Name: 2011 Toyota Highlander
Brand: Toyota

Exhaust

Muffler, pipes, catalytic converter, exhaust manifold, heat shields, leaks.

What Owners Say

Other/unsure

"lift gate works only manually since 2022. tire pressure gauge system does not work. each item is too expensive to fix."

Anonymous, CA (2011 Toyota Highlander Limited 3.5-L V6)

"The rear hatch would not open because the support struts that hold open the rear window glass had broken. They were replaced but Im still having some problems with the hatch opening."

Anonymous, AZ (2011 Toyota Highlander Base 3.5-L V6)

"tire sensors replaced"

Anonymous, NC (2011 Toyota Highlander SE 3.5-L V6)

"Alternator replaced"

Anonymous, IL (2011 Toyota Highlander 3.5-L V6)

"Wheel Ball Bearing needed replacement."

Anonymous, UT (2011 Toyota Highlander Limited 3.5-L V6)

"The water pump had to be replaced. It started making a noise that indicates the bearing is failing. (This is a common problem in Toyota 3.5L at around the 120,000 mile mark.)"

Anonymous, IN (2011 Toyota Highlander Base 3.5-L V6)

"Alternator went bad but that is probably expected due to the age."

Anonymous, AL (2011 Toyota Highlander SE 3.5-L V6)

Noises And Leaks

Squeaks, rattles, wind noises, seals and/or weather stripping, air and water leaks.

What Owners Say

Air or water leaks

"Water leaks aroubd the sun roof"

Anonymous, MO (2011 Toyota Highlander Base 3.5-L V6)

"About 4 years ago I started getting water in floor after rains. Dealer said sunroof drains needed to be cleaned out. Did this several times but issue kept happening. Was told it was a design flaw for that year vehicle. Went to another dealer in another state and they said the drain system needed to be replaced to solve problem. I paid for that only to have the leaking return. I never had this problem until about the 8th year of ownership. Toyota was no help. I spent a lot of money to fix a problem that was never fixed. One mechanic even told me to park on a hill to drain the water. Really ???? I have kept this vehicle maintained and it looks and runs great, but I am trading it in next month and getting a Honda Pilot. With no sunroof! I will never own another Toyota. My close friend has the same model and hers started leaking 2 years ago. All my friends have cars with sunroofs but I am the only one who has a sunroof that leaks. Toyota is a joke. In addition to that the rods that hold the cargo door up fizzled out around year 6. Dealer told me they were too small from the factory but Toyota would not address the problem."

Anonymous, VA (2011 Toyota Highlander 3.5-L V6)

"drain from moon roof clogged and spilled over into the drivers foot area. It took months to dry out"

Anonymous A., NC (2011 Toyota Highlander Limited 3.5-L V6)

Seals and/or weather-stripping

"Weather stripping around the sun roof leaked badly"

Anonymous, MO (2011 Toyota Highlander Base 3.5-L V6)

Steering And Suspension

Shocks or struts, ball joints, tie rods, wheel bearings, alignment, steering linkage (includes rack and pinion), power steering (pumps and hoses, leaks), wheel balance, springs or torsion bars, bushings, electronic or air suspension.

What Owners Say

Other steering/suspension problem

"At a regular oil change, dealer told me I needed $4,600 fix to replace two control arms. Took the truck to a corner garage instead, and the fix cost $1,200. Have not been back to dealer since"

Anonymous A., MB (2011 Toyota Highlander Limited 3.5-L V6)

Power steering

"February 2024 electric power steering went out completely requiring repairs. After three weeks waiting on parts the car was finally fixed. Three weeks of car rental came out my pocket."

Anonymous, LA (2011 Toyota Highlander Limited 3.5-L V6)

Wheel bearings

"Began to hear increasing noise from rear of car especially at highway speeds. Had it inspected by mechanic who indicated the need for new wheel bearings. Had both rear wheel bearings replaced and issue was resolved. Never had to replace wheel bearings before in a Toyota product, especially at such low mileage."

Anonymous, MA (2011 Toyota Highlander Limited 3.5-L V6)

"2 wheel bearings failed within the same one-month timeframe. Repair was costly, and shop indicated this was a fairly common issue for my vehicle."

Anonymous, NC (2011 Toyota Highlander Limited 3.5-L V6)

Paint And Trim

Paint (fading, chalking, peeling, or cracking), loose interior or exterior trim or moldings, rust.

What Owners Say

Other paint & trim problem

"It was the same issue as the recall any part that had paint on it got replaced free they did an excellent job"

Anonymous, IL (2011 Toyota Highlander Limited 3.5-L V6)

Paint (fading, chalking, cracking, or peeling)

"Started last summer once spot peeling in back tailgate area it was tested at Toyota and it turned out. The entire car had issues never before noticed. Because it was part of a recall everything that was repaired pretty much. The whole darn car was at no cost to us, but it did result in me having a rental car paid for by Toyota For two weeks They literally took the car apart and put it back together still waiting on repair interior seat Release that was damaged during the process"

Anonymous, IL (2011 Toyota Highlander Limited 3.5-L V6)

"Paint began to peel on the roof panel and several other body panels several years ago. Initially Toyota would not do anything about it. After several years a recall was issued for the paint repairs were done in 2023."

Anonymous, LA (2011 Toyota Highlander Limited 3.5-L V6)

In-car Electronics

Infotainment system (audio, GPS, phone), rear entertainment system, backup or other camera/sensors, head-up display.

What Owners Say

In-dash navigation system (GPS)

"Totally obsolete. No update for the system."

Anonymous, TX (2011 Toyota Highlander Limited 3.5-L V6)

Phone pairing (e.g., Bluetooth)

"Bluetooth unit is bad. The dealer acted like they couldnt get parts to repair it."

Anonymous, TX (2011 Toyota Highlander Limited 3.5-L V6)

Radio

"Erratic radio volume Volume control ineffective at times"

Anonymous, CA (2011 Toyota Highlander 3.5-L V6)

Electrical Accessories

Cruise control, clock, warning lights, body control module, keyless entry, wiper motor or washer, tire pressure monitor, interior or exterior lights, horn, gauges, 12V power plug, USB ports, alarm or security system, remote engine start, heated or cooled seats, heated steering wheel, headlights, automatic headlights, automatic wipers, wireless charging pad.

What Owners Say

Keyless entry

"Apparently a common issue on Toyotas- a problem with the doors unlocking (except drivers door) when pushing the interior unlock button or pushing unlock on the remote."

Anonymous, MN (2011 Toyota Highlander Limited 3.5-L V6)

Tire pressure monitor

"One tire pressure monitor went out and I replaced it. I wish I had been smart enough to know that once one went out, the rest would soon follow one at a time. It would have saved me some labor costs!"

Anonymous A., AR (2011 Toyota Highlander Limited 3.5-L V6)

Wiper motor or washer

"Rear wiper stopped working. I havent fixed the issue so dont know the cause."

Anonymous, MN (2011 Toyota Highlander Limited 3.5-L V6)

Brakes

Premature pad/rotor wear, pulsation or vibration, antilock system, parking brake, master cylinder, calipers, squeaking, brake failure, regenerative braking.

What Owners Say

Rotors

"The front rotors were not replaced when the brakes were replaced. I replaced them the following year."

Anonymous, SK (2011 Toyota Highlander Base 3.5-L V6)

Squeaking

"Loud squeaking noise, embarassing when driving slow."

Anonymous, HI (2011 Toyota Highlander Limited 3.5-L V6)

Engine Minor

Accessory belts and pulleys, engine computer, engine mounts, engine knock or ping, fuel leaks, oil leaks.

What Owners Say

Oil leaks

"Timing chain cover was leaking and took mechanic 5 days to repair. the vehicle has not been 100% since repair"

Anonymous A., NC (2011 Toyota Highlander Limited 3.5-L V6)

Body Hardware

Windows, locks and latches, doors or sliding doors, tailgate, trunk or hatch, mirrors, seat controls (power or manual), seat belts, sunroof, convertible top, glass defect.

What Owners Say

Transmission Minor

Gear selector and linkage, transmission computer, transmission sensor or solenoid, clutch adjustment, rough shifting, slipping transmission, leaks.

What Owners Say

Slipping transmission

"when going uphill at around 10 miles hr automatic transmission starting to slip like getting hiccups"

Anonymous, OR (2011 Toyota Highlander Limited 3.5-L V6)

Fuel System/Emissions

Sensors (O₂, or oxygen, sensor), emission-control devices (includes EGR), fuel-injection system, fuel gauge/sender, fuel pump, problems filling up the tank.

What Owners Say

Other emissions/fuel system problem

"Major oil leak noted while driving on interstate highway. Interrupted the trip and required expensive repair"

Anonymous, VA (2011 Toyota Highlander Limited 3.5-L V6)

Toyota Highlander

Reliability

Owner Reported Trouble Spots

Exhaust

What Owners Say

Noises And Leaks

What Owners Say

Steering And Suspension

What Owners Say

Paint And Trim

What Owners Say

In-car Electronics

What Owners Say

Electrical Accessories

What Owners Say

Brakes

What Owners Say

Engine Minor

What Owners Say

Body Hardware

What Owners Say

Transmission Minor

What Owners Say

Fuel System/Emissions

What Owners Say

Transmission Major

Engine Major

Drive System

Engine Electrical

Climate System

Engine Cooling

2011 SUVs Reliability

Toyota vs. Other New Car Brands Reliability