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Electrical systemPart report

2001 Toyota Highlander Electrical system Problems

Complaints
5about this part
Share
4%of 137 total for the year
Median mileage
64,575miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the electrical system of the 2001 Toyota Highlander, 4% of the 137 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 64,575 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, 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.

“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.”

NHTSA complaint #10230255, filed 2008-06, 81,150 miles

“After pulling off the road onto a side street consumer heard a strange noise from under the hood. Upon merging back onto the road steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. Vehicle lost power steering. On the way to the dealership, smoke started coming from under the hood, followed by a loud popping noise after driving for less than a block. Consumer then pulled into parking lot. The smoke became worse. The consumer popped the hood and noticed flames coming from the engine. The fire department was called. When they arrived the entire engine was on fire. Vehicle was towed to the body shop. …”

NHTSA complaint #10083225, filed 2004-08, 48,000 miles

“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.”

NHTSA complaint #10651774, filed 2014-11

“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. …”

NHTSA complaint #755807, filed 2001-12

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2025110%
2024614%
2023126%
2022239%
2021285%
2020186%
20195611%
2018249%
20174617%
20161413%
20155227%
20143526%
20132613%
20122916%
20112313%
20105325%
20092015%
20084411%
20072319%
2006269%
20052511%
2004186%
2003156%
2002134%
200154%

Other parts of the 2001 Toyota Highlander

Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
26 complaintsBrakes
19 complaintsEngine cooling
17 complaintsVehicle speed control
15 complaintsBody and structure
13 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
13 complaintsAir bags
10 complaintsTires
9 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 28, 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