Toyota released the Highlander in the 2001 model year with a standard 155-horsepower, 2.4-liter engine or an optional V-6 with 220 horsepower. The second-gen model debuted in the 2008 model year with a 4.1-inch increase in length and a 3-inch increase in wheelbase. Along with the extra size and weight came a standard 3.5-liter V-6 engine with 270 horsepower. Fog lights were a standard feature on the Sport and Limited trim levels, and replacing the fog lights requires removal of the front wheel-well liner for access.
Start the Highlander and turn the wheels as far as they will go in the opposite direction of the bulb you are replacing, then turn the engine off. Pry the center pin from the plastic retaining clip in the front-most section of the wheel-well liner, using a flat-head screwdriver, then pry the plastic retaining clip from the liner. Remove the screw securing the front-most section of the wheel-well liner to the front fender.
Position yourself so you have a clean view of the underside of the front-most section of the wheel-well liner – under the vehicle, directly in front of the wheel. Pry the center pin from the plastic retaining clip that secures the wheel-well liner to the underside of the vehicle, then pry the retaining clip from the liner. Remove the screws securing the wheel-well liner to the underside of the Highlander – the passenger-side liner has three screws and the driver-side liner has four screws – with a ratchet and socket. Pull the wheel-well liner downward to remove it, exposing the backside of the fog light assembly.
Twist the fog light bulb counterclockwise to unlock it and pull it from the fog light assembly. Press and hold the unlocking button on the fog light bulb wiring harness, and pull the bulb from the harness.
Hold a new No. H11 fog light bulb by its plastic base – touching the glass part of the bulb may cause it to fail prematurely – and plug the wiring harness into the bulb. Guide the bulb into the fog light assembly and twist the bulb clockwise to lock it in place.
Lift the wheel-well liner back into place and secure it by tightening its retaining screws on the underside until they are snug. Insert the plastic retaining clips their holes in the liner and press the center pins into the clips to lock them in place. Tighten the screw that secures the wheel-well liner to the front fender.
