NHTSA vehicle safety data

2001 Toyota Highlander Recalls & Complaints

The 2001 Toyota Highlander has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 136 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Toyota dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2001 Toyota Highlander. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

2001 Toyota Highlander owner complaints

Owners have filed 136 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Toyota Highlander, describing incidents dated February 1, 2001 to May 9, 2020.

Most-cited components

Visibility/Wiper 26 complaints
Engine 19 complaints
Service Brakes 19 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control 15 complaints
Power Train 13 complaints
Structure 13 complaints

Of the 136 complaints on file, 19 report a crash and 2 a fire; across all 136 complaints, owners report 11 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11324339 · Filed May 12, 2020
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…
ODI #11078803 · Filed March 12, 2018
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.
ODI #11022842 · Filed September 12, 2017
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…

Read all 136 complaints

TOYOTA/CHILD PROTECTION LOCK ON SIDE DOORS

NHTSA #04V181000 · Latches/Locks/Linkages — Doors — Latch · NHTSA notice

Reported April 15, 2004 · TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Potentially affected: 366,572 vehicles

Toyota campaign SSC 40B · Owners notified May 7, 2004 · Vehicles built November 17, 2000 – January 29, 2004 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer remedy

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

Notes

TOYOTA RECALL NO. SSC 40B.CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

TOYOTA/FUEL TANK HOSE ATTACHMENT

NHTSA #02V208000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Storage — Tank Assembly — Mounting · NHTSA notice

Reported July 30, 2002 · TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Potentially affected: 154,593 vehicles

Owners notified August 23, 2002 · Vehicles built November 17, 2000 – May 31, 2002 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

TOYOTA/BRAKE SYSTEM

NHTSA #01V228000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Foundation Components — Master Cylinder · NHTSA notice

Reported July 5, 2001 · TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Potentially affected: 41,169 vehicles

Owners notified July 30, 2001 · Vehicles built August 31, 2000 – May 15, 2001 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2001 Toyota Highlander. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

136 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2001 Toyota Highlander.

Tires

ODI #11324339

Incident: May 9, 2020 · Filed: May 12, 2020

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

ODI #11078803

Incident: March 11, 2018 · Filed: March 12, 2018

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.

Steering; Structure

ODI #11022842

Incident: September 1, 2015 · Filed: September 12, 2017

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; Vehicle Speed Control; Service Brakes

ODI #10990497

Crash 1 injury

Incident: November 17, 2015 · Filed: May 19, 2017

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

ODI #10871176

Incident: September 9, 2014 · Filed: May 27, 2016

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

Vehicle Speed Control

ODI #10746229

Crash 1 injury

Incident: July 27, 2015 · Filed: August 4, 2015

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

ODI #10715260

Incident: May 6, 2015 · Filed: May 8, 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?

Air Bags

ODI #10679276

Incident: January 23, 2015 · Filed: January 27, 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.

Engine

ODI #10678863

Incident: December 13, 2013 · Filed: January 26, 2015

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

Electrical System; Exterior Lighting; Service Brakes

ODI #10651774

Crash

Incident: November 1, 2010 · Filed: November 1, 2014

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

Other Toyota Highlander model years

Check your 2001 Toyota Highlander VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Toyota Highlander at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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