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.
Steering, Jan 24, 2018
I HAD A CLUNKING NOISE WHENEVER I TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT AT SLOW SPEEDS. I CHECKED ON LINE AND FOUND THIS SITE WHICH NOTED FAULT TO BE THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT, AS THE ISSUE. I TOOK MY VEHICLE INTO A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. THEY CONFIRMED THAT THIS WAS THE ISSUE AND BECAUSE IT IS NOT CONSIDERED A SAFETY ISSUE, NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED. TOYOTA WOULD NOT COVER ANY OF THE COST WHICH WAS $684. IT STARTED WHEN I HAD 80,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE AND I TOOK IT IN FOR REPAIR AT 94,000 MILES WHEN NOICE BECAME LOUDER.. DISAPPOINTED TOYOTA DID NOT HELP WITH THE REPAIR COST.
Service brakes, Jan 21, 2018
ABS BRAKE ACTUATOR FAILED ON TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. SPENT $1905 ON REPAIRS FROM TOYOTA. THERE WAS A RELATE RECALL ON TOYOTA CAMERY HYBRID WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THE ABS FUNCTION WON'T ACTIVATE WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE RECEIPTS OF ALL THE REPAIRS ON HAND
Power train, Aug 2, 2017
WHEN CAR GOES ABOVE 38 MPH A ABNORMAL WHINE NOISE EMANATES FROM THE TRANSMISSION
Structure, Apr 11, 2017
POWER LIFTGATE MOTOR ARM DETACHED FROM THE UPPER PORTION OF THE REAR DOOR. UPON REPEATED USE AND TIGHTENING IT BECOMES STRIPPED. FORUMS REPORTS THIS IS COMMON FOR SEVERAL MODEL YEARS - NO RECALL. HOLE TO SCREW BECOMES STRIPPED OVER TIME. NO ACCESS TO THE BACK END TO APPLY NUT. DEALER RECOMMENDS TAKING IT TO A BODY SHOP FOR DOOR REPLACEMENT AT $3200 - $3900 DOLLARS. EXTREMELY BAD DESIGN FLAW. IF LIFTGATE SEEMS WEAK IN OPENING NAND CLOSING, THIS COULD BE PART OF THE PROBLEM. SHOWED WEAKNESS FOR WEEKS UNTIL I HEARD THE POP AND REALIZED THE POWER ROD CAME OUT. WHEN I WENT TO SCREW IT BACK IN - IT'S STRIPPED. OUT OF WARRANTY PERIOD. NO SOLUTION FOUND OTHER THAN REPLACING THE REAR LIFTGATE.
Electrical system, Apr 1, 2017
AS I WAS TIRING RIGHT A SENSOR CAME ON AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND ALL THE LIGHTS TURNS OFF. THANK GOD I WAS ALMOST HOME. HAPPENED A FEW TIMES REALLY SCARY.
Vehicle speed control, Feb 20, 2017, crash
JANUARY 16, 2017 WAS SLOWLY PULLING INTO PARKING SPACE WHEN VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND JUMPED CONCRETE STOP AND SLAMMED INTO RETAINING WALL. SEAT BELT HELD ME AND AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. CAR WAS DRIVEABLE AND WAS TAKEN IMMEDIATELY TO TOYOTA DEALER TO INVESTIGATE. VEHICLE SUSTAINED $10,000 IN DAMAGE AND IS BEING REPAIRED AND THEN INVESTIGATED BY TOYOTA. VEHICLE HAS ALWAYS BEEN SERVICED BY DEALER AND HAD 59,000 MILES.
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Jan 11, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AT 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE UNINTENTIONALLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY STOPPED AFTER THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED WITH EXTREME FORCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,900. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Visibility, Equipment, Other or unspecified, Nov 10, 2016
MY DRIVER SIDE VISOR LOST ALL TENSION. I HAD TO EITHER HOLD IT UP OR TIE IT OUT OF THE WAY. I HAD IT REPLACED AT LOWE TOYOTA IN WARNER ROBINS, GA FOR $199.87. I WOULD NOT EXPECT A VISOR TO TEAR UP EVEN FOR A 2011 MODEL. IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDED TO BE FIXED. I THINK THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THESE VISORS AND REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPLACING THEM. THANKS, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Structure, Sep 8, 2016
WHEN TRYING TO OPEN THE REAR HATCH FROM THE INSIDE, THE BEEPING SOUND WOULD NOT TURN OFFICE AND WHEN I WENT TO INVESTIGATE WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE HATCH THE HYDRAULIC ARM HAD BROKEN AND THE MOLDING POPPED OFF PREVENTING IT FROM WORKING. I TOOK IT INTO TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPLACED THE WHOLE MOTOR/ARM ON THE HATCH. THIS WAS COVERED THROUGH MY WARRANTY.
Structure, Jul 28, 2016
ISSUE WITH THE GLASS DOOR BACK (HATCH) DOES NOT CLOSE OR OPEN PROPERLY. I DID MAKE SURE THE DOOR ARE CLOSED BEFORE STARTING THE VEHICLE AND ONCE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION THE GLASS DOOR (HATCH) OPENS AND I HAD TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND CLOSE IT, WHICH IS VEERY INCONVENIENCE AND SAFETY ISSUE.
Service brakes, Jul 11, 2016, crash
AT 8:00 AM ON 7/7/2016, MY SON WAS DRIVING MY HIGHLANDER 2011 TO WORK AT 80 M/H ON ROAD 287 IN NJ. THE VIN IS [XXX]. THE CAR IN FRONT OF MY SON WAS SLOWING DOWN. MY SON WAS TRYING TO BRAKE THE CAR TO SLOW DOWN. BUT, THE ALL BRAKES STOPPED WORKING AND THE DASHBOARD SCREEN DISPLAYING A WARNING MESSAGE "BRAKE: BRAKE MALFUNCTION". MY HIGHLANDER 2011 CRASHED INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF IT. MY CAR WAS JUST MAINTAINED ON 3/15/2106 AT TOWNE TOYOTA, LEDGEWOOD, NJ 07852. ALL BRAKES WERE UPDATED. PLEASE ADVISE ME WHO SHOULD TAKE THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR "BRAKE MALFUNCTION". INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Structure, May 23, 2016
6MONTH AFTER I HAD BOUGHT MY VEHICLE I MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE CHECK MY MOON ROOF LEAKING,AND WORKING OUT OF CONTROL AFTER RAINING,THEY SAID THEY FOUND NOTHING, AND BETWEEN OIL CHANGE ASK TO RE-CHECK MOON ROOF AND NOTHING WRONG THEY ONLY KEPT ONE TIME "CHECK" FOR THE ISSUE THEN LAST YEAR FOR THE BAD WINTER WE HAD I FOUND MY CAR FLOOR TOO WET AND THOUGH IT WAS THE SNOW NOT THE MOON ROOF, SO I BROUGHT IT LAST APRIL AND THE SAID THEY WILL TRY TO SEE WHAT WAS WRONG BUT THAT MY GUARANTEE WAS EXPIRED AND THEY DID FIND OUT FROM WHERE WAS THE LEAK, CAUSE MY CAR WILL BE PARK OVERNIGHT RAINING AND WILL BE IN THE MORNING SOAK N WET, SO I BROUGHT IT TO MY MECHANIC HE FOUND LIKE ITS FROM FACTORY DEFECT NOT A HOLE FOR A ONE HOSE TO THROW OUT THE WATER FROM MOON ROOF. SO MY CAR HAS MOLD, MY DAUGHTER AND I SUFFER FROM RESPIRATORY ILLNESS, AND SHE IS A CHILD, I AM VERY DISTRESS AND EMOTIONAL VERY WORRY CAUSE THAT PROBLEM IS MAKING US SEE K MOST OF THE TIME, I WANT THIS PROBLEM TO BE SOLVE.IM A SINGLE MOM WHO PAYS THIS VEHICLE WITH A LOT OF EFFORTS AND DON'T KNOW WHO COULD HELP ME I'M VERY DEPRESSED I NEED HELP CAN SOME BODY HELP US? THANK YOU. THIS IS ALSO A SAFETY ISSUE CAUSE MY FEET ARE GETTING SLEEPER I.E. DUE TO THE MOLD AS I DRIVE AROUND. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Mar 31, 2016
THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW IS OFF THE TRACK AND UNABLE TO ROLL UP. PRIOR TO THE WINDOW FALLING OFF THE TRACK, THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW WOULD MAKE A POPPING NOISE AND WOULD RATTLE WHEN GOING UP OR DOWN. THE ISSUE IS EXACTLY LIKE THE 2010 NHTSA REFERENCE #10037962 AND TSB REFERENCE #T-SB-0010-11.
Air bags, Mar 5, 2016
FOUND DTC B1821 SRS.
Structure, Jan 28, 2016
REAR LIFTGATE WILL NOT STAY OPEN AND HAS FALLEN ON MY WIFE. TOYOTA HAS ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN BUT WILL NOT FIX THERE PROBLEM EST. COST TO REPAIR $3000. VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN ACCIDENT. PROBLEM STARTED ABOUT 10 MONTHS AGO WITH 46000 MILES VEHICLE NOW HAS 56000.
Structure, Dec 31, 2015
THE GLASS ON THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW IS OFF THE RAILS AND WOULD COME OFF THE WINDOW AT AN ANGLE WHEN ITS BEING RAISED. CURRENTLY WE CANNOT ROLL THE WINDOW GLASS UP AND DOWN. SIMILAR SYMPTONS ARE BEING SEEN ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW NOW . I HAVE OWNED CARS IN THE PAST AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I AM SEEING THIS KIND OF AN ISSUE AND TOYOTA REFUSES TO CONSIDER THIS AS A QUALITY ISSUE. WHEN I GO ONLINE, I HAVE SEEN MULTIPLE USERS HAVING SIMILAR ISSUE WITH TOYOTA HIGHLANDER AND IT SURPRISES ME THAT A COMPANY LIKE TOYOTA WONT DO ANYTHING TO HELP THE CUSTOMER.
Structure, Dec 28, 2015
I PRESSED THE REAR HATCH BUTTON TO CLOSE IT FROM DRIVER'S SEAT, HATCH ARM BROKE AND SPEWED PLASTIC AND METAL PARTS WHILE PARKED, ONTO MALL PARKING LOT. TOYOTA STATES "ROD HAS FALLEN OFF OF MOTOR CONNECT...T-SB-0038-15 POWER BACK DOOR DOES NOT CLOSE PROPERLY...BIG GAP ON DRIVER SIDE HINGE FOR BACK HATCH."TOYOTA SOLD ME $2299 SERVICE CONTRACT W/PORTFOLIO ELITE PROTECTION PLAN WHICH SAYS WILL NOT COVER IT. DIAGNOSIS FROM TOYOTA IN UPLOADED FILE.
Other or unspecified, Dec 26, 2015
HEATER/AC ASSEMBLY IS LEAKING ONTO A CONTROL MODULE UNDER THE DASH WHICH I BELIEVE THE THE AIRBAG MODULE AND SOAKING THE FRONT DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS CARPETS AND PADDING. CHECKED FOR BLOCKAGE IN DRAIN TUBE. NONE, USED COMPRESSED AIR TO BLOW OUT DRAIN TUBE JUST IN CASE. DID NOT SOLVE ISSUE. REMOVED PASSENGERS SIDE PANEL AND FOUND THAT THE FACTORY SEAM OF THE AC/HEATER ASSEMBLY WAS LEAKING WATER WHEN THE AC IS ON. (I HAVE VIDEO) THE DESIGN OF THE ASSEMBLY IS POOR IN THAT THE SEAM SPLITS THE ASSEMBLY LEFT AND RIGHT RATHER THAN TOP AND BOTTOM. REPAIR OF THE UNIT WOULD HAVE REQUIRED COMPLETE REMOVAL OF DASH, STEERING, ETC. TO SOLVE THIS, I PLACED 3M GLASS SETTING BUTYL TAPE OVER THE SEAM SUCH THAT THE SEAM IN THE UNIT WAS SEALED ABOVE THE CONDENSATION DRAIN. THIS RESOLVED THE ISSUE.
Structure, Dec 15, 2015
REAR LIFT GATE STOPPED OPENING AND CLOSING WITH BUTTON ON DASH. HYDRAULIC ARM POPPED OFF. WAS ABLE TO REATTACH, BUT TOYOTA DEALER SAID IT WOULD KEEP HAPPENING BECAUSE THE HINGES OF THE DOOR WERE SEPARATING FROM THE DOOR AND TO GET THAT REPAIRED I WOULD NEED TO SEND IT TO THE BODY SHOP. THE ARM HAS SINCE SNAPPED IN HALF AND THE DOOR CAN ONLY BE OPENED/CLOSED MANUALLY, BUT TOYOTA WARNED ME THAT THE HINGES WILL CONTINUE TO BEND. I AM FEARFUL AS I HAVE TWO SMALL CHILDREN AND DO NOT TRUST THE DOOR TO BE SAFE. TOYOTA DEALER WILL NOT REPAIR AT THEIR EXPENSE EVEN THOUGH THERE HAVE BEEN LAWSUITS AND ARE SO MANY DOCUMENTED CASES.
Other or unspecified, Dec 7, 2015
THE BACK-UP CAMERA HAS STARTED SHOWN MORE OF THE BUMPER... IT HAS STARTED POINTING MORE TO IT. THE CAMERA DID NOT SEE LOOSE. BUT I SEE THE MORE BUMPER ON THE SCREEN. WHEN I CONTACTED TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHERE I PURCHASED INCLUDE THE EXTENDED WARRANTY IN 2011. I WAS TOLD THAT I STILL HAVE TO PAY THE DIAGNOSIS FEE $89.99 + TAX.
Structure, Oct 12, 2015
THE POWER FUNCTION LIFT ARM BROKE OFF FROM WHERE IT CONNECTS INTO THE REA DOOR ON MY 2011 HIGHLANDER. TOYOTA DIDN'T MENTIONED ABOUT THE DOOR HINGES RELATED ISSUES AND I HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR/REPLACEMENT OF THE HINGES. THIS, OF COURSE DIDN'T PREVENTED NOR RESOLVED THE ISSUE WITH THE POWER FUNCTION LIFT ARM THAT NOW IS BEYOND REPAIR; THE BOLT AND SCREW HOLE ARE NOW STRIPPED.
Visibility/wiper, Sep 5, 2015
DRIVER'S SIDE VISOR IS BROKEN AND STUCK AT A 45 DEGREE ANGLE, AND WILL NOT STAY IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION, OBSTRUCTING VISIBILITY WHEN DRIVING. THIS APPEARS TO BE A DESIGN ISSUE OF THIS PARTICULAR MODEL, AS THERE ARE MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ONCE DOING A SIMPLE INTERNET SEARCH.
Other or unspecified, Aug 9, 2015
ON JULY 19 MY DAUGHTER HIT THE BUTTON TO CLOSE THE REAR LIFT GATE. THE HANDLE BROKE AWAY FROM THE CAR. IT LOOKED LIKE THE SCREW WAS STRIPPED. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AUG 5. THEY SAID IT IS A FULL REAR DOOR REPLACEMENT WITH ESTIMATED COST OF $3000 - $5000. THEY WERE VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE PROBLEM. AFTER RESEARCHING ONLINE I FOUND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH 2008-2012 HIGHLANDERS AND TOYOTA HAS BEEN AWARE. THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT REGARDING IT ALSO. CALLED TOYOTA AND THEY SAID I AM OUT OF WARRANTY AND OUT OF LUCK.
Visibility/wiper, Jul 24, 2015
DRIVER'S SIDE VISOR WON'T STAY CLOSE TO THE CEILING .
Visibility/wiper, Jul 10, 2015
AS I ATTEMPTED TO LOWER THE VISOR ON THE DRIVERS SIDE, THE MECHANISM BROKE AND IT WOULD NEITHER STAY OR OR DOWN - BLOCKING VISIBILITY. I KNOW A COUPLE OF MY FRIENDS WHO OWN HIGHLANDERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND THE DEALERSHIP I WENT TO SAID THAT TOYOTA WAS GOING TO DO SOME TYPE OF "EXTENDED WARRANTY" TO COVER THE COST. HOW DO I APPLY FOR THAT?