This Service Bulletin provides updated non-electric water pump leak inspection and diagnostic tips for some 2008 – 2025 model year Toyota vehicles.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2011 Toyota Highlander engine problems
moderate 14 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Complaints
14
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine 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.
This Service Bulletin provides updated non-electric water pump leak inspection and diagnostic tips for some 2008 – 2025 model year Toyota vehicles.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This is to advise of various price adjustments that will affect Toyota Genuine Motor Oil and Long Life Coolant, effective March 1, 2024. These products are ordered through the Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) website.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TT: HVAC drain tube is found to be blocked/clogged.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE August 11, 2020: This bulletin is no longer applicable and is now obsolete.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Multiple owners report identical catastrophic failures of the oil cooler pipe at the front of the engine, typically occurring between 105,000 and 163,000 miles. The original rubber hose ruptures or develops a pinhole leak, dumping the entire engine oil supply in minutes. Owners encounter a low oil pressure warning light only after the spill has already begun, with no prior indication the hose was failing. One owner was driving at 80 mph on Interstate 85 when the warning appeared; another was on a busy thruway during rush hour. Both describe the danger of engine seizure mid-drive on congested roads.
Toyota issued a Warranty Enhancement Program covering the defect through 2021 or 150,000 miles but denied coverage to owners exceeding mileage limits. A Technical Service Bulletin exists, but dealers did not inspect the hose during routine maintenance and refused repairs outside the warranty window. Toyota redesigned the part in metal (part number 15767-31020) but did not issue a formal recall. Repair costs run into the thousands. One owner with a 2AR-FE engine also reports a VVT-i intake gear failure at 113,000 miles producing a metallic rattle on cold start.
Same Toyota Highlander engine reports on nearby years: 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2013
Failure modes owners describe
Oil Cooler Pipe/Hose Failure
Original rubber oil cooler pipes and hoses degrade and rupture, causing rapid catastrophic oil loss. The failure is not predicted by warning systems until oil pressure drops critically low, by which time most or all engine oil has already drained.
When: 105,000–163,000 miles reported; can occur without predictable timeline
Symptoms owners cite: Low oil pressure warning light (comes on after massive leak starts); Large puddle of oil under vehicle; Smoke from engine; Grinding or rattling noise from engine
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement with metal oil cooler pipe assembly (part numbers cited: 15767-31020 with gaskets 15185-0P010 and 11496-31010); cost reported in thousands of dollars. Some owners had it done at independent shops; dealership repairs out of pocket after warranty expiration.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota issued Warranty Enhancement Program valid through 2021 or 150,000 miles (owners over mileage were denied coverage). Toyota issued Technical Service Bulletin but dealers did not inspect hose as part of regular maintenance. No formal recall issued. Dealerships refused repairs outside warranty window and stated they cannot replace part until it fails.
VVT-i Intake Gear Failure
VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing-intelligent) intake gear on 2AR-FE engine fails, causing metallic rattle on cold start and risk of self-inflicted engine damage.
When: 113,000 miles; cold-start noise began around 111,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Metallic rattle or terrible grinding noise upon cold start; No warning lights
Repairs/costs cited: Diagnosed by mechanic based on sound and experience; part not yet inspected or replaced at time of report
Stall at Low Mileage
Vehicle stalled without warning at very low mileage with no clear diagnosis available.
When: 15,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle stalled without warning approaching stop sign
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer was unable to diagnose the failure; vehicle was not repaired
Synthesized from 14 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had engine 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 engine problem on the 2011 Toyota Highlander?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 14 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Based on the 14 complaints filed, engine issues most often appear around 103,443 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine 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 engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine 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.