Is the 2010 Toyota HIGHLANDER reliable?

The 2010 Toyota HIGHLANDER has 272 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.0x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: average. Most common issue: ELECTRICAL problems.

What are common problems with the 2010 Toyota HIGHLANDER?

Top problems: ELECTRICAL (54 complaints, avg repair $500); VISIBILITY (43 complaints, avg repair $500); BRAKES (30 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2010 Toyota HIGHLANDER?

Yes, there are 10 recall(s): SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER, SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE, EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS, EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS, EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL. 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?

The 2010 Toyota HIGHLANDER gets 21 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2286. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

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

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2010 Toyota HIGHLANDER 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

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2010 Toyota HIGHLANDER has 272 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 272. The most common issue is electrical problems (20% of all complaints), specifically: tl*the contact owns a 2010 toyota highlander. the contact stated that when he turned the headlights on, he could not see objects on the side of the vehicle. while driving approximately 35 mph and various speeds if he hit a dip or curve in the road, the visibility would drop to less than 2 feet in fr. There are 10 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 5 fire reports filed.

5 fire reports 18 crash reports 4 injuries

272

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.0x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ELECTRICAL

54 complaints

20%

• TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE TURNED THE HEADLIGHTS ON, HE COULD NOT SEE OBJECTS ON THE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AND VARIOUS SPEEDS IF HE HIT A DIP OR CURVE IN THE ROAD, THE VISIBILITY WOULD DROP TO LESS THAN 2 FEET IN FR
• 2010 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. S10 APPROPRIATE HANDLING- LETTER FROM REGARDING TOYOTA PROBLEMS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS DELIVERED TO HIM AND HIS WIFE DURING THE SALES SUSPENSION PERIOD OF TOYOTA VEHICLES WITHOUT THE ACCELERATOR RECALL WORK BEING COMPLETED. ALSO, AFTER OWNING THE VEHICLE F
• 2010 HIGHLANDER 4WD: SYSTEM CHECK PANEL I INDICATING THE REAR DOOR IS OPEN, WHEN IT'S NOT. BEEN TO DEALER 3 TIMES. CAR HAS 6000 MILES ON IT. THE REAR DOOR OPEN INDICATOR EFFECTS DOOR LOCKING ABILITY WITH KEY FOB AS WELL AS CONTINUAL CHIME INDICATING REAR DOOR IS OPEN IN CONJUNCTION WITH TURNING DOM

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 2 fire reports💥 1 crashes

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE TURNED THE HEADLIGHTS ON, HE COULD NOT SEE OBJECTS ON THE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AND VARIOUS SPEEDS IF HE HIT A DIP OR CURVE IN THE ROAD, THE VISIBILITY WOULD DROP TO LESS THAN 2 FEET IN FR”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2010 Toyota HIGHLANDER

Based on 214 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 52K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 30-60K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BRAKES

Reported earliermedian 43K mi · 17 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SPEED CONTROL

Reported earliermedian 4K mi · 16 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BODY/STRUCTURE

Reported earliermedian 50K mi · 12 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

Reported earliermedian 70K mi · 11 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

LIGHTING

Reported earliermedian 54K mi · 10 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS

Reported earliermedian 3K mi · 5 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 (10)

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER19/11/2014

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Prius and Corolla, 2009-2011 Venza, 2006-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2005-2011 Sienna and Sequoia, 2006-2011 Tacoma 4x2 and 4x4, Camry, Highlander, Tundra 4x2 and 4x4, and 2007-2011 Rav4 and 4Runner. The affected vehicles may experience compression of the seat cushion which may damage the seat heater wiring.

Risk: Damage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and causing personal injury to the occupant.

Fix: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the heaters with copper strand heating elements and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory, free of charge. The recall is expected to began in January 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2010 Toyota HIGHLANDER

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,286

Per month

$191

Per mile

19.1¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,667/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,778/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

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 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, 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

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

VISIBILITY(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

SPEED CONTROL(~50K mi)

$500

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 272 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ELECTRICAL: TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE TURNED THE HEADLIGHTS ON, HE COULD NOT SEE OBJECTS ON THE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AND VARIOUS SPEEDS IF HE HIT A DIP OR CURVE IN THE ROAD, THE VISIBILITY WOULD DROP TO LESS THAN 2 FEET IN FR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
VISIBILITY: IMMEDIATELY AFTER PURCHASING OUR CAR, WE NOTICED THAT THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WAS DEFECTIVE. IT HAS WAVES, CAUSING VISION DISTORTION AND HEADACHES. WE HAVE CONTACTED TOYOTA AND ALSO HAD A TOYOTA CORP REP LOOK AT IT, WITHOUT US BEING PRESENT, AND THEY SIMPLY DENY THIS PROBLEM EXISTS. WE HAVE COMPARED IT
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: 2010 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER LIMITED HYBRID--BRAKING PROBLEMS. WHEN THE BRAKES ARE FIRST APPLIED, THEY ARE SOFT AND MUSHY. IF YOU SLAM ON THE BRAKES IN AN EMERGENCY, THEY STOP, BUT IN EVERYDAY STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES DOWN BUT DOESN'T SEEM TO ENGAGE UNTIL YOU REALLY PUT SOME WEIGHT ON I
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
SPEED CONTROL: ON JAN.26,2010, I WAS STOPPED BEHIND CARS AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. MY 2010 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER STARTED CREEPING FORWARD/I THOUGHT I'D TAKEN MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE, AND THEN THE ENGINE STARTED REVVING TO AN OUTRAGEOUS LEVEL. THE HARDER I BRAKED THE MORE THE ENGINE REVVEDAND THE CAR TRIED TO JUMP FORWARD. IT
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 10 recalls have been completed — free at any Toyota dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)