ToyotaHighlander2011L4/toyota/highlander/2011/l4/

2011 Toyota Highlander — L4

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2011 Highlander L4.

Body SUVEngine L4Transmission Automatic (S6)

The 2011 Toyota Highlander is a four-cylinder SUV paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, achieving EPA fuel economy of 20 city, 25 highway, and 22 combined mpg. Its reliability record shows 186 total owner complaints, with steering as the most common issue, and five recalls. Within the model’s complaint history spanning 1997 to 2026, the 2011 year sits between the lowest (1 complaint in 1997) and highest (475 in 2021), indicating a moderate reliability standing for its generation.

Model year201120102009200720062005200420032001

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.7 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 / 5W-20 / 0W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque97 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy20/25/22 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 24F · 585 CCA battery, OE oil filter 9672335028. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 24F · 585 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnDCTYOEM · verified
Tire sizeP245-65R17OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter9672335028 alt 9030179006
Engine air filter17801YZZ01 alt 1780120050
Fuel filter770240E030 alt 233000A020
Spark plug9091901233
Battery2880064132 alt 2880031293
Front wiper blades852220E040 alt 8521253081
Serpentine belt99367K0810 alt 90916A2019
Thermostat1632562010 alt 90916A3002
Cabin air filter8713902090 alt 8713950100

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S6)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length188.6 in
Overall width75.2 in
Overall height69.3 in
Wheelbase109.8 in
Curb weight3847 lb
Track (front / rear)64.2 / 64.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)55/45

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined20 / 25 / 22 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.7 qt of 5W-30 / 5W-20 / 0W-20 API engine oil, 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 97 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 10.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity6.9
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.9 Pints
Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity3 Pints
Engine Oil5W-30 · API · 5W-20 · 0W-20

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts192 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts184 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts61 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts15 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts15 ft-lbs
Main Bearings16
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug10.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug10.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts97 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug36.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug36.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub217 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub217 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)650 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)1300 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerDenso
Spark Plug Gap0.039
Spark Plug Torque18 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity.90-1.25 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity4.95 oz
Standard BCI Group Number24F
Standard BCI Cranking Performance585 cca

Service checks

Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum44.1 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum49.7 psi
Residual Pressure21.0 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum55.0 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum61.0 psi
Residual Pressure21.0 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum55.0 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum61.0 psi

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket25 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle76 ft-lbs / 57 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.039; Rear: 0.039 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in / 0.0059 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.102 in / 0.39 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.102 in / 0.39 in
Rotor Discard at or Under0.983 in / 0.334 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
17 ft. lbs., Step 2: 127 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
118 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9018 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 5,000 mi; spark plugs at 120,000 mi; coolant every 50,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 50,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 5,000 miBrake System (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Floor Mat (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate) · Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect all fluid levels)
Every 10,000 miEngine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Air Conditioning Condenser (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Driveshaft Flange Yoke (torque) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level)
Every 30,000 miBrake Rotor (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
At 100,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 100,000 miTransmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
At 120,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2011 Toyota Highlander logged 186 complaints, 5 recalls, and 3 investigations, down from 238 complaints and 11 recalls in 2010 and roughly comparable to the 190 complaints recorded in 2012, though with more than double the recalls of that subsequent year. Federal records show a sharp spike in 2008 with 403 complaints and 13 recalls, elevated activity through 2010, and a moderation beginning in 2011, placing this year on the descending side of that arc. The 2011 dataset includes zero fire complaints and 14 crash complaints, with steering, structure, visibility/wiper, and electrical system listed as the top complaint areas; the data does not specify underlying causes. Technical service bulletins totaled 335, only slightly below the 351 documented for 2010, indicating sustained factory service guidance even as recalls dropped. Because 2011 steps back noticeably from the 2008–2010 peak in both complaints and recalls while avoiding the higher complaint counts seen in later years like 2013, it represents a comparatively calm point in the timeline and a solid choice for a used purchase.

5
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
335
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
3
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
186
Owner complaints
14 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 186 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Steering27
Structure22
Visibility/Wiper21
Electrical System14
Engine11
Service Brakes11
Unknown Or Other8
Vehicle Speed Control8

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 5 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

16V396000Seats:Front Assembly:Seat Heater/CoolerReported 02/06/2016

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… 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…

14V743000Seats:Front Assembly:Seat Heater/CoolerReported 19/11/2014

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… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 335 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
T-SB-0119-15 Rev22026-02-13EngineOBSOLETE NOTICE February 13, 2026: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0009-26.
T-SB-0009-262026-02-13EngineThis bulletin includes basic procedures for performing a rescue charge on Ni-MH high…
T-SB-0055-24 Rev22026-01-07Unknown Or OtherSome 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a…
T-SB-0035-24 Rev22024-12-06StructureAcid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to…
T-SB-0038-24 Rev22024-12-06StructureTo prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

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VIN
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Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
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Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2011 Highlander L4 take?

4.7 qt of 5W-30 API, 5W-20 API 0W-20 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2011 Highlander have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the L4 get?

EPA figures are 20 city / 25 highway / 22 combined mpg.