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.
Electrical system, Jul 19, 2013
SENSOR FOR "OPEN DOOR" COMES ON WHEN HITTING A BUMP OR SUDDEN TURNS. MORE PROMINENT WHEN TURNING LEFT EVEN AT LOW SPEEDS. HAVE PROBLEMS WITH LOCKING THE VEHICLE AT TIMES DUE TO THIS. HAVE TAKEN THIS TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY STATED IT HAS TO BE A RUBBER IN THE REAR WINDOW THAT CAUSES THIS ISSUE. WHEN DRIVING AROUND AT ANY SPEED IT RANDOMLY STARTS TO BEEP AND GOES OFF. NOT SAFE WHEN TAKING THE VAN OUT AND ISN'T ABLE TO LOCK OUT IN PUBLIC. *TR
Visibility/wiper, Jul 19, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR FELL DOWN AND FAILED TO REMAIN UPRIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS ADVISED THAT THE SUN VISOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,000. *TR
Exterior lighting, May 17, 2013, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS DIDN'T ILLUMINATE THE ENTIRE ROAD. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT HIT A DEER. THE CONTACT WAS NOT ABLE TO AVOID THE CRASH DUE TO FAILED VISIBILITY COVERAGE. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE FAILURE PRIOR TO THE CRASH. THE DEALER ALIGNED THE HEADLIGHTS SEVERAL TIMES HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHT DESIGN WAS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT COULD NOT BE CORRECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 32,000. UPDATED 7/8/13 *CN THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE HEADLIGHTS COULD NOT BE FIXED, AS IT WAS A FACTORY PROBLEM. UPDATED 07/18/13
Exterior lighting, Apr 16, 2013
EXTERIOR LIGHTING POOR LIGHTING FROM HEADLIGHT LOW BEAMS. DESIGN OF CAR SEEMS TO GET IN THE WAY OF THE BEAM CAUSING LOW TO NO VISIBILITY. IT IS ESPECIALLY HARD TO SEE THE EDGE OF THE ROAD WITH THE LOW BEAMS AND THIS HAS CAUSED A PROBLEM WITH BEING ABLE TO SEE DEER AND AVOID HITTING THEM/BEING HIT. I HAVE BEEN TO THE DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THEY HAVE CHECKED ALIGNMENT, BULBS, POSITIONING, ETC. BUT THEY TELL ME IT IS A DESIGN FAULT OF THE CAR AND THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. LUCKILY MY MODEL HAS WHITE FOG LIGHT. USING THEM AT ALL TIMES WHEN I DRIVE AT NIGHT HAS HELPED ME TO SEE. I NEED TO DRIVE WITH BRIGHTS ON WHENEVER POSSIBLE TO BE ABLE TO SEE THE ROAD.THE BIGGEST PROBLEM COMES DURING RAIN OR FOG BECAUSE ONE CAN NOT USE HIGH BEAMS BECAUSE OF THE REFLECTION SO IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE THE ROAD AT NIGHT DURING THESE CONDITIONS. I HAVE DOCUMENTATION OF MY REPAIR REQUESTS AND ACCIDENT REPORT FROM DEER STRIKE IF NEEDED. *TR
Electrical system, Mar 17, 2013
WHILE ACCELERATING ONTO THE ON-RAMP OF THE OF THE HIGHWAY, THE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON,THE REAR DOOR/WINDOW WARNING CAME ON AND THEN THE DOME LIGHTS CAME ON. IT CONTINUED GOING ON AND OFF FOR ABOUT 15-20 MINUTES. VERY CONCERNING WHEN YOU ARE IN HIGHWAY TRAFFIC AND CAN'T GET OFF! PREVIOUS TIMES THAT THIS OCCURRED, THE SEAT BELT WARNING WOULD DING, THE "BACK DOOR OPEN" WARNING WOULD FLASH, THE DOME LIGHTS WOULD TURN ON, AND THEN IT WOULD STOP. YESTERDAY, THAT CYCLE CONTINUED. MY HUSBAND BELIEVES YESTERDAY'S INCIDENT BEGAN DUE TO A BUMP IN THE ROAD. ON PREVIOUS OCCASIONS, THERE WAS NO BUMP. *TR
Electrical system, Feb 7, 2013
THE WARNING LIGHTS AND DISPLAY INDICATE THAT THE REAR GLASS DOOR IS OPEN WHEN IT IS NOT. THE WARNING LIGHT AND DISPLAYS GOES ON AND OFF REPEATEDLY. *TR
Visibility/wiper, Jan 16, 2013
SUN VISOR DOES NOT RETURN TO UPRIGHT POSITION. IT HANGS AND OBSTRUCTS DRIVER'S VISION. I HAVE READ ONLINE THE EXCESSIVELY HIGH NUMBER OF TOYOTA OWNERS WHO EXPERIENCE THIS PROBLEM. IT IS SO DANGEROUS AND A FIX IS COST PROHIBITIVE. TOYOTA SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR MANUFACTURING A DEFECTIVE PART. VISION IS PROBABLY THE MOST CRITICAL COMPONENT FOR A DRIVER AND WHEN IT IS OBSTRUCTED BY A PART OF THE MANUFACTURER'S NEGLECT, THEN IT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY. *TR
Visibility/wiper, Dec 16, 2012
LEFT SIDE SUN VISOR FAILED, VISOR DROPS DOWN IN FRONT OF DRIVER. *TR
Electrical system, Dec 4, 2012
2011 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 4WD: SYSTEM CHECK PANEL INDICATING THE REAR GLASS DOOR IS OPEN, WHEN IT'S NOT. CONTINUAL CHIME INDICATING DOOR IS OPEN IN CONJUNCTION WITH TURNING DOME LIGHT OFF AND ON. BAD DOOR SENSOR FAULTY ELECTRICAL DOOR SWITCH. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Sep 18, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONSTANTLY AND THE ENGINE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMAL ROARING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE FAILURE WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE ENGINE AND THE NOISE THE ENGINE WAS EXHIBITING WAS A NORMAL OCCURRENCE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IN AUGUST 2012 WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE A CLUCKING NOISE AND THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PLACE THE GEAR INTO REVERSE AND INTO A PARKING AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO LOCATED THE FAILURE AS THE TRANSMISSION SOLENOID CLUTCH ASSEMBLY. THE TRANSMISSION SOLENOID CLUTCH ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND THE ABNORMAL NOISE PERSISTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,467 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 20,896. UPDATED 10/03/12*LJ UPDATED 10/3/2012*JS
Structure, Sep 4, 2012
I PURCHASE MY CAR FROM CARMAX ON NOVEMBER 20, 2010. APPROXIMATELY FOURTEEN MONTHS AFTER THE PURCHASE OF THIS VEHICLE, I BEGAN HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE REAR LIFTGATE DOOR NOT COMPLETELY CLOSING PROPERLY. I TOOK MY CAR BACK TO THE DEALER ON TO HAVE THIS CORRECTED BUT TO DATE, THE DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO DO SO. THUS FAR, MY TRUCKS? AUTOMATIC LIFTGATE DOOR HAS BEEN INOPERABLE FOR OVER 120 DAYS AND THE DEALER SHIP HAS REVIEWED THE ISSUE, TOOK PICTURES OF THE AFFECTED AREA AND FILED A REPORT TO TOYOTA HEADQUARTERS. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE DEALERSHIP ALSO ADVISED ME TO CONTACT A CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE AND FILE A COMPLAINT. ON JUNE 15, 2012, I CALLED YOUR CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND SPOKE WITH A TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE. THE REPRESENTATIVE STATED THAT HE SUBMITTED MY COMPLAINT (CASE # 1206150405) AND THAT TOYOTA IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND IS WORKING ON A FIX FOR THE PROBLEM AND AS SOON AS THEY WERE ABLE TO DETERMINE THE FIX, THEY WOULD CONTACT ME. IT HAS BEEN OVER 2 MONTHS SINCE I LAST SPOKE WITH SOMEONE FROM YOUR COMPANY AND I HAVEN?T RECEIVED ANY RESOLUTION. ATTACHED ARE COPIES OF THE REPAIR ORDER THAT DOCUMENT THE DEALERSHIP?S ATTEMPT TO REPAIR MY CAR. ...UPDATED 09/12/12 *BF UPDATED 09/19/2012 *JS
Steering, Sep 4, 2012
AT APPROXIMATELY 40-42 MPH ON A SLIGHT CURVE TO THE RIGHT, THE STEERING WOULD GET VERY TIGHT AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN IN THE DIRECTION OF THE ROAD.( IT IS AS IF THE CAR WAS TURNING TO THE LEFT ON ITS OWN) THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES AND THE DEALER AND TOYOTA INSPECTED THE CAR. THE CAR WAS UNDER CASE MANAGEMENT WITH TOYOTA THREE TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. CASE #'S [XXX], [XXX], AND CASE [XXX]. EACH TIME TOYOTA WOULD STATE THERE IS NO PROBLEM AND THE CAR WAS "FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED. " TOYOTA'S EXCESSIVE USE OF ELECTRONICS IN AREAS SUCH AS STEERING HAVE CREATED UNSAFE VEHICLES. EVEN WORSE, MY OPINION IS TOYOTA KNOWS THEY HAVE ANOTHER SAFETY ISSUE AND ONCE AGAIN IS DENYING AND COVERING IT UP. TOYOTA CAN NO LONGER BE TRUSTED! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Structure, Aug 31, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HINGES ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF HIS HATCHBACK WAS BENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND WAS INFORMED OF TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN UNDER NHTSA ITEM NUMBER : 10041651 (STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:SUPPORT DEVICE). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 15,000.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Aug 1, 2012
AT LOW SPEED, THE AUTO HAS A SERIOUS DELAY WHEN YOU PRESS DOWN ON THE GAS PEDAL TO ENTER A LANE OF TRAFFIC SUCH AS ENTERING AN INTERSTATE FROM AN ENTRANCE RAMP. AFTER THE DELAY THE AUTO THEN SURGES INTO THE TRAFFIC LANE. TOYOTA OFFICIALS CLAIM IT IS CAUSED BY A COMMUNICATION PROBLEM BETWEEN THE COMPUTER AND THE TRANSMISSION. THEY TOLD ME THAT IT CANNOT BE CORRECTED. I FEEL THAT THE DELAY AND SURGE IS NOT SAFE. *TR
Structure, Jul 12, 2012
TOYOTA HAS ISSUED A TSB FOR WARPING HINGES FOR THE POWER REAR HATCH. THE HATCH EVENTUALLY WILL NOT CLOSE PROPERLY OR AT ALL. THIS IS MAINLY DUE TO THE MOTOR PUTTING TOO MUCH PRESSURE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE HINGE. THIS IS HAPPENING TO ALL HIGHLANDER RIGHT NOW WITH POWER OPEN CLOSE FEATURES. EVEN THE ONES WITH THE NEW DESIGN HINGES. TOYOTA IS ALSO SAYING THAT THEY WILL NOT COVER THESE HINGES OUT OF WARRANTY. MINE ARE BEING REPLACED RIGHT NOW. BUT THE 2012 HIGHLANDER RENTAL I HAVE RIGHT NOW HAS THE SAME ISSUE. AND THIS ONE WOULD NOT BE INCLUDED IN THE TSB SINCE IT HAS THE NEW HINGES. I AM WORRIED THAT DOWN THE ROAD THIS HATCH WILL OPEN AT HIGH SPEEDS ON THE HIGHWAY OR ANYWHERE.. HOW WOULD YOU KNOW SOMETIMES THAT THE HATCH DID NOT CLOSE? I HAD TO PUT A ACCIDENT DATE ABOVE TO FILE. THERE IS NO ACCIDENT, I AM TRYING TO PREVENT ONE. *TR
Steering, Power train, Wheels, Jun 5, 2012
I ONLY HAVE 7K MILES IN MY CAR I OWN THE CAR FOR ONLY 1 YEAR. I NOTICE THAT THE STEERING WHEEL IS NOT BALANCE AT ALL. AT LEAST 5-10 DEGREE TO THE RIGHT. I HAVE MY CAR SERVICE EVERY 6 MONTHS WITH TOYOTA IT SHOULD BE BALANCED AND DONE THE TIRE ROTATION??? ALSO THE TRANSMISSION OCCASIONALLY STALL ABOUT 1-2 SECOND WHEN I ACCELERATE TO 30-40 MPH. I AM AFRAID THAT THE TRANSMISSION WILL HAVE PROBLEM WITHIN THIS 2-3 YEARS. LIKE HONDA TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON ODYSSEY. *TR
Power train, Vehicle speed control, May 3, 2012
THE FOLLOWING EMAIL/REPORT WAS SENT TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP FROM WHOM I HAD PURCHASED THIS NEW VEHICLE: I AM WRITING TO REPORT AN ABNORMAL INCIDENT, WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT BE RELATED TO THE STALL PROBLEM I HAD ENCOUNTERED, AND WHICH YOU INSPECTED DURING MY LAST VISIT. IN THIS INCIDENT, I WAS VERY GENTLY TRYING TO MOVE THE CAR INTO MY GARAGE FROM A STATIONARY POSITION (THERE IS A SMALL 10 TO 15 DEGREE GRADE OVER A 3 FT DISTANCE BEFORE THE GARAGE FLOOR BECAME LEVEL AGAIN). AS I SLOWLY PRESSED DOWN ON THE ACCELERATOR, THE CAR STARTED TO MOVE SLOWLY IN A NORMAL FASHION, BUT AFTER MOVING HALF WAY INTO THE GARAGE, IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, ALMOST AT FULL THROTTLE... I HAD TO SLAM ON THE BRAKE AS HARD AS I COULD REACT, MISSING A CRASH BY ONLY A FEW INCHES. AS I TRIED TO ANALYZE WHAT HAPPENED, THE ONLY THING THAT I CAN THINK OF IS THAT AS I WAS MOVING SLOWLY ENOUGH WHERE MOST LIKELY ONLY THE ELECTRIC MOTOR WAS MOVING THE CAR, BUT THEN VERY SUDDENLY THAT ELECTRIC MOTOR SOURCED ITS ABSOLUTE FULL POWER TO ACCELERATE THE WHEELS ---ALMOST AS IF THE SW DECIDED TO IGNORE MY VERY SOFT PRESSURE ON THE GAS PEDAL AND SOURCE MAXIMUM POWER. PLEASE ADVISE WHEN YOUR TOYOTA ENGINEERS WILL BE VISITING YOU AGAIN SO THAT THEY MAY REVIEW THIS LATEST ABNORMALITY. I AM ALSO FORWARDING THIS MESSAGE TO THE NATIONAL AUTO SAFETY DEPARTMENT, SINCE I AM NOW QUITE CONCERNED ABOUT SAFETY. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Apr 10, 2012, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK WITH THE BRAKE DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CEMENT WALL OF A GARAGE. THE MANUFACTURER TOOK A COMPLAINT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 8,700.
Vehicle speed control, Apr 2, 2012, crash
PULLED INTO EMPLOYERS PARKING LOT TO PARK WHEN I PLACED MY VEHICLE INTO REVERSE AND BEGAN BACKING UP THE VEHICLE GAINED SPEED, HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE WITH MY PASSENGER SIDE COMING AGAINST HIS DRIVER SIDE, CLIMBED AN APPROXIMATE 10 FOOT STEEP EMBANKMENT, HIT A WAREHOUSE WALL CAUSING A LARGE DENT IN WALL AND BREAKING A 6X6 SUPPORT POST, THEN SLIDING DOWN THE EMBANKMENT INTO SAME PARKED VEHICLE I HAD HIT BEFORE, THEN CAME TO REST. TOTALED THE VEHICLE THAT WAS HIT ADJACENT MINE, $8600.00 DAMAGE TO MY HIGHLANDER, AND NOT SURE YET OF COST OF BUILDING DAMAGE. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Feb 18, 2012
OCCASIONALLY, AFTER COMING TO A STOP AND THEN WHEN BEGINNING TO ACCELERATE AGAIN WHILE TURNING EITHER RIGHT OR LEFT, THE ENGINE APPEARS TO STALL FOR 3 OR 4 SECONDS, THEN RESUMES NORMAL ACCELERATION. THE ENGINE DOES NOT QUIT OR DIE, IT JUST GOES BACK DOWN TO A LITTLE ABOVE IDLE SPEED, THEN SPEEDS BACK UP AGAIN AND RESUMES NORMAL ACCELERATION OPERATION. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO BOTH MY WIFE AND ME ON MORE THAN A FEW OCCASIONS BEGINNING ABOUT 8,000 MILES ON ODOMETER. I ERRONEOUSLY POSTED THIS COMPLAINT EARLIER UNDER THE 2012 HIGHLANDER, HOWEVER, MY VEHICLE IS A 2011. *TR
Electrical system, Steering, Feb 16, 2012
WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, I WAS UNABLE TO KEEP THE CAR IN THE LANE ON A SLIGHT CURVE TO THE RIGHT IN THE ROAD. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNING, BUT THE WHEELS WERE NOT RESPONDING. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS MUCH HARDER TO TURN. SUDDENLY THE STEERING WHEEL WAS EXTREMELY EASY TO TURN AND THE CAR VEERED HEAVILY TO THE RIGHT CAUSING ME TO RUN OFF THE ROAD. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES AT OTHER SPEEDS. *TR THE CONSUMER HAS SINCE TRADED THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 09/13/12 THE CONSUMER STATED ELECTRONIC STEERING SYSTEMS WERE FUNDAMENTALLY FLAWED. THE CONSUMER STATED HE WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER VEHICLE WITH ELECTRIC STEERING. UPDATED 10/22/12
Tires, Feb 16, 2012
2011 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER WITH LESS THAN 13K MILES HAS TIRES WITH VERY LITTLE TREAD LEFT ON THEM. WAS TOLD BY TOYOTA TECH THAT IT NEEDS NEW TIRES. LESS THAN ONE YEAR OLD AND THE TIRES ARE BALDING. THIS POSES A SAFETY HAZARD AND IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Feb 12, 2012
VEHICLE MAKES A VERY NOTICEABLE, IRRITATING WHINE OR WHISTLE NOISE WHEN ACCELERATING AT 40MPH. STOPS WHEN GAS PEDAL IS RELEASED. VERY CONSTANT AND ANNOYING. DID NOT HAPPEN WHEN CAR WAS FIRST PURCHASED. HAVE BEEN TOLD BY TOYOTA THAT IT WAS THE TRANSFER CASE, WHICH THEY REPLACED. DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. NOW THEY TELL ME IT IS NORMAL. TEST DROVE ANOTHER VEHICLE FROM THEIR LOT OF THE SAME EXACT YEAR, MAKE, MODEL. NO NOISE AT ALL. THIS IS NOT NORMAL. TOYOTA KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM, BUT THEY ARE DENYING IT. OTHER TOYOTA VEHICLES (I.E. RAV4, TUNDRA) HAD/HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. FORUMS TELL ME IT IS THE TRANSMISSION. WAITING ON APPOINTMENT FOR A FIELD TECH FROM TOYOTA TO EXAMINE IT. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 25, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 16,000.
Vehicle speed control, Dec 13, 2011, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT HER DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A BARN. THERE WERE NO INJURIES BUT THE VEHICLE HAD EXTENSIVE DAMAGES TO THE FRONT BUMPER AND SIDES. THE POLICE WERE CONTACTED AND CALLED TO THE SCENE TO ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO CENTER FOR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO FILED A CLAIM ON BEHALF OF THE CONTACT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,000.