Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Toyota Highlander owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
This visibility issue is caused by the sunvisor on the driver side, dropping down from the stowed position unexpectedly and repeatedly blocking the driver's vision. Dealer indicated not a Toyota problem and pricing it at $700 + dollars to replace. When driving, the sunvisor had to be moved to the side at all times and back to forward position just to get it out of way to exit vehicle. Ended up buying from the dealer a regular visor (not the limited model visor). The new visor cost $80 + dollars. Vehicle sold as a limited model, should not have any hazardous/dangerous problems such as this, not addressed without a national recall. Very disappointed with the Toyota corp. For not accepting these complaints and denying that problem even exists. NHTSA please take note, and add up all these same visibility issues as showing on your site. …
The driver's side sun visor suddenly dropped down into my field of view when I hit a bump on a three lane 40 MPH paved road at rush hour. I nearly rear-ended the vehicle in front of me during the short time (maybe two seconds) required to react and raise the visor. An online search revealed that a replacement visor costs a shocking $791.00, and that many dozens of others were reporting this problem in 2001 - 2009 Toyota highlanders. Solutions ranged from jury-rigging the visor in the up position to simply removing the visor and using one's hand to block the sun when needed. Some of these "solutions" are obviously unsafe, and could easily be avoided if Toyota charged a more reasonable price for the replacement visor. Replacement can be accomplished by almost anyone with a screwdriver in about 12 minutes. Thank you for this opportunity to file a complaint.
A design defect can cause the sun visors to randomly and unexpectedly drop down obscuring the driver's vision potentially resulting in a crash. This incident occurs in a 2001 Toyota Highlander. However, I have seen many, many internet postings of other Toyota years and models with the same design defect and same problem. Toyota's and their dealers response has been to tell the customer to spend approximately $750 to replace the visor which is likely to fail like the first one after a given amount of time.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Toyota Highlander 4x4 limited. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the contact opened both rear windows but was unable to close the windows. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing where the technician advised that the power window regulators for both rear windows needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000 and the current mileage was 95,839.
I have a 2001 Toyota Highlander vehicle. At times, when speeds exceed 65 MPH the rearview side mirrors create a whistling sound. The dealer has been unresponsive and told me he could not test the vehicle at that speed, but several highways around memphis, tn permit speeds of 65 and 70 MPH.
The driver side sunvisor of my 2001 Toyota Highlander limited would not stay up since 2006, which has been a safety hazard. An estimation of replacing the visor at a local dealership was $700.00 in May 2007, which is outrageous and should be recalled for free repair.
I have a 2001 Highlander. The left visor keeps falling down from the weight of the visor. I was traveling on the highway at 65 MPH when the visor fell in front of my eyes,causing me to swerve . This is a safety issue. There should be a recall on the visor.
2001 Toyota Highlander drivers side sun visor does not stay in place, and falls down into drivers field of vision unexpectedly passenger side visor does the same thing, but to a lesser degree. This began after we owned the car for five years(out of warranty) and is a constant problem, and I feel the dealer should correct this problem. The consumer(s) should not be expected to pay upwards of $800 to fix such a simple problem, one that should not occur in the first place. I have owned more than twelve vehicles, and even the cheapest of those never had such a problem. Several Highlander owners have told of the same complaint, and it is very frustrating.
Sun roof leaking even with sunroof completely closed. Seems to be no drain lines from drain holes in sunroof compartment. Water drains into car well on passenger well in front of car. Also have had wind noise coming from left area of car- thought it might be the roof rack. Dealership check out & could not find noise. They also removed left panel of car around windshield and wheel well to look for noise.
About 6 months ago the rear passenger window fell down into the door and was no longer usable. An $800 repair was required. Flash forward 6 months, now the rear driver-side window fell down into the door and we're going to be out another $800. We rarely even use the rear windows. So this is from less-than-normal wear. And it happened to both rear windows within a few months of each other.
Window & Wiper complaints in other Highlander years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 2001 Toyota Highlander?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 2001 Toyota Highlander, 18% of the model year's 137 complaints. The component named most often is glass, side/rear (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Toyota Highlander window & wiper problems?
No. NHTSA lists no windows, wipers & sunroof recall for the 2001 Toyota Highlander, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2001 Toyota Highlander window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 85,000 miles, and 17% before 25,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.