Toyota Highlander 2001–2007
1st generation (XU20)
NHTSA data through 13 August 20261,940 complaints, 1,442 with mileageMethod
- Reports with mileage
- 1,442
- Median of reported failures
- 67,000 mi
- Most-reported system
- Visibility equipment (12.4%)
- Recalls
- 7
Before-you-buy checklist ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
On this generation, failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 33,000 and 107,578 miles.
Figure 1 · Toyota Highlander 2001–2007 · 1,442 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
Complaints per 5,000-mile bin, 0 to 200,000 miles, equal bins on a linear scale. Tallest bar = 140 complaints.
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 49 complaints (3.4%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 5,000
- 25%
- 33,000
- Median
- 67,276
- 75%
- 107,578
- 90%
- 150,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–5,000 | 140 | 9.7% |
| 5,000–10,000 | 43 | 3.0% |
| 10,000–15,000 | 37 | 2.6% |
| 15,000–20,000 | 38 | 2.6% |
| 20,000–25,000 | 28 | 1.9% |
| 25,000–30,000 | 43 | 3.0% |
| 30,000–35,000 | 39 | 2.7% |
| 35,000–40,000 | 48 | 3.3% |
| 40,000–45,000 | 47 | 3.3% |
| 45,000–50,000 | 49 | 3.4% |
| 50,000–55,000 | 69 | 4.8% |
| 55,000–60,000 | 50 | 3.5% |
| 60,000–65,000 | 61 | 4.2% |
| 65,000–70,000 | 45 | 3.1% |
| 70,000–75,000 | 37 | 2.6% |
| 75,000–80,000 | 47 | 3.3% |
| 80,000–85,000 | 41 | 2.8% |
| 85,000–90,000 | 42 | 2.9% |
| 90,000–95,000 | 42 | 2.9% |
| 95,000–100,000 | 41 | 2.8% |
| 100,000–105,000 | 71 | 4.9% |
| 105,000–110,000 | 36 | 2.5% |
| 110,000–115,000 | 31 | 2.1% |
| 115,000–120,000 | 24 | 1.7% |
| 120,000–125,000 | 34 | 2.4% |
| 125,000–130,000 | 30 | 2.1% |
| 130,000–135,000 | 15 | 1.0% |
| 135,000–140,000 | 25 | 1.7% |
| 140,000–145,000 | 23 | 1.6% |
| 145,000–150,000 | 17 | 1.2% |
| 150,000–155,000 | 31 | 2.1% |
| 155,000–160,000 | 10 | 0.7% |
| 160,000–165,000 | 11 | 0.8% |
| 165,000–170,000 | 9 | 0.6% |
| 170,000–175,000 | 9 | 0.6% |
| 175,000–180,000 | 9 | 0.6% |
| 180,000–185,000 | 5 | 0.3% |
| 185,000–190,000 | 6 | 0.4% |
| 190,000–195,000 | 6 | 0.4% |
| 195,000–200,000 | 4 | 0.3% |
| 200,000+ | 49 | 3.4% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain. Complaint counts reflect what owners reported and are not a measure of failure rate per vehicle sold.
What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.
Owners filed 1,940 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001–2007 Toyota Highlander, and 1,442 of them record the mileage at which the failure happened. That is enough to show not just what fails, but when.
Failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 33,000 and 107,578 miles. The median is 67,276 miles.
The most-reported areas are visibility equipment (12.4% of complaints, typically around 60,000 miles), throttle and speed control (11.0% of complaints, typically around 51,000 miles), the transmission and driveline (9.7% of complaints, typically around 47,000 miles).
7 recall campaigns cover this generation.
If you arrived asking “is it reliable?” — this page answers the version of that question the data can support: which problems owners reported, and at what mileage.
How many miles does a 2001–2007 Toyota Highlander last?
Half of the failure reports on the 2001–2007 Toyota Highlander were filed by 67,000 miles and 90% by 150,000 miles — figures drawn from 1,442 NHTSA complaints that record an odometer reading, so they time reported failures, not the cars whose owners never filed one.
49 reports (3.4%) came in past 200,000 miles — each one proof a Highlander reached that mileage, not that it died there.
Before you buy a 2001–2007 Highlander: the 3-minute check
Generated from 1,442 mileage-tagged complaints, 7 recall campaigns, 2 documented problem areas. Print this page — the checklist survives print.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 7 campaigns cover this generation; an open recall is a free repair you can make the seller's problem.
- Check engine on 2001–2003 cars. 1MZ-FE V6 oil gelling/sludge: the crankcase ventilation and oil return design allowed sludge to form and block oil passages, causing bearing and camshaft damage. Toyota ran an Oil Gel Customer Support Program covering…
- Check engine. 2AZ-FE four-cylinder excessive oil consumption from piston ring design, and stripped cylinder head bolt threads in the aluminium block causing head gasket failure.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car. Aggregate data describes the population; the example in front of you has its own history.
For a buyer, failures on this generation are spread rather than concentrated: the middle half falls between 33,000 and 108,000 miles, with a median of 67,000. There is no single mileage threshold to watch, which means condition and maintenance records are more informative than the odometer.
On inspection, visibility equipment and throttle and speed control are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. Throttle and speed control in particular shows a median failure mileage of 51,000, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.
None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.
What fails, and when
Figure 2 · Toyota Highlander 2001–2007
When each system fails
Bar spans the middle half of reports; the notch inside each bar is the median. Miles at failure on a proportional scale — equal distances are equal ratios, not equal miles.
- Hydraulic brake circuit103 reports46,00013,000–73,000Hydraulic brake circuit: 103 reports, median 46,000 miles, middle half 13,000 to 73,000 miles.
- Transmission and driveline189 reports47,0005,000–90,000Transmission and driveline: 189 reports, median 47,000 miles, middle half 5,000 to 90,000 miles.
- Throttle and speed control214 reports51,00024,000–90,000Throttle and speed control: 214 reports, median 51,000 miles, middle half 24,000 to 90,000 miles.
- Visibility equipment240 reports60,00042,000–85,000Visibility equipment: 240 reports, median 60,000 miles, middle half 42,000 to 85,000 miles.
- Engine and its cooling system143 reports75,00040,000–111,000Engine and its cooling system: 143 reports, median 75,000 miles, middle half 40,000 to 111,000 miles.
- Electrical system125 reports79,00039,000–120,000Electrical system: 125 reports, median 79,000 miles, middle half 39,000 to 120,000 miles.
- Brakes125 reports129,00090,000–170,000Brakes: 125 reports, median 129,000 miles, middle half 90,000 to 170,000 miles.
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it in “Where your car sits”
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first. The first 12,000 miles are shaded: that is the boundary this site uses between a manufacturing defect and ordinary wear, not a property of the world.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visibility equipment | 240 | 12.4% | 60,000 | 42,000–85,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 214 | 11.0% | 51,000 | 24,000–90,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 189 | 9.7% | 47,000 | 5,000–90,000 |
| Engine and its cooling system | 143 | 7.4% | 75,000 | 40,000–111,000 |
| Brakes | 125 | 6.4% | 129,000 | 90,000–170,000 |
| Electrical system | 125 | 6.4% | 79,000 | 39,000–120,000 |
| Hydraulic brake circuit | 103 | 5.3% | 46,000 | 13,000–73,000 |
| Engine | 98 | 5.1% | 113,000 | 91,000–140,000 |
| Steering | 92 | 4.7% | 55,000 | 39,000–90,000 |
| Body structure | 81 | 4.2% | 50,000 | 6,000–104,000 |
Where your car sits
Failure reports by the odometer reading they were filed at. Pick the anchor nearest your car — or type the exact mileage: your marker lands on this curve and on the timing chart above.
Figure 3 · Toyota Highlander 2001–2007 · 1,442 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Share of mileage-tagged reports filed at or below each odometer reading. Steps rise only at bin edges, by exact counted shares.
- 60,000 mi — 44% of reports below
- 90,000 mi — 63% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 80% of reports below
- Median — the staircase crosses the 50% line here
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it below
The staircase tops out at 97%: the remaining 3.4% of reports (49) came above 200,000 miles.
Nothing is smoothed or interpolated. Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
At 60,000 miles
44% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
In the reporting window
- Visibility equipment — middle half 42,000–85,000 mi
- Throttle and speed control — middle half 24,000–90,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline — middle half 5,000–90,000 mi
- Engine and its cooling system — middle half 40,000–111,000 mi
- Electrical system — middle half 39,000–120,000 mi
- Hydraulic brake circuit — middle half 13,000–73,000 mi
Mostly reported later
- Brakes — middle half 90,000–170,000 mi
At 90,000 miles
63% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
Reported earlier than this mileage — ask for repair records
- Visibility equipment — median 60,000 mi
- Throttle and speed control — median 51,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline — median 47,000 mi
- Hydraulic brake circuit — median 46,000 mi
In the reporting window
- Engine and its cooling system — middle half 40,000–111,000 mi
- Brakes — middle half 90,000–170,000 mi
- Electrical system — middle half 39,000–120,000 mi
At 120,000 miles
80% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
Reported earlier than this mileage — ask for repair records
- Visibility equipment — median 60,000 mi
- Throttle and speed control — median 51,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline — median 47,000 mi
- Engine and its cooling system — median 75,000 mi
- Electrical system — median 79,000 mi
- Hydraulic brake circuit — median 46,000 mi
In the reporting window
- Brakes — middle half 90,000–170,000 mi
Which systems, and when
Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 67,276 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
Visibility equipment accounts for 12.4% of complaints (240 reports, 164 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 60,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 42,000 and 85,000 miles.
Throttle and speed control accounts for 11.0% of complaints (214 reports, 166 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 51,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 24,000 and 90,000 miles.
The transmission and driveline accounts for 9.7% of complaints (189 reports, 136 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 47,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 5,000 and 90,000 miles.
The engine and its cooling system accounts for 7.4% of complaints (143 reports, 126 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 75,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 40,000 and 111,000 miles.
The brakes account for 6.4% of complaints (125 reports, 81 of them with a mileage figure), and they fail late — a median of 129,000 miles, considerably beyond the vehicle's overall median. That pattern is consistent with normal service life rather than a defect, though it matters for anyone buying an example already near that mileage. The middle half of these reports falls between 90,000 and 170,000 miles.
The electrical system accounts for 6.4% of complaints (125 reports, 97 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 79,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 39,000 and 120,000 miles.
Differences between model years
Within this generation, complaint volume is not constant across model years. The 2006 model year drew the most — 346 complaints — while 2001 drew the fewest at 158. The median year sits at 316.
Recalls and what they cover
NHTSA records 7 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.
The campaigns cluster around seats (2), equipment (2), the engine and its cooling system (1). Repeated recalls against the same area of the car generally mean the first remedy did not fully resolve the underlying problem.
Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.
Reported severity
What owners reported alongside the failure itself, out of 1,940 complaints against this generation:
- Crashes
- 243 (12.5%)
- Fires
- 27
- Injury reports
- 116
- Fatality reports
- 4
These flags are self-reported by complainants and unverified by NHTSA; one report can carry several flags, so the counts overlap and do not sum to a total. They are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. No chart is drawn here on purpose: overlapping counts spanning very different magnitudes cannot be honestly encoded as lengths.
Documented problems
Engine 2001–2003
1MZ-FE V6 oil gelling/sludge: the crankcase ventilation and oil return design allowed sludge to form and block oil passages, causing bearing and camshaft damage. Toyota ran an Oil Gel Customer Support Program covering the affected engine family.
Engine
2AZ-FE four-cylinder excessive oil consumption from piston ring design, and stripped cylinder head bolt threads in the aluminium block causing head gasket failure.
By model year
| Year | Complaints | With mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 158 | 91 |
| 2002 | 335 | 228 |
| 2003 | 316 | 263 |
| 2004 | 337 | 274 |
| 2005 | 289 | 223 |
| 2006 | 346 | 249 |
| 2007 | 159 | 114 |
Recalls (7) — is your car included?
Jul 2016 · 2005–2007 · SeatsIf damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
The defect. Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 RAV4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.
What can happen. If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
The free fix. SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET number for this recall is SET16B.
Jan 2015 · 2006–2007 · SeatsDamage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and…
The defect. Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Prius and Corolla, 2009-2011 Venza, 2006-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2005-2011 Sienna and Sequoia, 2006-2011 Tacoma 4x2 and 4x4, Camry, Highlander, Tundra 4x2 and 4x4, and 2007-2011 RAV4 and 4Runner. The affected vehicles may experience compression of the seat cushion which may damage the seat heater wiring.
What can happen. Damage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and causing personal injury to the occupant.
The free fix. SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the heaters with copper strand heating elements and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory, free of charge. The recall is expected to began in January 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226.
Dec 2011 · 2004–2005 · Engine and Engine CoolingIn some cases, the belt for the power steering pump may become detached from the pulley which could result in…
The defect. Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004 avalon vehicles; 2004 and 2005 camry, camry solara, Highlander, and sienna vehicles, 2006 Highlander hybrid; 2004 and 2005 Lexus es330 and rx330; and 2006 Lexus rx400h vehicles manufactured from june 1, 2004 through march 31, 2005, equipped with the 1mz-fe or 3mz-fe engine. The amount of adhesive agent applied between the outer ring and the torsional rubber damper (inner ring) in the crankshaft pulley may be inadequate. If the adhesive is insufficient, there is a possibility that the outer ring may become misaligned and it may not properly rotate w
What can happen. In some cases, the belt for the power steering pump may become detached from the pulley which could result in a loss of power steering and a sudden increase in steering effort, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will check the crankshaft pulley to identify whether it was produced by the u.S. Supplier. If so, the dealer will replace the pulley with a new one at no charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during early january 2012. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
May 2011 · 2004–2006 · Vehicle Speed ControlIf this occurs, the accelerator pedal may temporarily become stuck in a partially depressed position rather…
The defect. Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 Highlander, Highlander hybrid, and model year 2004-2007 Lexus rx330, rx350, and rx400h vehicles. If the forward retention clip used to secure the floor carpet cover, which is located in front of the center console, is not installed properly the cover may lean toward the accelerator pedal and interfere with the accelerator pedal arm.
What can happen. If this occurs, the accelerator pedal may temporarily become stuck in a partially depressed position rather than return to the idle position. A stuck accelerator pedal may result in unintended and sustained vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
The free fix. Dealers will replace the floor carpet cover with a newly designed one free or charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during march 2011. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Nov 2010 · 2004–2006 · Service Brakes, HydraulicA leak of brake fluid could lead to a change in brake pedal feel and overtime a degradation in braking…
The defect. Toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2006 avalon, model year 2004-2006 Highlander, model year 2004-2006 Lexus rx, and model year 2006 Lexus gs and is vehicles. Brake fluid containing polymers is used that acts as lubricants for certain brake system components. If replacement brake fluid is used that does not contain such polymers, or that contains only small amounts, a part of the rubber seal located at the rear of the brake master cylinder may become dry, and the seal may curl during movement of the piston. If this occurs, a small amount of brake fluid could slowly leak from the sea
What can happen. A leak of brake fluid could lead to a change in brake pedal feel and overtime a degradation in braking performance increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will replace the seal with a newly designed one. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on november 15, 2010. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331 and Lexus at 1-800-255-3987.
May 2010 · 2006–2007 · EquipmentA driver may overload a vehicle which may increase the risk of a crash.
The defect. Southeast Toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 passenger vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "Tire selection and rims." These vehicles were sold without the requisite load carrying capacity modification labels.
What can happen. A driver may overload a vehicle which may increase the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will mail to consumers the corrected label or the customer will have the option for dealers to install the label free of charge. The safety recall began on may 27, 2010. Owners may contact southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
May 2010 · 2005–2007 · EquipmentThis does not meet the standard requirements.
The defect. Gulf states Toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "Tire selection and rims." These vehicles were sold between september 1, 2005 and june 2, 2008 without the requisite load carrying capacity modification labels.
What can happen. This does not meet the standard requirements.
The free fix. Dealers will mail to consumers the corrected label or the customer will have the option for dealers to install the label free of charge. Dealers will also correct the owner's manual. The safety recall began on may 27, 2010. Owners may contact gulf states Toyota at 713-580-3300.
What owners reported
When 2001 Toyota Highlander is started when cold, below 30 degrees f, air bag light blinks until 1) car warms up 2) car is restarted. I have been told by dealer that when light is blinking, air bags are inoperable. Ordinarily this car is kept in a garage so it is not very often started when below 30 f. I believe this…
2001 · Airbag system
I bought a Toyota Highlander in 2001. I think my car does have a brake problem. When i apply brakes at speed over 50 miles, car is vibrating and hard to stop. I have to stop applying brake. After buying a car, i took it to the dealer, and the sales agent said, "it is not a brake problem, it is because of hard…
2001 · 200 miles · Hydraulic brake circuit
Frequently when the brake pedal was depressed the pedal went to the floor, which caused the brakes not to stop immediately in a panic or emergency situation. Dealership indicated that this was normal for the brake system for this vehicle. Three different mechanics inspected the brake system, and determined that the…
2001 · 2,000 miles · Hydraulic brake circuit
Built from 1,442 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-08-18 · open data · reproduce this page