Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2011 Toyota Highlander
NHTSA data on file today
The 2011 Toyota Highlander has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns and 181 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
NCAP overall rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars, averaged across 2 NHTSA-tested trims.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #16V396000 Seat Heater Electrical Wiring NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #15V689000 Power Window Master Switch may Melt NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #14V743000 Seat Heater Electrical Wiring NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #13V123000 Inaccurate Load Carrying Capacity Labels NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #13V014000 Occupant Sensing System Calibration NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Steering 34 complaints
- Structure 27 complaints
- Visibility/Wiper 25 complaints
- Electrical System 23 complaints
- Engine 17 complaints
- Power Train 16 complaints
Of the 181 complaints on file, 14 report a crash; across all 181 complaints, owners report 8 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Above average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $4,500–$6,500AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2011 Toyota Highlander has a strong reliability record, with relatively low complaint counts across major systems. Recalls mostly concern non-critical issues like seat heaters and power windows. The vehicle exhibits few systemic problems, suggesting durability and reasonable ownership costs.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| steering | 80,000–120,000 miles | $300–$700 | common |
| power window switch | 70,000–100,000 miles | $100–$250 | occasional |
| brake system | 60,000–90,000 miles | $250–$500 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- oil and filter changes
- tire rotations
- brake inspections
- cabin air filter replacement
- coolant flush
- transmission fluid change
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- steering wheel vibrations
- unresponsive power window
- brake pedal softness
- unusual engine noises
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2011 Toyota Highlander at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.