2011 Highlander Owners - Any Issues? - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

kcmo · 01-26-2011, 02:36 PM

Hi, I'm new here and considering a new 2011 Highlander (SE or Limited).

I'd love to hear from owners who have one and whether there are any 'red flags' or other issues with this model. I know it hasn't been out that long, but any advice would be appreciated.

A little bit about myself - In the past I've owned an Acura, 2 Toyota 4Runners, A Honda, and for the last 4 years, a BMW X3.

I have mixed feelings about the X3, which is why I'm considering something else. I first leased the X3 in 2007, and only bought it off lease in March 2010. During the almost 4 years with it, I've had to take it in to the dealer about 11 or 12 times. Lots of random creaks, rattles, some part replacements, a new battery, etc....while nothing too major, it's been very frustrating to say the least. Why did I buy it? Because I wasn't sure what to do at the time and I got a very fair deal on it with a CPO warranty (too bad the CPO doesn't cover so much). The car only has 14,900 miles on it.

So, as my factory warranty runs out in March, and I'm rather paranoid about something else happening that I'll have to actually pay for....I'm wondering if I should just trade it for something new with a new warranty and perhaps even an extended one to purchase.

I plan on visiting a Toyota dealer this Friday to test drive the Highlander.

TIA for any advice!

vsansal · 01-26-2011, 04:28 PM

I have a 2010 Limited. It is 1 year old now. I couldn't be more happier with my decision. I have 7k miles on it and so far I don't have any creaks or rattles. It is the quietest car I've ever owned. I only took it to the service for scheduled maintenance which is free to me for 2 years cuz i traded another toyota.

pesticide1480 · 01-26-2011, 04:32 PM

I have a 2011 Highlander,The only thing I have wrong is the radio lite keeps blinking on and off,I got mine the middle of Dec. and I"m very happy with it. Good Luck

kcmo · 01-26-2011, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vsansal

I have a 2010 Limited. It is 1 year old now. I couldn't be more happier with my decision. I have 7k miles on it and so far I don't have any creaks or rattles. It is the quietest car I've ever owned. I only took it to the service for scheduled maintenance which is free to me for 2 years cuz i traded another toyota.

That's great! I see that Toyota is offering the 2 years free maintenance to new owners. How often is an oil change recommended on the Highlander?

Thanks for your feedback.

kcmo · 01-26-2011, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pesticide1480

I have a 2011 Highlander,The only thing I have work is the radio lite keeps blinking on and off,I got mine the middle of Dec. and I"m very happy with it. Good Luck

Thanks. Which model did you go for?

I'd love the Limited, but I want to use the X3 as a trade without any more money out of pocket. Not sure they'll do it as I still have a large payoff on mine.

pesticide1480 · 01-26-2011, 04:40 PM

I got the limited Pearl White,I would like a differant cover interior but that what come with it (Tan/Black) Oil changes are at 5000 miles and they use a 0-20 weight oil.but like you said free maint for 2 yrs,but nothing is free

kcmo · 01-26-2011, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pesticide1480

I got the limited Pearl White,I would like a differant cover interior but that what come with it (Tan/Black) Oil changes are at 5000 miles and they use a 0-20 weight oil.but like you said free maint for 2 yrs,but nothing is free

That is a beautiful exterior color! What do you mean, nothing is free?

pesticide1480 · 01-26-2011, 04:50 PM

Free oil changes when you get a new toyota,I'm sure you pay some where in the total price for that

caf2461 · 01-29-2011, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pesticide1480

I got the limited Pearl White,I would like a differant cover interior but that what come with it (Tan/Black) Oil changes are at 5000 miles and they use a 0-20 weight oil.but like you said free maint for 2 yrs,but nothing is free

Free synthetic oil changes for the 2011 Highlander V6 are every 10K miles. I am going to ask them to change it at the first 5,000 mile "service" but will probably have to pay for it.

A 10K oil change when breaking in an engine is too much for me.

After the 10k service I guess I will let them change the oil every 10k with the Toyota synthetic and possibly run Amsoil (every 10K) when it comes time to change it myself.

nickhl · 01-29-2011, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caf2461

Free synthetic oil changes for the 2011 Highlander V6 are every 10K miles. I am going to ask them to change it at the first 5,000 mile "service" but will probably have to pay for it.

A 10K oil change when breaking in an engine is too much for me.

After the 10k service I guess I will let them change the oil every 10k with the Toyota synthetic and possibly run Amsoil (every 10K) when it comes time to change it myself.

10K will be fine for most leasing vehicles (or owners don't need to maximize its engine life). Still a lead footed driver/bad driving condition will most likely see the benefit of shorter oil change interval.

joeyo · 01-29-2011, 11:30 PM

I have a 2011 Limited I got for my wife back in November. I drive it often and love it! I have a 2010 Audi A4, and naturally considered another Audi (Q5) but got a killer deal on the Highlander (which she loved), and opted for that instead. Only issue I have with it at this point, is that sometimes when it's really cold out, there is a creak/rattle in the dash, but normally goes away after a few mins. I plan to have them look into it at the first 5k mile service.

KellyBarron · 01-30-2011, 01:51 PM

I just bought my 2nd Highlander and I love it!! The only things i'm not sure about if is I can change the ringtone on the bluetooth and how to get the navi to cancel - once she gets going the only way I can stop her is to hit pause which is buried under a few menus....

ss018844 · 01-31-2011, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joeyo

I have a 2011 Limited I got for my wife back in November. I drive it often and love it! I have a 2010 Audi A4, and naturally considered another Audi (Q5) but got a killer deal on the Highlander (which she loved), and opted for that instead. Only issue I have with it at this point, is that sometimes when it's really cold out, there is a creak/rattle in the dash, but normally goes away after a few mins. I plan to have them look into it at the first 5k mile service.

I have this same problem on my 2011 Hi/Lim. When I purchased it in November (warmer weather), the interior was quite. I guess when winter came around, the noise started appearing. Definitely sounds like rattleing with the driver side dash. Please let me know what happens when you take it in for service.