Toyota Highlander Hybrid Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Toyota Highlander Hybrid model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2005 drew the fewest (1) and the 2006 the most (370).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 Among the fewest complaints |
1 | 1 | Electronic stability control | — | — |
| 2014 Among the fewest complaints |
2 | 1 | Electrical system | — | 28 |
| 2017 Among the fewest complaints |
3 | 2 | Engine | 5★ | 28 |
| 2015 | 4 | 0 | Electrical system | 5★ | 28 |
| 2011 | 5 | 1 | Vehicle speed control | — | 28 |
| 2013 | 5 | 0 | Air bags | — | 28 |
| 2018 | 5 | 0 | Unknown or other | 5★ | 28 |
| 2016 | 6 | 0 | Service brakes | 5★ | 28 |
| 2019 | 6 | 0 | Unknown or other | 5★ | 28 |
| 2022 | 6 | 4 | Electrical system | 5★ | 35–36 |
| 2012 | 9 | 0 | Structure | — | 28 |
| 2020 | 9 | 4 | Air bags | 5★ | 35–36 |
| 2023 | 9 | 6 | Structure | 5★ | 35–36 |
| 2021 | 15 | 4 | Air bags | 5★ | 35–36 |
| 2010 | 22 | 4 | Service brakes | — | 26 |
| 2009 | 40 | 4 | Service brakes | — | 26 |
| 2007 Among the most complaints |
110 | 2 | Service brakes | — | 26 |
| 2008 Among the most complaints |
197 | 6 | Service brakes | — | 26 |
| 2006 Among the most complaints |
370 | 6 | Service brakes | — | 26–27 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Toyota Highlander Hybrid years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid: 370 complaints
Most-reported: Service brakes 137 (37%); Electrical system 74 (20%); Hybrid propulsion system 45 (12%).
Reports mention 34 crashes, 7 fires, 10 injuries, 2 deaths. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 95,000 miles. 6 recall campaigns listed.
2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid: 197 complaints
Most-reported: Service brakes 113 (57%); Electrical system 35 (18%); Electronic stability control 25 (13%).
Reports mention 6 crashes, 4 fires, 5 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 110,000 miles. 6 recall campaigns listed.
2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid: 110 complaints
Most-reported: Service brakes 46 (42%); Electrical system 28 (25%); Vehicle speed control 15 (14%).
Reports mention 14 crashes, 2 fires, 3 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 105,000 miles. 2 recall campaigns listed.
The Toyota Highlander Hybrid years with the fewest complaints
2005 Toyota Highlander Hybrid: 1 complaints
Most-reported: Electronic stability control 1 (100%); Steering 1 (100%).
1 recall campaign listed.
2014 Toyota Highlander Hybrid: 2 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 1 (50%); Visibility/wiper 1 (50%).
1 recall campaign listed.
2017 Toyota Highlander Hybrid: 3 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 2 (67%); Electrical system 1 (33%); Electronic stability control 1 (33%).
2 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Toyota Highlander Hybrid owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2022 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2021 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2020 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2019 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2018 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2017 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2016 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2015 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2014 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2013 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2012 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2011 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2010 | 22 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 52,000 |
| 2009 | 40 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 66,000 |
| 2008 | 197 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 110,000 |
| 2007 | 110 | 14 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 105,000 |
| 2006 | 370 | 34 | 7 | 10 | 2 | 95,000 |
| 2005 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Toyota Highlander Hybrid recalls
- Power Window Master Switch may Melt (2008 model year; 2,519,424 vehicles across all models; filed Oct 2012; 12V491000)
- Power Window Master Switch may Melt (2008–2011 model years; 1,814,284 vehicles across all models; filed Oct 2015; 15V689000)
- Rearview Camera Image May Not Display/FMVSS 111 (2023–2025 model years; 1,024,407 vehicles across all models; filed Oct 2025; 25V744000)
- OCS Sensors May Short Circuit (2020–2021 model years; 999,901 vehicles across all models; filed Dec 2023; 23V865000)
- FLOOR CARPET COVER AND RETENTION CLIPS (2004–2006 model years; 769,379 vehicles across all models; filed Feb 2011; 11V112000)
All 26 Toyota Highlander Hybrid recall campaigns · Toyota Highlander Hybrid problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Toyota Highlander Hybrid years FAQ
Which Toyota Highlander Hybrid year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2005 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (1). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Toyota Highlander Hybrid years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2006, 2008 and 2007 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the service brakes. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Toyota Highlander Hybrid problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the service brakes (345 of 824 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Toyota Highlander Hybrid have?
NHTSA lists 26 recall campaigns covering the Toyota Highlander Hybrid. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Toyota Highlander Hybrid recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.