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2001 Toyota Highlander Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2001 Toyota Highlander has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 8 recurring issue clusters, led by “Brake pedal travel and recall 01V228 repair complaints.” Toyota's owner's manual splits service into Schedule 1 (severe) and Schedule 2 (normal). Most US drivers fall under Schedule 1 because it covers short trips, extreme temperatures, dusty roads, or heavy idling. The intervals below reflect Schedule 1 — the schedule Toyota recommends for typical real-world use.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2001 Toyota Highlander.

Reported to NHTSA

Brake pedal travel and recall 01V228 repair complaints

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

14 NHTSA complaints · 2001-08 → 2013-11

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #756231
“WHILE TRAVELING AT 20 MPH DRIVER APPLIED BRAKES AND PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR, CONSUMER PRESSED AGAIN AND VEHICLE STOPPED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #8004203
“INCREASED PEDAL STROKE LENGTHEN THE STOPPING DISTANCE. SAW IN YOUR WEBSITE A RECALL FOR IT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10134167

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Driver-side sun visor will not stay up

VISIBILITY

14 NHTSA complaints · 2006-07 → 2016-05

“THE SUN VISOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WILL NOT STAY UP WHEN PLACED IN THE POSITION TO BLOCK THE SUN COMING INTO THE WINDSHIELD”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10173807
“THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR SUDDENLY DROPPED DOWN INTO MY FIELD OF VIEW WHEN I HIT A BUMP ON A THREE LANE 40 MPH PAVED ROAD AT RUSH HOUR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10459600
“DRIVER SIDE VISOR WILL NOT STAY UP”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10871176

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Pressure and noise with rear windows open

VISIBILITY

8 NHTSA complaints · 2001-04 → 2003-12

“REAR WINDOW REFLECTED SOUND. IF HAD ONE REAR WINDOW ALL WAY DOWN IT CREATED WIND VACCUM THAT HURT EAR DRUMS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #885821
“WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 65 MPH SOMEBODY WILL OPEN REAR WINDOW, AND IT WILL MAKE A TREMENDOUS NOISE, WICH WILL HURT PASSENGERS' EARS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #6900685
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #561798

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Tire blowouts and tread separation

TIRES

7 NHTSA complaints · 2001-08 → 2020-05

“THE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10003739
“FAILURE OF DEULER TIRES. VEHICLE EXPERIENCED FIVE TIRE FAILURES AT DIFFERENT MILEAGES ( 4500, 12816, 15480, 20000, 29160)”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10009723
“MY FRONT TIRES, (FROM A SET OF FOUR), HAVE PARTS OF THE TREAD SEPARATING FROM THE TIRE BODY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11324339

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Rear power window inoperative

VISIBILITY

4 NHTSA complaints · 2003-06 → 2012-11

“ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO THE REAR PASSENGER WINDOW FELL DOWN INTO THE DOOR AND WAS NO LONGER USABLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10300419
“THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ROLL UP THE TWO REAR WINDOWS. SHE HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND WAS UNABLE TO ROLL UP THE WINDOWS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10189492
“REAR PASSENGER'S WINDOW IS INOPERATIVE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10022002

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Unintended acceleration

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

16 NHTSA complaints · 2004-03 → 2015-08

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN AND CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE STOPPED IN FRONT OF THE CONTACT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10445487
“WHILE IN A CAR WASH DRIVER RELEASED PRESSURE FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD, HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10063255
“WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO RAPIDLY ACCELERATE. AFTER REPEATED BRAKE APPLICATION THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10296081

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine oil sludge and oil consumption

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

10 NHTSA complaints · 2003-10 → 2012-12

“MY 2001 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER IS BURNING APPROXIMATELY 1.5 QUARTS OF OIL EVERY 3,000 MILES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10041814
“ENGINE OIL SLUDGE. THE ESTIMATED COST OF OUR ENGINE PROBLEM WAS $7,200 (CANADIAN) AND IT STARTED AT 38,000 KM (24,000 MILES)”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10071350
“THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO SLUDGE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10161755

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bags not deploying in collision

AIR BAGS

5 NHTSA complaints · 2002-01 → 2014-10

“UPON IMPACT, AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY, AND DRIVER SUSTAINED SOME INJURIES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #8002881
“DRIVER WAS HIT ON LEFT FRONT SIDE OF VEHICLE BY ONCOMING CAR IN EXCESS OF 40 MPH AND AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10072803
“CONSUMER STATES WHILE TRAVELING 10 MPH REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE, AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10026249

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 5,000 mi

Replace 0W-20 full-synthetic oil and filter every 5,000 miles under Schedule 1, or 10,000 miles under Schedule 2. Toyota covers the first 2 oil changes through ToyotaCare.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 5,000 mi

Rotate tires every 5,000 miles. Toyota recommends rotation at every oil change to maximize tire life on FWD and AWD models.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 5,000 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, and parking brake every 5,000 miles. Toyota recommends measuring pad thickness at each service.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace DOT 3 brake fluid every 30,000 miles or 36 months. Critical for the integrity of the ABS, VSC, and brake assist systems.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace the engine air filter every 30,000 miles. Earlier under Schedule 1 if driven on unpaved roads.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 60,000 mi

Toyota labels ATF as 'lifetime fill' on most automatics, but recommends inspection and replacement every 60,000 miles under severe service. Use Toyota WS or Type-IV — no substitutes.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Spark Plugs

Every 120,000 mi

Toyota iridium-tipped spark plugs are rated for 120,000 miles. Earlier replacement reduces fuel economy and can cause misfires on direct-injection engines.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Super Long Life Coolant (SLLC)

Every 50,000 mi

Toyota SLLC (pink): first change at 100,000 miles, then every 50,000 miles. Do not substitute green or orange coolant — it will damage the cooling system seals.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace the cabin air filter every 30,000 miles, sooner in dusty climates. Located behind the glove box on most Toyota and Lexus models.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Serpentine / Drive Belt Inspection

Every 60,000 mi

Inspect the serpentine belt and tensioner every 60,000 miles. Toyota uses long-life EPDM belts that rarely fail before 100,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$195–$235

Shop

~$135–$165

DIY

~$20–$50

DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.

Timing Chain — No Replacement

On condition / lifetime

Toyota's 2AR-FE, 2GR-FKS, A25A-FKS, and most Toyota engines built since 2010 use a timing chain rated for the life of the engine. No scheduled replacement.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Pro only

Timing chains are normally lifetime. Listen for rattle on cold start — that's the actionable signal. Replacement is major work, quote separately.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

38 crashes 1990–2024

How the 38 occupant deaths break down

28

driver deaths

10

passenger deaths

38

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2002 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

20

complaints mentioning a crash

2

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2001 Toyota Highlander reflects Toyota's published service intervals and the Maintenance Required Light system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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