2001 Toyota Highlander
This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
- Complaints
- 137
- Recalls
- 3
- Investigations
- 0
- Top problem
- Visibility
Campaigns on file for 2001
None on file
17% of complaints
Complaints per year
2001: 137 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1997 | 1 |
| 1998 | 1 |
| 1999 | 0 |
| 2000 | 0 |
| 2001 | 137 |
| 2002 | 301 |
| 2003 | 258 |
| 2004 | 286 |
| 2005 | 224 |
| 2006 | 278 |
| 2007 | 124 |
| 2008 | 404 |
| 2009 | 134 |
| 2010 | 216 |
| 2011 | 181 |
| 2012 | 182 |
| 2013 | 207 |
| 2014 | 136 |
| 2015 | 193 |
| 2016 | 111 |
| 2017 | 271 |
| 2018 | 272 |
| 2019 | 505 |
| 2020 | 320 |
| 2021 | 531 |
| 2022 | 260 |
| 2023 | 184 |
| 2024 | 42 |
| 2025 | 9 |
| 2026 | 3 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Visibility
17% · 23 reportsMost commonly citing glass, side/rear and power window devices and controls.
Service brakes
16% · 22 reportsMost commonly citing hydraulic and electric.
Engine and engine cooling
12% · 17 reportsMost commonly citing engine and gasoline.
Vehicle speed control
11% · 15 reportsMost commonly citing accelerator pedal.
Show complaint excerpts
I was backing out of the garage when the car accelerated. I kept hitting the brake and it finally stopped. I put the car back into drive and it accelerated again. I tried hitting the brake and it wouldn't stop until it hit the garage door.
NHTSA ODI report, 2012-03-20
Also filed under Power train
Power train
10% · 14 reportsMost commonly citing automatic transmission and differential unit.
Show complaint excerpts
On wed, 4 sep 2013 at approximately 12:00, I parked my car in the driveway and got out of the car to pick up mail.
NHTSA ODI report, 2013-09-26
Safety timeline
3 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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2001-07-30Service brakes, hydraulic01V228000 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…
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…
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2002-08-23Fuel system, gasoline02V208000 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…
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…
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2004-05-07Latches/locks/linkages04V181000 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…
Remedy: Dealers will shorten the cpl lever. Owner notification began May 7, 2004. Owners should contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Buy-smart checklist
2001 Toyota Highlander — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Visibility: 23 reports on file for this year.
- Service brakes: 22 reports on file for this year.
- Engine and engine cooling: 17 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 01V228000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
- Recall 02V208000 · Fuel system, gasoline
- Recall 04V181000 · Latches/locks/linkages
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 2001 Toyota Highlander reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2001 Toyota Highlander is rated "better than typical".
- What are the most common problems with the 2001 Toyota Highlander?
- The most-reported component is visibility, accounting for 17% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2001 Toyota Highlander have?
- 3 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.