Model year
2011 Toyota Highlander
NHTSA lists 5 recalls and 181 complaints for the 2011 Toyota Highlander (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). NHTSA also lists 1 recall and 5 complaints under HIGHLANDER HYBRID. Those counts are separate from the numbers above. The components listed on the most complaints are STEERING (33), VISIBILITY/WIPER (25), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (20). NHTSA lists 2 investigations. NHTSA rated 3 variants 4 stars overall. EPA rates it 19–28 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $2,400–$3,550, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2001 137 complaints
- 2002 301 complaints
- 2003 258 complaints
- 2004 286 complaints
- 2005 224 complaints
- 2006 278 complaints
- 2007 124 complaints
- 2008 405 complaints
- 2009 134 complaints
- 2010 216 complaints
- 2011 181 complaints
- 2012 182 complaints
- 2013 207 complaints
- 2014 136 complaints
- 2015 192 complaints
- 2016 111 complaints
- 2017 271 complaints
- 2018 269 complaints
- 2019 502 complaints
- 2020 321 complaints
- 2021 531 complaints
- 2022 263 complaints
- 2023 189 complaints
- 2024 43 complaints
- 2025 10 complaints
- 2026 4 complaints
Recalls
16V396000 · Jun 2, 2016
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010…
15V689000 · Oct 22, 2015
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
Toyota Motor Company (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Tundra, Sequoia, Corolla, Corolla Matrix and Scion xB, 2008-2011 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2007 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2009 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2006-2011 RAV4, 2006-2010 Yaris, and 2009-2010…
14V743000 · Nov 19, 2014
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Prius and Corolla, 2009-2011 Venza, 2006-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2005-2011 Sienna and Sequoia, 2006-2011 Tacoma 4x2 and 4x4, Camry, Highlander, Tundra 4x2 and 4x4, and 2007-2011 Rav4…
13V123000 · Apr 9, 2013
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
Southeast Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 and 2010-2013 Toyota Tundra, 2010-2012 Rav4, 2012 Toyota Sequoia, 2010-2011 Toyota Corolla, 2010-2011 Toyota Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser, 2011 Toyota…
13V014000 · Jan 16, 2013
SEATS; AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model…
Complaints
181 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 14, fire flag on 0, injury field 8, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Other NHTSA names
These names matched the same EPA model but are not included in the headline counts above.
| Name | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| HIGHLANDER HYBRID | 1 | 5 |
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| PE18005 | Upper Steering Column Separation · STEERING:COLUMN; STEERING | May 4, 2018 | Nov 20, 2018 |
| EA18006 | Steering Column Separation · STEERING:COLUMN; STEERING | Nov 16, 2018 | Apr 2, 2024 |
Safety ratings
| Variant | Overall | Front | Side | Pole | Rollover | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HV SUV AWD | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.174 | — |
| SUV AWD | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.174 | NHTSA photo |
| SUV FWD | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.198 | NHTSA photo |
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highlander 2WD · 2.7L · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 20 | 25 | 22 | — | — | $3,050 |
| Highlander 2WD · 3.5L · Automatic (S5) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 18 | 24 | 20 | — | — | $3,350 |
| Highlander 4WD · 3.5L · Automatic (S5) · All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 17 | 22 | 19 | — | — | $3,550 |
| Highlander Hybrid 4WD · 3.5L · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline · Hybrid | 28 | 28 | 28 | — | — | $2,400 |
Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.
Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2011 Toyota Highlander at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.