Is the 2011 Toyota HIGHLANDER HYBRID reliable?

The 2011 Toyota HIGHLANDER HYBRID has 5 complaints filed with NHTSA (0.6x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: excellent. Most common issue: SPEED CONTROL problems.

What are common problems with the 2011 Toyota HIGHLANDER HYBRID?

Top problems: SPEED CONTROL (2 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (1 complaints, avg repair $500); BRAKES (1 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2011 Toyota HIGHLANDER HYBRID?

Yes, there are 1 recall(s): VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS. Contact any Toyota dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2011 Toyota HIGHLANDER HYBRID?

The 2011 Toyota HIGHLANDER HYBRID gets 28 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $1714. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2011 Toyota HIGHLANDER HYBRID?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2011 Toyota HIGHLANDER HYBRID is approximately $1,494/year (suv-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2011 Toyota HIGHLANDER HYBRID

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Excellent Reliability

Quick Summary

The 2011 Toyota HIGHLANDER HYBRID has 5 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.6x the segment average of 9. The most common issue is speed control problems (40% of all complaints), specifically: 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. There is 1 recall issued for this model year.

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.6x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 4 of 4)

SPEED CONTROL

2 complaints

40%

• 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
• 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.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“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”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Recalls (1)

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS22/10/2015

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.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2011 Toyota HIGHLANDER HYBRID

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$1,715

Per month

$143

Per mile

14.3¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$1,715/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,715/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2011 Toyota HIGHLANDER HYBRID

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,494

Full coverage / month

$125

Liability only / year

$639

vs US avg

-11%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (suv-midsize)1.05x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.85x

= Full coverage estimate$1494

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Toyota HIGHLANDER HYBRID Service Intervals

Oil change

10K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

5K mi

Brake fluid

30 months

Transmission fluid

60K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

120K mi

Cabin air filter

30K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

60K mi

0W-20 synthetic oil recommended. ToyotaCare covers first 2 years / 25K miles of scheduled maintenance for new vehicles. Hybrid battery: 10 yr / 150K miles warranty.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Toyota New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

10 yr / 150K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

2 yr / 25K mi

Hybrid battery is 10yr/150K miles for 2020+ hybrids. ToyotaCare (2yr/25K miles complimentary maintenance) is included.

These are the terms for a new Toyota. If you're buying a used 2011 HIGHLANDER HYBRID, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Toyota dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

SPEED CONTROL(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 5 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
SPEED CONTROL: 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
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: 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
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: 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 N
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: 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 RECU
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 1 recall have been completed — free at any Toyota dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)