NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
What can fail
The electrical wiring in aftermarket seat heaters with copper strand heating elements can be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed, potentially causing electrical issues.
What the fix does
This page covers 6 recalls, 237 owner complaints and EPA fuel economy for the 2010 Toyota Highlander.
19–26 mpg combined
9–12.4 L/100km
Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 2 tested variants for this model year.
For the 2010 Toyota Highlander, electrical system complaints make up the largest share of owner reports, covering a range of issues from wiring failures and gear shifter malfunctions to headlamp problems. Owners frequently describe headlight assemblies becoming cloudy and burning through replacement bulbs unusually fast, and several report that wiring faults caused unrelated symptoms like a stuck shifter. Visibility complaints are the second most common category, with windshield wiper performance and the headlamp cloudiness issue both contributing. Brake complaints represent the third cluster, where owners describe unexpected brake behavior and loss of power while driving. The headlamp degradation pattern is particularly consistent across multiple reports, with owners describing shortened bulb life tied to what they believe is a problem with the lens housings or the associated electrical circuit.
237
Total Complaints
19
Crash-Related
2
Fire-Related
8
With Injuries
By System
The 2010 Toyota Highlander has 6 recalls, the most serious being an accelerator pedal that can get trapped by an unsecured or incompatible floor mat and stick wide open, making the vehicle difficult to slow or stop.
Seat-related recalls cover two separate issues. Certain vehicles sold with aftermarket heated seats have a copper heating element that can short circuit and start a fire. On hybrid models, the front passenger seat's occupant sensing system can fall out of calibration, causing the airbag to either fail to deploy or deploy incorrectly for the passenger's size and position in a crash. The power window switch can also collect moisture and debris without adequate lubrication, causing it to overheat and melt. Hybrid models have an additional concern where the inverter can trigger a fail-safe mode that significantly limits how the vehicle drives. Finally, certain vehicles sold through Southeast Toyota distributors are missing required load capacity labels, which can lead a driver to unknowingly overload the vehicle.
At a glance
What can fail
The electrical wiring in aftermarket seat heaters with copper strand heating elements can be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed, potentially causing electrical issues.
What the fix does
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Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
Dealers will disconnect the seat heaters at no charge and refund the purchase price of the accessory.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The power window master switch may have inconsistent grease lubrication on its sliding electrical contacts, potentially causing the switch to malfunction.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the switch and apply lubricant if needed, or replace the circuit board if abnormalities are found.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The Intelligent Power Module in the inverter may have transistors that operate hotter than the solder can withstand, causing heat damage to the transistors. This triggers warning lights on your dashboard.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the Intelligent Power Module at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
After SET added accessories like leather seat covers or seat heaters, the passenger seat occupant sensing system may not have been calibrated properly. Without correct calibration, the system might not detect occupants as intended.
What the fix does
Dealers will test the occupant detection sensors and recalibrate them as needed to ensure proper operation.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Your vehicle lacks the required load capacity modification label that shows safe tire and rim specifications per federal safety standards.
What the fix does
A corrected label will be mailed to you, or your dealer can install it free of charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The accelerator pedal can become stuck in the wide-open position when trapped by an unsecured or incompatible driver's floor mat.
What the fix does
Toyota will reshape or replace the accelerator pedal and replace any Toyota all-weather floor mat with a newly designed one at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.