10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
59,167 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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problem #6

Jan 232015

Highlander

  • 111,000 miles
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.

- Hamilton , NJ, USA

problem #5

Oct 252014

Highlander 4-cyl

  • 148,000 miles
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.

- Wilmington, DE, USA

problem #4

Dec 012013

Highlander 6-cyl

  • 96,000 miles
Anytime car is kept outside in temperature below freezing, the airbag light illuminates and stays on after car is started. It continues to stay on until temperature warms up and car is subsequently restarted. There are reports of a tsb on this known problem stating the airbag is non-operable while light flashes, but Toyota has not issued a recall or is willing to repair under warranty. Note: This is a safety drive ability issue that should be treated as a recall.

- Buffalo Grove, IL, USA

problem #3

Dec 182010

Highlander 6-cyl

  • 1 miles
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 problem has been with the car since new. I believe this problem is on many other Toyota Highlanders of this era because a google search for "Toyota Highlander air bag light blinks cold weather" brings up discussions of people talking about this problem for the first generation Highlanders 2001 - 2007.

- Reston, VA, USA

problem #2

Apr 052007

Highlander

  • miles
Shirene duhaney June 13, 2008 attn: Recalls/complaints & investigations dear sir/madam: I am writing because I need assistance with a dangerous matter. My vehicle is a 2001 Toyota Highlander. I have contacted & visited the dealer. I have had an attorney write Toyota motor sales usa, Inc. And no resolve. I have pictures if you'd like to see them. For details please see below: I want them to be aware of the fact that I took my vehicle to plaza auto mall on 3/22/07. I spoke with advisor lonnie. The reason I brought my car in to have their technicians check out my vehicle because I was concerned about a lump in my steering wheel. In addition I was having a recall taken care of. According to the advisor lonnie 'he said it was not a problem and it was ok. However, the print out that he wanted me to sign said 'lump in steering wheel 'tech found air bag distorted 'needs to be replaced. Customer declined repair.' That was not true I was never told it needed repair. I refused to sign that and noted that on their copy. That was unsettling to me I returned shortly to the dealership on 4/5/07 and dealt with yet another advisor. He re-examined my vehicle and determined that it was ok. He gave me a new form that said that the car was ok. (attached are 2 copies of Toyota print outs both of which show a discrepancy in the information.) however, it is still not sitting well with me. Toyota as a corporation needs to be aware of this. This may be a defect in their vehicle. This vehicle was purchased brand new and there have been so many recalls. This may also be a recall that the corporation is not aware of. I would like to have this looked into by the corporation to make sure that the my air bag is not malfunctioning. I need to have this fixed. Asap this is a dangerous situation! sincerely, shirene duhaney

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

problem #1

Jun 302003

(reported on)

Highlander

  • miles
Consumer states while traveling 2-3 mph and applying the brakes vehicle went into extended stopping distance, running into garage door. Upon impact, air bags did not deploy.

- Houston, TX, USA