2011 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
GoodComplaint Index
33/100
#11 most-complained of 16 Highlander Hybrid years
The 2011 Toyota Highlander Hybrid ranks 11th worst out of 16 model years, with a complaint index of 33 and a Good verdict. It has just 5 complaints and 1 recall, with no crashes, fires, or injuries reported.
- Complaints
- 5
- Recalls
- 1
- Crashes / fires
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 28
- 28 city / 28 hwy
Top 2011 Toyota Highlander Hybrid problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine3 (60%)
- Brakes1 (20%)
- Other1 (20%)
What owners report
- Owners report the vehicle unexpectedly accelerating or lurching at low speeds without a clear diagnosis.
- Some describe unintended acceleration to full throttle when shifting into gear, requiring heavy braking to stop, with the issue reducing once placed in park.
- A grinding noise from the engine was reported at highway speed, later traced by a dealer to a damaged rubber oil hose.
- One owner reported brake failure while driving, needing both feet on the pedal to stop, at 153,000 miles median mileage for that problem area.
- Engine-related complaints account for 60% of reported issues, with a median failure mileage of 72,000 miles.
2011 Toyota Highlander Hybrid recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- NHTSA 15V689000Oct 22, 2015Visibility & Wipers1,814,284 vehicles
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 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.
Remedy: 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.
2011 Toyota Highlander Hybrid fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 28 MPG
- Highway
- 28 MPG
- Combined
- 28 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,300
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2011 compared with other Highlander Hybrid years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2011 Toyota Highlander Hybrid reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2011 Highlander Hybrid has a complaint index of 33 and ranks 11th worst out of 16 model years, earning a Good verdict relative to other years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2011 Toyota Highlander Hybrid?
- Engine issues make up 60% of reported complaints, followed by brakes at 20%. Median mileage at failure for engine complaints was 72,000 miles.
- Does the 2011 Toyota Highlander Hybrid have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2011 Highlander Hybrid, covering a visibility and wipers switch that dealers inspect and lubricate or replace if abnormal.
- How does the 2011 Highlander Hybrid compare to other years?
- With a complaint index of 33, the 2011 model performs better than years like 2010 (index 100, Avoid) and 2021 (index 93, Avoid), placing it among the better years for this model.