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.
Visibility/wiper, Sep 26, 2014
DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR SUDDENLY DROPS BLOCKING VIEW ALMOST HITTING A DEER ON THE ROAD. SUN VISOR (NOT USE OFTEN) IS NOW LOOSE AND WILL NOT GO BACK IN PLACE. SUN VISOR NOW BLOCKS VIEW WHICH DRAMATICALLY INCREASE THE PROBABILITY OF AN ACCIDENT THAT COULD BE FATAL. *TR
Power train, Sep 15, 2014
WHEN MAKING A LEFT OR RIGHT HAND TURN FROM A STOP OR BARELY MOVING AND APPLYING THE GAS PEDAL SLOWLY, THE CAR ACTS LIKE IT GOING TO STALL. I SAY "ACTS" BECAUSE IF THE ENGINE STALLS, IT WOULD BE DIFFICULT TO BRAKE OR STEER. THE ENGINE HAS NOT STOPPED IN THESE CASES; IT SEEMS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION IS TRYING TO SHIFT UP OR DOWN BUT CANNOT MAKE UP ITS MIND AND JUST COASTS (SCARY IF ONCOMING TRAFFIC IS CLOSING THE GAP). MAKING LEFT HAND TURNS ARE THE MOST DANGEROUS SINCE YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A BREAK IN THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC BEFORE COMPLETING THE TURN; ONCOMING CARS TEND NOT TO SLOW DOWN WHEN THEY SEE YOU MAKING A TURN IN FRONT OF THEM. *TR
Other or unspecified, Sep 6, 2014
THE SPRING IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR BROKE AND IT NOW HANGS DOWN. IT WON'T STAY UP OR IN A POSITION TO BLOCK THE SUN. WE HAVE A BUNGY CORD TO HOLD IT OUT OF OUR LINE OF VISION BUT CANNOT USE IT. IT STILL HANGS DOWN A LITTLE AND "POPS OUT" FREQUENTLY BLOCKING VISION. VERY DANGEROUS. NOT UNDER WARRANTY I AM TOLD. *TR
Electrical system, Sep 2, 2014
THERE ARE TWO ISSUES WITH MY 2011 HIGHLANDER. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE 1 YEAR AGO AND AM QUITE UPSET ABOUT THE ISSUES AND THE MONEY THAT I NEED TO PUT INTO IT. I AM ACTUALLY LOOKING INTO TRADING THIS VEHICLE AS, AFTER SPENDING 26K ON IT, I SHOULDN'T BE DEALING WITH OR PAYING FOR THESE ISSUES. TOYOTA HAS BEEN NONEXISTENT IN OFFERING REMEDIES. I HAVE ONLY EVER OWNED TOYOTAS (2 CAMRYS AND 1 HIGHLANDER) AND PROBABLY WILL NEVER OWN ONE AGAIN. THANKS TOYOTA!!! - THE ALARM CONSTANTLY GOES OFF FOR NO APPARENT REASON. I AM UNABLE TO LOCK THE DOORS ON THE VEHICLE OTHERWISE THE ALARM WILL GO OFF EVERY 30 MINUTES TO 1 HOUR. TOYOTA WANTS TO CHARGE $130 JUST TO LOOK AT THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE THAT PRESENTS ITSELF IN EVERY TOYOTA FORUM. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS. - THE BOLTS THAT CONNECT THE WINDOW TO THE CONTRAPTION THAT ROLLS UP AND DOWN THE WINDOW ALL HAVE FALLEN OFF. THIS COST ME 150 TO FIX ON JUST ONE WINDOW. THE BOLTS LOOSEN BY THEMSELVES AND FALL OFF. THIS TOO HAS BEEN LISTED ON MANY TOYOTA FORUMS AND SHOULD HAVE A RECALL. *TR
Steering, Aug 23, 2014
STARTED THE CAR. POWER STEERING WAS GONE!! IT HAD JUST GONE OUT!!! THANK GOD I WAS IN TOWN. I HAD JUST GONE OVER MOUNTAIN ROAD WHERE I COULD HAVE GONE OVER A CLIFF AND BEEN KILLED. I WAS ABLE TO TAKE THE CAR WITH HORRIBLE DIFFICULTY TO A MECHANIC ACROSS THE STREET AND THEY CALLED THE TOYOTA DEALER AND THEY TOLD THEM TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY. THAT DIDN'T WORK. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE TOYOTA DEALER WHEN THEY TOOK THE TOW IT SEEMED TO BE WORKING. THEY CHECKED IT AND WAS GIVEN AN "ALL SYSTEM OK" ON THE POWERTRAIN, CHASSIS, ELECTRICAL AND NETWORK SYSTEMS. THEY SAID IT WAS A "GLITCH" A GLITCH???? THIS IS A CAR I PAID $34,000 FOR AND I HAVE KEPT UP WITH ALL THE SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE. NOW I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. IT WAS TERRIFYING. I HAVE TO DRIVE HOME FROM SAN LUIS OBISPO TO LANCASTER CA AND I'M SCARED TO DEATH. A GLITCH???? *TR
Air bags, Jul 31, 2014
I SWERVED TO AVOID HITTING A DEER. THE CAR WENT ONTO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND BACK ONTO THE ROAD. THE SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED ON BOTH SIDES OF THE CAR. A LARGE PIECE OF PLASTIC, AT LEAST 2FT. IN LENGTH,FLEW OFF ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE CAUSING SEVERE CUTS,LACERATIONS,AND ABRASIONS TO MY LEFT ARM - THIS REQUIRED A TRIP THE EMERGENCY ROOM AT A LOCAL HOSPITAL WHERE MY ENTIRE ARM WAS TREATED. I CAN UNDERSTAND WHY THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED BUT CANNOT ACCEPT THE FACT THAT I WAS INJURED BY FLYING PLASTIC DEBRIS...UPDATED 08/25/14 *BF UPDATED 09/2/2014 *JS
Service brakes, Jul 24, 2014, crash
I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 40 MPH AND APPROACHING A LEFT TURN. I TRIED TO BRAKE THE CAR TO SLOW DOWN AND THE BRAKE DID NOT WORK. MY FOOT PUSHED ALL THE WAY DOWN AND SINCE I HAD 2 KIDS IN THE CAR I WAS REALLY CONCERNED THAT I COULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. I TRIED TO BRING THE CAR TO A STOP AND HIT THE SIDE WALK. THIS WAS NOT THE FIRST TIME OR THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED. EVEN AFTER THE CAR HAS BEEN REPAIRED, THE BRAKES CONTINUE TO MALFUNCTION AT LEAST TWICE A WEEK. I APPLY THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES AND THEN SLOWLY BRAKES, SOMETIMES DOES NOT BRAKE AT ALL. I HAVE REPORTED THIS TO TOYOTA AND THEY ARE DENYING THERE IS ANYTHING WRONG. I BELIEVE THERE IS SOME PROGRAMMING ISSUING WITH THE CAR AND THE BRAKES CONTINUE TO MALFUNCTION. I DON'T KNOW WHERE ELSE TO TURN. I HAVE 5 KIDS AND DRIVING AN UNSAFE CAR. *TR
Visibility, Jun 30, 2014
2011 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR NO LONGER STAYS IN PLACE. *SMD
Electrical system, Visibility/wiper, Jun 24, 2014
THE REAR HATCH DOOR SENSOR GOES OFF WHEN THE CAR MAKES A TURN OR IS DRIVEN OVER BUMP. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THE DOOR SENSOR SYSTEM MUST BE REPLACED AT AN ESTIMATED COST OF MORE THAN $700. ALSO, DRIVER'S SIDE VISOR DOES NOT STAY UP. COST TO REPLACE, $300. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Jun 7, 2014
DRIVER SIDE VISOR HANGS DOWN AND WILL NOT RETURN TO UP POSITION. THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL CONCERNS OF THIS TYPE NOTED A ON THIS DATABASE AND THIS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED AS A SAFETY RECALL ISSUE SINCE IT OBSTRUCTS DRIVER VISIBILITY. *TR
Vehicle speed control, May 3, 2014
MY HIGHLANDER HYBRID: PUSHED START BUTTON, AND BEHAVED NORMALLY. UPON BEING PLACED IN GEAR, THE VEHICLE ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE AS IF THE GAS PEDAL WAS PUSHED TO THE FLOOR. ONLY HEAVY BRAKE PRESSURE PREVENTED A SERIOUSLY DANGEROUSNESS CONDITION OF FULL ACCELERATION IN A SMALL PARKING LOT. WHEN PLACED IN PARK, THE THROTTLE REDUCED TO IDLE. I REPEATED THE ACTION OF PLACING THE CAR IN GEAR (EITHER REVERSE OR DRIVE), AND AGAIN, THE THROTTLE ADVANCED TO A FULL ACCELERATION MODE. AGAIN, ONLY VERY HEAVY PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE PREVENTED UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION. I PARKED THE VEHICLE, AND CALLED MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER. AFTER BEING PLACED ON HOLD SEVERAL TIMES, I LEFT A VOICE MAIL WITH THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT. I ALSO WENT ONLINE TO TOYOTA TO THE CUSTOMER HOTLINE, AND LEFT A DETAILED EMAIL WITH VIN, PROBLEM DESCRIPTION, AND EXPRESSED A CONCERN FOR A SERIOUS SAFETY DEFECT. *TR
Visibility, Apr 19, 2014
THE DRIVERS SIDE VISOR WILL NOT STAY UP FLOPS AROUND BLOCKING FULL VISION . THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH HIGHLANDERS AND SHOULD NOT BE AN ISSUE ON A PART WITH LIMITED USE AND A VEHICLE THIS NEW. *TR
Structure, Apr 15, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR HATCH DOOR GATE AND WINDOW SUDDENLY OPENED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR GATE DOOR HINGE WAS BENT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND NO SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 22, 2014
DRIVER SIDE VISOR WILL NOT STAY UP. BLOCKS DRIVERS VISION. APPEARS TO BE WIDESPREAD FAILURE SINCE 2002. TOYOTA WILL NOT COVER OUT OF WARRANT, WANTS $650 FOR REPLACEMENT PART!! *TR
Structure, Feb 5, 2014
I HAVE A 2011 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE ARM OF THE AUTOMATIC LIFT GATE DETACHED FROM THE BODY OF THE CAR. ON FEB 5, THE TOYOTA DEALER INFORMED ME THAT NOT ONLY WAS THE END OF THE ARM STRIPPED AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED BUT THAT THE MOTOR HAD BURNED OUT AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AS WELL. I RARELY USE THE AUTO LIFT GATE, SO I WAS SHOCKED TO HEAR THIS.OF COURSE IT'S OUT OF WARRANTY BY 3,000 MILES. I CALLED TOYOTA AND THEY SAID THERE ARE NO KNOWN PROBLEMS BUT AFTER DOING SOME INVESTIGATING, THERE HAVE BEEN QUITE A FEW COMPLAINTS FILED OVER THIS ISSUE. *TR
Visibility/wiper, Jan 21, 2014
DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR WILL NO LONGER GO UP ALL THE WAY. IT IS STUCK PARTIALLY UP AND HAS RESISTANCE. IT IS NOW ONLY DOWN AND BLOCKING MY VIEW OF DRIVING. THIS IS SAFETY ISSUES AND A RECALL ORDERED. *TR
Visibility/wiper, Jan 21, 2014
DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR WILL NO LONGER GO UP ALL THE WAY. IT IS STUCK PARTIALLY UP AND HAS RESISTANCE. IT IS NOW ONLY DOWN AND BLOCKING MY VIEW OF DRIVING. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND NEED TO BE RECALLED. *TR
Visibility/wiper, Dec 22, 2013
SUN VISOR WILL NO LONGER GO UP ALL THE WAY. IT IS STUCK PARTIALLY UP AND HAS RESISTANCE. IT IS NOW ONLY DOWN AND BLOCKING MY VIEW OF DRIVING. *TR
Visibility/wiper, Dec 2, 2013
THE DRIVER'S SIDE VISOR NO LONGER STAYS UP...IT FALLS DOWN HALFWAY WHICH IS BLOCKING MY VISION. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SAFETY CONCERN. I CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD IT WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED FOR A COST OF $318.00. THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS AND TOYOTA SHOULD BE ASHAMED FOR NOT POSTING A RECALL ON SOMETHING SO DANGEROUS WHEN THERE ARE SO MANY COMPLAINTS. *TR
Visibility, Dec 2, 2013
THE DRIVER'S SIDE VISOR WILL NOT STAY UP ANY LONGER. IT HANGS HALF WAY DOWN BLOCKING MY VISION WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
Engine, Nov 15, 2013
CAN YOU PLEASE GIVE ME AN EMAIL ADDRESS WHERE I CAN SEND A DETAILED REPORT OF ISSUE. TOO LARGE FOR SPACE PROVIDED. THANK YOU *TR
Seat belts, Nov 11, 2013
FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT STOCK. DO NOT RELEASE. IT CANNOT BE USE. TOYOTA CARE CENTER SAID IS OUT OF GUARANTY AND I HAVE TO PAY JUST TO VERIFY IT. WHAT ABOUT SAFETY? *TR
Visibility/wiper, Nov 10, 2013
DRIVERS SIDE VISOR IS BROKEN & WILL NOT STAY UP! ONLY REMEDY FROM TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IS TO PAY FOR ANOTHER (PROBABLY DEFECTIVE) VISOR (PARTS & INSTALLATION). THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY HAZARD & TOYOTA NEEDS TO BE PROFESSIONAL ENOUGH TO FIX THIS PROBLEM (WITHOUT CHARGING THEIR CUSTOMERS)! I'M EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED IN THIS LACK OF QUALITY FROM TOYOTA. *TR
Visibility/wiper, Nov 5, 2013
DRIVERS SIDE VISOR IS BROKEN & WILL NOT STAY UP! ONLY REMEDY FROM TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IS TO PAY FOR ANOTHER (PROBABLY DEFECTIVE) VISOR (PARTS & INSTALLATION). THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY HAZARD & TOYOTA NEEDS TO BE PROFESSIONAL ENOUGH TO FIX THIS PROBLEM (WITHOUT CHARGING THEIR CUSTOMERS)! I'M EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED IN THIS LACK OF QUALITY FROM TOYOTA. *TR
Visibility, Sep 2, 2013
DRIVERS SIDE SUN VISOR WILL NOT STAY IN UPRIGHT POSITION OR IN CORRECT SUN BLOCKING POSITION. IT IS CONSTANTLY IN THE PARTIAL DOWN POSITION AND DOES NOT ALLOW FOR PROPER VISIBILITY. *JS