2007 Toyota Highlander Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 6%of 124 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 14,045miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2007 Toyota Highlander, 6% of the 124 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 14,045 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Transmission seems to shift at random times. At a stop it will not engage immediately and the Highlander will coast to speed, at other times I touch the accelerator and the car launch off like a race car. When coasting it seems to shift at random times and some times speed up when I want to slow down by hitting brakes. This seems to risk a collision.”
NHTSA complaint #10214672, filed 2008-01, 18,090 miles“My Toyota Highlander limited [2007] has a problem with acceleration. It is not in the current recall. I reported the problem 6/5/08. When I am in cruise control, then brake, then press the cruise control mechanism to return to cruise control, the car sometimes surges ahead at speeds much faster than the set cruise control speed. I do not touch the accelerator pedal at all when this happens. Has happened 10 - 15 times. The car currently has about 19,500 miles. The Toyota dealer went on a test drive with me in june 2008 but the surging did not happen on the test drive. …”
NHTSA complaint #10306679, filed 2010-02, 5,000 miles“2007 Toyota Highlander - uncontrolled transmission surges cause vehicle to move forward unexpectedly. Transmission always shifting down to 5th gear at very slow speeds, pushing car forward unexpectedly when not desired. Taking foot off gas pedal, car maintains speed (like on cruise control). Car will drive and maintain speeds without gas pedal input. Driver must fight to slow vehicle down. Slowing down, coming to a stop sign, car still always wants to shift down into 5th gear, pushing car forward faster just before full stop, risking rear end collision with another vehicle. …”
NHTSA complaint #10176069, filed 2006-12, 800 miles“My Toyota Highlander 2007 (7 seats) stalls since the day I bought it. I thought it was normal but it is becoming very dangerous since it stalls for a sec or 2 everytime you slow and try to accelerate afterward. It stall mainly at yield sign, when slowly trying to cruise intersections and when you try to pass on highways. I read many story on the internet with the same problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10314571, filed 2010-02“I cannot believe Toyota is finally being held to task. In 2007 I sent you a complaint about transmission hesitation problems in the Toyota Highlander. It was so severe, my wife refused to drive it, fearing a collision on highway entry as the car held back and then lurched forward. Despite hundreds of complaints on the internet under transmission hesitation for Toyota, Toyota refused to admit there was a problem and still does! …”
NHTSA complaint #10310567, filed 2010-02Related service bulletins
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- 10134454Aug 24, 2015TechTip: Condition - The vehicle may be difficult to start or have an abnormally low or rough idle after the battery has been disconnected or power to the Engine ECM has been…
- 10134169Mar 18, 2015TechTip: Condition: Engine No Start and/or Poor Engine Power DTCs set immediately after performing service on the Inverter such as SSC D0M for IPM replacement or Inverter…
- 10109408Oct 16, 2014TSB: The purpose of this bulletin is to assist in the identification and location of serial numbers on 2006 -2014 model year remanufactured automatic transmissions.
- 10109404Oct 16, 2014TSB: The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide information regarding the installation of the correct torque converter bolts during automatic transmission/transaxle…
- 10109403Oct 16, 2014TSB: World Standard (WS) Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) was introduced to reduce maintenance costs and increase the mileage between scheduled maintenance checks. Here are…
- 10109493Sep 30, 2014TSB: The purpose of this bulletin is to assist in the identification and location of serial numbers on 2006 - 2014 model year automatic transmissions.
- 10109492Sep 30, 2014TSB: The purpose of this bulletin is to provide precautions to follow when installing an automatic transmission/transaxle assembly to avoid MIL "ON" shifting issues and/or…
- 10132084Oct 1, 2013The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide precautions to follow when installing an automatic transmission/transaxle assembly to avoid MIL ?ON,? shifting issues, and/or…
- 10133836Feb 20, 2013This bulletin contains general vehicle pulling diagnosis and repair procedures along with specific information to help correct pulling complaints.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 3 | 7% |
| 2023 | 20 | 11% |
| 2022 | 55 | 21% |
| 2021 | 229 | 43% |
| 2020 | 126 | 39% |
| 2019 | 214 | 42% |
| 2018 | 72 | 26% |
| 2017 | 77 | 28% |
| 2016 | 1 | 1% |
| 2015 | 7 | 4% |
| 2014 | 9 | 7% |
| 2013 | 11 | 5% |
| 2012 | 7 | 4% |
| 2011 | 16 | 9% |
| 2010 | 6 | 3% |
| 2009 | 7 | 5% |
| 2008 | 18 | 4% |
| 2007 | 8 | 6% |
| 2006 | 22 | 8% |
| 2005 | 51 | 23% |
| 2004 | 58 | 20% |
| 2003 | 13 | 5% |
| 2002 | 14 | 5% |
| 2001 | 13 | 9% |
Other parts of the 2007 Toyota Highlander
36 complaintsElectrical system
23 complaintsVehicle speed control
16 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
15 complaintsOther or unknown
10 complaintsTires
8 complaintsEngine
7 complaintsFuel system
6 complaintsSteering
6 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaintsWheels
5 complaintsElectronic stability control
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2007 Toyota Highlander
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology