2010 Toyota Highlander

This page is a draft. It has not been approved yet, so read it with care.

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What changed

No changes recorded for this year.

Motors: Three electric motors^5,6
Transmissions: 5-speed automatic^1,2, 6-speed automatic², Continuously variable^5,6
Drivetrains: Front-wheel drive^1,2, All-wheel drive^1,2, Hybrid all-wheel drive^5,6
Trims: Base^1,2, Sport (2008–2010)^1,7,2, SE^7,2, Limited^1,2, Hybrid^5,6
Packages: Third-row delete¹, Towing prep package², Cold Weather package⁶, Leather package⁶

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Reputation: what owners and the press report. Tap one to see what to check.

Power rear hatch faults All years One source so far

What to check: Open and close the power hatch several times from the key and the switch.

Edmunds' 2011 page says some owners report problems with the power rear hatch.

Sources ²

10V017000 2010
A worn friction lever and condensation can make the accelerator pedal stiff, slow to return or stuck partly down.⁸
10V023000 2008–2010
A loose or wrong floor mat can trap the accelerator pedal wide open. Pedals are modified or replaced. An expansion of an earlier campaign.^9,10,8
13V396000 2006–2010
Transistors in the inverter's power module can be damaged by heat, causing limp-home mode or the hybrid system to shut down while driving. The module is replaced.^11,12,13,14
14V168000 2008–2010
A flat cable in the steering column can be damaged as the wheel turns, disabling the driver's airbag.^9,10,8
15V689000 2008–2011
The power window master switch may be unevenly greased, letting dirt and moisture short it, overheat it and possibly start a fire.^{9,10,8,15,12,13,14,16}

Checked against NHTSA records on 21 October 2026.

Reputation: what owners and the press report

Sought after: High-mileage V6 trucks that were maintained All years One source so far

In one BITOG thread on a 2011 V6 with 120,000 miles, three members speak well of it, and one says they are good for 300,000 miles if maintained well.¹⁷
Avoid: 2010 2010 Less sought after One source so far

SlashGear lists the 2010 among the years to avoid, for electrical and brake complaints and investigations into the steering column.¹⁸

Every warning and recall for this generation, with a box to tick.