2011 Toyota Highlander problems
NHTSA has received 229 complaints about the 2011 Toyota Highlander, and 15% of them involve wipers, windshield & visibility. After that come steering (15%) and body & structure (12%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 229 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Wipers, windshield & visibility 15% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 16 and 0
- Injuries and deaths
- 10 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 53,000 miles 183 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 41 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 24 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 38 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 27 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 20 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 13 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 9 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 6 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 2 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 2 |
| 200k+ miles | 1 |
What the data shows
Among the 183 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 52,000 miles. For wipers, windshield & visibility specifically, the median reported mileage is about 50,000 miles (32 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 16 complaints mention a crash; 10 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2011 ranks 16th most-complained-about out of 24 model years of the Toyota Highlander with enough data (131 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 5 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
While going into a parking space, I attempted to engage the brakes, the brake pedal depressed entirely to the floor, and the brakes did not engage. As the result, my vehicle dropped approximately 15 feet over a retaining wall to a lower parking lot landing nose first onto the pavement of the parking area below. The airbag deployed and the vehicle ultimately landed on all four tires, rolling forward until I was able to stop the vehicle by engaging the emergency brake.
Tl* the contact complained about a 2011 toyota highlander. The contact stated that while the driver was driving about 60 MPH, the vehicle crashed into the vehicle in front which stopped abruptly. The air bags did not deploy and the seat belt did not lock in place (stayed loose). There was no warning. The driver sustained injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The contact who was an independent mechanic stated that the vehicle was totaled. The vehicle was towed to a body shop.
Tl* the contact owned a 2011 toyota highlander. While driving on the highway, the vehicle hydroplaned around a corner and went into a small embankment. The vehicle t-boned the center barrier of the freeway. None of the air bags deployed. Most of the front end was crashed in and the driver's side was severely damaged. The engine and radiator were pushed far back from their original positions. The vehicle was towed and inspected by the insurance company then by an independent mechanic.
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.