2011 Toyota Highlander: engine stalls while driving

6 of the 182 complaints about the 2011 Toyota Highlander describe engine stalls while driving.

owner complaints: 6
of this car's complaints: 3%
typical mileage: 8,000
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 42 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Engine stalls while driving by model year

2024
1
2022
3
2021
7
2020
6
2019
62
2018
15
2017
23
2016
4
2015
7
2014
2
2013
6
2012
3
2011
6
2010
2
2009
2
2008
10
2007
7
2006
21
2005
3
2004
3
2003
1
2002
4
2001
1

What owners say

Filed Sep 15, 2014 · Transmission · 25,000 miles · NC

When making a left or right hand turn from a stop or barely moving and applying the gas pedal slowly, the car acts like it going to stall. I say "acts" because if the engine stalls, it would be difficult to brake or steer. The engine has not stopped in these cases; it seems like the transmission is trying to shift up or down but cannot make up its mind and just coasts (scary if oncoming traffic is closing the gap). Making left hand turns are the most dangerous since you are looking for a break in the oncoming traffic before completing the turn; oncoming cars tend not to slow down when they see you making a turn in front of them.

Filed Sep 18, 2012 · Electrical, Transmission · 3,467 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 toyota highlander. The contact stated that the check engine warning light illuminated constantly and the engine exhibited an abnormal roaring noise. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer several times for the failure who advised the contact that nothing was wrong with the engine and the noise the engine was exhibiting was a normal occurrence. The contact stated that in august 2012 while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle made a clucking noise and the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact was able to place the gear into reverse and into a parking area. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who located the failure as the transmission solenoid clutch assembly. The transmission solenoid clutch assembly was replaced however, the failure was not corrected. The vehicle would not accelerate and the abnormal noise persisted. The failure mileage was 3,467 and the current mileage was 20,896. Updated 10/03/12*lj updated 10/3/2012

Filed Jun 5, 2012 · Steering, Transmission · 5,000 miles · NY

I only have 7k miles in my car I own the car for only 1 year. I notice that the steering wheel is not balance at all. At least 5-10 degree to the right. I have my car service every 6 months with toyota it should be balanced and done the tire rotation??? Also the transmission occasionally stall about 1-2 second when I accelerate to 30-40 MPH. I am afraid that the transmission will have problem within this 2-3 years. Like honda transmission failure on odyssey.

Filed May 3, 2012 · Acceleration, Transmission · 5,930 miles · AZ

The following email/report was sent to the toyota dealership from whom I had purchased this new vehicle: I am writing to report an abnormal incident, which may or may not be related to the stall problem I had encountered, and which you inspected during my last visit. In this incident, I was very gently trying to move the car into my garage from a stationary position (there is a small 10 to 15 degree grade over a 3 ft distance before the garage floor became level again). As I slowly pressed down on the accelerator, the car started to move slowly in a normal fashion, but after moving half way into the garage, it suddenly accelerated, almost at full throttle... I had to slam on the brake as hard as I could react, missing a crash by only a few inches. As I tried to analyze what happened, the only thing that I can think of is that as I was moving slowly enough where most likely only the electric motor was moving the car, but then very suddenly that electric motor sourced its absolute full power to accelerate the wheels ---almost as if the sw decided to ignore my very soft pressure on the gas pedal and source maximum power. Please advise when your toyota engineers will be visiting you again so that they may review this latest abnormality. I am also forwarding this message to the national auto safety department, since I am now quite concerned about safety.

Filed Feb 18, 2012 · Acceleration · 8,000 miles · VA

Occasionally, after coming to a stop and then when beginning to accelerate again while turning either right or left, the engine appears to stall for 3 or 4 seconds, then resumes normal acceleration. The engine does not quit or die, it just goes back down to a little above idle speed, then speeds back up again and resumes normal acceleration operation. This has happened to both my wife and me on more than a few occasions beginning about 8,000 miles on odometer. I erroneously posted this complaint earlier under the 2012 highlander, however, my vehicle is a 2011.

Filed Jan 25, 2012 · Engine · 15,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 toyota highlander hybrid. The contact stated that while approaching a stop sign, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who was unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the problem. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 15,000 and current mileage was 16,000.