Model year record

2001 Toyota Highlander recalls & problems

The 2001 Toyota Highlander has 3 safety recalls and 137 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is visibility (23 complaints).

Recalls3safety recalls

Complaints137filed by owners

Crashes · fires19 · 2reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths11 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Latches/locks/linkagesApr 15, 2004

Doors › Latch

Recall 04V181000366,572 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: THIS CONDITION COULD ALLOW THE DOOR TO BE OPENED WITH THE INSIDE WHILE THE OPERATOR BELIEVES THAT THE CPL WAS ACTIVATED. IF THE DOOR WERE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, AN OCCUPANT COULD FALL OUT AND BE INJURED.
Fix: DEALERS WILL SHORTEN THE CPL LEVER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 7, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

Fuel system, gasolineJul 30, 2002

Storage › Tank assembly › Mounting

Recall 02V208000154,593 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: IN THE WORST CASE, NOZZLE BREAKAGE COULD RESULT IN FUEL LEAKAGE IF THE VEHICLE ROLLS-OVER AFTER A HIGH SPEED FRONTAL CRASH.
Fix: 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.

Service brakes, hydraulicJul 5, 2001

Foundation components › Master cylinder

Recall 01V22800041,169 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: THE INCREASED PEDAL STROKE WILL LENGTHEN THE STOPPING DISTANCE OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: 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.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Fuel economy

Highlander 2WD

22mpg combined

City / highway	19 / 25 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.4 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/year to fuel

Highlander 4WD

19mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.4 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel

Highlander 2WD

18mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 21 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

Highlander 4WD

18mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 21 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
VisibilityGlass, side/rear; Power window devices and controls	23	0	0	0	83,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components › Master cylinder; Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip	18	4	0	2	2,000 mi
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Engine › Gasoline	17	0	1	0	41,000 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Driveline › Differential unit	16	3	0	2	70,750 mi
Vehicle speed controlAccelerator pedal	15	8	0	3	56,600 mi
StructureBody; Body › Door	13	1	0	1	77,500 mi
Air bagsFrontal	10	6	0	3	96,000 mi
TiresSidewall; Tread/belt	9	0	0	0	14,000 mi
Electrical systemIgnition › Module; Wiring › Interior/under dash	5	1	1	0	—
Fuel system, gasolineStorage › Tank assembly; Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings	5	0	0	0	42,490 mi
Unknown or other	4	0	0	1	—
Seat beltsFront	4	1	0	1	80,000 mi

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Tires
MY FRONT TIRES, (FROM A SET OF FOUR), HAVE PARTS OF THE TREAD SEPARATING FROM THE TIRE BODY. THE RUBBER UNDER THE MISSING PIECES OF TREAD HAS A TEXTURE LIKE POPCORN. THE INNER SURFACE OF THE RUBBER IS SHINY AND SMOOTH. *DT IT IS NOT FROM GOUGING, FORCE, OR ABUSE TO THE TIRES. IT IS AS IF THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS USED TWO DIFFERENT BATCHES OF RUBBER THAT WAS NOT INCORPORATED TOGETHER CORRECTLY, AND IS NOW SEPARATING FROM ITSELF. THIS IS CLEARLY A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND SHOULD BE RECALLED IMMEDIATELY! IF A TIRE FAILURE OCCURS FROM THIS DEFECT AT SPEED, IT COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT, ROLLOVER, HEAD-ON, SERIOUS INJURY/DEATH. PLEASE REVIEW HIS MATTER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. PLEASE CONTACT ME…
May 9, 2020 · 102,742 miles
Structure › Body
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.
Mar 11, 2018 · 125,000 miles
Structure › Body
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.
Sep 1, 2015
Structure › BodyCrash1 injury
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.
Nov 17, 2015 · 105,000 miles
Visibility/wiper
DRIVER SIDE VISOR WILL NOT STAY UP. IT DROOPS APPROXIMATELY 60 DEGREES WHEN LOWER TO BLOCK SUN.
Sep 9, 2014 · 122,000 miles
Vehicle speed controlCrash1 injury
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
Jul 27, 2015 · 141,980 miles
Structure › Body
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?
May 6, 2015 · 168,000 miles
Air bags
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.
Jan 23, 2015 · 111,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.