VehicleVerdict

2001 Toyota Highlander problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2001 Toyota Highlander sits mid-pack among Highlander years: 158 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 236, with 3 recalls and no defect investigations. Complainants reported 14 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across visibility & wipers (26), brakes (22), and engine (19), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

158

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

28

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

14

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2001 compare to other Highlander years?

Highlander NHTSA complaints by model year, 2001 highlighted613 complaints1997: 1 complaints1998: 1 complaints1999: 0 complaints2000: 0 complaints2001: 158 complaints2002: 335 complaints2003: 316 complaints2004: 337 complaints2005: 289 complaints2006: 344 complaints2007: 159 complaints2008: 502 complaints2009: 178 complaints2010: 272 complaints2011: 229 complaints2012: 228 complaints2013: 280 complaints2014: 158 complaints2015: 245 complaints2016: 137 complaints2017: 364 complaints2018: 342 complaints2019: 613 complaints2020: 348 complaints2021: 590 complaints2022: 291 complaints2023: 219 complaints2024: 54 complaints2025: 9 complaints2026: 1 complaints
Highlander NHTSA complaints by model year, 2001 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Highlander years to avoid →

What are the most common 2001 Toyota Highlander problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Visibility & Wipers2616%
Brakes2214%
Engine1912%
Transmission1610%
Speed Control159%
Body & Structure138%
Airbags106%
Tires & Wheels96%
Electrical System64%
Other64%
Fuel System53%
Seat Belts43%
Lighting21%
Child Seat11%
Steering11%
Suspension11%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)11%
Latches & Locks11%

Does the 2001 Toyota Highlander have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

04V181000Latches & LocksApril 15, 2004 · 366,572 units

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.

Consequence

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.

02V208000Fuel SystemJuly 30, 2002 · 154,593 units

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.

Consequence

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.

01V228000BrakesJuly 5, 2001 · 41,169 units

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.

Consequence

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“SUN VISOR ON MY TOYOTA HIGHLANDER FALLS DOWN ALL THE TIME. PURCHASED BRAND NEW FROM THE DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO FIX IT SINCE IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. HAVE A SITE TO PROVE THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE - SUN VISOR DRIVER SIDE FALLS DOWN WHEN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · January 1, 2004

“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”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · November 1, 2010 · crash

“WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH. SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN THE SPEED, AT THE SAME CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. AS A RESULT, ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THE NEED TO INSTALL A NEW ENGINE. HOWEVER, WARRANTY EXPIRED. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 24, 2004 · fire

“I WAS BACKING OUT OF THE GARAGE WHEN THE CAR ACCELERATED. I KEPT HITTING THE BRAKE AND IT FINALLY STOPPED. I PUT THE CAR BACK INTO DRIVE AND IT ACCELERATED AGAIN. I TRIED HITTING THE BRAKE AND IT WOULDN'T STOP UNTIL IT HIT THE GARAGE DOOR. I DON'T KNOW HOW FAST IT WAS GOING, BUT IT SEEMED LIKE IT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · March 20, 2012 · crash

“WHILE IN A CAR WASH DRIVER RELEASED PRESSURE FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD, HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE. IT BOUNCED BACK AND SURGED FORWARD AGAIN, HITTING A WALL. ENGINE CONTINUED TO RACE UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF BY THE DRIVER. MANUFACTURER WAS SUPPOSED TO INVESTIGATE THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · February 15, 2002 · crash

2001 Toyota Highlander — common questions

Is the 2001 Toyota Highlander reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 158 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Highlander year, with 3 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2001 Highlander problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are visibility & wipers (26 complaints), brakes (22 complaints), engine (19 complaints).

Does the 2001 Toyota Highlander have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2001 Toyota Highlander. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Toyota Highlander years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Highlander years to avoid are 2019, 2021, 2008, 2017. The cleanest record among Highlander years belongs to 2000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.