Toyota Highlander Hybrid Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 814 consumer complaints across the 15 model years of the Toyota Highlander Hybrid (2006–2023) that have at least 5 complaints. 2006 has the most, with 370. Across all years, the part named most often is brakes (344 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
Best and worst Highlander Hybrid years →
All Highlander Hybrid model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 9 | 13,000 | 6 | 117 | — | Too new |
| 2022 | 6 | 32,500 | 4 | 150 | — | Not enough data |
| 2021 | 15 | 27,300 | 4 | 159 | — | Rising |
| 2020 | 9 | 28,500 | 4 | 140 | — | Not enough data |
| 2019 | 6 | 6,800 | 0 | 88 | — | Not enough data |
| 2018 | 5 | 850 | 0 | 106 | — | Not enough data |
| 2016 | 6 | 47,012 | 0 | 121 | — | Not enough data |
| 2013 | 5 | 47,600 | 0 | 157 | — | Not enough data |
| 2012 | 9 | 86,000 | 0 | 142 | — | Not enough data |
| 2011 | 5 | 72,000 | 1 | 135 | — | Not enough data |
| 2010 | 22 | 43,500 | 4 | 132 | — | Stable |
| 2009 | 40 | 63,100 | 4 | 117 | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Stable |
| 2008 | 197 | 110,000 | 6 | 114 | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Rising |
| 2007 | 110 | 105,000 | 2 | 85 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2006 | 370 | 93,550 | 6 | 78 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Brakes344 41%
- Electrical system147 18%
- Vehicle speed control75 8.9%
- Hybrid propulsion system75 8.9%
- Electronic stability control62 7.4%
- Engine55 6.6%
- Other or unknown41 4.9%
- Steering40 4.8%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
2006: “My 2006 highlander drove just fine. Parked in my usual spot and the next time I start it my p/s light is on and I have no steering. I searched online and it seems to be a common problem for it to just quit working on people. I'm curious as to why this issue hasn't been addressed by Toyota yet. Thank god I wasn't driving like others were when it happened.”
NHTSA complaint #11220268, filed 2019-06, 140,000 miles2016: “We were driving on the highway on 5/16/20. We were driving around 65 MPH straight. We were driving on black asphalt and then when we drove over a bridge with white/grayish concrete, the car's emergency braking system activated and applied sudden braking even though we were normally driving. The car jolted and slowed down and all passengers were stopped by auto-locking seatbelts.”
NHTSA complaint #11326887, filed 2020-06, 42,000 miles2008: “Brake actuator assembly on my 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid has been failing. Know issue. I've taken excellent care of this vehicle and had it serviced at the dealership. The manufacturing is replace the previous years, but not the 2008 which is the exact same component. Please let me know why this is happening. Not just to me, but others too. Please help us. Thanks”
NHTSA complaint #11209225, filed 2019-05, 158,000 milesOther Toyota models
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About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology