Toyota Highlander problems
238 owner complaints with NHTSA, no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Repair exposure runs above average — only with money set aside and eyes open.
- Electrical system: 52 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 45,000–90,000 mi
- Brakes: 32 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 25,581–92,000 mi
- Reliability score 7.4/10 — around the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
Back door states that it is ajar even when it is completely closed. This seems to be safety issue to me and Toyota should check and issue an recall.
The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that the gear shifter had been stuck on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the fuses were replaced on several occasions; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the…
We have contacted Toyota about our 2010 highlander & its defective windshield which, based on conversations we've had with repair shops and Toyota employees, is likely caused by the plastic film pressed between the glass. This defect causes visual distortion and is incredibly…
I was driving on a straight and level road, at approximately 30 MPH. Traffic came to a sudden stop and I applied the brakes in a hard and sudden manner, but the vehicle failed to stop in time, though I believe it should have. No airbags deployed. My vehicle struck the…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2010 Toyota Highlander reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.4 out of 10 based on 238 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2010 Toyota Highlander is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2010 Toyota Highlander?
The 2010 Toyota Highlander is a higher-risk ownership prospect. Repair exposure runs above average — only with money set aside and eyes open. The record behind that call: Electrical system: 52 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 45,000–90,000 mi; Brakes: 32 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 25,581–92,000 mi; Reliability score 7.4/10 — around the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What's the most common problem on the 2010 Toyota Highlander?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 52 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 69,228 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The electrical is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 69,228 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Toyota Highlander has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2010 Toyota Highlander?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 238 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $850, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.