2011 Toyota Highlander Hybrid problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Vehicle Speed Control (2) · Service Brakes (1) · Engine (1)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Toyota Highlander Hybrid model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (1)
Visibility:power Window Devices And Controls 2015-10-22 · campaign 15V689000 · 1,814,284 vehicles
Defect: 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 Scion xD and Pontiac Vibe vehicles. During the manufacturing of the Power Window Master Switch (PWMS), grease lubricant may have been inconsistently applied to the sliding electrical contacts.
Risk: If the sliding electrical contacts are not protected by lubricant, debris and moisture that get into the switch may cause a short circuit and the switch assembly may overheat and melt, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the switch, applying a lubricant if no abnormality is found. If abnormality is found, the PWMS circuit board will be replaced, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin December 20, 2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is C0M.
Service bulletins (135)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Engine 2026-02-13 · T-SB-0009-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin includes basic procedures for performing a rescue charge on ni-mh high voltage (hv) batteries. this bulletin should be used in conjunction with the applicable model and model year repair manual while performing a rescue charge. the grx-5100 should be used wherever the repair manual ref
Engine 2026-02-13 · T-SB-0119-15 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
obsolete notice february 13, 2026: this bulletin is now obsolete. please see t-sb-0009-26.
Unknown Or Other 2026-01-07 · T-SB-0055-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2005 – 2026 toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. the purpose of this service bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0039-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. if these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicle surface, especially the horizonal areas of the hood, roof,
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0038-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
to prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. the purpose of the wheel film is to shield the disc brake rotor from weather elements and initial rust before the vehicle is delivered to the customer.
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0035-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. if these acidic compounds settle on an exposed vehicle, especially the horizontal areas such as the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage to the painted surfa
Showing the 6 most recent of 135 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2019-03-18 · Engine · 105,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2011 toyota highlander hybrid. while driving approximately 40 mph, a grinding noise was present coming from the engine. the vehicle was taken to north brook toyota (1530 frontage rd, north brook, il) where it was diagnosed that the rubber oil hose was damaged. the failure recurred and the vehicle was towed to the same dealer …”
2019-02-11 · Vehicle Speed Control · 60,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2011 toyota highlander hybrid. while driving at low speeds, the vehicle accelerated without warning. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer and dealer were not contacted. the failure mileage was 60,000. …”
2018-05-26 · Service Brakes · 153,000 mi“break light warnings all came on. brakes went out while in motion on a city street. had to shove break pedal down with both feet to the floor going uphill to stop. dealership told us it's the break actuator pump and will be $5000 to repair. this is a serious hardship on us. i'm a foster parent and need my vehicle in working order. dealership said o…”
2015-12-07 · Unknown Or Other · 30,000 mi“the back-up camera has started shown more of the bumper... it has started pointing more to it. the camera did not see loose. but i see the more bumper on the screen. when i contacted to the dealership, where i purchased include the extended warranty in 2011. i was told that i still have to pay the diagnosis fee $89.99 + tax.…”
2014-05-03 · Vehicle Speed Control · 72,000 mi“my highlander hybrid: pushed start button, and behaved normally. upon being placed in gear, the vehicle attempted to accelerate as if the gas pedal was pushed to the floor. only heavy brake pressure prevented a seriously dangerousness condition of full acceleration in a small parking lot. when placed in park, the throttle reduced to idle. i…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.