Browse over 9,000 car reviews

Toyota Kluger 2011 Problems

Are you having problems with your 2011 Toyota Kluger? Let our team of motoring experts keep you up to date with all of the latest 2011 Toyota Kluger issues & faults. We have gathered all of the most frequently asked questions and problems relating to the 2011 Toyota Kluger in one spot to help you decide if it's a smart buy.

Why does my 2011 Toyota Kluger turn off when I turn sharp corners?

It could very well be that there’s something amiss in the car’s ignition barrel (which lives on the steering column, remember) or its wiring and connectors that is causing the power to the ignition to be cut when you turn the wheel. The problem could also be a short-circuit somewhere in the wiring in the column (and there’s plenty of it) that is causing the problem. Either way, you need to get it fixed immediately, as having a car cut out when you least expect it is can lead to all sorts of extremely dangerous situations.

Another possibility is that there’s something wrong with the car’s power steering system which is overloading at the point you turn the wheel hard and causing the engine to stall. Again, it needs to be fixed now and I wouldn’t be driving the car anywhere other than to a workshop for diagnosis.

Toyota Kluger 2011: Does it have a rear door sensor?

We contacted Toyota about your concern and a spokesman responded with the following: "We are very sorry to learn that your reader has experienced this accident. I can confirm that the power back door fitted to the 2011 Kluger indeed includes jam protection functionality, which reverses the direction of the door, should it detect an obstruction or resistance. Additionally, when the power back door is either opening or closing, the vehicle hazard lamps flash and an audible warning sounds, to notify the occupants and passers-by that the door is either coming up or down. During the final 330 mm (approx.) of the closing arc, the speed at which the back door closes reduces prior to engaging the lock mechanism. While the above safety features are built into the door mechanism, as with any automated function or technology, it is important that the operator ensures conditions are safe and appropriate at all times during usage. I hope your reader's son makes a full and speedy recovery."

Used Toyota Kluger review: 2007-2013

A reputation for build quality and reliability keeps the Kluger at the soft-roader summit

As the long-reigning king of the off-roaders with its LandCruiser, it was only natural that Toyota should also be a leader when the new breed of soft-roaders hit the market.

Even if portrayed as vehicles for all climes and conditions, they were mostly just family wagons with the look of a rough, tough off-roader.

The Kluger was Toyota's pitch to families, a big wagon that carried five or seven, had five-star safety and came with front or all-wheel drive.

The range started with the KX-R, escalating via the KX-S to the Grande. The base model had five and seven-seat versions, the KX-S and Grande were seven-seaters and each had FWD and AWD options.

In no way could they be regarded as sports wagons but there was plenty of get up and go from the common 3.5-litre V6 (201kW/337Nm). The sole transmission, a five-speed auto, said a lot about Toyota's positioning of the Kluger.

If there was any doubt about Toyota aiming the Kluger at townies with a tribe, it was erased by the front-drive models. This clever piece of marketing recognised a fair number of Kluger buyers weren't interested in the complexity or cost of AWD, or going far off the bitumen.

On the road the Kluger was more about comfort than performance and did the job of family cruiser rather admirably.

Its five-star crash test rating showed it had as much safety gear as you could have at the time. As well as seven airbags, it had electronic stability control.

Toyota has a well-earned reputation for build quality and reliability, which has endeared generations of Australians and continues to do so.

Compared to the woes afflicting many other brands, Toyota has had very few issues that should cause prospective buyers any concern about used examples.

Listen to Kluger owners, read their feedback and they couldn't be happier with the big wagon.

Most Klugers are used purely as family transporters; few are taken off-road other than the odd trip down an unsealed track.

Virtually all say they have had no trouble with their cars, and all are happy with the Kluger's ability to accommodate and transport their families in comfort and safety.

If there is a downside with the Kluger, it's the thirst. It's a big vehicle with claimed average consumption of 11.0L/100km but most accept that for the benefits it brings to family motoring. Without a diesel engine option, there's not much you can do about it other than use a soft pedal.

Most Klugers are used purely as family transporters; few are taken off-road other than the odd trip down an unsealed track.

It's important with any Kluger you might be thinking of buying to look for signs of off-road use. It's best to walk away from any example that shows such signs as there are plenty to choose from that haven't been driven in the bush.

Make sure your chosen car has been well serviced by checking its service book. If it appears to have been neglected in any respect, walk away.

Read the article
$15k car for 2 adults and 4 kids

Yes, definitely a secondhand Kluger is a good choice.

Toyota Kluger 2011: Benefits of premium fuel?

Generally you can get better performance and better economy from running the higher octane premium fuels, but of course they cost more to buy, so you have to weigh up the benefits against the cost. I suggest you run a test using regular 91 fuel and then a test using premium and see for yourself.

Toyota Kluger 2011: Should cruise control apply the brakes?

The brakes are never applied by the cruise; brake applications are one of the ways the systems disconnect. They use engine braking to control over-speeding, but there is a limit to what it’s able to do. When you reach a steep downhill section of road it’s best to disengage the system and take control yourself, changing down gears as needed to maintain safe control.

Disclaimer: You acknowledge and agree that all answers are provided as a general guide only and should not be relied upon as bespoke advice. Carsguide is not liable for the accuracy of any information provided in the answers.
Have a new question for the CarsGuide team?
More than 9,000 questions asked and answered.
Complete guide to Toyota Kluger 2011
Complete guide to Toyota Kluger 2011 CarsGuide Logo
Reviews, price, specs and more