Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2001 Toyota Highlander, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Visibility23
- Engine and engine cooling17
- Service brakes, hydraulic15
- Vehicle speed control15
- Structure13
- Power train13
- Air bags10
- Tires9
- Fuel system, gasoline5
- Electrical system5
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 11 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 9 2001 Highlander vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 6 people died inside them, and 2 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2001 Toyota Highlander failed the safety check 2.25% of the time — 12% more often than the average 2001 passenger car (2.00%). Median odometer at inspection: 164,529 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
In New Zealand
1 2001 cars are on the New Zealand register; 100% arrived as used imports, 0% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Recalls in Canada
3 Transport Canada recalls for the 2001 Toyota Highlander.
| 2004127 7 Apr 2004 | Other On certain vehicles, if the rear side doors are closed very hard with the Child Protection Lock (CPL) lever in the lock position, there is a possibility that th… |
| 2002142 30 Jul 2002 | Fuel System On certain 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… |
| 2001188 3 Jul 2001 | Brakes Certain sport utiity vehicles. The reservoir filler cap of the brake master cylinder may induce a vacuum, introducing some air into the brake master cylinder re… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
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.
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Toyota told its dealers about the 2001 Toyota Highlander: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 634039 | SUBJECT REGARDING ORVR VALVE BREATHER HOSE CLAMP. *TT |
| 634037 | SPECIAL SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO CORRECT THE POSITION OF THE ON-BOARD REFUELING VAPOR RECOVERY (ORVR) VALVE BREATHER HOSE CLAMP. *TT |
| 634027 | TECHNICAL INFORMATION ON DIAGNOSING FRONT SEAT BACK NOISE. *TT |
| 634014 | SPECIAL SERVICE TOOLS - THE NEW IMMOBILIZER RESET FEATURE THAT ALLOWS THE REGISTRATION OF A NEW MASTER KEY EVEN IF ALL ORIGINAL MASTER KEYS ARE LOST. *TT |
| 631927 | SUBJECT REGARDING SQUEAK AND RATTLE TIPS. *SLC |
| 631145 | CUSTOMERS MAY COMPLAIN OF EXCESSIVE BRAKE NOISE AND INCREASED PEDAL STROKE WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. *SLC |
| 629357 | SUBJECT REGARDING MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT ON DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P0500.*JB |
| 629214 | SUBJECT REGARDING WIND NOISE AT A PILLAR. *TT |
| 629212 | MOONROOF MOLDING CREAK. *TT |
| 628696 | SPECIAL POLICY ADJUSTMENT REGARDING VEHICLES EXPERIENCING ENGINE OIL GELLING OR SLUDGE. *TT |
| 627302 | INFORMATIO REGARDING BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER RESERVOIR CAP. *YD |
| 625923 | SOME VEHICLES MAY ILLUMINATE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND SET DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES P1130, P1135, P1150, P1155, P1071 AND / OR P0174. *JB |
| 622683 | INFORMATION ON CUSTOMIZE FUNCTION DIAGNOSTIC PROGRAM CARD VERSION. THIS ALSO APPLIES TO 2001 HIGHLANDER VEHICLES. *JB |
| 621993 | ELECTRONIC MESSAGE REGARDING PROGRAMMING OF OEM WIRELESS DOOR LOCK REMOTE TRANSMITTERS. *TT |
| 621982 | THIS BULLETIN CLARIFIES INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE REPAIR MANUAL REGARDING THE PROGRAMMING OF OEM WIRELESS REMOTES ON CERTAIN 2001 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES. *TT |
| 620043 | SUBJECT REGARDING ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) REPROGRAMMING SUPPORT. CERTAIN 2001 FOUR CYLINDER VEHICLES, IF DRIVEN AT TEMPERATURES BELOW 30 DEGREES F, MAY DISPLAY A MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) AND STORE ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES: P0171, P0174, P1130, P1133, P1150, OR P1155. IF THESE CODES ARE SET, AIR / FUEL RATIO SENSORS, BANK ONE, SENSOR ONE AND BANK TWO, SENSOR ONE ARE LIKELY DAMAGED AND BOTH SENSORS WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. TO AVOID DAMAGING THE REPLACEMENT AIR / FUEL RATIO SENSORS DURING COLD WEATHER DRIVING THESE VEHICLES WILL NEED THEIR ECU |
| 620042 | TDN MAIL MESSAGE REGARDING REPORTS THAT SOME 4-CYLINDER VEHICLES MAY ILLUMINATE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND SET DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTC) P1130, P1135, P1150, P1155, P0171 AND / OR P0174 WHEN OPERATED BELOW 30 DEGREES F. *TT |
| 619098 | ECU (ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT) FLASH REPROGRAMMING PROCESS. *TT |
| 616666 | SOME 4-CYLINDER VEHICLES MAY ILLUMINATE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND SET DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES P1130, P1135, P1150, P1155, P0171 AND / OR P0174 WHEN OPERATED BELOW 30 DEGREES F. *TT |
| 616113 | THIS BULLETIN STATES THAT IN ORDER TO MINIMIZE BATTERY DISCHARGE DURING TRANSPORTATION AND STORAGE, THE SHORT PIN HAS BEEN REMOVED AT THE ASSEMBLY PLANT. *TT |
| 616111 | SUBJECT REGARDING FRONT LICENSE PLATE INSTALLATION. *TT |
| 616086 | SUBJECT REGARDING BATTERY SHORT PIN INSTRUCTIONS DURING PRE-DELIVERY SERVICE. *TT |
| 616076 | FRONT LICENSE PLATE INSTALLATION. *TT |
| 11007445 | The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. If these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicle surface, especially the horizonal areas of the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage can occur. This damage is the result of actual etching of the paint and appears as pitting or water spots. As acid rain droplets on the vehicle surface evaporate, the concentration strength of the acid increases, causing deeper and more rapid damage. This evaporation |
| 11007444 | To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. The purpose of the wheel film is to shield the disc brake rotor from weather elements and initial rust before the vehicle is delivered to the customer. Consequently, the film should remain on the wheel for as long as possible. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)