Toyota Highlander problems
186 owner complaints with NHTSA, no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 7.6/10 — above the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
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…
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…
Intermediate shaft issues. Had one intermediate shaft replaced under warranty a year or two after purchase. Intermediate shaft issues returned in the last year. Toyota dealership wants $500 to replace a shaft they know has been defective for years leading up to this model. This…
The auto liftgate for the rear door would not go up and down. Toyota has refused to fix this problem even though a service bulletin has gone out for this defect! *tr
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2011 Toyota Highlander reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.6 out of 10 based on 186 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2011 Toyota Highlander is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2011 Toyota Highlander?
On the NHTSA data, the 2011 Toyota Highlander does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 7.6/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What's the most common problem on the 2011 Toyota Highlander?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is steering, with 33 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 78,907 miles. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The steering is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 78,907 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Toyota Highlander has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2011 Toyota Highlander?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 186 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $700, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.