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Electrical systemPart report

2010 Toyota Highlander Electrical system Problems

Complaints
53about this part
Share
25%of 216 total for the year
Median mileage
66,000miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 53 complaints about the electrical system of the 2010 Toyota Highlander, 25% of the 216 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 66,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“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”

NHTSA complaint #11388800, filed 2021-01, 100,000 miles

“The rear liftgate door ajar keeps going of every time I turn or hit a bump. When this warning keeps going of I do not know if any other door is open and risk one of my children falling out of the car when driving and risking death or injury. The only reason I know it is the rear liftgate is that I found this issue all over the internet and found youtube videos on the issue”

NHTSA complaint #11091130, filed 2018-05, 90,000 miles

“In the last few months, my door ajar light and door chime have been intermittently coming on when turning either direction. All doors are closed, and still the lights come on and chime. This is causing me concern as I have a young child and am unaware of whether doors are truly closed properly. Please open an investigation as this is not the only complaint regarding this matter.”

NHTSA complaint #11097954, filed 2018-05, 114,000 miles

“Every time I accelerate, break, turn, coming to a stop and going over a bump my door ajar chimes on the dash for the back door (hatch). Also, the dome lights come on when the chime and picture pops up that my rear gate is ajar. I believe this is a safety issue because I am not the only car with this exact same issue. This needs to be recalled since this potentially is a safety issue. This is a continual and ongoing issue.”

NHTSA complaint #11252663, filed 2019-09, 90,000 miles

“Received a phone call from street Toyota concerning a recall for my 2010 Highlander. They said that they needed 5 minutes to do a recall on the computer. I checked the recalls and didn't find anything. I think that they are up to something. I refused the appointment. Thanks”

NHTSA complaint #10562776, filed 2014-02, 50,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2025110%
2024614%
2023126%
2022239%
2021285%
2020186%
20195611%
2018249%
20174617%
20161413%
20155227%
20143526%
20132613%
20122916%
20112313%
20105325%
20092015%
20084411%
20072319%
2006269%
20052511%
2004186%
2003156%
2002134%
200154%

Other parts of the 2010 Toyota Highlander

Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
42 complaints
Brakes
30 complaints
Vehicle speed control
22 complaints
Steering
21 complaints
Other or unknown
16 complaints
Air bags
14 complaints
Body and structure
14 complaints
Engine
12 complaints
Exterior lighting
12 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
6 complaints
Electronic stability control
5 complaints
Equipment
4 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2010 Toyota Highlander

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.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology