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Toyota Highlander HybridModel year report

2010 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Problems

Complaints
22filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
43,500miles, 20 complaints with mileage
Recalls
4campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
26 mpgcombined, 3.3L 6-cyl · hybrid AWD · 27 city / 25 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2010 Toyota Highlander Hybrid (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 22 consumer complaints for the 2010 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The part named most often is brakes, with 6 complaints (27% of the total), followed by other or unknown (4) and engine (3). 20 of the complaints include a mileage, and 50% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 43,500 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 132 technical service bulletins for this model year. Brakes complaints overlap with 8 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Other or unknown complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Body and structure (1), Vehicle speed control (1).

Example complaints

Brakes: “When I depress the brake to make a consistent smooth stop if the vehicle hits bumps the car seems to loose its braking power and almost feels like it slips out from under me as it lurches ahead. This problem is consistent in that it happens in the same spots under the same conditions. It seems as though it could be hazardous in certain conditions.”

NHTSA complaint #10598052, filed 2014-06, 35,000 miles

Other or unknown: “Door locks on passenger front and rear, driver front and rear, have all been replaced or repaired at least twice due to malfunctions. As of december 2015, the locks are failing again for a third time, creating a safety hazard. Locks don't work. They will either stay locked, failing to open, or now, they will not lock at all. This is an ongoing problem that has never been fixed properly. Keeps recurring.”

NHTSA complaint #10811502, filed 2015-12, 30,000 miles

Engine: “While driving down a road without warning one of the ignition coils failed causing the engine and the car to immediately stop in traffic. Fortunately, we were on a rural road and going less than 30 MPH, but on a freeway at speed we would have been in an extremely dangerous situation. The Highlander Hybrid unlike most cars will not run at all with an ignition coil failure. Thus, there is a risk of a sudden loss of power. The Toyota dealer was unable to offer any explanation other than thee things happen. …”

NHTSA complaint #10786138, filed 2015-10, 81,000 miles

Electrical system: “Multiple battery failures requiring jump starts: seven (7) times since I bought this SUV in feb 2011. Three times there was a possible known cause for the battery drain: the passenger vanity mirror light was left on for 15 minutes, 2 hours, and an unknown length of time. None of these three episodes was significant enough to cause a completely dead battery in one that has been evaluated as in excellent condition. I drive in the mountains all winter. …”

NHTSA complaint #10462357, filed 2012-06, 21,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

50% of the 20 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 21,000 and 80,000 miles.

20%0–1010%10–2520%25–5015%50–7520%75–10015%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (20 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 43,500 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

2010201120122013201420152016201852019
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2010 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Highlander Hybrid · sedan FWD/AWDnot rated5 / 4——4 · 17.4% risk

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2010 Toyota Highlander Hybrid version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Highlander Hybrid 4WD3.3L 6-cyl · hybridCVT272526$2,600

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2010 Toyota Highlander Hybrid → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 132 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 132 bulletins →

Other model years of the Toyota Highlander Hybrid

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2023913,0006535—Too new
2022632,5004535—Not enough data
20211527,3004535—Rising
2020928,5004535—Not enough data
201966,8000529—Not enough data
201858500529—Not enough data
2016647,0120528—Not enough data
2013547,6000—28—Not enough data
2012986,0000—28—Not enough data
2011572,0001—28—Not enough data
20102243,5004—26—Stable
20094063,1004—26Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Stable
2008197110,0006—26Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Rising
2007110105,0002—26Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200637093,5506—27Not compared (before 2008)Stable

All Toyota Highlander Hybrid model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2010 Toyota Highlander Hybrid have?

NHTSA recorded 22 consumer complaints for the 2010 Toyota Highlander Hybrid as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2010 Toyota Highlander Hybrid is reported most often?

Brakes is named most often, in 6 complaints (27% of the total), followed by other or unknown with 4.

Has the 2010 Toyota Highlander Hybrid been recalled?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2010 Toyota Highlander Hybrid get?

The EPA rates the 2010 Toyota Highlander Hybrid (Highlander Hybrid 4WD, 3.3L 6-cyl · hybrid) at 26 mpg combined, 27 city and 25 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,600 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2010 Toyota Highlander Hybrid reported?

Among the 20 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 43,500 miles and the middle half falls between 21,000 and 80,000 miles; 50% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.