2001 Toyota Highlander
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Visibility is the leading concern among 136 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 20th highest complaint count among 25 Highlander model years with reports.
Of the 2001 reports, 19 involved a crash and 2 involved a fire. 11 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Latches/locks/linkages, doors, latchApr 15, 2004
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.
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.
DEALERS WILL SHORTEN THE CPL LEVER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 7, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
Campaign 04V181000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, storage, tank assembly, mountingJul 30, 2002
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.
IN THE WORST CASE, NOZZLE BREAKAGE COULD RESULT IN FUEL LEAKAGE IF THE VEHICLE ROLLS-OVER AFTER A HIGH SPEED FRONTAL CRASH.
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.
Campaign 02V208000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, foundation components, master cylinderJul 5, 2001
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 INCREASED PEDAL STROKE WILL LENGTHEN THE STOPPING DISTANCE OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
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.
Campaign 01V228000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: service brakes
19 reports, newest first. Show all
Structure, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, May 19, 2017, crash
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.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Nov 1, 2014, crash
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
Service brakes, Nov 12, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD TO BE APPLIED FORCEFULLY IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO RESPOND. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 01V228000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL. THE DEALER'S RECORDS INDICATED THAT THERE WAS NO REMEDY REPAIR PERFORMED. THE RECALL WAS NOT HONORED AND THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,071.
Service brakes, Electric, Apr 24, 2011
I AM EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH MY 2001 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHENEVER I PRESS ON THE BRAKE IT PULSATES,VIBRATES AND IT MAKES A DISTRACTING LOUD RATCHETING SOUND. WHEN THE SPEEDOMETER DROPS TO LESS THAN 10MPH- IT HAPPENS. THIS HAPPENS SO FREQUENTLY, THAT I REALLY HATE DRIVING ANYWHERE. I TOOK IT TO SEVERAL DIFFERENT MECHANICS. AFTER BEING TOLD THE PROBLEM THAT I AM HAVING IS DUE TO WARPED ROTORS AND WARN BRAKE PADS- I PAID TO HAVE NEW BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS INSTALLED. THAT DIDN'T WORK. (NOW THEY SAY IT IS AN ABS PROBLEM) I TOOK THE HIGHLANDER TO A TOYOTA DEALER WHO WITHOUT PROPERLY PERFORMING A COMPUTER SCAN, BLAMED THE MECHANICS WHO REPLACED MY ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS FOR THE PROBLEM THAT I HAVE BEEN HAVING-AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS NOT THE ABS SYSTEM. ANYWAY, I AM STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM THAT BOTH PROFESSIONAL MECHANICS DISAGREE ON. PULSATION, VIBRATION AND LOUD NOISES. NOTE: NEITHER OF THE TWO INDICATOR LIGHTS BRAKE/ABS HAS ACTIVATED SINCE THE PROBLEM STARTED. FINALLY, I TOOK THE HIGHLANDER TO A THIRD MECHANIC, PAID FOR AN INSPECTION OF MY ABS SYSTEM AND RECEIVED SEVERAL COMPUTER SCAN ABS FAULTS CODES:C1271-C1278- ABS ACTIVATES AT A LOWER SPEED. ALSO, MASTER CYLINDER PRESSURE SENSOR MALFUNCTION C1281. I WANT TOYOTA TO REPAIR THE DEFECTS IN MY TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 16, 2010
I BOUGHT A TOYOTA HIGHLANDER IN 2001. I THINK MY CAR DOES HAVE A BRAKE PROBLEM. WHEN I APPLY BRAKES AT SPEED OVER 50 MILES, CAR IS VIBRATING AND HARD TO STOP. I HAVE TO STOP APPLYING BRAKE. AFTER BUYING A CAR, I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, AND THE SALES AGENT SAID, "IT IS NOT A BRAKE PROBLEM, IT IS BECAUSE OF HARD PRESSURE." RECENTLY, MY HUSBAND DROVE THE CAR AND HE FELT IT TOO.(DATE FOR THIS INCIDENT IS SOME WHERE IN SEPTEMBER 2001) (2) OCCASIONALLY MY CAR IGNITION IS NOT WORKING, I HAVE TO GIVE GAS TO START CAR! I TOOK IT TO TOYOTA DEALER LOCATED AT BUFORD MALL OF GA, IN THE U.S.A. THEY WORKED ON IT TWICE. I HAVE SPENT MORE THAN $650. THE PROBLEM IS STILL NOT RESOLVED. THEN SOMEBODY CALLED ME TO INFORM THAT SOMETHING IS BAD (COAST IS $800)AND IT MIGHT FIX THE PROBLEM! I COMPLAINED TO THE PEOPLE WHO TAKE SURVEY ON CUSTOMER SATISFACTION. NO BODY FOLLOW UP ON IT. I SENT AN EMAIL. THEN AN AGENT NAMED "TONY" CALLED ME AND SAID, "I DO NOT WANT TO SPEND $800 MORE AND WHICH MIGHT FIX THE PROBLEM. I SAID, "WHAT HAPPENED TO THE FIRST TWO REPAIRS?" HIS RESPONSE WAS, "IT IS LIKE YOU GO TO DOCTOR. THEY TRY ONE MEDICINE. IF YOU ARE NOT CURED, THEY TRY ANOTHER MEDICINE!" THEN HE ASKED ME,"WHAT YOU WANT TO DO? DO YOU WANT TO FIX THE PROBLEM?" I SAID, "YES, BUT I CAN'T LET YOU KEEP ON TRYING NEW REPAIRS, SPEND MONEY AND PROBLEM IS NOT FIXED!." HE SAID, "IF YOU ARE THINKING THAT I WILL FIX YOUR PROBLEM FREE, IT IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN!." THEN HE HANG UP THE CALL. YES, TOYOTA SHOULD HAVE IMPROVE THEIR SERVICE AND CHANGE THE ATTITUDE. THEIR SERVICE PRICE VARIES WITH THE TEAM/SERVICE AGENT. I DO NOT REMEMBER EXACT DATE, THE FOLLOWING DATE IS APPROXIMATE. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Apr 23, 2009, crash
THE CAR ACCIDENT IN WHICH I WAS INVOLVED IN HAD SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITIES THAT FOLLOWED, FOR EXAMPLE, FINANCE COMPANY REPOSSESSED MY VEHICLE ALTHOUGH MY PAYMENTS WERE CURRENT. RECENTLY, WHILE RESEARCHING VEHICLE RECALLS, I FOUND THAT MY 2001 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HAD A HYDRAULIC BRAKE RECALL. THE ACCIDENT CAUSED INJURIES AS WELL AS TOTALING OUT TWO VEHICLES. I WAS DRIVING ON FWY WHEN I HAD TO STOP SUDDENLY DUE TO CONSTRUCTION TRAFFIC. MY HIGHLANDER'S BRAKES WENT TO THE FLOOR WHICH MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO STOP. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 25, 2005
INCREASED PEDAL STROKE LENGTHEN THE STOPPING DISTANCE. SAW IN YOUR WEBSITE A RECALL FOR IT. TOOK IT TO DEALER THEY DON'T HAVE IT IN THE SYSTEM SO THEY WON'T FIX THE PROBLEM. THEY LOOKED UP THE VIN# YOUR WEBSITE WON'T SPECIFY VIN#, ONLY SPECIFY'S YEAR.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Structure, Jul 15, 2004
FREQUENTLY WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, WHICH CAUSED THE BRAKES NOT TO STOP IMMEDIATELY IN A PANIC OR EMERGENCY SITUATION. DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THIS WAS NORMAL FOR THE BRAKE SYSTEM FOR THIS VEHICLE. THREE DIFFERENT MECHANICS INSPECTED THE BRAKE SYSTEM, AND DETERMINED THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS NOT FUNCTIONING CORRECTLY. THE MASTER CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE CONSTANTLY REPLENISHED WITH BRAKE FLUID. ALSO, THE BRAKE SYSTEM HAD TO BE BLED BECAUSE AIR GOT IN IT. DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THE BRAKE SYSTEM WAS DESIGNED FOR A PASSENGER VEHICLE AND NOT AN SUV. *AK REPAIRS WERE ALSO PERFORMED ON VEHICLE DUE TO PREMATURE WEAR ON PADS AND ROTORS, AND ON VEHICLE'S FRONT DOOR WEATHER STRIPPING DUE TO PREMATURE WEAR. *LA RECALL#01V228000. THE BRAKE PROBLEM HAD BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE PURCHASE. *SC
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 22, 2003
CONSUMER STATED THAT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO APPLY THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED HEAVY VIBRATION AND CAUSED A DISTRACTION TO THE CONSUMER. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK AT 55 MPH WHEN BRAKING, THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK, BUT THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO THE CONTROL THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER AT 75-80 MPH, WHEN BRAKING (NO EMERGENCY), THE STEERING SHOOK VIOLENTLY. *SCC *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Air bags, Jun 30, 2003, crash
CONSUMER STATES WHILE TRAVELING 2-3 MPH AND APPLYING THE BRAKES VEHICLE WENT INTO EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, RUNNING INTO GARAGE DOOR. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 7, 2002
WHILE DRIVING ON COBBLESTONE ROAD ALL YOU HEAR IS METAL CLATTERING BENEATH THE BODY BUT ONCE YOU TAP THE BRAKES IT BECOMES SILENT. AND I HAVE WENT TO THE DEALER TO FIX THIS PROBLEM BUT HAVEN'T THREE TIMES. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 10, 2002, crash
BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE 01V-228 RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT THE DEALER DENIED ANY BRAKE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE CONSUMER, A FEW WEEKS LATER THE DEALER CALLED THE CONSUMER TO BRIN THE VEHICLE BACK TO REPAIR THE BRAKES. NLM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Apr 29, 2002
BRAKES FEEL SPONGY WHENEVER THEY ARE APPLIED, NO EXTENDED BRAKING DISTANCE HAS BEEN NOTICED.*AK *YH
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 19, 2002
WHILE TRAVELING AT 20 MPH DRIVER APPLIED BRAKES AND PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR, CONSUMER PRESSED AGAIN AND VEHICLE STOPPED. DRIVER TURNED TO AVOID HITTING ANOTHER VHEICLE. THIS CAUSED AN AIR RELEASE NOISE AND FEEL BEFORE VEHICLE FINALLY STOPPED. *JG *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 12, 2002
CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER FOR RECALL 01V228000 REMEDY, VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, CONSUMER STATED REPAIR DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM, PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Dec 31, 2001
01 V 228 000/BRAKE SYSTEM: RECALL REPAIRS WAS DONE AT(OURISMAN FAIRFAX TOYOTA; FAIRFAX, VA; PHONE# 703/359-1010). AFTER REPAIRS WAS MADE, PROBLEM WITH SOFT PEDAL AND APPLYED TO CLOSE TO THE FLOOR BEFORE STOPPING; DEALER NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS CONCERNING THIS MATTER.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Dec 31, 2001
THE RECALL WORK SUBJECT TO CAMPAIGN 01V228000 WAS NOT PERFORMED CORRECTLY. THE VEHICLE STILL HAS EXCESS PEDAL TRAVEL, AND THE PEDAL FEEL IS 'MUSHY,' LIKE THE BRAKES NEED TO BE BLED, AS THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO BE DURING THE RECALL WORK. THE INCREASED PEDAL STROKE LENGTHENS THE STOPPING DISTANCE OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. THE RECALL WORK TOOK 20 MINUTES - TOYOTA SAYS IT SHOULD TAKE ABOUT 1 HOUR. BLEEDING THE BRAKES, ACCORDING TO THE TOYOTA HIGHLANDER SERVICE MANUAL, CONSISTS OF THREE PARTS - THE MASTER CYLINDER, THE ABS/VSC ACTUATOR, AND THE BRAKE LINES. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE THAT THE ACTUATOR OR THE MASTER CYLINDER WERE BLED. THE DEALER HAS SINCE TRIED TO CONVINCE ME THAT THEY'RE ALL LIKE THAT, AND THIS IS NORMAL BRAKE OPERATION. THERE ARE SEVERAL POSTS TO THE EDMUNDS HIGHLANDER DISCUSSION GROUP ABOUT MUSHY HIGHLANDER BRAKES, WITH SOME SAYING THE RECALL WORK IMPROVED THEIR BRAKE FEEL, OTHERS SAYING IT DIDN'T. I FEAR THAT MANY OF THE RECALL CORRECTION ATTEMPTS HAVE NOT BEEN SUCCESSFUL.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Oct 1, 2001
PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE 01V-228 THE CONSUMER NOTICED WHEN BRAKING HARD THE CAR WOULD SHUDDERS ALONG WITH A LOUD NOISE AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP AS WELL AS IT SHOULD. NLM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 16, 2001
RECALL# 01V228000/ MANUFACTURER'S RECALL SSC10G; CONSUMER GOT RECALL NOTICE ON JUL 30, 2001 AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR AUG 1, 2001. TOOK VEHICLE IN, AND DEALER DIDNOT HAVE PARTS. GAVE DEALER PHONE # TO CALL WHEN PARTS COME IN. ALSO, CONSUMER CALLED DEALER ON AUG 16 ABOUT PARTS, AND DEALER STATED HAD PARTS, AND DID NOT KNOW WHETHER THEY HAVE ANYMORE. *AK