general problems of the 2011 Toyota Highlander

1. The 3. 5l v6 engine (2gr-fe) failed due to the subsequent loss of lubrication caused by the rupture of the oil cooler pipe (rubber component), a manufacturing defect known under TSB t-sb-0201-11 (ze2 program). The failed engine is currently available for inspection by request at the independent service center before it is disposed of. 2. The defect causes a sudden and severe loss of engine oil. This creates a high probability of the engine seizing (losing all power) while driving at highway speeds, resulting in a complete loss of propulsion and placing occupants at severe risk of collision. 3. The failure was confirmed, not reproduced. The vehicle was initially diagnosed with misfire codes (p0300, p0301). New spark plugs and ignition coils were installed in an attempt to resolve the issue. As the misfire persisted, the mechanic performed a compression test, confirming catastrophic zero compression failure in cylinders 1 and 2. Professional diagnostics then revealed critical codes: p1603 (ecm malfunction), p1604 (startability malfunction), and p1605 (rough idling). These codes confirm a severe internal engine issue, consistent with permanent damage sustained during the oil loss event caused by the ze2 pipe defect in July 2024. 4. No, not physically inspected by the manufacturer. The manufacturer (Toyota executive office case manager) was provided with certified documentation of the failure, including the photo of the faulty pipe, maintenance records during our ownership, and the dealership purchase statement for the replacement part. Toyota refused to authorize a physical diagnostic inspection of the failed engine at a dealership before denying goodwill assistance. 5. Yes. The initial lubrication loss event on July 4, 2024, was preceded by a message displayed on the dashboard (followed by a second failure event in October 2025 indicated by a flashing check engine light and the traction control light).

I was driving down my street and turned into my driveway and stopped to open garage door and noticed something on the ground, pulled on in the garage and there was stuff running out from under the car. I called my son he said it was most likely oil. We think it’s the oil lines that bust regularly on this car. Toyota has put out tbs on this problem. If this would have happened while driving on the highway at highway speeds this would cause the engine to lock up, and I would loose total control of the car. Total loss of the engine and could be a total loss of lives, all due to something that Toyota is well a where of. I was told you have a very short time to get stopped and shut the engine off before it’s a total loss of the engine it dumps that much oil. Action number 10056501 report date July 31, 2014 I bought this car about 2016 or 2017 my car now has 152942 miles.

I hit a concrete post at roughly 30 mph, dead center front of vehicle. The car was totalled, and none of the airbags deployed. I broke my neck due to the seatbelt holding my chest and torso back on the seat, while my head moved forward, all the way down and hitting the steering wheel. This head movement resulted in a complete break of my c2 vertebrae. This happened after entering the large area of a walmart parking lot from the highway.

Front passenger airbag light off. Even when a person is sitting on the seat. Cruise control also stopped working, light wouldn't even come on. Power locking system also ceased working.

There is a known defect in Toyota Highlanders (2010 - 2013) sun visors. The visor no longer stays in either the upright or downward position. It is either at a 45 degree angle when placed in the "up" position or is in a position to slightly obscure visibility in the "down" position. Toyota offered a warranty enhancement (letter zf1) however I am now past the extended warranty period. This is a hazard in driving and would be hazardous to the driver should there be an accident - the visor would hit the driver in the forehead or face should there be an impact.

The car is sitting still with the engine off. The horn has gone off several times. This has happened in our driveway and in the garage with no one around.

When car goes above around 35-45 mph a abnormal whine noise emanates from the transmission.

Sun visors will not stay in upright position.

Alarm system goes off randomly hood latch switch to be the problem. . Toyota is charging 300 plus $ for manufacturing defect - check techinical bulleten ( t-sb-0200-10 )I feel its not fair I have.

My driver side visor lost all tension. I had to either hold it up or tie it out of the way. I had it replaced at lowe Toyota in warner robins, GA for $199. 87. I would not expect a visor to tear up even for a 2011 model. It was a safety issue that needed to be fixed. I think there should be a recall on these visors and reimbursement for replacing them. Thanks, diana j. Mcguire.

Both driver and passenger front side doors will not unlock in 2013 one was replaced at the dealership and the vehicle had to be brought in 3 times to get it right. That with only owning it after 2 years was ridiculous. The actual lock actuator costs approx $250 a piece to replace and we know it is not the fuse it was checked. Fixed in 2013 under warranty but a month after being paid off in 2016 they both stopped working. I refuse to spend $500 on parts and who knows how much more for labor. I will never buy a Toyota again this should definitely be a recall as numerous customers on internet complain about the same exact problems. Should be recalled like the sun visors were.

6month after I had bought my vehicle I made an appointment to have check my moon roof leaking,and working out of control after raining,they said they found nothing, and between oil change ask to re-check moon roof and nothing wrong they only kept one time "check" for the issue then last year for the bad winter we had I found my car floor too wet and though it was the snow not the moon roof, so I brought it last April and the said they will try to see what was wrong but that my guarantee was expired and they did find out from where was the leak, cause my car will be park overnight raining and will be in the morning soak n wet, so I brought it to my mechanic he he found like its from factory defect not a hole for a one hose to throw out the water from moon roof. So my car has mold, my daughter and I suffer from respiratory illness, and she is a child, I am very distress and emotional very worry cause that problem is making us si k most of the time, I want this problem to be solve. Im a single mom who pays this vehicle with a lot of efforts and don't know who could help me I'm very depressed I need help can some body help us? thank you. Thos is also a safety issue cause my feet are getting sleeper I. E. Due to the mold as I drive around.

On July 19 my daughter hit the button to close the rear lift gate. The handle broke away from the car. It looked like the screw was stripped. Took it to the dealer Aug 5. They said it is a full rear door replacement with estimated cost of $3000 - $5000. They were very familiar with the problem. After researching online I found this is a common problem with 2008-2012 Highlanders and Toyota has been aware. There is a class action lawsuit regarding it also. Called Toyota and they said I am out of warranty and out of luck.

The sun visor in the driver side is stuck in half way down position, hit my forehead twice already on this.

For no reason at all my sunvisor on the driver's side will not stay up. It is very distracting trying to drive with it half way down and obstructs my vision. I have not yet put it in the shop yet so don't know how much it will cost to fix it, but it has to be fixed. It is driving me crazy!.

The open rear automatic door failed, immediately closing on my wife's back as she was removing a bag from the rear cargo area. The failure happened without warning and came down hard. As the vehicle is out of warranty, Toyota would not replace at their cost.

Power back door does not close properly, broken at 43,326 miles after the 36 months or 36,000 miles.

The sun visor popped when I was pulling it down to sheild my eyes and now it will not return to original position. Concern as it gets in my way when driving. This is the drivers side visor which I tend to hit my head on and have to move my seat lower in order to see properly. I took it to my dealership and they told me it would be $300 to fix. That is ridiculous as I feel this is a faulty part that could be a hazardous situation if not taken care of. Recal may be in order to correct this issue.

The auto lliftgate for the rear door would not go up and down. Toyota has refused to fix this problem even though a service bulletin has gone out for this defect!.

Driver-side sun visor broke and failed to stay in up position, blocking driver's view of road and creating a distraction. Car was brought into dealership for repairs on 16 August but service personnel indicated that they had no visors in stock. Ordered one that day but could not get the part until mid sept. People at the dealership indicated that they were having trouble getting the part because this was a nationwide problem and supplier could not keep up with demand.

The automatice latch of the liftgate started to fail. The liftgate not longer opens automatically. The vehicle has been taken to the dealership and they rejected to fix the problem because the vehicle is not longer under warrantee.

The power lift-gate door does not open or close properly, broke about 50000 miles after the 36 months or 36,000 miles. The car was Toyota certified. I feel this should be handled as a recall instead of TSB because it was a designed issues reason Toyota upgraded with better designed hinges. Also, it will be nice if Toyota informed us about the TSB by writing so owner can double check.

There are two issues with my 2011 Highlander. I purchased this vehicle 1 year ago and am quite upset about the issues and the money that I need to put into it. I am actually looking into trading this vehicle as, after spending 26k on it, I shouldn't be dealing with or paying for these issues. Toyota has been nonexistent in offering remedies. I have only ever owned Toyotas (2 camrys and 1 Highlander) and probably will never own one again. Thanks Toyota!!! - the alarm constantly goes off for no apparent reason. I am unable to lock the doors on the vehicle otherwise the alarm will go off every 30 minutes to 1 hour. Toyota wants to charge $130 just to look at the vehicle. This is a known issue that presents itself in every Toyota forum. There should be a recall on this. - the bolts that connect the window to the contraption that rolls up and down the window all have fallen off. This costed me 150 to fix on just one window. The bolts loosen by themselves and fall off. This too has been listed on many Toyota forums and should have a recall.

The spring in the driver's side sun visor broke and it now hangs down. It won't stay up or in a position to block the sun. We have a bungy cord to hold it out of our line of vision but cannot use it. It still hangs down a little and "pops out" frequently blocking vision. Very dangerous. Not under warrenty I am told.

Driver side visor will not stay up. Blocks drivers vision. Appears to be widespread failure since 2002. Toyota will not cover out of warrant, wants $650 for replacement part!!.

The automatice latch of the liftgate started to fail. The liftgate not longer opens automatically. I was told it is probably the motor and the parts cost alone is over $1,200. I cannot afford this and am doing without that feature, but annoyed!.

While accelerating onto the on-ramp of the of the highway, the warning light came on,the rear door/window warning came on and then the dome lights came on. It continued going on and off for about 15-20 minutes. Very concerning when you are in highway traffic and can't get off! previous times that this occurred, the seat belt warning would ding, the "back door open" warning would flash, the dome lights would turn on, and then it would stop. Yesterday, that cycle continued. My husband believes yesterday's incident began due to a bump in the road. On previous occasions, there was no bump.

I own a 2011 Toyota Highlander that I bought new. At approximately 7-9 months of owning the vehicle, the pivot or link arm of the automatic lift gate detached from the body frame. I re-attached it as it looks it became loose. After a few other instances in which it got loose again at different intervals, I decided to bring the car to the Toyota dealer. I mentioned the issue to the services rep who informed that there was a service bulletin (sb) linked to the liftgate. He mentioned about the sb since it seems that the issue was as a consequence of the hinge doors problem that was being addressed through the sb. The job was made (replacing the hinge). I was asked to pay for it since the sb was due with the car 36 mo. /36k mi. Warranty. I initially objected to this but ended paying the repair because the car had 43,000 miles at the time. The issue was apparently corrected. Well, it was not. The screw nut at the end of the arm that attaches the arm to the car frame was stripped and also damaging the thread on the car frame. This arm was never changed by Toyota. Recently, I brought the car to another Toyota dealer that opened near my home and the service manager said it was the first time that he heard about or sees a car with this issue. Through different searches looking on how to repair this issue properly and after doing some investigation through the web, have noticed there have been quite a few complaints filed over this same issue.