2001 Toyota Highlander

Routine

Owners filed 137 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the vehicle speed control. It has been recalled 3 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
60,000 milesMedian miles at failure

80 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 75,00090,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Visibility11
000
Vehicle Speed Control11
602
Structure › Body9
101
Engine and Engine Cooling9
000
Power Train › Automatic Transmission8
201
Tires6
000
Air Bags6
201
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine5
010
Visibility › Glass, Side/Rear4
000
Unknown or Other4
001

3 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch04V181000
Filed Apr 15, 2004366,572 vehiclesToyota Motor North America, Inc.

Defect. 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.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL SHORTEN THE CPL LEVER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 7, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly › Mounting02V208000
Filed Jul 30, 2002154,593 vehiclesToyota Motor North America, Inc.

Defect. 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.

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.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Master Cylinder01V228000
Filed Jul 5, 200141,169 vehiclesToyota Motor North America, Inc.

Defect. 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.

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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Tires
Filed May 12, 2020102,742 milesHI

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 FOR PICTURES OF THE DEFECT, SINCE THE WEBSITE HAS NO WAY TO UPLOAD THE PICS.*DT*JB *TR

Structure › Body
Filed Mar 12, 2018125,000 milesCO

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.

Structure › Body
Filed Sep 12, 2017LA

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.

Structure › BodyCrash1 injured
Filed May 19, 2017105,000 milesOR

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.

Visibility/Wiper
Filed May 27, 2016122,000 milesCA

DRIVER SIDE VISOR WILL NOT STAY UP. IT DROOPS APPROXIMATELY 60 DEGREES WHEN LOWER TO BLOCK SUN.

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash1 injured
Filed Aug 4, 2015141,980 milesCA

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

Structure › Body
Filed May 8, 2015168,000 milesPR

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?

Air Bags
Filed Jan 27, 2015111,000 milesNJ

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.

Engine
Filed Jan 26, 201590,000 milesOH

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

Service BrakesCrash
Filed Nov 1, 2014FL

WIRING PROBLEM WITH PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE LIGHT. KEPT REPLACING BULB, THEN REPLACING SOCKET, NOW GOING TO PUT A WHOLE KIT. TOYOTA NEGLECTED TO TELL ME THIS IN THE FIRST PLACE, EVEN AFTER SEVERAL TICKETS AND WASTED MONEY ON DIFFERENT THINGS TELLING ME IT WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Oct 26, 2014148,000 milesDE

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

Visibility
Filed May 31, 2014105,000 milesFL

SUNVISOR DROPS DOWN ABOUT 30 DEGREES FROM THE UP POSITION OR JUST DON'T STAY ALL THE WAY DOWN. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Dec 7, 201396,000 milesIL

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

Service Brakes
Filed Nov 12, 201372,071 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD TO BE APPLIED FORCEFULLY IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO RESPOND. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 01V228000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL. THE DEALER'S RECORDS INDICATED THAT THERE WAS NO REMEDY REPAIR PERFORMED. THE RECALL WAS NOT HONORED AND THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,071.

Visibility/Wiper
Filed Oct 25, 201385,000 milesNV

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

Power TrainCrash1 injured
Filed Sep 26, 2013160,000 milesFL

ON WED, 4 SEP 2013 AT APPROXIMATELY 12:00, I PARKED MY CAR IN THE DRIVEWAY AND GOT OUT OF THE CAR TO PICK UP MAIL. AFTER PICKING UP THE MAIL, I RETURNED TO THE CAR AND LEANED OVER THE CAR TO RETRIEVE MY PURSE FROM THE PASSENGER SEAT WHEN MY SUV STARTED ROLLING BACKWARDS. MY CAR WHICH WAS ON AN INCLINE IN MY DRIVEWAY KEPT ROLLING BACKWARDS. I FELL ON MY BACK ON THE CONCRETE DRIVEWAY AND THE FRONT TIRE OF MY CAR ROLLED OVER MY LEFT THIGH. THE CAR ROLLED BACK AND STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. MY NEIGHBOR ACROSS THE STREET CALLED 911. *JS

Unknown or Other
Filed Sep 21, 201395,000 milesCA

DRIVER'S SIDE SUNSHADE DOES NOT STAY UP WHEN PLACED IN THE UP POSITION. PRIOR TO THIS, IT WOULD STAY UP FOR AN UNDETERMINED AMOUNT OF TIME AND SUDDENLY FALL DOWN, HITTING THE DRIVER'S HEAD AND BLOCKING THE VIEW.

Engine
Filed Dec 24, 2012232,698 milesCA

I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF OUR 2001TOYOTA 3.0 HIGHLANDER. I ALSO OWN A 2008 TOYOTA TUNDRA PICKUP AND A 2008 LEXUS ES 350. OUR HIGHLANDER HAS BEEN EXCEPTIONAL VEHICLE. I HAVE PERFORMED ALL THE REQUIRED MAINTENANCE ON OUR VEHICLES SINCE THEIR PURCHASE, OIL CHANGES, FLUIDS LEVELS, SERPENTINE AND POWER STEERING BELTS REPLACEMENTS, TIRE ROTATION, AIR AND FUEL FILTERS REPLACEMENT, WIPERS, STRUTS, AND MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS. THE ONLY SERVICE THAT WAS PERFORMED BY TECHNICIANS WAS COOLANT AND TRANSMISSION OIL SERVICE. ON TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2012 WHILE MY WAY HOME FROM WORK, I NOTICED THAT MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ACTIVATED. WHEN I GOT HOME, I USE MY OBD CODE READER AND OBTAINED THE FAULT CODE OF P1349. IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT MY VEHICLE APPEARED TO BE RUNNING NORMALLY. AFTER READING THE POSSIBLE CAUSES, I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL SERVICE CENTER AND HAD AN OIL CHANGE PERFORMED. I DID THIS BECAUSE I HAD A COUPON FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND FILTER FOR $14.99. I RESET THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND THEN DROVE THE VEHICLE WORK. ON THE WAY HOME, I NOTICED THAT MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND MY LOW OIL PRESSURE LIGHT HAD ACTIVATED. AS I ATTEMPTED TO MAKE IT OFF THE FREEWAY, I NOTICED THAT THE MOTOR START MESSING. BY THE TIME I GOT TO THE OFF RAMP, THE ENGINE WAS EMITTING LOUD BANGING SOUNDS AND WAS STRUGGLING. BY THE TIME IS ABLE TO SAFELY PARK THE VEHICLE, THE MOTOR HAD CEASED. AS AN ORIGINAL OWNER, I DO NOT RECALL EVER RECEIVING A NOTICE REGARDING OIL JELLY. I AM REQUESTING THAT MY MOTOR FAILURE BE COVERED THE OIL

Visibility/Wiper
Filed Nov 14, 201275,000 milesMI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 4X4 LIMITED. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CONTACT OPENED BOTH REAR WINDOWS BUT WAS UNABLE TO CLOSE THE WINDOWS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE POWER WINDOW REGULATORS FOR BOTH REAR WINDOWS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,839.

Power Train
Filed Jul 20, 2012151,000 milesVA

AS MY WIFE WAS SLOWING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP IN A PARKING LOT, THE VEHICLE SEEMED TO EXPERIENCE AN ACCELERATION ON ITS OWN. SHE FELT AS IF THE ACCELERATOR GOT STUCK SO SHE IMMEDIATELY PRESSED BRAKE WITH HER LEFT FOOT AND ACCELERATOR WITH THE RIGHT FOOT IN AN EFFORT TO 'RELEASE' THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THIS WAS A REFLEX MOVE ON HER PART BECAUSE IT HAPPENED SO FAST. THE VEHICLE HOPPED OVER THE PARKING LOT CURB, LANDED ON THE GRASS AND CAME TO A STOP. I WAS STANDING 50 FEET FROM THE CAR WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THE ONLY THING I NOTICED WAS A BRAKING SOUND AND WHEN I TURNED AROUND THE CAR HAD HOPPED AND WAS ON THE GRASS. WE TOOK THE CAR TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP WHO COULDN'T FIND THE CAUSE OR REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THEY SAID THERE'S NO PROBLEM WITH THE CAR. A MONTH HAS GONE BY SINCE THE INCIDENT AND THERE HASN'T BEEN ANYTHING UNUSUAL WITH THE CAR SINCE. *TR

20 of 137 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2021
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20262000Routine
20259400Routine
202442700Routine
2023180900Routine
2022245511Fatalities reported
2021512440Above average
2020314400Above average
2019480310Above average
2018265510Above average
2017265420Above average
2016110310Routine
2015191260Routine
2014135511Fatalities reported
2013206300Above average
2012182230Routine
2011181500Routine
20102161020Above average
2009134950Routine
200840313142Fatalities reported
2007123410Routine
2006277741Fatalities reported
2005224640Above average
2004286532Fatalities reported
2003258210Above average
2002301264Fatalities reported
2001 — this page137320Routine
19981000Routine
19971000Routine

Compare every Highlander year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Apr 15, 2004. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.