2011 Toyota Highlander Engine Problems
NHTSA lists 33 engine complaints for the 2011 Toyota Highlander, 18% of its 181 total complaints, tied to 5 crashes and no fires or injuries. Median mileage at failure was 59,000. No related recall exists for this engine issue.
- Engine complaints
- 33
- 18% of 181
- Crashes reported
- 5
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 0
- Median mileage
- 59,000 mi
- Related recalls
- 0
Typical engine symptoms owners report
- Owners report sudden unintended acceleration from a stop or while parking, sometimes ending in a crash into a wall, garage, or another vehicle.
- Some describe the engine stalling briefly for a few seconds during acceleration out of a turn before power returns to normal.
- Reports mention a noticeable delay when pressing the gas pedal at low speed followed by a sudden surge into traffic.
- One owner cited a technical bulletin about oil seeping from engine oil cooler pipes on towing-package engines.
- Another owner reported the intake VVT-i gear failing after high mileage, a pattern they said is common on related Toyota models.
- A separate case describes the vehicle accelerating on its own before the engine cut off in the middle of the road.
When 2011 Toyota Highlander engine complaints were filed
First complaint Jun 8, 2011, latest Nov 26, 2025.
Engine recalls for the 2011 Toyota Highlander
No safety recalls on record for this model year.
Engine complaints by Highlander model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many engine complaints does the 2011 Toyota Highlander have?
- NHTSA lists 33 engine complaints for the 2011 Highlander, which is 18% of the 181 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a recall for the 2011 Toyota Highlander engine problems?
- No related recall is listed in NHTSA data for this engine issue on the 2011 Highlander.
- At what mileage do 2011 Highlander engine problems usually appear?
- The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA is 59,000 miles.
- Did the engine complaints lead to crashes?
- Yes, NHTSA data shows 5 crashes associated with the 33 engine complaints, with no reported fires or injuries.
- How does 2011 compare to other Highlander years for engine complaints?
- The 2011 Highlander's 33 engine complaints are close to 2010's 36 and 2012's 31, but well below 2013's 58 and 2019's 82 complaints.