2001 Toyota Highlander Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 10about this part
- Share
- 7%of 137 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 96,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the air bags of the 2001 Toyota Highlander, 7% of the 137 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 96,000 miles. 6 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10371170, filed 2010-12, 1 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10365080, filed 2010-11, 10,000 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.”
NHTSA complaint #10555156, filed 2013-12, 96,000 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.”
NHTSA complaint #10650109, filed 2014-10, 148,000 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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10230936, filed 2008-06Related service bulletins
- 10244113Aug 17, 2023TSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most…
- 10190460Mar 17, 2021Toyota Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements
- 10132410Jul 20, 2017TSB: REVISION NOTICE July 20, 2017 Rev1: Applicability has been updated to exclude 2007 ? 2017 model year Avanza vehicles. Some hazardous material treatment and handling…
- 10131961Jan 14, 2014Toyota vehicles are equipped with Supplemental Restraint Systems (SRS), including various airbags and in some models, seat belt pre-tensioners, to help reduce the risk of injury…
- 10132055Nov 4, 2013Beginning in 1998, Toyota introduced side airbags as optional equipment. Toyota does NOT recommend replacement of original seat covers with non-Toyota leather or other seat cover…
- 10133915Jan 3, 2013Toyota vehicles are equipped with SRS, including various airbags and in some models, seat belt pre-tensioners, to help reduce the risk of injury in a collision. If a customer…
- 10042555Sep 6, 2011Toyota: information provided for replacing the seat covers for vehicles equipped with side airbags.
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 12 | 6% |
| 2022 | 32 | 12% |
| 2021 | 42 | 8% |
| 2020 | 32 | 10% |
| 2019 | 14 | 3% |
| 2018 | 19 | 7% |
| 2017 | 9 | 3% |
| 2016 | 10 | 9% |
| 2015 | 8 | 4% |
| 2014 | 2 | 1% |
| 2013 | 17 | 8% |
| 2012 | 10 | 5% |
| 2011 | 8 | 4% |
| 2010 | 14 | 6% |
| 2009 | 8 | 6% |
| 2008 | 58 | 14% |
| 2007 | 2 | 2% |
| 2006 | 12 | 4% |
| 2005 | 9 | 4% |
| 2004 | 9 | 3% |
| 2003 | 9 | 3% |
| 2002 | 13 | 4% |
| 2001 | 10 | 7% |
Other parts of the 2001 Toyota Highlander
26 complaintsBrakes
19 complaintsEngine cooling
17 complaintsVehicle speed control
15 complaintsBody and structure
13 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
13 complaintsTires
9 complaintsElectrical system
5 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsOther or unknown
5 complaintsEquipment
4 complaintsSeat belts
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2001 Toyota Highlander
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology