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ProblemsByVinFile / 2010-TOYOTA-HIGHLANDERNHTSA data synced 1 day ago
Toyota
2010 Toyota Highlander problems
The 2010 Toyota Highlander has 1 critical safety recall on file — the kind NHTSA opens when crashes, fires, or injuries are documented. 238 owner complaints alongside. Read those first.
The 2010 Toyota Highlander has 238 NHTSA owner complaints and 10 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is electrical at 52 complaints, typically surfacing around 69,228 miles (~$850 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Below average for the segment. Multiple systems have recurring complaints.
1
Critical
8
Severe
1
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2010 Highlander?
High-risk ownership
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 5.2/10 — around the segment average
10 recall campaigns on file
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.
Buying a used 2010 Toyota Highlander? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
electrical — 52 owner reports
· tends to show around 69,228 mi · ~$850 to fix
visibility — 38 owner reports
· tends to show around 61,525 mi · ~$350 to fix
brakes — 32 owner reports
· tends to show around 71,869 mi · ~$450 to fix
steering — 23 owner reports
· tends to show around 75,762 mi · ~$700 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: electrical is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 69,228 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 10 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 5.2/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
engine (~$3,100) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you,
what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact
year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
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…
Had a problem with your 2010 Toyota Highlander?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008-2010 highlander, model year 2009-2010 corolla, venza and matrix passenger vehicles
A stuck open accelerator pedal may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death.
Fix: Toyota will modify or replace the accelerator pedals on the subject vehicles. Floor surface modifications are also being considered and will be included for any model for which it is deemed appropriate. Initially, dealers will be instructed on how to reshape the accelerator pedal for the repair. As replacement parts with the same shape as the modified pedal become available, they will be made available to the dealers for the repair. Customers who have had the pedal reshape remedy completed will have the opportunity to receive a new pedal if they desire, after replacement pedals become available. In addition, Toyota will replace any Toyota all-weather floor mat in a subject vehicle with a newly designed mat, free of charge. For those customers who have the previous design all-weather floor mat but do not need or want the newly designed all-weather floor mat, Toyota will recover the previous design all-weather floor mat and reimburse its price. The safety recall began march 30, 2010. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element
If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET number for this recall is SET16B.
Toyota Motor Company (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Tundra, Sequoia, Corolla, Corolla Matrix and Scion xB, 2008-2011 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2007 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2009 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2006-2011 RAV4, 2006-2010 Yaris, and 2009-2010 Scion xD and Pontiac Vibe vehicles
If the sliding electrical contacts are not protected by lubricant, debris and moisture that get into the switch may cause a short circuit and the switch assembly may overheat and melt, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the switch, applying a lubricant if no abnormality is found. If abnormality is found, the PWMS circuit board will be replaced, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin December 20, 2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is C0M.
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 5.2 out of 10 based on 238 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2010 Toyota Highlander has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.
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 5.2/10 — around the segment average; 10 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2010 Toyota Highlander?
Inspect the electrical first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 52 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 69,228 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2010 Toyota Highlander a good used car to buy?
It scores 5.2 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 238 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is electrical. Typical failure occurs around 69,228 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
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.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2010/Toyota/Highlander.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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