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, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 10, 2011
PURCHASED MY 2011 HIGHLANDER IN MARCH, & IT HAD 7000 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. I STARTED THE VEHICLE IN MY DRIVEWAY, PUT IT IN DRIVE, AND STARTED DOWN MY DRIVEWAY. PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, AND THERE WERE NO BRAKES AND SEEMED NOT TO HAVE POWER STEERING. THE LIGHTS IN THE DASH CAME ON, AND THE SCREEN SAID BRAKE MALFUNCTION CONTACT DEALER IMMEDIATELY. THERE WERE NO BRAKES, I FINALLY CAME TO A STOP AT THE BOTTOM OF THE HILL, PUT THE CAR IN PARK, AND TURNED THE IGNITION OFF. WHEN I TURNED THE KEY, THE CAR STARTED, THE DASH LIGHTS WERE STILL LIT UP, AND I GUESS THE COMPUTER SEEMED TO "RESET". I PULLED BACK INTO MY DRIVEWAY & HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY. THE DEALER HAS HAD IT FOR OVER TWO WEEKS, AND THE INCIDENT HAS NOT HAPPENED AGAIN, AND THEY SAID THAT THEY CANNOT FIND A SINGLE THING WRONG WITH IT. THEY CAN, HOWEVER, SEE THAT THERE WAS AN "INCIDENT" WITH THE BRAKES ON THAT DATE BY THE COMPUTER READING. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT I AM GOING TO BE GETTING THIS CAR BACK, AND THAT IT IS FINE. EVERYONE SAY A PRAYER FOR MYSELF AND MY 3 KIDS THAT ARE IN IT, & HOPE THAT IT DOESN'T HAPPEN AGAIN IN THESE MOUNTAINS THAT I LIVE! *TR
Electrical system, Sep 12, 2011
2011 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 4WD: SYSTEM CHECK PANEL I INDICATING THE REAR DOOR IS OPEN, WHEN IT'S NOT. BEEN TO DEALER 3 TIMES. CAR HAS 10000 MILES ON IT. THE REAR DOOR OPEN INDICATOR EFFECTS DOOR LOCKING ABILITY WITH KEY FOB AS WELL AS CONTINUAL CHIME INDICATING REAR DOOR IS OPEN IN CONJUNCTION WITH TURNING DOME LIGHT OFF AND ON. DEALER THOUGHT IT WAS REAR DOOR STRIKE PLATE. ADJUSTED ACCORDINGLY. THIS WAS NOT THE PROBLEM. 3RD VISIT TO DEALER STILL TRYING TO PINPOINT WHY THIS IS HAPPENING SO FAR NO LUCK. ELECTRICAL BAD DOOR SENSOR FAULTY ELECTRICAL DOOR SWITCH THIS PROBLEM IS VERY ANNOYING AND NOW TIMES CONSUMING 3 VISITS TO THE DEALER AND STILL NO SOLUTION. REAR DOOR OPEN INDICATOR INITIALLY MADE TO STOP BY ROLLING DOWN DRIVER SIDE WINDOW AT HIGHWAY SPEED. INDICATOR ALSO MADE TO GO OFF WHEN ROAD TURNS TO THE LEFT ONLY. IT'S BACK AT THE DEALERSHIP TODAY (9/12/2011). *TR
Service brakes, Electric, Aug 5, 2011
I WAS DRIVING MY BRAND NEW (3 WEEKS AFTER I BOUGHT IT) TOYOTA HIGHLANDER V6 IN A SECONDARY DOWN HILL ROAD WHEN THE BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED COMPLETELY AND THE CAR STARTED TO ACCELERATE DOWNHILL. NOT BEING ABLE TO CONTROL IT I IGNORED THE "FULL STOP" SIGN AT THE END OF THE SECONDARY ROAD AND I CONTINUED IN A FLAT MAIN ROAD WHERE CARS NORMALLY SPEED UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO PUT THE SHIFT INTO PARK AND FINALLY THE CAR STOPPED WITH A LURCH. THE LIFE OF MY SON AND MINE WERE SERIOUSLY ENDANGERED. THE CAR WAS TOWED BY THE DEALER AND IT IS STILL THERE AFTER THEY HAVE REPLACED AT LEAST 2 PARTS SO FAR. WE PAID ALMOST $32 000 FOR A BRAND NEW DEFECT FREE CAR BUT INSETAD THEY ARE GOING TO GIVE US THE SAME CAR WHICH IS NOW UNDERGOING MAJOR REPAIRS. *TT
Vehicle speed control, Jul 12, 2011, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT WAS SITTING AT A COMPLETE STOP WITH THE BRAKES DEPRESSED. ONCE THE BRAKES WERE RELEASED, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE, CAUSING THAT VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A THIRD VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE WAS BEING INVESTIGATED BY THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE AGENCY. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1500. UPDATED 09/27/11 *BF UPDATED 2/9/12 *CN
Tires, Jun 10, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER EQUIPPED WITH BRIDGE STONE DULER H/L 400 225/R75/19. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. A TOWING SERVICE APPEARED ON THE SCENE TO CHANGE THE TIRE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO CONTACT THE TIRE MANUFACTURER BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE CONTACT THEN CALLED THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURER AND WAS ADVISED TO CONTACT AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS THEN NOTIFIED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THE TIRES WERE NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE TIRE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THE BLOW OUT WAS DUE TO CRACKS IN THE SIDEWALL AND DID NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING WITH THE REMAINING THREE TIRES ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,400.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 8, 2011
FORD F150 SUPERCREW 4X4 - FUEL TANK STRAP BROKE. TANK JUST HANGING. LUCKILY NOTICED IT AND HAVE ORDERED NEW STRAPS. *TR
Service brakes, Electric, Apr 4, 2011
I WAS DRIVING 2011 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER, STOPPED THE CAR AT RED LIGHT (INTERSECTION OF CATHARPIN RD AND US 55). DURING THE GREEN LIGHT, I WAS TRYING TO TAKE A RIGHT TURN ON THE LIGHT AND THE CAR DID NOT ALLOW ME TO TURN THE POWER STEERING (STUCK) AND ON THE LCD PANEL IT STARTED BLINKING MESSAGE SAYING BREAK MALFUNCTION, THE CAR WENT ON TO THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC LANE AND FINALLY WITH SOME STRUGGLE STOPPED THE CAR ON THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC LANE. LUCKILY, NO ONE WAS COMING ON THAT LANE (MY GOOD FORTUNE). CALLED THE COPS AND THEY HELPED THE CAR TO PULL ON SIDE OF THE ROAD. LOOKS LIKE SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE CAR. REQUESTING THE TOYOTA TAKE A LOOK AT THE PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE GETS INTO SERIOUS TROUBLE. *TR
Electrical system, Mar 31, 2011
CAR HAS BEEN IN USE FOR 3 WEEKS. AFTER NOT BEING DRIVEN FOR 4 DAYS, NO ELECTRICAL POWER IS RECEIVED FROM THE BATTERY. JUMP-STARTING THE CAR WAS ATTEMPTED, BUT THE CAR REMAINED IMMOBILIZED. FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE IS 800. *TR
Visibility, Structure, Feb 26, 2011
FRONT WINDSHIELD SEALER BEAD NOT ADHERED TO THE GLASS. TOYOTA TACOMA. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Feb 10, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT STARTED MOVING ON ITS OWN. THE GEAR SHIFT DOES NOT HAVE TO BE IN PARK IN ORDER TO TURN THE VEHICLE ON SINCE IT WAS TURNED OFF BY PRESSING A BUTTON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIANS STATED THAT THERE WERE NO REPAIRS NEEDED AND THAT WAS THE WAY THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED. UPDATED 3/22/11 *CN UPDATED 04/25/11
Exterior lighting, Nov 8, 2010
WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE NEW HEADLIGHT DESIGN ON THE 2011 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER CAUSES THE LOW BEAM LIGHTS TO APPEAR AS IF THERE IS A VISOR ON THE LIGHTS. WHEN TRAVELING ON LEVEL ROADS OR GOING UP HILL THE HEADLIGHTS BEAM THROW DISTANCE IS EFFICIENT WITH THE VISOR EFFECT. HOWEVER, WHEN GOING DOWN HILL AFTER CRESTING A KNOLL, THE VISOR EFFECT DIMINISHES THE THROW DISTANCE OF THE HEADLIGHT BY AN ESTIMATED 50%. THIS LIGHT THROW REDUCTION TOOK ME BY SURPRISE AND CAUSED ME TO ALMOST HIT A DEER THIS EVENING ON THE FIRST NIGHT OF OWNERSHIP. TOYOTA NEEDS TO MAKE A CHANGE TO GET RID OF THE VISOR EFFECT. REQUEST NHTSA INVESTIGATE THIS NEW DESIGN BEFORE NUMEROUS ACCIDENTS OCCUR. I AM CONTACTING TOYOTA TOMORROW TO SEE WHAT THEY HAVE TO SAY.