2001 Toyota Highlander Problems – 5 Easy Fixes

2001 Toyota Highlander is a very dependable vehicle. It provides a smooth ride and minimizes the engine, wind and tire noise. Overall this vehicle is secure enough. But every coin has two sides. So even though this car provides excellent services, the owners still report some common 2001 Toyota Highlander Problems.

Those issues are massive oil leaks, airbag lights, ignition coil failure, check engine lights and wheel problems. Several culprits are to be blamed for each of these troubles.

Whenever you face any of these issues, we recommend you to take the expert’s help to fix it. But if you are mechanically inclined, you can solve these too.

However, in today’s guide, we will describe your Toyota Highlander’s every trouble in detail. Also, we will explain what factors are causing it and the easy solutions to fix it. So, with patience, read this comprehensive article till the end!

2001 Toyota Highlander Problems – 5 Easy Solutions

According to the 2001 Toyota Highlanders users for the first few years, this car provides great service. But over time, when mileage increases and the car gets old, the car owners experience different problems with this vehicle.

You will learn the major Toyota Highlander hitches, their causes and solutions by exploring this guide. So let’s start:

1. Massive Oil Leak

2001 Toyota Highlander owners often complain about the low oil warning a few times after topping up. Also, they claimed that they spotted the oil leak stains in their car parking ground.

Hopefully, we don’t need you to explain why a massive oil leak is a major problem. Driving your car with an oil leak can cause your car engine massive damage.

What Causes The Oil Leak On Your Toyota Highlander?

Unexpectedly your car’s engine can start leaking oil due to the following reasons:

i. Defective Oil Filter

The oil filter leakage is one of the most common sources of your vehicle’s oil leakage. Over time in your car’s engine oil, the small particles and other metal powders mix up.

The oil filter keeps the oil out of these contaminants. But your car’s oil can leak due to the faulty oil filter. Your car’s oil filter becomes bad due to a leak in it, a loosely installed filter, or other reasons.

ii. Cracked Gasket

A cracked or malformed gasket is one of the main culprits for a sudden oil leak after changing your vehicle’s oil. The gasket can be worn out when exposed to extreme temperature changes or sudden impact.

iii. Loss Of Oil Pressure

Sudden loss of oil pressure is also responsible for your 2001 Toyota Highlander’s oil leak hitch. Low oil pressure indicates your car’s something isn’t functioning correctly. When lubricant fails to move through the system enough, oil pressure becomes low.

How To Fix The Toyota Highlander’s Massive Oil Leak?

• Check the oil filter for leaks and replace the defective one
• Repair or replace the cracked gasket with the mechanic’s help
• Ensure your car has perfect oil pressure

2. Airbag Light

The airbag light is your 2001 Toyota Highlander’s supplemental restraint system. During an accident, it works to save you. The airbag light turns on when your Toyota car’s everything won’t work. The airbag light remains on even after an accident until restoring your car’s system.

What Causes Toyota Highlander’s Airbag Light?

Suddenly the airbag light can appear on your Toyota Highlander due to the following reasons:

i. Bad Clock Spring

The airbag clock spring’s main function is maintaining the electrical wiring and driver seat airbag’s constancy. Due to the lousy clock spring, the airbag light can come on your Toyota car.

ii. Problematic Center Airbag Sensor

Various sensors are connected to the car’s main computer to ensure the easygoing of your car. When the center airbag sensor malfunctions, your 2001 Toyota Highlander computer will recognize it. Ultimately your car will illuminate the airbag warning light.

iii. Corroded Airbag Module

The wet or corroded airbag module is another factor responsible for your car’s airbag light. When your Toyota Highlander is exposed to moisture or a little water, it becomes corroded.

How To Fix Toyota Highlander’s Airbag Light?

• Inspect the clock spring and replace it if it is bad
• Contact the mechanic to replace the problematic center airbag sensor
• Replace the corroded airbag module

3. Ignition Coil Failure

After 100,000 miles, the ignition coil of your 2001 Toyota Highlander can fail. And it’s another issue that Toyota Highlander owners often report about.

What Causes Ignition Coil Failure?

Your Toyota Highlander’s ignition coil can fail due to the following causes:

i. Overuse

Due to overuse, your Toyota car’s ignition coil can fail. Ultimately it can cause problems like intermittent flameout, varying vehicle speed, vehicle ignition failure etc.

ii. Material Aging

Over time due to excessive use, the ignition coil material can become aged. Also, due to manufacturing defects, the ignition coil can become bad.

iii. Bad Spark Plugs

Due to the lousy plug wires or faulty spark plugs, your car’s ignition coil tends to fail. Premature ignition coil failure causes a rich or lean fuel-to-oxygen mixture in your car.

How To Fix Failed Ignition Coils On Your Toyota Highlander?

• Avid of overusing your car too frequently
• When the ignition coil becomes bad or aged, you must replace it
• Check the spark plugs in your car. If it is bad, replace it.

4. Check Engine Light

Appearing a check engine light on your Toyota Highlander is another problem you must solve. It is a warning of severe trouble. Due to the check engine light, your car’s engine can seriously get damaged. And it can cause hefty repair bills.

What Causes Check Engine Light on Your Toyota Highlander?

On your Toyota Highlander, the check engine light can flash mainly for the following factors:

i. Faulty Catalytic Converter

The catalytic converter is your car’s exhaust system’s crucial part. It turns the combustion process creating carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide.

The defective catalytic converter caused a check engine light in your Toyota Highlander. Due to improper maintenance or overuse, the catalytic converter can become bad.

ii. Failed Oxygen Sensor Components

Another culprit to be blamed for the check engine light appearing on your car is the damaged oxygen sensor (O2) components. The oxygen sensor measures your car’s exhaust system’s oxygen amount.

When the exhaust system has excess oxygen, the fuel will burn faster. And in terms of fuel economy, your Toyota Highlander will be less low-cost.

iii. Loose Gas Cap

A damaged, loose or missing gas cap is another reason for which check engine light comes on your Toyota Highlander. The gas cap prevents the release of gas fumes when you aren’t driving your car.

The cap helps to maintain the fuel tank’s pressure by sealing the fuel system. But when the gas cap becomes loose or defective, it causes a problem in your car.

How To Fix Your Toyota Highlander’s Check Engine Light?

• Replace the defective catalytic converter
• Check the oxygen sensor components and look for faulty ones. If any sensor is bad, immediately replace it.
• Make sure the gas cap is not loose, damaged or missing.

5. Wheels Issues

Toyota uses wheel lug nuts, which become “swollen” over time. Also, some Toyota owners claim that their car’s wheels are hydroplaned, causing them to lose control and crash on the road. Any issue with the car’s wheel can cause severe damage to the vehicle and its drivers.

How to Fix Toyota Highlander’s Wheel Issues?

To fix your car’s wheel hitches, check the wheel lug nuts. If it becomes swollen, then take the mechanic’s help to fix it. Also, if the wheel becomes loose, contact the mechanic immediately to fix it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many miles will a 2001 Toyota Highlander last?

A 2001 Toyota Highlander lasts at least 300,000 miles.

Is Toyota Highlander High Maintenance?

The average maintenance and repair cost of the Toyota Highlander is $5,771 in its first 10 years of service.

What Is The Most Common Problem With Toyota Highlander?

Toyota Highlander’s most common issues are massive oil leaks, loss of oil pressure, airbag light, ignition coil failure, check engine light etc.

Final Thoughts

In this comprehensive guide, we have clearly defined all the 2001 Toyota Highlander problems and their solutions. If you ever face any of the above problems with your 2001 Toyota Highlander, first find out which culprit is causing it. Then following our suggested approach, fix the issue.

While solving your car’s trouble, you can comment if you fail to get your job done. Soon our car expert will give you a solution.

Also Read:

2006 BMW 750li Problems – 5 Troubleshooting Tips