2001 Toyota Highlander Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2001 Toyota Highlander, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Visibility2617.3%
- Brakes2013.3%
- Engine1912.7%
- Driver assistance1510.0%
- Body & structure138.7%
- Airbags106.7%
- Transmission96.0%
- Tires & wheels96.0%
- Electrical53.3%
- Fuel system53.3%
- Powertrain (other)53.3%
- Seat belts53.3%
- Exterior lighting21.3%
- Other / unspecified21.3%
- Interior & seats21.3%
- Heating & air conditioning10.7%
- Steering10.7%
- Suspension10.7%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
DRIVER SIDE VISOR WILL NOT STAY UP. IT DROOPS APPROXIMATELY 60 DEGREES WHEN LOWER TO BLOCK SUN.
SUNVISOR DROPS DOWN ABOUT 30 DEGREES FROM THE UP POSITION OR JUST DON'T STAY ALL THE WAY DOWN. *TR
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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. *TR
I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF OUR 2001TOYOTA 3.0 HIGHLANDER. I ALSO OWN A 2008 TOYOTA TUNDRA PICKUP AND A 2008 LEXUS ES 350. OUR HIGHLANDER HAS BEEN EXCEPTIONAL VEHICLE. I HAVE PERFORMED ALL THE REQUIRED MAINTENANCE ON OUR VEHICLES SINCE THEIR PURCHASE, OIL CHANGES, FLUIDS LEVELS, SERPENTINE AND POWER STEERING BELTS REPLACEMENTS, TIRE ROTATION, AIR AND FUEL FILTERS REPLACEMENT, WIPERS, STRUTS, AND MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS. THE ONLY SERVICE THAT WAS PERFORMED BY TECHNICIANS WAS COOLANT AND TRANSMISSION OIL SERVICE. ON TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2012 WHILE MY WAY HOME FROM WORK, I NOTICED THAT MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ACTIVATED. WHEN I GOT HOME, I USE MY OBD CODE READER AND OBTAINED THE FAULT CODE OF P1349. IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT MY VEHICLE APPEARED TO BE RUNNING NORMALLY. AFTER READING THE POSSIBLE CAUSES, I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL SERVICE CENTER AND HAD AN OIL CHANGE PERFORMED. I DID THIS BECAUSE I HAD A COUPON FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND FILTER FOR $14.99. I RESET THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND THEN DROVE THE VEHICLE WORK. ON THE WAY HOME, I NOTICED THAT MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND MY LOW OIL PRESSURE LIGHT HAD ACTIVATED. AS I ATTEMPTED TO MAKE IT OFF THE FREEWAY, I NOTICED THAT THE MOTOR START MESSING. BY THE TIME I GOT TO THE OFF RAMP, THE ENGINE WAS EMITTING LOUD BANGING SOUNDS AND WAS STRUGGLING. BY THE TIME IS ABLE TO SAFELY PARK THE VEHICLE, THE MOTOR HAD CEASED. AS AN ORIGINAL OWNER, I DO NOT RECALL EVER RECEIVING A NOTICE REGARDING OIL JELLY. I AM REQUESTING THAT MY MOTOR FAILURE BE COVERED THE OIL GEL SETTLEMENT. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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 *CN
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
ANOTHER VEHICLE CROSSED THE LINE AND I SWERVED TO AVOID A HEAD ON COLLISION. HOWEVER POINT OF IMPACT WAS DRIVERS SIDE DOOR AND SIDE TO REAR. NO AIRBAG DEPLOYED. *TR
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
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. I DON'T KNOW HOW FAST IT WAS GOING, BUT IT SEEMED LIKE IT WAS GOING AT AN EXCESSIVE SPEED. *KB
WHEN SHIFTED TO REVERSE GEAR FROM PARKED CONDITION CAR ACCELERATED AND CAUSED CRASH TO THE REAR OF THE CAR TO WALL. *CN
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
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 *TR
ON SEPTEMBER 3RD 2005 AT 11:30 PM WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH ON INTERSTATE 5 -15 MILES SOUTH OF SACRAMENTO CALIFORNIA I EXPERIENCED A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE (SIDEWALL BLOWOUT SEPARATION OF SIDEWALL FROM TREAD) ON ONE OF MY REAR BRIDGESTONE P22570S16 BSDLRAPT30 DUELER AT TIRES. THIS TIRE HAD LESS THAN 13,000 MILES ON IT AND WAS INFLATED TO 32 PSI. THE RODE-WAY SURFACE WAS IN GOOD CONDITION. ON SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 4TH 2005 I WENT TO SEARS WHERE I PURCHASED THE SET OF FOUR TIRES TO HAVE THE DAMAGED ONE REPLACED. UPON EXAMINATION OF THE REMAINING THREE TIRES FOR SIDEWALL DAMAGE AND IN DISCUSSIONS WITH THE INSTALLATION TECHNICIAN I DECIDED THAT BECAUSE OF THIS INCIDENT AND A STATEMENT BY THE TECH THAT THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH THIS TIRE, I REPLACED ALL FOUR WITH ANOTHER BRAND. SEARS OFFERED TO GIVE ME FULL CREDIT FOR TWO FOR THE FOUR TIRES TOWARDS THE PURCHASE OF ANOTHER BRAND OF TIRE. *JB
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 2001, USING THE CELL PHONE CHARGER IN THE POWER OUTLET THE DASHBOARD CLOCK RESET A COUPLE TIMES, THE THIRD TIME ALL POWER TO THE CLOCK AND THE A/C DASHBOARD CONTROLS WAS RENDERED INOPERATIVE, DIAGNOSIS REVEALED THAT THE A/C AMPLIFIER WAS AFFECTED AND THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE WAS AFFECTED BOTH RENDERED INOPERATIVE, REPLACED THE A/C AMPLIFIER BUT THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE - ALL NEW PARTS. WAITING FOR THE ECM. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
2001 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER PURCHASED NEW. ABOUT ONCE A YEAR IT ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN. REPORTED PROBLEM TO TOYOTA DEALER IN 2002 OR 2003 - HAVE RECEIPT. WE CAN STOP THE CAR WITH FIRM PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE. IN MOST CASES WHEN WE PUT THE TRANSMISSION INTO PARK THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RACE AT HIGH RPM. I CAN'T REMEMBER ALL INCIDENTS, BUT BELIEVE THAT IN SOME CASES WAS ABLE TO SLOW THE ENGINE DOWN BY KEEPING MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND PUTTING THE CAR BACK INTO DRIVE. OTHER TIMES I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION. WHEN I RESTART THE CAR IT IS FINE. MOST RECENT OCCURRENCE WAS SUNDAY 4/18/2010 IN PARKING LOT OF A&P ON SOUTH AVENUE IN CLARK OR WESTFIELD, NJ. MY WIFE WAS IN THE CAR WITH ME. I HAD BEEN DRIVING THE CAR FOR ABOUT AN HOUR. THE LAST HALF HOUR WAS ON THE GARDEN STATE PARKWAY AT 55+ MILES PER HOUR. WAS OFF THE PARKWAY FOR LESS THAN 5 MINUTES WHEN I MADE LEFT TURN INTO A&P PARKING LOT AND ANOTHER LEFT IN THE PARKING LOT. DRIVING LESS THAN 15 MILES PER HOUR. THEN WAS ALMOST STOPPED AS I WAS ABOUT TO TURN LEFT INTO PARKING SPACE. NOTICED THE ENGINE RPM SEEMED A LITTLE HIGHER THAN NORMAL AND I BECAME MORE CAUTIOUS AND MADE SURE MY FOOT WAS FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE ENGINE RPM BEGAN TO INCREASE RAPIDLY. I PRESSED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AS HARD AS POSSIBLE AND WAS ABLE TO KEEP THE CAR FROM MOVING FORWARD, BUT THE ENGINE WOULD NOT STOP RACING. I PUT THE TRANSMISSION IN PARK AND THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RACE AT FULL THROTTLE. I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND THE ENGINE STOPPED. RESTARTED THE CAR AFTER A MINUTE AND IT WAS FINE. DON'T BELIEVE I WAS PRESSING ON THE GAS AT THE SAME TIME AS THE BRAKE BECAUSE THE TWO PEDALS ARE FAR ENOUGH APART THAT TO DO SO MY FOOT COULD ONLY BE HALFWAY ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. IN THAT CASE WHEN I PRESS HARD MY ANKLE STARTS TO TWIST. I AM SURE MY FOOT WAS CENTERED ON THE BRAKE IN THIS INCIDENT BECAUSE I HAD TIME TO PREPARE AND IT FELT FIRMLY IN THE CENTER. I DON'T THINK THE GAS PEDAL WAS STUCK BECAUSE I HAD BEEN DRIVING VERY SLOWLY IMMEDIATELY BEFORE THE INCIDENT. *TR
BEGAN TO FILL THE TOYOTA HIGHLANDER WITH GAS, AND NOTICED GASOLINE POURING OUT UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THE RUBBER HOSE WHICH CONNECTS THE FILLER NOZZLE TO THE GAS TANK HAD SPLIT. THEY WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THIS RUBBER HOSE. THIS SEEMS LIKE A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE, SINCE IF A NON-MOVING PART CAN SPLIT LIKE THIS, WHAT COULD HAPPEN IN AN ACCIDENT, WHERE STRESS COULD BE APPLIED THAT WOULD MORE EASILY CAUSE FAILURE AND A GAS LEAK. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
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. AFTER PICKING UP THE MAIL, I RETURNED TO THE CAR AND LEANED OVER THE CAR TO RETRIEVE MY PURSE FROM THE PASSENGER SEAT WHEN MY SUV STARTED ROLLING BACKWARDS. MY CAR WHICH WAS ON AN INCLINE IN MY DRIVEWAY KEPT ROLLING BACKWARDS. I FELL ON MY BACK ON THE CONCRETE DRIVEWAY AND THE FRONT TIRE OF MY CAR ROLLED OVER MY LEFT THIGH. THE CAR ROLLED BACK AND STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. MY NEIGHBOR ACROSS THE STREET CALLED 911. *JS
AS MY WIFE WAS SLOWING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP IN A PARKING LOT, THE VEHICLE SEEMED TO EXPERIENCE AN ACCELERATION ON ITS OWN. SHE FELT AS IF THE ACCELERATOR GOT STUCK SO SHE IMMEDIATELY PRESSED BRAKE WITH HER LEFT FOOT AND ACCELERATOR WITH THE RIGHT FOOT IN AN EFFORT TO 'RELEASE' THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THIS WAS A REFLEX MOVE ON HER PART BECAUSE IT HAPPENED SO FAST. THE VEHICLE HOPPED OVER THE PARKING LOT CURB, LANDED ON THE GRASS AND CAME TO A STOP. I WAS STANDING 50 FEET FROM THE CAR WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THE ONLY THING I NOTICED WAS A BRAKING SOUND AND WHEN I TURNED AROUND THE CAR HAD HOPPED AND WAS ON THE GRASS. WE TOOK THE CAR TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP WHO COULDN'T FIND THE CAUSE OR REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THEY SAID THERE'S NO PROBLEM WITH THE CAR. A MONTH HAS GONE BY SINCE THE INCIDENT AND THERE HASN'T BEEN ANYTHING UNUSUAL WITH THE CAR SINCE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT IS FRAYING BECAUSE IT RUBS AGAINST THE SLOT IN THE LATCH. MANY, MANY PEOPLE HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS ON THE INTERNET. I'VE NEVER HAD THIS HAPPEN IN ANY OTHER VEHICLE I'VE OWNED OVER THE 50 YEARS I'VE DRIVEN. I HAVE A 1992 CAMRY WITH ALMOST 200,000 MILES ON IT, AND THERE IS NO WEAR AT ALL ON THE SEAT BELT. WE NEED A RECALL! *TR
I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT IN AUGUST 2010 IN MY TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY ON IMPACT EVEN THOUGH I WAS GOING 45-50 MPH. MY SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN ME FROM HITTING MY STEERING WHEEL WAS A HARD IMPACT TO MY CHEST. I SENT PICS TO TOYOTA AND SPOKE TO THEM SEVERAL TIMES ABOUT MY COMPLAINT OF THE FAILING AIRBAGS AND SEATBELT. THEY SAID THAT THE CAR DID WHAT IT WAS DESIGNED TO DO ON IMPACT AND THEREFORE I HAD NO COMPLAINT. MY CAR WAS TOTALED IN THE COLLISION. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
I HAVE A 2001 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER AND THE PASSENGER BRAKE LIGHT WILL NOT BRIGHTEN WHEN YOU PRESS ON THE BRAKE, HOWEVER IT WILL COME ON WHEN I TURN ON THE LIGHTS. APPARENTLY THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE I AM INCLUDING A LINK TO A DISCUSSION ABOUT THIS ISSUE FROM SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE:HTTP://WWW.TOPIX.COM/FORUM/AUTOS/TOYOTA-HIGHLANDER/T7H7LD934GSQLC6BE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WAS STARTING TO SLOWLY DRIVE OFF THE FERRY BOAT AS THE FERRYMAN WAS OPENING THE GATE. MY TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 2001 SPED UP OUT OF CONTROL. IF THE MAN HAD NOT JUMPED ASIDE, HE WOULD HAVE BEEN RUN OVER. I HAD NO CONTROL. MY FOOT WAS NOT ON THE GAS. REPORTED TO LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER. "MAT PROBLEM". I REPLACED THE MAT WITH A HEAVY RUBBER MAT. *TR
I BOUGHT A 2001 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER IN AUG 2001. THE 1ST TIME I HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE GAS PEDAL WAS ABOUT A MONTH LATER WHEN I WENT TO PULL IN AT WORK. I PARKED UP BY THE BUILDING AND PUT ON MY BRAKES AND THE CAR REVVED UP AND I PUT ON THE BRAKES AND IT DID WANT TO STOP. I FINALLY GOT IT STOPPED AND SAT THERE AND WONDERED WHAT HAD JUST HAPPEN. I LET IT GO AS I DID NOT HAVE AN EXPLANATION. EVERYTHING WAS FIND UP TO THE YEAR 2009. I WAS TAKING MY MOM AND BROTHER TO THE GROCERY AND MOM IS 86 YRS AND I PARKED IN A HANDICAP SPOT THAT HAD A POLE IN FRONT WHERE THE HANDICAP SIGN WAS. MY BROTHER WAS IN THE FRONT SEAT WITH ME AND TO MY AMAZEMENT WHEN I PUT ON THE BRAKES THE CAR REVVED UP AND I HAD TO PUSH ON THE BRAKE REAL HARD. I DID HIT THE POLE AND JARRED ALL OF US. I FEEL LIKE THIS CAR MODEL SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* - THE CONTACTWAS DISAPPOINTED BECAUSE SHE TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY DIDN'T WANT TO REPAIR IT BASED ON NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 04V181000. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT SHE DIDN'T HAVE AN APPOINTMENT, AND THATWAS THE REASON WHY SHE COULDN'T RECEIVE SERVICE ON 12-27-06. *AK
THIS IS A GREAT VEHICLE; BUT TRYING TO READ OR SEE THE GAUGES OR INSTRUMENTS IN THE DASH CLUSTER IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE. THESE INCLUDE THE SPEEDOMETER, ODOMETER, TEMPERATURE, GAS AND CLOCK GAUGES. IN FACT ALL GAUGES ARE DIFFICULT TO SEE ON A BRIGHT DAY. NOTE: THE D TO INDICATE DRIVE FOR THE SHIFT LEVER IS A BRIGHT GREEN WHICH READS EASY; IF ONLY THE OTHERS WERE THAT GOOD. THE NIGHT VIEWING OF THE DASH CLUSTER IS GREAT. DRIVING REQUIRES FULL ATTENTION TO THE ROAD AND YOU SHOULD NOT HAVE CONCENTRATE ON THE DASH TO GET INFORMATION. TRYING TO READ THIS DASH CAN PLACE THE DRIVER, PASSENGERS ANDOTHER DRIVERS IN JEPRODY. TOYOTA SHOULD HAVE A RECALL TO CORRECT THIS SAFETY DEFECT IN AN OTHERWISE EXCELLENT VEHICLE. IF I CAN PULL THIS FORM OFF THE COMPUTER I WIIL SEND A COPY TO TOYOTA AND ASK FOR THEIR COMMENT. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THE TOYOTA CORPORATION REGARDING THIS MATTER IN THE PAST AND AS LATE AS 12/18/01 WHEN I SPOKE TO JAMES AT 1800 331 4331 WHO SAID THERE WERE NOT ENOUGH COMPLAINTS FROM CUSTOMERS TO WARRANT TOYOTA DOING ANYTHIG ABOUT IT.TEMPERATURE, GAS AND CLOCK GAUGES. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
A/C WORKS HIGH SPEED ON RECIRCULATING ONLY. DEFECTIVE COMPUTER?*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN DRIVING MY TOYOTA HIGHLANDER ON THE HIGHWAY WITH THE WINDOWS ROLLED DOWN, A PIERCING HIGH PITCH SOUND ELEVATES AND HURTS YOUR EAR THAT YOU CANNOT HEAR ANYTHING (PRACTICALLY DEAF). I'VE INFORMED TOYOTA CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER (CHAD) ABOUT THIS PROBLEM IN JANUARY 2003, THEY CLAIMED THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT. ONE OF THE MECHANICS AT TOYOTA SERVICE CENTER, STATED THAT HE HAD COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER CONSUMERS AND APPARENTLY THIS PROBLEM IS WITH ALL THEIR SUV. I'VE ALSO ASKED SEVERAL OF OUR FRIENDS (HIGHLANDER OWNERS) TO TEST DRIVE THEIR VEHICLES WITH THEIR WINDOWS ROLLED DOWN AND THEY'VE ALSO EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. WE BASICALLY PURCHASED A VEHICLE THAT YOU CANNOT BE ROLLED DOWN THE WINDOW WHEN DRIVING.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .