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2001 Toyota Highlander problems

The most common problem on the 2001 Toyota Highlander is windows, wipers and visibility, typically around 85,000 miles. It has fewer complaints than a typical Highlander model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Year score
81/100
Owner complaints
137
Recalls
3
Service bulletins
135
Worst area
Visibility
Fuel economy
18-22mpg

The worst 2001 Toyota Highlander problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Specific symptoms reported on the 2001 Toyota Highlander

Tire blowout 7No deployment 5Engine failure 5Sudden acceleration 5

Recalls 3

Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latchReported April 15, 2004 · 366,572 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Remedy
Dealers will shorten the cpl lever. Owner notification began may 7, 2004. Owners should contact toyota at 1‑800‑331‑4331.

Recall number 04V181000 · Recall details

Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: mountingReported July 30, 2002 · 154,593 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Remedy
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 number 02V208000 · Recall details

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinderReported July 5, 2001 · 41,169 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Remedy
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.

Recall number 01V228000 · Recall details

See all 3 recalls for the 2001 Toyota Highlander

Technical service bulletins for the 2001 Toyota Highlander 135

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 135 bulletins for the 2001 Toyota Highlander

2001 Toyota Highlander fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.4L 4‑cylFWD192522
2.4L 4‑cyl4WD172219
3.0L 6‑cylFWD172118
3.0L 6‑cyl4WD162118

What 2001 Toyota Highlander owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed May 12, 2020 · Tires · 102,742 miles · HI

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. *dt it is not from gouging, force, or abuse to the tires. It is as if the manufacturing process used two different batches of rubber that was not incorporated together correctly, and is now separating from itself. This is clearly a manufacturing defect and should be recalled immediately! If a tire failure occurs from this defect at speed, it could cause a serious accident, rollover, head-on, serious injury/death. Please review his matter as soon as possible. Please contact me for pictures of the defect, since the website has no way to upload the pics.*dt*jb

Filed Mar 12, 2018 · Body · 125,000 miles · CO

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.

Filed Sep 12, 2017 · Body, Steering · LA

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. 1709121290 with toyota. They told me they had recalls on other models but not this one so it seems this is not a new issue for them. They don't want to fix it.

Filed May 19, 2017 · Acceleration, Body · 105,000 miles · OR · crash · 1 injury

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.

Filed May 27, 2016 · Visibility · 122,000 miles · CA

Driver side visor will not stay up. It droops approximately 60 degrees when lower to block sun.

Filed Aug 4, 2015 · Acceleration · 141,980 miles · CA · crash · 1 injury

Tl* 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

Filed May 8, 2015 · Body · 168,000 miles · PR

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?

Filed Jan 27, 2015 · Airbags · 111,000 miles · NJ

Tl* 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.

Filed Jan 26, 2015 · Engine · 90,000 miles · OH

Toyota had a problem with there 4 cylinder engines in camry and highlander with engine mountain threads pulling away for a three or four year period. My car started leaking oil about 90,000 miles when I took in to a dealer he told me about the problem and toyota did not issue a recall. I was told only fix is a new engine. They also had a problem with the catalytic converter also again no recall.

Filed Nov 1, 2014 · Brakes, Electrical · FL · 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.

Used buying checklistWhat to check on a 2001 Toyota Highlander before you buy

Compare the 2001 Toyota Highlander

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Other model years

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Questions about the 2001 Toyota Highlander

Is the 2001 Toyota Highlander reliable?

Owners have filed 137 complaints about the 2001 Toyota Highlander, fewer than a typical Highlander model year.

What is the 2001 Toyota Highlander year score?

The 2001 Toyota Highlander scores 81 out of 100 (good). The score compares it with the other model years of the Toyota Highlander: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

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

Windows, wipers and visibility, with 26 complaints, typically around 85,000 miles. Next is brakes (20).

How many recalls does the 2001 Toyota Highlander have?

3 recalls, covering latches/locks/linkages, fuel system, gasoline and service brakes, hydraulic.

What year does the Toyota Highlander have the most visibility problems?

The Toyota Highlander model years with the most visibility complaints are 2002 (139 complaints), 2010 (42 complaints) and 2011 (36 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2001 Toyota Highlander get?

Official estimates for the 2001 Toyota Highlander range from 18 to 22 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.4L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 19 city and 25 highway.

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