Aug 29, 2020 · Electrical · DC

The rear hatch gives a chime and says it is open when it is closed. This is a 2010 highlander and I see that there are many complaints about this online. This is a saftey issue because you never know if it is actually open or if it actually closed but just chiming for no reason. It happens very intermittently, but often when going over a bump but other times there is no pattern, it just happens sometimes and not others. It happens when stationary and when moving. It has been happening for a couple of years at least.

Filed Aug 9, 2020 · Electrical · 55,690 miles · PA

Door ajar radomly comes on for back rear door liftgate happens while driving

Filed Jun 8, 2020 · Electrical · 70,000 miles · CA

Door sensor broken. Goes on and off repeatedly while in motion on street and highway specially when making turns regardless of speed. Happens more frequently on hot days. It has been a long term problem and would cost too much money to fix. This should be manufacturer's responsibility. I've found similar complaints online including videos on youtube demonstrating the particular 2010 toyota highlander issue.