2011 Toyota Highlander Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 3%of 181 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 12,638miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2011 Toyota Highlander, 3% of the 181 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 12,638 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“When driving at night, the new headlight design on the 2011 Toyota Highlander causes the low beam lights to appear as if there is a visor on the lights. When traveling on level roads or going up hill the headlights beam throw distance is efficient with the visor effect. However, when going down hill after cresting a knoll, the visor effect diminishes the throw distance of the headlight by an estimated 50%. This light throw reduction took me by surprise and caused me to almost hit a deer this evening on the first night of ownership. Toyota needs to make a change to get rid of the visor effect. …”
NHTSA complaint #10365988, filed 2010-11, 276 miles“When turn left the warning sistem for open doors is on andturn on interior lighs and soundwarning for secondsand go off. Afraid the doors is go be open”
NHTSA complaint #11143564, filed 2018-10, 80,000 miles“Exterior lighting poor lighting from headlight low beams. Design of car seems to get in the way of the beam causing low to no visibility. It is especially hard to see the edge of the road with the low beams and this has caused a problem with being able to see deer and avoid hitting them/being hit. I have been to the dealer on several occasions to remedy the problem. They have checked alignment, bulbs, positioning, etc. But they tell me it is a design fault of the car and there is nothing they can do. Luckily my model has white fog light. …”
NHTSA complaint #10508381, filed 2013-04“The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that the low beam headlights didn't illuminate the entire road. As a result, the contact hit a deer. The contact was not able to avoid the crash due to failed visibility coverage. The contact was not injured and a police report was not filed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times for the failure prior to the crash. The dealer aligned the headlights several times however, the failure was not corrected. The dealer stated that the headlight design was a manufacturing defect that could not be corrected. …”
NHTSA complaint #10512567, filed 2013-05, 25,000 milesExterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 12 | 5% |
| 2021 | 8 | 2% |
| 2019 | 4 | 1% |
| 2018 | 5 | 2% |
| 2017 | 4 | 1% |
| 2016 | 9 | 8% |
| 2015 | 10 | 5% |
| 2014 | 2 | 1% |
| 2013 | 5 | 2% |
| 2012 | 2 | 1% |
| 2011 | 5 | 3% |
| 2010 | 12 | 6% |
| 2009 | 2 | 1% |
| 2008 | 3 | 1% |
| 2006 | 7 | 3% |
| 2005 | 9 | 4% |
| 2004 | 14 | 5% |
| 2003 | 15 | 6% |
| 2002 | 12 | 4% |
| 2001 | 2 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2011 Toyota Highlander
35 complaintsSteering
34 complaintsBody and structure
27 complaintsElectrical system
23 complaintsBrakes
17 complaintsEngine
17 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
16 complaintsOther or unknown
14 complaintsVehicle speed control
12 complaintsAir bags
8 complaintsEngine cooling
5 complaintsSeat belts
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2011 Toyota Highlander
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology