2010 Toyota Highlander Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 12about this part
- Share
- 6%of 216 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 53,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 12 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2010 Toyota Highlander, 6% of the 216 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 53,500 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.
“When we are driving our Toyota 2010 Highlander if you hit a bump the door ajar light comes on even though the doors are not opem. We are not able to use the sunroof or open the windows because the door ajar light comes on and the interior light and the beeping for a door open. This is very disttacting when trying to drive. It is getting worse now every time we make a turn ot go over the slighest bump the light comes on and the dinging for the door starts Toyota really needs to fix this! It happens all the time when we drive our car'”
NHTSA complaint #11241612, filed 2019-08, 154,000 miles“The back up lights on my Highlander are almost non existent. I have tried to use them to back up at night and there is not light at all. You can barely see anything at night using these back up lights I feel this is a safety hazard. I live out in the country and need these back up lights to see any obstruction at night. I took the Highlander to my mechanic and he said that was just how Toyota made these back up lights. I feel this is insufficient and dangerous when trying to back out of my drive way at night. I cannot believe no one has addressed this problem .”
NHTSA complaint #11031911, filed 2017-10, 86,000 miles“Faulty rear door ajar sensor reports rear door open intermittently while door is closed causing interior lights, warning lights, and chimes. Started with only turns, acceleration, deceleration, but rapidly deteriorated to near constant failure, particularly in warm weather. Initially started near 2 years ago (25k miles), but was only mildly irritating. Now vehicle cannot be locked with this condition.”
NHTSA complaint #11204192, filed 2019-04, 25,000 miles“Door sensors show door open, door chimes, and interior lights flash when in motion driving over light bump on all roads, highway or city streets. And/or when driving from the street into driveway at 1mph at all times as up over slight curb. Happens when I shift the gears into motion. Started in sept. 2015 to current date.”
NHTSA complaint #10825646, filed 2016-02, 53,000 miles“We have a 2010 Toyota Highlander and the dome lights turn on & the door ajar alarm sounds while turning left & sometimes while turning right. This has also happened when rolling up or down the passengers side window. Took it to dealer & they could not diagnosed or repair it.”
NHTSA complaint #10639580, filed 2014-09, 39,000 milesExterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 12 | 5% |
| 2021 | 8 | 2% |
| 2019 | 4 | 1% |
| 2018 | 5 | 2% |
| 2017 | 4 | 1% |
| 2016 | 9 | 8% |
| 2015 | 10 | 5% |
| 2014 | 2 | 1% |
| 2013 | 5 | 2% |
| 2012 | 2 | 1% |
| 2011 | 5 | 3% |
| 2010 | 12 | 6% |
| 2009 | 2 | 1% |
| 2008 | 3 | 1% |
| 2006 | 7 | 3% |
| 2005 | 9 | 4% |
| 2004 | 14 | 5% |
| 2003 | 15 | 6% |
| 2002 | 12 | 4% |
| 2001 | 2 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2010 Toyota Highlander
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 complaintsEngine
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 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