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EnginePart report

2010 Toyota Highlander Engine Problems

Complaints
12about this part
Share
6%of 216 total for the year
Median mileage
90,403miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 12 complaints about the engine of the 2010 Toyota Highlander, 6% of the 216 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 90,403 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.

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.

“We were traveling on the interstate after about a 7 hour drive and the low oil pressure warning display was flickering on and off but never stayed on consistently. I pulled over and there was no oil in the engine, I mean it was bone dry. I'm truly surprised the car was still operating. When oil was put in, it poured, and I mean poured, right back out. We had to be towed because the car could not be driven. It was determined that the engine oil cooler line was leaking.”

NHTSA complaint #11155185, filed 2018-11, 136,055 miles

“While driving on the interstate at 70 MPH, a deer hit my car. Airbags did not deploy, damaged front end, minor damage to the bumper, major damage to engine compartment and windshield was cracked why did the airbag not deploy our major concern concern that will the airbag work after repairs??”

NHTSA complaint #10566585, filed 2014-03, 70,000 miles

“Twice in september 2014, as I was approaching a stop light, I pressed the brakes and slowed to nearly a stop. The engine suddenly accelerated very high, and if I had not already had a foot on the brakes, I would have gone into an intersection. The engine was running so high that it was difficult to keep it from moving. I shifted into neutral, came to a complete stop, and while the transmission was in neutral, took my foot off the brake pedal. The engine immediately returned to normal idle. This same sequence happened both times. …”

NHTSA complaint #10639837, filed 2014-09, 31,000 miles

“My vehicle experienced a loss of oil pressure and massive oil loss while being driven due to the failure of the oil cooler line while driving on pa 291 in philadelphia. It had to be towed. This is apparently a common problem for the Highlander and the lexus rx350.”

NHTSA complaint #11296830, filed 2020-01, 90,403 miles

“Stopped at a traffic light with the brake applied, the engine began to rev uncontrolled and began to move forward towards the car ahead of us, even with the brake fully applied. To stop the problem, the transmission was shifted to park and ignition turned off.”

NHTSA complaint #11076812, filed 2018-03, 103,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2024512%
20232815%
2022114%
2021479%
2020175%
20197114%
20183513%
20174717%
201698%
2015105%
201432%
20133215%
2012179%
2011179%
2010126%
20092317%
20085814%
200776%
2006197%
200563%
2004166%
20034116%
200272%
200121%

Other parts of the 2010 Toyota Highlander

Electrical system
53 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
42 complaintsBrakes
30 complaintsVehicle speed control
22 complaintsSteering
21 complaintsOther or unknown
16 complaintsAir bags
14 complaintsBody and structure
14 complaintsExterior lighting
12 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
6 complaintsElectronic stability control
5 complaintsEquipment
4 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2010 Toyota Highlander

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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