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2011 Toyota Highlander SE V6 AWD

The 2011 Toyota Highlander SE V6 AWD is a 270-hp 3.5-liter V6 SUV with a 5-speed ect-i automatic and all-wheel drive. It starts at $34,750 MSRP and is rated at 19 mpg combined.

It makes 270 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 248 lb-ft of torque at 4700 rpm. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 17 mpg city and 22 mpg highway (19 mpg combined).

The Highlander measures 188.4 inches long on a 109.8-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 4,266 lb.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeSUV
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$34,750 ($50,217 *)
MSRP with Destination$35,560 ($51,387 *)
Destination Charge$810
Engine
Engine Type2GR-FE 3.5L DOHC 24-valve Dual VVT-i V6
Displacement3.5 L
Horsepower270 hp @ 6,200 rpm
Torque248 lb-ft @ 4700 rpm
ValvetrainDOHC 24-valve Dual VVT-i
Bore and Stroke94 x 83
Injection TypeSequential multi-port EFI
Drivetrain
Drive TypeFull-time All-Wheel Drive
Transmission
Transmission5-speed ECT-i automatic
Fuel Economy
City17 MPG
Highway22 MPG
Combined19 MPG
Recommended FuelRegular Unleaded
Suspension
Front SuspensionIndependent MacPherson strut with stabilizer bar
Rear SuspensionIndependent MacPherson strut with stabilizer bar
Brakes
Front Brake Disc12.9 in. ventilated disc
Rear Brake Disc12.2 in. solid disc
Tires & Wheels
Wheels Front19 in.
Wheels Rear19 in.
Tires FrontP245/55R19
Tires RearP245/55R19
Dimensions & Weight
Length188.4 in
Width75.2 in
Height69.3 in
Wheelbase109.8 in
Front Track64 in
Rear Track64 in
Ground Clearance8 in
Cargo Volume10.3 ft³
Curb Weight4,266 lbs
Interior
Headroom Front39.7 in
Headroom Rear40.1 in
Legroom Front43.2 in
Legroom Rear38.3 in
Shoulder Room Front59.7 in
Shoulder Room Rear59.5 in
Hip Room Front56.7 in
Hip Room Rear56.5 in
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Overall ★★★★★
Frontal crash ★★★★★
Side crash ★★★★★
Rollover ★★★★★ (17.4 % risk)
Tested variant: 2011 Toyota Highlander SUV AWD
Other tested variants (1)
  • 2011 Toyota Highlander SUV FWD: 4 ★ overall

Recalls

5 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2011 Toyota HIGHLANDER. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Jun 2, 2016 · SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.

Consequence: If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET number for this recall is SET16B.

NHTSA campaign 16V396000

Oct 22, 2015 · VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

NHTSA campaign 15V689000

Nov 19, 2014 · SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Prius and Corolla, 2009-2011 Venza, 2006-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2005-2011 Sienna and Sequoia, 2006-2011 Tacoma 4x2 and 4x4, Camry, Highlander, Tundra 4x2 and 4x4, and 2007-2011 Rav4 and 4Runner. The affected vehicles may experience compression of the seat cushion which may damage the seat heater wiring.

Consequence: Damage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and causing personal injury to the occupant.

Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the heaters with copper strand heating elements and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory, free of charge. The recall is expected to began in January 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226.

NHTSA campaign 14V743000

Apr 9, 2013 · EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Southeast Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 and 2010-2013 Toyota Tundra, 2010-2012 Rav4, 2012 Toyota Sequoia, 2010-2011 Toyota Corolla, 2010-2011 Toyota Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser, 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser, 2010-2013 Toyota Venza, 2010-2011 Toyota 4Runner, 2010-2013 Toyota Tacoma, 2011-2012 Toyota Sienna, 2012 Toyota Prius, 2013 Scion FR-S, 2011 Scion XD, 2011 Scion XB, and 2012 Scion TC vehicles. These vehicles were sold with labels that were outside the allowable one percent of accuracy of actual weight added. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) Number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."

Consequence: An inaccurate label could lead to owners overloading their vehicles and tires. An overloaded vehicle can result in a tire failure which may result in a vehicle crash, personal injury, or property damage.

Remedy: Southeast Toyota will notify owners and provide a corrected label with instructions concerning its installation. A small group of the affected vehicles will need additonal remedies which are still being developed. The recall began on May 28, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.

NHTSA campaign 13V123000

Jan 16, 2013 · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model year 2010-2012 Sequoia. During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.

Consequence: If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.

Remedy: Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.

NHTSA campaign 13V014000

186 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 2011 Toyota HIGHLANDER

Owner Complaints

186 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2011 Toyota HIGHLANDER (14 mention a crash, 7 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Steering34
Structure27
Visibility/Wiper25
Electrical System23
Engine18
Service Brakes18
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Jun 4, 2026 · Electrical System
“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…”
Nov 26, 2025 · Power Train, Unknown Or Other, Engine
“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…”
Oct 11, 2024 · Air Bags Crash 2 injuries
“Steering wheel air bag did not deploy in front end MVA”
Jun 25, 2024 · Engine
“Our car had a major oil leak from the engine Oil Cooler Pipe Manifold at the bottom of the engine (front). My research has concluded that this has been a known issue with various Toyota models with…”
May 25, 2024 · Power Train, Engine
“Dear Sir/Madam, I am writing to file a formal complaint regarding persistent safety issues with my 2011 Toyota Highlander V6 AWD. Specifically, I have experienced significant problems related to the…”

Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 2011 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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