2010 Toyota Highlander Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 3%of 216 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 66,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2010 Toyota Highlander, 3% of the 216 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 66,000 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.
“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“We have a brand new Toyota Highlander (2010) with only 2200 miles on it, we have recently noticed that at highway speeds between 58 - 64 MPH, it consistently makes a very noticeable, resonating vibration sound. Car is under warranty and we took it to a Toyota dealer to have it checked on 7/15/10. They confirmed the problem but could not identify why it is occurring. They drove another brand new Highlander from their lot for comparison purposes and told us that the other Highlander had the exact same issue. …”
NHTSA complaint #10343513, filed 2010-07, 2,250 miles“Failure of torque converter clutch solenoid. Solution torque converter replacement. ~80,000 miles on Toyota u760e 6-speed transmission. Same transmission used in Toyota camry (u760e) was covered by warranty enhancement program - ze5. Manufacturer will not cover any cost of this transmission failure.”
NHTSA complaint #11097650, filed 2018-05, 83,000 miles“When turning steering wheel a clicking noise is heard. There is a TSB out on this problem while vehicle is in motion a noise was heard, and a loud humming noise is coming from the rear. Vehicle was inspected to find problem and differential assembly need to be replaced. There is a TSB out on this problem”
NHTSA complaint #11039503, filed 2017-10, 100,100 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10164330Jul 1, 2019TSB: REVISION NOTICE July 01, 2019 Rev2: ? Applicability has been updated to 2019 ? 2020 model year Toyota vehicles. ? The Techstream Preparation and Process Overview sections…
- 10134401Apr 13, 2016TSB: This bulletin includes basic procedures for inspecting and adjusting World Standard (WS) Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) level at normal vehicle operating temperature…
- 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…
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 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 complaintsExterior lighting
12 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