Car Defect Radar
Built from NHTSA complaints and recalls collected for this model, generated September 22, 2026. Totals reflect what has been collected, not every complaint ever filed.

Recalls

0 total

Safety issues the manufacturer must repair for free. A recall means confirm the fix was done, not walk away.

No recalls on record for this model

No safety recalls were found in this dataset. It is still worth entering the exact VIN on NHTSA before purchase, since recalls can be added at any time.

Owner complaints by system

186 total

Unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA, grouped by the part of the car. Useful for spotting patterns. Open a group to read recent examples.

Engine & powertrain

Worth reading
38

Most reports here involve fluid leaks. Of these, 5 mention a crash.

fluid leaks 13unintended acceleration 9
A recent report: 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…
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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).

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11701620 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Electrical & infotainment

Worth reading
21

Most reports here involve software faults. Of these, 1 mention a crash.

software faults 8loss of steering 3
A recent report: DRIVING ON A CITY STREET AT ABOUT 35 MILES PER HOUR I WAS HEADING HOME WITH MY KIDS (5 Y.O. AND 7 Y.O.) WHEN THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND LOST POWER WHILE I WAS DRIVING IN TRAFFIC, I WAS FORTUNATE…
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DRIVING ON A CITY STREET AT ABOUT 35 MILES PER HOUR I WAS HEADING HOME WITH MY KIDS (5 Y.O. AND 7 Y.O.) WHEN THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND LOST POWER WHILE I WAS DRIVING IN TRAFFIC, I WAS FORTUNATE THAT THE CARE ROLLED LONG ENOUGH TO PULL OVER TO A SAFE SPOT WITH MY CHILDREN AND CALL FOR A TOW. LIGHTS THAT CAME ON CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM, CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM, CHECK 4WD SYSTEM, AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AT TOYOTA OF CERRITOS I WAS INFORMED THAT THE MASTER MECHANIC HAD TO PLACE A TICKET WITH TOYOTA MOTOR COMPANY TO FIGURE OUT THE ISSUE DUE TO ALL THE CODES THAT WERE LOGGED AFTER THE DIAGNOSTIC. TOYOTA MOTOR INFORMED MECHANIC IT WAS HYBRID INVERTER FAILURE. THIS COULD OF BEEN A HORRIBLE SITUATION HAD I BEEN DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND MY CAR SUDDENLY STOPPED FUNCTION LIKE IT DID ON THE EVENING OF 11/05/2019.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11288492 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Brakes

Worth reading
15

Most reports here involve loss of braking. Of these, 3 mention a crash, 1 mention an injury.

loss of braking 11unintended acceleration 2premature wear 1
A recent report: Abs brake actuator started to fail.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11458335 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Steering, suspension & tires

Minor
33

Most reports here involve loss of steering.

loss of steering 14premature wear 6
A recent report: Clicking in steering column light comes on dash for power steering then hard to make turn then well go back off then able to make turns with ease again

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11497862 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Airbags & seat belts

Worth reading
9

Most reports here involve airbags not deploying. Of these, 5 mention a crash, 6 mention an injury.

airbags not deploying 5
A recent report: Steering wheel air bag did not deploy in front end MVA

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11619420 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Structure & body

Worth reading
54

Most reports here involve premature wear. Of these, 1 mention an injury.

premature wear 6software faults 2
A recent report: The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that the sun visors on the driver’s and passenger’s sides were hanging down and would not stay in the upright position. The contact…
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The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that the sun visors on the driver’s and passenger’s sides were hanging down and would not stay in the upright position. The contact stated that the sun visors obstructed her vision while driving at various speeds. The contact called the dealer and was informed that there was a recall on the vehicle for the sun visors; however, the recall had expired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 108,000.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11486115 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Other systems

Minor
16

Most reports here involve fluid leaks.

fluid leaks 1premature wear 1
A recent report: Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2011 Toyota Highlander. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale but contacted by a dealer. At the time of…
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Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2011 Toyota Highlander. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale but contacted by a dealer. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 122,000, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 303,000.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11742114 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Is 186 complaints a lot? They were filed between 2010 and 2026, roughly 12 a year, which is more than the typical model in this dataset. We do not have sales figures for this model, so treat this as a rough volume, not a rate per car on the road. Popular, high-volume models naturally collect more complaints over time.