CarRecallDB

2001 Toyota Highlander recalls and problems

3 recalls and 137 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2001 Toyota Highlander.

3
recalls
137
owner complaints
19
complaints mentioning a crash
2
mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2001 Toyota Highlander recalls

Latches/locks/linkages: doors, latch

NHTSA campaign 04V181000 · reported April 15, 2004 · TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC. · 366,572 vehicles potentially affected

The 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.
The 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.
The fix
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, mounting

NHTSA campaign 02V208000 · reported July 30, 2002 · TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC. · 154,593 vehicles potentially affected

The 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.
The risk
In the worst case, nozzle breakage could result in fuel leakage if the vehicle rolls-over after a high speed frontal crash.
The 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.

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components, master cylinder

NHTSA campaign 01V228000 · reported July 5, 2001 · TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC. · 41,169 vehicles potentially affected

The 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.
The risk
The increased pedal stroke will lengthen the stopping distance of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

May 12, 2020 · Tires · 102,742 miles

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. IT IS NOT FROM GOUGING, FORCE, OR ABUSE TO THE TIRES. IT IS AS IF THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS USED TWO…

Mar 12, 2018 · Structure · 125,000 miles

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.

Sep 12, 2017 · Structure

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. [phone removed] WITH TOYOTA. THEY TOLD ME THEY HAD RECALLS ON…

May 19, 2017 · Structure · 105,000 miles · crash reported

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.

May 27, 2016 · Visibility/wiper · 122,000 miles

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

Highlander model years compared

YearRecallsComplaintsCrashesFires
2001 3137192
2002 2301246
2003 2258331
2004 5286323

Across all years, the 2021 Highlander has the most complaints (533). All Toyota Highlander years →

Questions

Does the 2001 Toyota Highlander have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2001 Toyota Highlander, the most recent reported on April 15, 2004 (Latches/locks/linkages: doors, latch). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2001 Toyota Highlander?
Owners have filed 137 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is visibility (23 complaints), followed by engine and engine cooling (17).
How many 2001 Toyota Highlander complaints mention a crash or fire?
19 of 137 complaints report a crash and 2 a fire; 11 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received May 12, 2020.