2001 Toyota Highlander recalls and problems

The 2001 Toyota Highlander has 3 safety recalls and 137 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Toyota dealer.

Recalls

Complaints

137

Crashes / fires

19 / 2

Injuries / deaths

11 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2001 Toyota Highlander vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2001 Toyota Highlander recalls

Recall 04V-181: Latches/Locks/Linkages

Reported Apr 15, 2004 · 366,572 vehicles affected · TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.

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.

Recall 02V-208: Fuel System, Gasoline

Reported Jul 30, 2002 · 154,593 vehicles affected · TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.

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.

Recall 01V-228: Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Reported Jul 5, 2001 · 41,169 vehicles affected · TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.

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.

2001 Toyota Highlander problems reported by owners

Problem area	Reports
Visibility	23
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	18
Engine and Engine Cooling	17
Power Train	16
Vehicle Speed Control	15
Structure	13
Air Bags	10
Tires	9
Electrical System	5
Fuel System, Gasoline	5
Unknown or Other	4
Seat Belts	4

Most reported parts

Power Train › Automatic Transmission — 10
Structure › Body — 9
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Master Cylinder — 6
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine — 6
Visibility › Glass, Side/Rear — 4
Air Bags › Frontal — 4
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip — 3
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components — 3

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 60,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2001 Toyota Highlander complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Structure · at 125,000 miles · reported Mar 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.

Structure · at 105,000 miles · reported 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.

Vehicle Speed Control · at 141,980 miles · reported Aug 4, 2015

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

Structure · at 168,000 miles · reported 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 · at 111,000 miles · reported Jan 27, 2015

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.

Other Toyota Highlander years

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Compare all Toyota Highlander years · All Toyota models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2001 Toyota Highlander have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2001 Toyota Highlander: 04V-181 (latches/locks/linkages), 02V-208 (fuel system, gasoline), 01V-228 (service brakes, hydraulic). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2001 Toyota Highlander?

Owners report visibility problems most often (23 reports), followed by service brakes, hydraulic (18). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 60,000 miles.

Are Toyota recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Toyota dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.