FaultScore

Toyota Highlander Hybrid engine problems

95 of the 1,104 complaints filed about the Toyota Highlander Hybrid are about the engine — 9% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2006.

95

Complaints

9%

Share of all complaints

2

Crashes

4

Fires

Engine & Cooling complaints by model year

Median failure at 105,000 miles

Median failure at 87,842 miles

Median failure at 120,000 miles

Median failure at 60,200 miles

Median failure at 51,200 miles

Median failure at 105,000 miles

Median failure at 16,000 miles

Median failure at 1,455 miles

Median failure at 6,000 miles

Median failure at 6,344 miles

Median failure at 57,500 miles

What owners said

2019 Toyota Highlander Hybrid at 3,033 miles Roswell, GA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

The contact owns a 2019 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was an oil leak coming from the upper oil pan. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where the dealer attempted to repair the leak with a seal. The failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the same local dealer where an oil pan bolt was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to another local dealer, Nalley Toyota of Roswell (11130 Alpharetta Hwy, Roswell, GA 30076), and was repaired, and the gaskets were sealed to the upper and lower oil pan. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back and remained with a second local dealer for additional repairs. The failure mileage was approximately 3,033.

NHTSA complaint #11649195 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid at 80,000 miles Breckenridge, CO

ENGINE

The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the contact heard a loud noise coming from the driver’s side of the vehicle. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and became aware that the front lower bumper had detached on the driver's side and was dragging on the road. The bumper was attached by one screw. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V72000 (Structure). The vehicle was taken to the dealer and repaired under the recall. The dealer informed the contact that the grill shutter had been damaged and needed to be repaired. The contact stated that after retrieving the vehicle, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was informed that the grill shutter had not been repaired correctly causing the check engine warning light to be illuminated. The dealer repaired the vehicle again. The contact stated that after repairing the vehicle, while driving approximately 40 miles down the road, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact inspected the vehicle and became aware that underneath the grill shutter had not been repaired. The dealer had been contacted and informed that the failure had reoccurred. The vehicle had not been returned to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired again. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the repair would be up to the dealer to repair the vehicle. The failure mileage was 80,000.

NHTSA complaint #11615057 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid at 35,000 miles Glen Allen, VA

ENGINE

The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and approaching a traffic light, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the engine surged. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer on several occasions, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000.

NHTSA complaint #11609670 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid at 280,000 miles Lafayette, CO

ENGINE

The contact owns a 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled with the check hybrid system and two other unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact managed to coast the vehicle to the side of the highway; however, the vehicle failed to restart. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where a diagnostic test was performed. The mechanic discovered that there was a leak in the inverter cooling system. Upon investigation, the contact discovered an unknown recall that was related to the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but informed her that the vehicle was not included in the unknown recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 280,000.

NHTSA complaint #11502242 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid at 196,000 miles Healdsburg, CA

ENGINE

The contact owns a 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact’s son stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the contact’s residence. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer to be diagnosed. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 196,000.

NHTSA complaint #11449033 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2019 Toyota Highlander Hybrid at 9,655 miles South Whitley, IN

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER AND DECELERATED. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT, HYBRID SYSTEM MALFUNCTION WARNING LIGHT, AND PRE-COLLISION SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO EXECUTIVE MOTORS LTD (AUTOMALL GROUP - SHIRLEY ST, NASSAU, BAHAMAS, 1-242-397-1700) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL RAIL PRESSURE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RELATED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V682000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 9,655.

NHTSA complaint #11414436 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid at 250,000 miles Spring, TX

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER, THE CHECK ENGINE AND ABS WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED, AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. ALSO, "CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM" APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. FRED HAAS TOYOTA WORLD (20400 INTERSTATE 45 N, SPRING, TX 77373) WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BECAUSE THE TEST WAS NOT FREE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 250,000.

NHTSA complaint #11221174 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2009 Toyota Highlander Hybrid at 124,842 miles Bedford, IN

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING UP A HILL AT 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE ABS, TRACTION CONTROL, STEERING SYSTEM, AND BATTERY WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, "STOP VEHICLE IN A SAFE PLACE IMMEDIATELY" APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL WITH EXCESSIVE FORCE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND HAD IT TOWED HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ROYAL SOUTH TOYOTA (LOCATED AT 3115 S WALNUT ST, BLOOMINGTON, IN 47401, (812) 331-1100) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT NO FAILURE CODE WAS FOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,842.

NHTSA complaint #11220968 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 Toyota Highlander Hybrid at 105,000 miles Highland Park, IL

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, A GRINDING NOISE WAS PRESENT COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NORTH BROOK TOYOTA (1530 FRONTAGE RD, NORTH BROOK, IL) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RUBBER OIL HOSE WAS DAMAGED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE SAME DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE WAS DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

NHTSA complaint #11187501 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid at 245,000 miles Niamey, AL

ENGINE

TAKATA RECALL IN 3 TIMES THE LIGHT "READY '' DISAPPEAR AND APPEAR "CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM" AND THEN ENGINE NEED TO START AGAIN..

NHTSA complaint #11139744 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2018 Toyota Highlander Hybrid at 6,000 miles Mclean, VA Fire

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A PARKING LOT, THE CONTACT WAS NOTIFIED BY THE FAIRFAX FIRE MARSHALL THAT THE VEHICLE SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT FIRE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FIRE STARTED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT CALLED A LOCAL DEALER (PRIORITY TOYOTA SPRINGFIELD, 7601 LOISDALE RD, SPRINGFIELD, VA 22150 (703) 269-1400) AND WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT INFORMED THE CONTACT TO CALL THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #11110214 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid at 200,000 miles Honeoye Falls, NY

ENGINE

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY 65MPH THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER,THE CHECK HYBRID LIGHT WAS FLASHING, WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND STOP. WAS ABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE AND DRIVE 110 MILE HOME.

NHTSA complaint #11048624 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid at 87,842 miles Rice Lake, WI Fire

ENGINE

CAR WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY AND WAS STATIONARY. WARMING CAR UP TO GET RID OF FROST ON WINDSHIELD. THE CAR STARTED ON FIRE - TOTAL LOST. 3 TO 4 FEET FLAMES COMING OUT OF ENGINE.

NHTSA complaint #11044702 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2015 Toyota Highlander Hybrid at 16,000 miles Amherst, MA

ENGINE

I UNKNOWINGLY FAILED TO TURN OFF MY CAR LAST NIGHT. IT HAS A KEYLESS IGNITION (FOB) AND SETS OFF AN ALARM WHEN LEFT ON. UNFORTUNATELY, LAST NIGHT MY HUSBAND ARRIVED HOME AT THE SAME TIME AND BETWEEN 2 GARAGE DOORS CLOSING AND EXCITED, BARKING DOGS I DIDN'T HEAR THE ALARM. WE WENT TO BED SHORTLY THEREAFTER. MY HUSBAND WOKE UP VERY EARLY AND HEARD OUR CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTOR GOING OFF IN THE GARAGE. WHEN HE OPENED THE DOOR HE DISCOVERED IT WAS VERY HOT AND THE DETECTOR WAS REGISTERING HIGH LEVELS OF CM. HE OPENED THE GARAGE DOORS AND WINDOWS IN THE HOUSE. I HAVE SINCE RESEARCHED THIS. SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE DIED UNDER THE SAME CIRCUMSTANCES. I FEEL LUCKY. THE CAR IS A HYBRID SO IT WAS ALTERNATING ALL NIGHT BETWEEN THE ENGINE AND THE BATTERY. WE ALSO HAD A CM DETECTOR IN THE GARAGE WHICH IS NOT LEGALLY REQUIRED. THE MANUFACTURERS NEED TO HAVE AN AUTOMATIC SHUTOFF FOR THE KEYLESS SYSTEMS OR MANY MORE INNOCENT PEOPLE WILL DIE. PLEASE FIX THIS NOW.

NHTSA complaint #11035322 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2017 Toyota Highlander Hybrid at 2,900 miles Flagstaff, AZ

ENGINE

TOTAL SYSTEM FAILURE. SEE DETAILED ATTACHED DOCUMENT.

NHTSA complaint #11015603 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid at 120,000 miles Charlotte, NC

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA complaint #10978953 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2017 Toyota Highlander Hybrid at 10 miles Alameda, CA

ENGINE

I EXPERIENCED ISSUES RIGHT AFTER BUYING CAR NEW. CAR UNABLE TO READ SID CARD, GSP NOT WORKING, MULTI-MEDIA SCREEN WHITE WASH (WHITE) AND UNABLE TO READ, KEEPS TRYING TO RESTART 'BLUETOOTH', AUTO WIPER SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK, SEAT BELT WARNING SYSTEM DOES NOT ALWAYS WORK, FORWARD COLLISION BUTTON ON STEERING WORK DOES NOT WORK, BLIND SPOT WARNING DOES NOT WORK ALL THE TIME, HYBRID ENGINE DOES NOT ALWAYS START, REAR AUTO LIFT GATE DOES NOT ALWAYS OPEN.

NHTSA complaint #10971485 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid at 264,000 miles Westminster, CO

ENGINE

I WAS DRIVING TO AN OFF RAMP WHEN MY 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID JUST STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF A VERY BUSY TRAFFIC! IT ALMOST CAUSED A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT. I HAD IT TOWED AND THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED IT AS AN INVERTER CONVERTER PROBLEM AND WILL CAUSE ME $11000 (YES, ELEVEN THOUSAND DOLLARS) TO REPLACE IT. THIS APPEAR TO BE AN ENGINEERING DEFECT FAULT. OF ALL THE WARNING IN PLACE IT SEEMS TO INFORM THE DRIVER, SUCH AS THE ABS LIGHT, LOW GAS GAUGE, LOW AIR, OIL MAINTENANCE WARNING, WHY NOT THE 'INVERTER PROBLEM DETECTED, BRING YOUR CAR TO THE DEALER NOW?'. I FEEL THAT TOYOTA IS BEING IRRESPONSIBLE IN DESIGNING A CAR THAT JUST SIMPLY STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY OR ON ANY STREET WITHOUT WARNING. THIS ERROR IS SUPER DANGEROUS AND CAN CAUSE INNOCENT LIVES AND TOYOTA SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY IN CORRECTING THE WRONG INSTEAD OF HIDING BEHIND THE SCENE. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THERE ARE OTHER SUCH PROBLEM BUT THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE SAID THAT MY VEHICLE ID NUMBER IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST. WHO INCLUDE MY VEHICLE ON THE RECALL LIST ANYWAY? CERTAINLY THIS IS A PROBLEM AFTER ALL IT IS AFFECTING VEHICLES 2006 TO 2012? PLEASE HELP.

NHTSA complaint #10956638 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid at 120,000 miles Healdsburg, CA

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WARNING INDICATORS FLASHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS WATER IN THE HYBRID BATTERY COMPARTMENT AND THE COMPARTMENT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA complaint #10925200 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid at 175,000 miles Phoenix, AZ

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER OPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 175,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.

NHTSA complaint #10875309 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Toyota Highlander Hybrid problems