2001 Toyota Highlander: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 137 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is visibility (16% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Apr 2004
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 137 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Sunroof glass blew off of the vehicle on the highway yesterday. I see numerous reports of this on the internet. Was there ever a tsb or recall for this issue from toyota? Dangerous and scary, happened in traffic.”Owner report · Structure · Mar 2018
“On 11/17/2015 I hit a parking island in an unlit parking lot. When I tried to stop, my brakes failed. This caused me to lose control of the vehicle and it hit 2 parked cars and a tree. I have lost wages and live in pain every day due to injuries from this accident.”Owner report · Structure · Nov 2015
“I am sole owner of this vehicle since bought it new and well maintain it. Dashboard and steering wheel are peeling and gooey. Toyota service dealership told me nothing they can do about it and asked me to call toyota. I called and filed a complaint no. 1709121290 with toyota. They told me they had recalls on other models but not this one so it seems this is not a new issue for them. They don't want to fix it.”Owner report · Structure · Sep 2015
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 toyota highlander. The contact stated while attempting to park, the vehicle suddenly accelerated independently and crashed into a parked vehicle. The contact shifted the vehicle into reverse and crashed into the rear of a second vehicle. The police was contacted, but a report was not filed. The driver sustained whiplash and neck pains that did not require medical attention. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 141,980. Ma 10/15/2015 *cn”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jul 2015
“Faulty stop lights, after several attempts to repair the stop lights. The problem remains unsolved and keeps coming back on both tail lights. What's wrong toyota?”Owner report · Structure · May 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 toyota highlander. The contact stated that the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the spiral cable needed to be replaced; however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 111,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2015
“Another vehicle crossed the line and I swerved to avoid a head on collision. However point of impact was drivers side door and side to rear. No airbag deployed. *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2014
“Toyota had a problem with there 4 cylinder engines in camry and highlander with engine mountain threads pulling away for a three or four year period. My car started leaking oil about 90,000 miles when I took in to a dealer he told me about the problem and toyota did not issue a recall. I was told only fix is a new engine. They also had a problem with the catalytic converter also again no recall. *tr”Owner report · Engine · Dec 2013
“Anytime car is kept outside in temperature below freezing, the airbag light illuminates and stays on after car is started. It continues to stay on until temperature warms up and car is subsequently restarted. There are reports of a tsb on this known problem stating the airbag is non-operable while light flashes, but toyota has not issued a recall or is willing to repair under warranty. Note: this is a safety drive ability issue that should be treated as a recall. *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2013
“I have a 2001 highlander. The left visor keeps falling down from the weight of the visor. I was traveling on the highway at 65 mph when the visor fell in front of my eyes,causing me to swerve . This is a safety issue. There should be a recall on the visor. *tr”Owner report · Visibility/Wiper · Oct 2013
When filing, owners marked a crash in 19 of these complaints and injuries in 11 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
ON SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THERE IS A BREATHER HOSE THAT ATTACHES TO THE NOZZLE OF THE ON-BOARD REFUELING VAPOR RECOVERY (ORVR) VALVE, WHICH IS LOCATED ON THE TOPSIDE OF THE FUEL TANK. THE BREATHER HOSE IS ATTACHED WITH A CLAMP, WHOSE "TABS" FACE IN THE UPWARD DIRECTION. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS CRASHED UNDER THE NEW CAR ASSESSMENT PROGRAM (NCAP) TEST (I.E., 35 MPH FRONTAL BARRIER CRASH), THE CLAMP "TABS" CONTACTED THE UNDERSIDE OF THE BODY DUE TO MOVEMENT OF THE FUEL TANK, CAUSING THE NOZZLE TO BREAK.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL ROTATE THE SPECIFIED CLAMP. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 23, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTIITY VEHICLES. THE RESERVOIR FILLER CAP OF THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER MAY INDUCE A VACUUM, INTRODUCING SOME AIR INTO THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER RESERVOIR. THIS COULD CAUSE ABNORMAL BRAKE NOISE AND INCREASED PEDAL STROKE WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL BLEED THE AIR FROM THE BRAKE LINES AND REPLACE THE RESERVOIR FILLER CAP. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 30, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES HAVE A CHILD PROTECTION LOCK (CPL) SYSTEM ON BOTH OF THE REAR SIDE DOORS. WHEN AN OPERATOR OF THE VEHICLE CLOSES THE DOOR VERY HARD WITH THE CPL LEVER SET TO THE LOCK POSITION, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE LEVER MAY CONTACT THE BODY PANEL, CAUSING THE CPL LEVER TO MOVE INTO THE UNLOCK POSITION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL SHORTEN THE CPL LEVER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 7, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2001 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Highlander by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2001 Toyota Highlander reliable?
NHTSA has 137 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2001 Toyota Highlander. The most complained-about area is visibility (16% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2001 Toyota Highlander problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 62,500 miles or less.
Does the 2001 Toyota Highlander have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly:mounting. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.