Is the 2010 Toyota HIGHLANDER HYBRID reliable?

The 2010 Toyota HIGHLANDER HYBRID has 26 complaints filed with NHTSA (2.9x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: BRAKES problems.

What are common problems with the 2010 Toyota HIGHLANDER HYBRID?

Top problems: BRAKES (6 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (5 complaints, avg repair $500); ENGINE (4 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2010 Toyota HIGHLANDER HYBRID?

Yes, there are 4 recall(s): VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE, EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS, HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM: INVERTER. Contact any Toyota dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2010 Toyota HIGHLANDER HYBRID?

The 2010 Toyota HIGHLANDER HYBRID gets 26 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $1846. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2010 Toyota HIGHLANDER HYBRID?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2010 Toyota HIGHLANDER HYBRID is approximately $1,494/year (suv-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2010 Toyota HIGHLANDER HYBRID

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2010 Toyota HIGHLANDER HYBRID has 26 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 2.9x the segment average of 9. The most common issue is brakes problems (23% of all complaints), specifically: tl* the contact owns a 2010 toyota highlander hybrid. the contact was driving approximately 20 mph, during braking there was a delay in the response time. the failure occurred intermittently. the vehicle was able to continue in operation. additionally, when in an idling position the vehicle woul. There are 4 recalls issued for this model year.

1 crash report 1 injury

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

2.9x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

BRAKES

6 complaints

23%

• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, DURING BRAKING THERE WAS A DELAY IN THE RESPONSE TIME. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE IN OPERATION. ADDITIONALLY, WHEN IN AN IDLING POSITION THE VEHICLE WOUL
• MY TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID HAS EXTREMELY POOR BRAKING IN SNOW / ICY CONDITIONS. EVEN AT EXTREMELY LOW SPEEDS (10 TO 15 MPH), THE CAR SKIDS FOR TENS OF FEET BEFORE COMING TO A HALT. THREE TIMES SO FAR, IT CAUSED DANGEROUS SITUATIONS BECAUSE THE CAR KEPT GOING DESPITE FULL ENGAGEMENT OF THE BRAKES.
• WHEN I DEPRESS THE BRAKE TO MAKE A CONSISTENT SMOOTH STOP IF THE VEHICLE HITS BUMPS THE CAR SEEMS TO LOOSE ITS BRAKING POWER AND ALMOST FEELS LIKE IT SLIPS OUT FROM UNDER ME AS IT LURCHES AHEAD. THIS PROBLEM IS CONSISTENT IN THAT IT HAPPENS IN THE SAME SPOTS UNDER THE SAME CONDITIONS. IT SEEMS AS

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, DURING BRAKING THERE WAS A DELAY IN THE RESPONSE TIME. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE IN OPERATION. ADDITIONALLY, WHEN IN AN IDLING POSITION THE VEHICLE WOUL”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2010 Toyota HIGHLANDER HYBRID

Based on 23 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 35K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BRAKES

In line with typicalmedian 35K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (4)

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS22/10/2015

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. During the manufacturing of the Power Window Master Switch (PWMS), grease lubricant may have been inconsistently applied to the sliding electrical contacts.

Risk: 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.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2010 Toyota HIGHLANDER HYBRID

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$1,847

Per month

$154

Per mile

15.4¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$1,778/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,920/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2010 Toyota HIGHLANDER HYBRID

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,494

Full coverage / month

$125

Liability only / year

$639

vs US avg

-11%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (suv-midsize)1.05x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.85x

= Full coverage estimate$1494

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Toyota HIGHLANDER HYBRID Service Intervals

Oil change

10K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

5K mi

Brake fluid

30 months

Transmission fluid

60K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

120K mi

Cabin air filter

30K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

60K mi

0W-20 synthetic oil recommended. ToyotaCare covers first 2 years / 25K miles of scheduled maintenance for new vehicles. Hybrid battery: 10 yr / 150K miles warranty.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Toyota New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

10 yr / 150K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

2 yr / 25K mi

Hybrid battery is 10yr/150K miles for 2020+ hybrids. ToyotaCare (2yr/25K miles complimentary maintenance) is included.

These are the terms for a new Toyota. If you're buying a used 2010 HIGHLANDER HYBRID, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Toyota dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 26 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
BRAKES: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, DURING BRAKING THERE WAS A DELAY IN THE RESPONSE TIME. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE IN OPERATION. ADDITIONALLY, WHEN IN AN IDLING POSITION THE VEHICLE WOUL
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: HYBIRD SYSTEM OVERRIDES ALL WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM WHEN TIRES SLIP DISABLING THE SYSTEM, IN EFFECT RENDERING IT NONFUNCTIONAL, SO THAT THE GENERATOR IS NOT DAMAGED. COMBUSTION ENGINE WILL NOT TURN ON AND WHEN YOU HIT GAS NOTHING HAPPENS. I HAD TO BE TOWED OUT. SERVICE QUOTED AFTER EXAMINING "DID EXPE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, DURING BRAKING THERE WAS A DELAY IN THE RESPONSE TIME. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE IN OPERATION. ADDITIONALLY, WHEN IN AN IDLING POSITION THE VEHICLE WOUL
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS: 2010 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. CONSUMER STATES THAT VEHICLE IS SUPPOSE TO BE ALL WHEEL DRIVE, HOWEVER THE HYBRID SYSTEM IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THE ALL WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD SLIDE, THE HYBRID SYSTEM SHUT DOWN THE ALL-WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM BECAUSE THE COMPUTE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 4 recalls have been completed — free at any Toyota dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)