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.
Other or unspecified, Feb 25, 2019
SUN VISORS WILL NOT STAY IN UPRIGHT POSITION.
Steering, Feb 22, 2019
I CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP AT A RED LIGHT IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD, PREPARING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN. WHEN I THEN BEGAN THE RIGHT TURN I LOST POWER STEERING AND COULD NOT STRAIGHTEN OUT THE WHEEL, RESULTING IN ME RUNNING UP ONTO THE CURB. I IMMEDIATELY LET OFF OF THE GAS PEDAL- LUCKILY NO ONE WAS BEHIND ME. I THEN GAVE THE CAR GAS AGAIN WHILE TURNING THE WHEEL BACK TO THE LEFT, AND SUDDENLY THE POWER STEERING WAS WORKING AGAIN.
Vehicle speed control, Feb 11, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jan 31, 2019
ALARM SYSTEM GOES OFF RANDOMLY HOOD LATCH SWITCH TO BE THE PROBLEM.. TOYOTA IS CHARGING 300 PLUS $ FOR MANUFACTURING DEFECT - CHECK TECHINICAL BULLETEN ( T-SB-0200-10 )I FEEL ITS NOT FAIR I HAVE
Steering, Jan 28, 2019
INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFTS CLUNK NOISE. FREQUENTLY WHILE DRIVING.
Steering, Jan 23, 2019
LOST POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH ON AN ACCESS ROAD ENTERING THE FREEWAY AND DASH LIGHTS AND RADIO CUT IN AND OUT.
Steering, Jan 7, 2019
POPPING NOISE IN STEERING WHEEL WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT AT SLOW SPEEDS.
Steering, Jan 5, 2019
THE STEERING IN MY HIGHLANDER HAS STARTED MAKING A POPPING AND KNOCKING SOUND WHEN TURNING THE VECHICLE. THIS SEEMS TO BE A KNOWN DESIGN DEFECT WITH THIS VECHICLE BY TOYOTA AND THEY SHOULD ISSUE A SAFETY RECALL. THE NOISE IS MOSTLY NOTICEABLE AT LOWER SPEEDS WHEN PARKING BUT IT ALSO OCCURS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION.
Steering, Dec 26, 2018
INTERMEDIATE SHAFT ISSUES. HAD ONE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY A YEAR OR TWO AFTER PURCHASE. INTERMEDIATE SHAFT ISSUES RETURNED IN THE LAST YEAR. TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WANTS $500 TO REPLACE A SHAFT THEY KNOW HAS BEEN DEFECTIVE FOR YEARS LEADING UP TO THIS MODEL. THIS IS THE PRIMARY VEHICLE FOR MY WIFE AND CHILDREN. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THERE SAFETY WITH THIS MATTER. THIS ISSUE SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED YEARS AGO. THIS ISSUE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO COME TO THE POINT OF SOMEONE GETTING INJURED OR DYING TO HAVE THIS MATTER ADDRESSED.
Steering, Dec 18, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHEN THE CONTACT MOVED THE STEERING WHEEL, IT MADE A LOUD ABNORMAL POPPING NOISE. THE NOISE GREW LOUDER WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Steering, Dec 4, 2018
CLUNKING OR TAPPING NOISE WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT THAT CAN BE FELT IN THE STEERING WHEEL. DIAGNOSED BY TOYOTA AS "STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT BINDING." THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE 2008-2013 HIGHLANDER. ADVISED BY TOYOTA MECHANIC THAT IT DOESN'T NEED TO BE FIXED UNLESS I PREFER IT NOT TO KNOCK OR CLUNK WHEN TURNING.
Steering, Dec 3, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS OR GOING OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO STEVE LANDERS TOYOTA (10825 COLONEL GLENN RD, LITTLE ROCK, AR 72204, (501) 568-5800) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT IN THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,396.
Steering, Nov 12, 2018
RUIDOS O GOLPES EN LA CAA DEL GUIA DE DIRECCION CUANDO GIRO A LA IZQUIERDA O DERECHA. MI VEHICULO COMENZO CON ESTOS RUIDOS A UN POCO MAS DE LAS 3600 MILLAS DE GARANTIA Y TOYOTA NO TOMO NINGUNA ACCION. VIVO EN PUERTO RICO Y MI DIRECCION ES P. O. BOX 1909, BARCELONETA PUERTO RICO 00617, MUCHAS GRACIAS...
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Oct 28, 2018
WHEN TURN LEFT THE WARNING SISTEM FOR OPEN DOORS IS ON ANDTURN ON INTERIOR LIGHS AND SOUNDWARNING FOR SECONDSAND GO OFF. AFRAID THE DOORS IS GO BE OPEN
Steering, Sep 17, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL KNOCKING AND POPPING NOISE WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT AND RIGHT. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER (FIVE STAR TOYOTA OF MILLEDGEVILLE, 2816 N COLUMBIA ST, MILLEDGEVILLE, GA 31061, (478) 387-2112) AND WAS INFORMED TO SCHEDULE A SERVICE APPOINTMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS SIMILAR TO NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE18005 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 156,000.
Steering, Electrical system, Sep 14, 2018
DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY WITH GENTLE TURNS AT 35MPH, POWER STEERING FAILED. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE STRAIGHT UNTIL THERE WERE NO CARS DIRECTLY BEHIND ME AND I COULD BRAKE TO A SAFE SPEED TO ATTEMPT TURNING. I WAS EVENTUALLY ABLE TO MANUALLY STEER THE CAR TO TURN INTO A DRIVEWAY USING A THREE POINT TURN.
Other or unspecified, Jul 18, 2018
THE CAR IS SITTING STILL WITH THE ENGINE OFF. THE HORN HAS GONE OFF SEVERAL TIMES. THIS HAS HAPPENED IN OUR DRIVEWAY AND IN THE GARAGE WITH NO ONE AROUND.
Electrical system, Jun 25, 2018
ACTUATORS FAIL TO RESPOND IN CAR DRIVERSIDE DOOR.IN PARK KEY FOB READ DOORS AS UNLOCKED AND CAUSES LOCK AND UNLOCK TO RUN AFTER ENGINE IS SHUT DOWN. DIDI DIAGE AT TOTYOTA OF BOWIE 6-21 -18 .CONFORMATION SHOWS NO PROBLEM WITH ACTUATORS ELETRONICS READ FINE.BOUGHT KEY FOB ANNAPOLIS TOYOTA REPROGRAMED CODE 6-22 AND 2ND TRIP 6-25
Engine, May 30, 2018
THE OIL COOLER HOSE LEAKED...LOST ALL OIL AND OIL PRESSURE IN LESS THAN A FEW MINUTES...LUCKY THE ENGINE DIDN;T BLOW. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS AS IT APPEARS IT HAS HAPPENED TO THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE.
Service brakes, May 26, 2018
BREAK LIGHT WARNINGS ALL CAME ON. BRAKES WENT OUT WHILE IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET. HAD TO SHOVE BREAK PEDAL DOWN WITH BOTH FEET TO THE FLOOR GOING UPHILL TO STOP. DEALERSHIP TOLD US IT'S THE BREAK ACTUATOR PUMP AND WILL BE $5000 TO REPAIR. THIS IS A SERIOUS HARDSHIP ON US. I'M A FOSTER PARENT AND NEED MY VEHICLE IN WORKING ORDER. DEALERSHIP SAID ONLY THEY CAN DO THE REPAIR DUE TO SENSOR CALIBRATIONS.
Exterior lighting, May 15, 2018
WHILE DRIVING, INTERIOR LIGHTS TURN ON AND DOOR CHIME WARNING ON DASH SOUNDS. ALL DOORS ARE PROPERLY CLOSED
Power train, Other or unspecified, Apr 30, 2018
WHEN CAR GOES ABOVE AROUND 35-45 MPH A ABNORMAL WHINE NOISE EMANATES FROM THE TRANSMISSION
Visibility/wiper, Apr 27, 2018
DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR NO LONGER STAYS UP AND BLOCKS THE DRIVERS VISION WHILE DRIVING. THIS SEEMS TO BE A ON GOING PROBLEM WITH TOYOTA SUN VISORS.
Other or unspecified, Feb 17, 2018
BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONT SIDE DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK IN 2013 ONE WAS REPLACED AT THE DEALERSHIP AND THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE BROUGHT IN 3 TIMES TO GET IT RIGHT. THAT WITH ONLY OWNING IT AFTER 2 YEARS WAS RIDICULOUS. THE ACTUAL LOCK ACTUATOR COSTS APPROX $250 A PIECE TO REPLACE AND WE KNOW IT IS NOT THE FUSE IT WAS CHECKED. FIXED IN 2013 UNDER WARRANTY BUT A MONTH AFTER BEING PAID OFF IN 2016 THEY BOTH STOPPED WORKING. I REFUSE TO SPEND $500 ON PARTS AND WHO KNOWS HOW MUCH MORE FOR LABOR. I WILL NEVER BUY A TOYOTA AGAIN THIS SHOULD DEFINITELY BE A RECALL AS NUMEROUS CUSTOMERS ON INTERNET COMPLAIN ABOUT THE SAME EXACT PROBLEMS. SHOULD BE RECALLED LIKE THE SUN VISORS WERE
Steering, Jan 25, 2018
EVERY TIME I TURN MY WHEEL I HAVE A THUMPING SOUND (WORSE WHEN I AM TURNING RIGHT)