2011 Toyota Highlander
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Steering is the leading concern among 186 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 17th highest complaint count among 25 Highlander model years with reports.
Of the 2011 reports, 14 involved a crash. 8 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Seats, front assembly, seat heater/coolerJun 2, 2016
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. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.
If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
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.
Campaign 16V396000 on NHTSA.gov
Visibility, power window devices and controlsOct 22, 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.
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.
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.
Campaign 15V689000 on NHTSA.gov
Seats, front assembly, seat heater/coolerNov 19, 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.
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.
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.
Campaign 14V743000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, other, labelsApr 9, 2013
Southeast Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 and 2010-2013 Toyota Tundra, 2010-2012 Rav4, 2012 Toyota Sequoia, 2010-2011 Toyota Corolla, 2010-2011 Toyota Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser, 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser, 2010-2013 Toyota Venza, 2010-2011 Toyota 4Runner, 2010-2013 Toyota Tacoma, 2011-2012 Toyota Sienna, 2012 Toyota Prius, 2013 Scion FR-S, 2011 Scion XD, 2011 Scion XB, and 2012 Scion TC vehicles. These vehicles were sold with labels that were outside the allowable one percent of accuracy of actual weight added. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) Number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
An inaccurate label could lead to owners overloading their vehicles and tires. An overloaded vehicle can result in a tire failure which may result in a vehicle crash, personal injury, or property damage.
Southeast Toyota will notify owners and provide a corrected label with instructions concerning its installation. A small group of the affected vehicles will need additonal remedies which are still being developed. The recall began on May 28, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
Campaign 13V123000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, sensor/control module-inactiveJan 16, 2013
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model year 2010-2012 Sequoia. During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.
If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.
Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
Campaign 13V014000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
186 reports, newest first.
Engine, Nov 27, 2020
ENGINE OIL COOLER HOSE "LEAKING". TOYOTA DID ISSUE A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN, BUT WAS NEVER CHECKED DURING REGULAR DEALER SERVICING AS PART OF THE HOSES. CONDITION IS ON THE 3.5L TOYOTA/LEXUS ENGINE AND CAN BE SEEN IN THIS VIDEO:HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=67S7Y90OTIY NEW PART NUMBER IS 15767-31020 WITH GASKETS 15185-0P010 AND 11496-31010.
Tires, Sep 18, 2020
TIRE LOSS OF TRACTION AND GRIP ON WET PAVEMENT.
Structure, Apr 14, 2020
I NOTICED IN NOVEMBER 2016 THAT THE PAINT ON MY 2011 TOYOTA ROOF WAS PEELING OFF. I TOOK IT TO A TRUSTED BODY SHOP AND THE OWNER ADVISED MY TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AS IT APPEARED TO BE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. I DID AS HE SUGGESTED AND I WAS SUBJECTED TO MONTHS OF UNRESPONSIVE BEHAVIOR BEFORE I WAS FINALLY TOLD MY CAR WAS BEYOND THE 3YEAR WARRANTY THEREFORE NOT THEIR PROBLEM IN OCTOBER OF 2017. SINCE THIS TIME, THE PAINT FAILURE HAS PROGRESSED TO INCLUDE NEARLY EVERY PANEL ON MY VEHICLE. I HAVE ALSO LEARNED THAT TOYOTA IS RECALLING BLIZZARD PEARL VEHICLES DUE TO THIS EXACT PROBLEM BUT MY VIN IN NOT INCLUDED. I FEEL THIS NEEDS TO BE REMEDIED IMMEDIATELY AS THIS MANUFACTURER DEFECT GREATLY IMPACTS THE VALUE OF MY INVESTMENT. **I AM UNABLE TO ATTACH MORE THAN ONE PICTURE TO MY COMPLAINT. HOWEVER, I HAVE MULTIPLE PHOTOS AND SOME DAMAGE IS IMPOSSIBLE TO SUCCESSFULLY DOCUMENT BUBBLING PAINT. *TR
Steering, Mar 25, 2020
FOR SEVERAL MONTHS, THERE'S A THUMP WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL IN EITHER DIRECTION, NO MATTER WHAT ROAD/STREET. WE HAVE LESS THAN 43,000 MILES ON IT & DO NOT DRIVE ON RUFF TERRAIN. WE PURCHASED THE 2011 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER NEW, TAKE IT TO THE DEALER EVERY 6 MOS FOR MAINT. & NOW TOLD IT NEEDS A STEERING SHAFT REPLACEMENT & 4 WHEEL ALIGNMENT. ($657.33 TOTAL!) THIS IS INCONCEIVABLE TO PASS ON TO CUSTOMERS. AND A ROAD HAZARD TO ALL ON THE ROADS.
Service brakes, Feb 16, 2020
ON FEB 13, I WAS DRIVING AN ANN ARBOR, MI, STREET THAT WAS DOWNHILL AND ICY. I PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL UNTIL THE ABS CAME ON, AND HELD IT ON FOR 15 TO 30 SECONDS. THIS DID NOT STOP THE CAR, BUT SLOWED IT, AND ALLOWED ME TO GO STRAIGHT, UNTIL AFTER 10 TO 20 SECONDS, THE ABS STOPPED WORKING (NO MORE PEDAL PULSING, NO MORE ABS NOISE), THE WHEELS LOCKED UP, AND I SLID INTO THE CURB. FORTUNATELY, THERE WAS NO DAMAGE. A TECHNICIAN AT TOYOTA DEALERSHIP SAID IT IS NORMAL ON ALL VEHICLES FOR ABS TO STOP WORKING, AND FOR WHEELS TO LOCK UP, AFTER ABS OPERATES FOR A PERIOD OF TIME. THIS MAY BE WHAT I EXPERIENCED. HE SAID ONE SHOULD RELEASE THE PEDAL AND THEN REAPPLY PRESSURE, OR PUMP THE PEDAL. THIS SUGGESTION IS QUITE DIFFERENT THAN THE USUAL INSTRUCTIONS, WHICH SAY TO CONTINUALLY PRESS BRAKE PEDAL. HE HAD AN EXPLANATION, WHICH I CANNOT REPEAT -- SOMETHING TO DO WITH BRAKE FLUID DEPLETING SOMEWHERE, PERHAPS THE MASTER CYLINDER. THE ABS PROBLEM PROBLEM LIGHT HAS NOT COME ON. AFTER THAT INCIDENT, THE ANTILOCK BRAKES HAVE WORKED FINE, THOUGH I HAVE NOT TESTED THEM IN THE SEVERE CONDITIONS OF FEB 13. SINCE THE ABS SYSTEM SEEMS TO BE WORKING NOW, AND THE ABS LIGHT IS NOT ON, THERE APPEARS TO BE LITTLE CHANCE THE TOYOTA DEALER COULD DO SOMETHING USEFUL. THERE APPEAR TO BE TWO POSSIBILITIES: 1. THERE'S A PROBLEM WITH TOYOTA HIGHLANDER ABS SYSTEMS WHEN APPLIED FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. NHTSA WILL BECOME AWARE OF THIS IF MORE OWNERS MAKE REPORTS. 2. THE TECHNICIAN IS CORRECT THAT AFTER ACTIVATING ABS FOR A LENGTH OF TIME, ONE MUST RELEASE THE PEDAL, OR PULSE IT, IN ORDER FOR ABS TO CONTINUE TO OPERATE. IN THIS CASE, INSTRUCTIONS FOR USING ABS NEED TO BE SUBSTANTIALLY REVISED, AND ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS NHTSA OUGHT TO INFORM THE PUBLIC OF THE ISSUE AND THE POTENTIAL FOR DANGEROUS ACCIDENTS WHEN ABS IS APPLIED CONTINUOUSLY FOR TOO LONG.
Steering, Feb 10, 2020
CLUNKING AND CLICKING WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL. TSB FROM TOYOTA CALLS FOR INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT REPLACEMENT, BUT TOYOTA WILL NOT WARRANTY REPLACEMENT OF THE FAULTY PART. HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE WITH THIS SAME ISSUE.
Service brakes, Jan 8, 2020
I WAS PARKING MY CAR AT A PARKING LOT. I ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE CAR (IT WAS ABOUT 2MPH) WHILE APPLYING BRAKE AND MY CAR DID NOT STOP, RATHER IT ACCELERATED, I PUSHED BRAKE AND DID NOT WORK, IT JUMPED ON THE CURB. I RELEASED BRAKE, REAPPLIED AND CHANGED TO PARKING MODE IMMEDIATELY AND IT STOPPED. THIS ISSUE HAS HAPPENED THIRD TIME WITH THIS CAR. WHEN CAR IS ABOUT TO SLOW DOWN AND STOP, THAT TIME BRAKE DON'T WORK AND CAR ACCELERATE FURTHER. BRAKE PEDAL WAS VIBRATING WHEN IT WAS A SNOW ON THE ROAD WHEN I WAS TRYING TO STOP AT STOPLIGHT AND IT ACCELERATE. THIS IS VERY VERY DANGEROUS AND UNSAFE. I HAVE READ SEVERAL SAME COMPLAINTS ONLINE. THIS IS A DEFINITE MANUFACTURER DEFECTS AND MUST BE RECALLED IMMEDIATELY. LUCKILY SO FAR, I HAVE NOT HIT ANYTHING BUT NOW AFTER THE PARKING LOT INCIDENT I AM AFRAID.
Air bags, Dec 11, 2019, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE HYDROPLANED AROUND A CORNER AND WENT INTO A SMALL EMBANKMENT. THE VEHICLE T-BONED THE CENTER BARRIER OF THE FREEWAY. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. MOST OF THE FRONT END WAS CRASHED IN AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED. THE ENGINE AND RADIATOR WERE PUSHED FAR BACK FROM THEIR ORIGINAL POSITIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND INSPECTED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY THEN BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONSENSUS WAS THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD BE DEEMED DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Dec 11, 2019
DRIVING ON A CITY STREET AT ABOUT 35 MILES PER HOUR I WAS HEADING HOME WITH MY KIDS (5 Y.O. AND 7 Y.O.) WHEN THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND LOST POWER WHILE I WAS DRIVING IN TRAFFIC, I WAS FORTUNATE THAT THE CARE ROLLED LONG ENOUGH TO PULL OVER TO A SAFE SPOT WITH MY CHILDREN AND CALL FOR A TOW. LIGHTS THAT CAME ON CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM, CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM, CHECK 4WD SYSTEM, AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AT TOYOTA OF CERRITOS I WAS INFORMED THAT THE MASTER MECHANIC HAD TO PLACE A TICKET WITH TOYOTA MOTOR COMPANY TO FIGURE OUT THE ISSUE DUE TO ALL THE CODES THAT WERE LOGGED AFTER THE DIAGNOSTIC. TOYOTA MOTOR INFORMED MECHANIC IT WAS HYBRID INVERTER FAILURE. THIS COULD OF BEEN A HORRIBLE SITUATION HAD I BEEN DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND MY CAR SUDDENLY STOPPED FUNCTION LIKE IT DID ON THE EVENING OF 11/05/2019.
Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Dec 3, 2019
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IN CRUISE CONTROL AND NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING SPEEDOMETER READINGS. REPORTED ABS BRAKE MALFUNCTION, BRAKE MALFUNCTION. OVER THE NEXT 45 MINUTES WHILE IN ROUTE TO A TOYOTA DEALER VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY LOST POWER STEERING AND SPEEDOMETER READINGS. ALL MALFUNCTIONS HAPPENED WITH NO WARNING.
Steering, Oct 22, 2019
STEERING SHAFT U JOINT MAKES CLUNKING NOISE. DEALER ADVISED IMMEDIATE REPLACEMENT AS THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN.
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 28, 2019
THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH MY POWER STEERING WHEEL, IT'S STIFF AND I UNABLE TO CONTROL IT WHEN ON THE ROAD. WHEN DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WITH HIGH SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL SWAY LEFT OR RIGHT AND I UNABLE TO CONTROL IT BACK TO STRAIGHT. ALSO, WHEN MAKING A TURN THE STEERING WHEEL NOT REFLEXES, FAST ENOUGH FOR ME TO MAKE A TURN. FOR INSTANCE, WHENEVER I MAKE A RIGHT TURN AND THEN TRY TO STRAIGHTEN THE VEHICLE BACK TO STRAIGHT, THE STEERING WHEEL DOES NOT REFLEX BACK ENOUGH THAT IT LEADS ME TO HIT THE CURB DAMAGING FRONT WHEEL RIM. SINCE, THE PROBLEM KEEPS ON OCCURRING, AS I GET WORRIED I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP REPAIR SHOP TWICE WITHIN THE PERIOD OF 2 MONTHS. THE FIRST TIME, I TOOK IT IN THE MECHANIC STATES THAT PROBABLY HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ALIGNMENT, SO I PAID THE FOR THE PERFORMANCE. AND IT DIDN'T HELP AT ALL. THEN THE SECOND TIME, I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP REPAIR SHOP AGAIN, I TOLD THEM THAT THE ALIGNMENT DIDN'T HELP AT ALL AND ALSO I SPECIFY THAT THE PROBLEM IS THE STEERING WHEEL THEN I LEFT THE VEHICLE THE WHOLE DAY FOR THE REPAIR SHOP TO FIX IT. LATER, WHEN I WENT TO PICK IT UP, THEY STATED THAT THEY CORRECTED THE CRADLE AND DO THE ALIGNMENT 4 TIMES AND I TOOK THE CAR OUT HOME. THE VEHICLE STILL HAD THE PROBLEM THAT I HAD WHEN I TOOK THE CAR IN TO REPAIR, THEN I DROVE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND TOLD THE MECHANIC. THEN THE MECHANIC DROVE THE CAR WITH ME IN THE CAR, AND HE TOLD ME THE PROBLEM IS THE ELECTRIC STEERING WHEEL AND THERE NO WAY HE COULD DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THEN I ASKED HIM IF I TOOK IT TO ANY OTHER SHOP WILL THAT HELP. HE SAID NO, THERE NO SHOPS THAT COULD FIX IT. HE ALSO SAID THAT I JUST HAVE TO PUT UP WITH IT. BUT, IT IS MY LIFE OR EVER MY FAMILY MEMBERS LIFE ON THE ROAD. SO, I'M REALLY WORRIED AND I DON'T HAVE MONEY TO REPLACE WITH A NEW CAR RIGHT NOW. THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT BEFORE, I BOUGHT IT NEW FROM THE DEALERSHIP.
Power train, Engine, Sep 16, 2019
MY 2011 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER V6 AWD SUFFERED A SUDDEN OIL COOLER PIPE FAILURE/RUPTURE LEADING TO CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE/DAMAGE AT APPROXIMATELY 85,000 MILES. THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT WITH CERTAIN 2008-2011 HIGHLANDERS AND WAS THE SUBJECT OF A SERVICE BULLETIN AND EVENTUALLY A WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT (ZE2) STARTING IN 2014, BUT WE WERE NEVER NOTIFIED OF THIS ISSUE VIA MAIL OR BY THE TOYOTA DEALER AT WHICH THE VEHICLE IS REGULARLY SERVICED. THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE SUDDEN LOSS OF OIL HAD CAUSED CATASTROPHIC ENGINE DAMAGE DUE TO A BENT ROD FROM RUNNING WITHOUT OIL. AS THIS PROBLEM CAN LEAD TO MAJOR SAFETY ISSUES DUE TO SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER (NOT TO MENTION THE POTENTIAL FOR SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS IN DAMAGE IF A COMPLETE ENGINE REPLACEMENT IS NEEDED) A MANDATORY RECALL SHOULD BE PERFORMED.
Electrical system, Aug 27, 2019
SINCE LAST YEAR, WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION THE REAR HATCH SENSOR BEGAN GOING ON. LIGHT AND SENSOR GO ON WHEN THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE IS HIGH AND WHEN THE CAR IS TURNING. THIS IS ONLY FOR THE REAR HATCH. I HAVE RESEARCHED ONLINE AND SEE THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL OF VEHICLE. THE ISSUE IS THE SENSOR CONNECTED TO THE HATCH LOCK. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE WHILE DRIVING.
Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Aug 24, 2019
FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT OFF. EVEN WHEN A PERSON IS SITTING ON THE SEAT. CRUISE CONTROL ALSO STOPPED WORKING, LIGHT WOULDN'T EVEN COME ON. POWER LOCKING SYSTEM ALSO CEASED WORKING.
Steering, Aug 14, 2019
I STARTED EXPERIENCING A CLUNK IN THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL TO THE LEFT FOR PARKING . IT HAPPENED A COUPLE OF TIMES SO I TOOK IT TO MY REGULAR TOYOTA DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE. AFTER TEST DRIVING THE CAR THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I FELT I HAD NO CHOICE SO HAD THEM DO THE WORK AND IT COST $782.30 FOR PARTS / LABOR PLUS $134.95 FOR ALIGNMENT. TOTAL OF $917.25. I FOUND OUT THAT TOYOTA HAD ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN #T-SB-0034-13 ON FEBRUARY 21,2013 SENT TO ALL TOYOTA REPAIR SHOPS ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE. THEY TOLD THE MECHANICS HOW TO REPLACE THIS EQUIPMENT AND THAT "A NEW INTERMEDIATE SHAFT HAS BEEN DEVELOPED TO ADDRESS THIS CONDITION". TO ME THAT MEANS THAT IN 2013 THEY KNEW IT WAS A DESIGN FLAW AND CORRECTED THE PROBLEM BY DESIGNING A NEW SHAFT. IF THEY HAD NOTIFIED THE 2008-2013 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER CUSTOMERS THEN THAT THIS WOULD BE AN ISSUE, MANY WOULD HAVE STILL BEEN UNDER WARRANTY AND IT WOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED. BUT INSTEAD THEY WAITED UNTIL PEOPLE HAD THE PROBLEM, BROUGHT THEIR CARS IN FOR REPAIR AND THEN CHARGED THEM WHATEVER THE GOING RATE IS. IN THE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN IS CLEARLY STATES THAT THIS WOULD BE COVERED UNDER A BASIC WARRANTY FOR TOYOTA. I SPOKE TO MY SERVICE ADVISOR AND HE REFERRED ME TO TOYOTA HEADQUARTERS. I CALLED THERE AND SPOKE TO TWO "SENIOR CUSTOMER ADVISORS" AND BASICALLY WAS TOLD I WAS OUT OF LUCK...NO RECALL, NO CAMPAIGN AND NO CUSTOMER REMUNERATION. WHEN I LOOK ONLINE IT'S CLEAR THAT MY HIGHLANDER IS NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO HAS HAD TO DEAL WITH THIS ISSUE AND SPEND HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS FOR THE REPAIR. I THINK THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT TOYOTA SHOULD HAVE TO OWN UP TO !!
Steering, Jul 25, 2019
AT A STOP OR AT LOW SPEED STARTS, TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL RESULTS IN A CLUNKING OR CREAKING NOISE. THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN AT HIGHER SPEEDS. THE NOISE HAPPENS WHETHER TURNING IT LEFT OR RIGHT. USUALLY HEAR IT COMING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT OR MOVING FROM A STOP. IT HAS BEEN DOING THIS FOR A FEW YEARS.
Electrical system, Jul 8, 2019
REAR DOOR SENSOR IS DEFECTIVE. LIGHT EITHER STAYS ON AND GETS EXTREMELY HOT WHICH DRAINS THE BATTERY OR LIGHT AND BACK DOOR AJAR INDICATOR FLASHES AND SOUNDS SIGNAL BEEP ON AND OFF CONSTANTLY AS YOU DRIVE. I READ ONLINE THAT MANY OTHERS HAVE THIS PROBLEM. ONE SOLUTION IS TO CUT WIRE, BUT THAT IS UNSAFE AS YOU COULD BE DRIVING WITH AN OPEN DOOR AND NOT KNOW IT.
Air bags, Seat belts, Jun 10, 2019, crash
TL* THE CONTACT COMPLAINED ABOUT A 2011 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE DRIVER WAS DRIVING ABOUT 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT WHICH STOPPED ABRUPTLY. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK IN PLACE (STAYED LOOSE). THERE WAS NO WARNING. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT WHO WAS AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A BODY SHOP. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 180,000.
Electrical system, Apr 26, 2019
THE ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS HAVE FAILED AGAIN FOR THE THIRD TIME. I HAVE HAD ALL 4 DOOR LOCKS REPLACED, SOME TWICE, AT CONSIDERABLE EXPENSE. THE DRIVER'S DOOR LOCK AND THE DRIVER'S-SIDE REAR DOOR LOCK ARE NOW BROKEN AGAIN. THE DRIVER'S DOOR LOCK DOES NOT OPERATE ELECTRICALLY AT ALL AGAIN. THIS MEANS I MUST PULL THE MECHANICAL KEY OUT OF THE KEY FOB TO UNLOCK THE DOOR. WHEN THE CAR IS PLACED IN DRIVE, THE DRIVER'S DOOR REMAINS UNLOCKED, AS DOES THE DRIVER'S-SIDE REAR DOOR - A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE SINCE THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO LOCK AUTOMATICALLY, AND THEY WILL NOT LOCK MANUALLY WITH THE ELECTRIC DOOR LOCK SWITCH LOCATED ON THE DRIVER'S DOOR - I HAVE TO MANUALLY PUSH THE DOOR LOCK LEVER MECHANICALLY. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN TOYOTA. THE PROBLEM LIES WITH THE CHEAP SOLENOIDS/MOTORS THAT ARE USED TO ACTUATE THE DOOR LOCKS - A DEVICE THAT COSTS LESS THAN $5 ON AMAZON, BUT IS DIFFICULT TO INSTALL FOR US NON-MECHANICS. I HAVE HEARD OF THE SAME PROBLEM HAPPENING WITH OTHER CAR MANUFACTURERS AS WELL.
Steering, Mar 22, 2019
WHEN TURNING OR OVER BUMPS THE STEERING COLUMN MAKES CLUNKING NOISE. HAS BECOME LOUDER WITH TIME
Visibility/wiper, Mar 20, 2019
DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR STUCK IN DOWN POSITION, AND WILL NOT MOVE UPWARD OUT OF THE WAY, OBSTRUCTING DRIVER'S VIEW. IT CAN BE MOVED TO THE SIDE WINDOW, BUT THEN THE SIDE VIEW IS OBSTRUCTED. I HESITATE TO TRY AND FORCE IT UP, BECAUSE IT FEELS LIKE IT WOULD BREAK AND JUST FLOP AROUND. RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM, I HAVE LEARNED OF MANY OTHER OWNERS OF SIMILAR-VINTAGE TOYOTA HIGHLANDERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. THE TOYOTA DEALER QUOTED OVER $300 TO REPLACE WITH A NEW PART. THIS IS SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE RECALLED BY THE MANUFACTURER.
Engine, Mar 18, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, A GRINDING NOISE WAS PRESENT COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NORTH BROOK TOYOTA (1530 FRONTAGE RD, NORTH BROOK, IL) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RUBBER OIL HOSE WAS DAMAGED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE SAME DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE WAS DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.
Visibility, Other or unspecified, Mar 1, 2019
THERE IS A KNOWN DEFECT IN TOYOTA HIGHLANDERS (2010 - 2013) SUN VISORS. THE VISOR NO LONGER STAYS IN EITHER THE UPRIGHT OR DOWNWARD POSITION. IT IS EITHER AT A 45 DEGREE ANGLE WHEN PLACED IN THE "UP" POSITION OR IS IN A POSITION TO SLIGHTLY OBSCURE VISIBILITY IN THE "DOWN" POSITION. TOYOTA OFFERED A WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT (LETTER ZF1) HOWEVER I AM NOW PAST THE EXTENDED WARRANTY PERIOD. THIS IS A HAZARD IN DRIVING AND WOULD BE HAZARDOUS TO THE DRIVER SHOULD THERE BE AN ACCIDENT - THE VISOR WOULD HIT THE DRIVER IN THE FOREHEAD OR FACE SHOULD THERE BE AN IMPACT.
Steering, Feb 26, 2019
AT AROUND 90,000 MILES I NOTICED A DISTINCT CLUNK IN THE STEERING AS THE WHEEL UNWOUND FROM SHARP TURNS AT SLOW SPEED. THE CLUNK ALSO SHOWED UP WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT ON ROUGH ROADS AND UNDER FIRM BRAKING. THIS IS APPARENTLY A KNOWN ISSUE HTTPS://STATIC.NHTSA.GOV/ODI/TSBS/2013/SB-10075792-2280.PDF. I HAVE HAD THE PART REPLACED WITH THE UPDATED VERSION, AND THE STEERING IS NOW GOOD AGAIN, BUT I EXPECTED SOMETHING LIKE TO BE COVERED IN A SAFETY RECALL.