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
136 reports, newest first.
Electrical system, Oct 23, 2001
DEFECTIVE COMPUTER AT DATE OF PURCHASE. IT TOOK TOYOTA 2 MONTHS TO FIX IT. I'M NOT SATISFIED WITH TOYOTA SERVICE. ARBITRATION WAS A WASTE OF TIME. *AK
Power train, Oct 23, 2001
DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION FROM DATE OF PURCHASE. IT TOOK TOYOTA 2 MONTHS TO FINALLY FIX IT. I AM NOT SATISFIED WITH THE SERVICE FROM TOYOTA. *AK
Visibility, Oct 17, 2001
WHEN THE REAR WINDOW IS ROLLED DOWN THE CAR CREATE VARYING PRESSURE IN THE CAR CAUSING IF NOT CAREFUL THE EAR DRUM RUPTURE. ONE CAN NOT DRIVE THIS CAR WITH REAR WINOW ROLLED DOWN.
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
Other or unspecified, Aug 9, 2001
WHEN DRVING 30 MPH AND OVER, THE RIGHT BACK WINDOW ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS THE ONLY WINDOW OPEN, DRIVER WAS SUBJECT TO A VERY PAINFUL VACUUM SOUND AND PRESSURE TO LEFT EAR, WHICH WAS ALLEVIATED WHEN WINDOW WAS ROLLED UP OR WHEN THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW WAS ALSO OPEN.
Tires, Aug 7, 2001
WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A U-TURN ON DRY HOT ROAD CONDITIONS ORGINAL EQUIPMENT BRIDGESTONE, DUELER HT TIRE WITH ONE THOUSAND MILES ON IT, SIZE P225/70R16 FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE HAD A BLOWOUT. BRIDGESTONE HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK *JB
Equipment, Jul 17, 2001
A/C WORKS HIGH SPEED ON RECIRCULATING ONLY. DEFECTIVE COMPUTER?*AK
Structure, Jun 29, 2001
WHEN OPENING THE BACK WINDOW THE ENTIRE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE WILDLY AND THERE WAS TERRIBLE PRESSURE IN THE DRIVERS EARS ALONG WITH A LOUD NOISE, THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND AFTER SOME TRIAL AND ERROR THE DRIVER DISCOVERED THAT THE PROBLEM COULD BE ALLEVIATED BY OPENING THE FRONT WINDOWS FIRST, THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT ALL HIGHLANDERS EXPERIENCE THIS PROBLEM DUE TO THE AERODYNAMICS. NLM *SLC
Visibility, Apr 20, 2001
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT ANY MPH WITH REAR WINDOW DOWN WILL MAKE A LOT OF VIBRATION AND A LOUD NOISE THAT COULD NOT BE TAKEN BY CONSUMER. DEALER SAID THAT THIS WAS NOT COMMON ON THIS VEHICLE.*AK *SLC
Visibility, Apr 12, 2001
REAR WINDOW REFLECTED SOUND. IF HAD ONE REAR WINDOW ALL WAY DOWN IT CREATED WIND VACCUM THAT HURT EAR DRUMS. CAN CRACK RIGHT REAR WINDOW. *AK