TSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most 1979 ? 2023 model year vehicles may be available provided the requests meet the criteria listed in this Service Bulletin. Follow the Procurement Procedure in this bulletin to request a replacement certification label or VIN plate.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2011 Toyota Highlander cruise control problems
severe Owners of the 2011 Toyota Highlander have filed 10 NHTSA complaints about the cruise control, typically surfacing around 59,000 miles at roughly $600 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See cruise control across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
10
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$600
| Model year | cruise control complaints |
|---|---|
| 2007 Highlander | 10 |
| 2008 Highlander | 33 |
| 2009 Highlander | 10 |
| 2010 Highlander | 19 |
| 2011 Highlander (this page) | 10 |
| 2012 Highlander | 11 |
| 2013 Highlander | 20 |
| 2014 Highlander | 4 |
| 2015 Highlander | 9 |
5crashes
When does it fail?
Of the 10 cruise control complaints filed for the 2011 Toyota Highlander, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA cruise control complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 14 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering cruise control on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
TOYOTA: ACCELERATOR PEDAL SENSOR ASSEMBLY INFORMATION REGARDING THE INSPECTION, REMOVAL, AND INSTALLATION, IF LUBRICATION OR OIL, IS APPLIED.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2011 Highlander has a documented pattern of unintended acceleration without driver input. Owners report the vehicle suddenly jumping to full throttle when shifting into gear during parking, or accelerating on its own while driving at low speeds. The acceleration is forceful—heavy brake pressure is required to stop it, and the condition repeats when the vehicle is placed back in gear. This has occurred at mileages ranging from 1,500 to over 100,000 miles, affecting both standard and hybrid models.
Several owners experienced crashes directly caused by this acceleration: vehicles hit other cars, embankments, walls, and garages while owners held the brakes. Damage figures mentioned include $8,600 to $10,000 in vehicle damage, plus property damage.
One owner reported a separate issue: after acceleration episodes and restart attempts, the engine tachometer spiked wildly and the engine shut down. Another noted intermittent engine hesitation—a 3- to 4-second loss of power while accelerating after a stop, particularly during turns, starting around 8,000 miles.
Toyota dealers have examined affected vehicles without publishing repair details in these complaints. No recalls or technical service bulletins are mentioned by owners. The manufacturer has been contacted and filed insurance claims in some cases but has not publicly addressed a defect.
Same Toyota Highlander cruise control reports on nearby years: 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2012 · 2013
Failure modes owners describe
Unintended acceleration without pedal input
Vehicle accelerates at full throttle without driver depressing the accelerator pedal. Occurs when shifting into gear or during normal driving and parking maneuvers. Brake application can stop the acceleration, but the condition repeats when vehicle is placed back in gear. Occurs across both standard and hybrid models.
When: From 1,500 miles to 100,900 miles; reported at various driving conditions including parking, slow speeds, and after service.
Symptoms owners cite: Full throttle acceleration without pedal input; Acceleration repeats when vehicle placed in gear again; Occurs during parking or low-speed maneuvers; Vehicle must be stopped with heavy brake pressure
Repairs/costs cited: Several vehicles towed to Toyota dealers for evaluation; repair status unknown in most complaints. No repair details provided by owners.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota advised owners to take vehicles to dealers for diagnosis; manufacturer took complaints and filed insurance claims in some cases. No recalls or TSBs mentioned.
Engine hesitation or stall during acceleration after stop
After coming to a complete stop and resuming acceleration, particularly while turning, the engine loses power momentarily. Throttle drops back to idle speed before resuming normal acceleration. Does not fully stall or die, but loses power for 3-4 seconds.
When: Beginning around 8,000 miles on odometer; occurs occasionally over repeated occurrences.
Symptoms owners cite: Engine appears to stall for 3-4 seconds; Throttle drops back to above idle speed; Occurs during or after right or left turns; Engine does not fully die, resumes normal acceleration
Engine tachometer spike and stall
Vehicle experiences engine tachometer rapid increase followed by engine shutdown, occurring after attempting to restart vehicle that experienced unintended acceleration.
When: After 60,000 mile service; during restart attempt following unintended acceleration event.
Symptoms owners cite: Engine tachometer rapidly increased; Engine shut off during restart; Occurred after unintended acceleration episode
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle towed to dealer for evaluation; repair status unknown.
Synthesized from 10 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
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…
Had cruise control trouble with your 2011 Toyota Highlander?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the cruise control problem on the 2011 Toyota Highlander?
It's a meaningful issue. 10 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $600.
At what mileage does the cruise control typically fail?
Across the 10 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most cruise control failures cluster between 8,700 and 60,000 miles, with the median around 59,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 8,700; a quarter make it past 60,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $600 for cruise control repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to cruise control?
No active recalls currently cover cruise control issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2011/Toyota/Highlander.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.