2002 Toyota Highlander
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Visibility is the leading concern among 327 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 4th highest complaint count among 25 Highlander model years with reports.
Of the 2002 reports, 27 involved a crash and 6 involved a fire. 27 people were injured and 4 people died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Latches/locks/linkages, doors, latchApr 15, 2004
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES HAVE A CHILD PROTECTION LOCK (CPL) SYSTEM ON BOTH OF THE REAR SIDE DOORS. WHEN AN OPERATOR OF THE VEHICLE CLOSES THE DOOR VERY HARD WITH THE CPL LEVER SET TO THE LOCK POSITION, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE LEVER MAY CONTACT THE BODY PANEL, CAUSING THE CPL LEVER TO MOVE INTO THE UNLOCK POSITION.
THIS CONDITION COULD ALLOW THE DOOR TO BE OPENED WITH THE INSIDE WHILE THE OPERATOR BELIEVES THAT THE CPL WAS ACTIVATED. IF THE DOOR WERE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, AN OCCUPANT COULD FALL OUT AND BE INJURED.
DEALERS WILL SHORTEN THE CPL LEVER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 7, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
Campaign 04V181000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, storage, tank assembly, mountingJul 30, 2002
ON SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THERE IS A BREATHER HOSE THAT ATTACHES TO THE NOZZLE OF THE ON-BOARD REFUELING VAPOR RECOVERY (ORVR) VALVE, WHICH IS LOCATED ON THE TOPSIDE OF THE FUEL TANK. THE BREATHER HOSE IS ATTACHED WITH A CLAMP, WHOSE "TABS" FACE IN THE UPWARD DIRECTION. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS CRASHED UNDER THE NEW CAR ASSESSMENT PROGRAM (NCAP) TEST (I.E., 35 MPH FRONTAL BARRIER CRASH), THE CLAMP "TABS" CONTACTED THE UNDERSIDE OF THE BODY DUE TO MOVEMENT OF THE FUEL TANK, CAUSING THE NOZZLE TO BREAK.
IN THE WORST CASE, NOZZLE BREAKAGE COULD RESULT IN FUEL LEAKAGE IF THE VEHICLE ROLLS-OVER AFTER A HIGH SPEED FRONTAL CRASH.
DEALERS WILL ROTATE THE SPECIFIED CLAMP. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 23, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
Campaign 02V208000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: power train
18 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Apr 1, 2017
I HAVE HAD RECURRENT TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS THAT COST TH OUSANDS TO FIX BUT YET ARE NOT COMPLETELY RESOLVED.L JUST HAD MY TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY FAIL AFTER BEING SERVICED 17 MONTHS AGO. SINCE REPLACING IT, I STILL HAVE PROBLEMS WITH CLUNKING DIRT THING IN THE MORNING WHEN IT TRIES TO CHANGE GEARS. NOW THERE IS A VIBRATION AND I HAVE TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE SHOP. THE RECURRING PROBLEMS ARE AFFECTING MY JOB WHICH INVOLVES A LOT OF DRIVING AND I HAVE TO RENT CARS AT MY EXPENSE EACH TIME IT GOES FOR REPAIRS AT 2 TO 4 DAYS EACH EVENT. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS. MY CAR IS PAID FOR AND I CANNOT AFFORD TO BUY ANO TH ERBONE.
Power train, Nov 19, 2013
TRANSMISSION JUMPS IN 3RD GEAR, DEALER SAID MUST REPLACE. *TR
Power train, Sep 23, 2013
I PLACED CAR INTO REVERSE TO BACK OUT OF PARKING SPOT. WHEN I SHIFTED INTO DRIVE, THE CAR REMAINED STUCK IN REVERSE. THE SHIFT LINKAGE WAS NO LONGER FUNCTIONING. I BACKED THE CAR INTO A PARKING SPOT IN THE CORNER OF THE PARKING LOT. WHEN I STOPPED THE ENGINE I COULD NO LONGER START THE ENGINE AS IT WAS STUCK IN REVERSE. I CALLED A TOW TRUCK. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER WAS ABLE TO PLACE THE TRANMISSION INTO NEUTRAL (USING A WRENCH ON THE TRANSMISSION) ENABLING THE CAR TO BE PUSHED FORWARD. THE CAR WAS THEN PLACED ON THE TOW TRUCK AND TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE CABLE AND SHIFT MECHANISM REQUIRED REPLACEMENT.
Power train, Jul 31, 2013
TOOK OFF AND PULLED INTO TRAFFIC WHEN THE TRANSMISSION QUIT WORKING. TRIED AGAIN AND IT WORKED. DANGEROUS. *TR
Power train, Mar 22, 2013
PULLED OUT OF WORK PARKING LOT ONTO MAJOR HIGHWAY AND HEARD LOUD CLUNK FROM ENGINE AREA. CAR STOPPED MOVING FORWARD SO I PULLED OFF TO SIDE. PUT CAR IN PARK AND ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING. PUT CAR INTO DRIVE AND NOTHING HAPPENED. PUT CAR IN REVERSE AND NOTHING HAPPENED. LOUD METAL GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT. TRANSMISSION SHOP SAID COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE TRANSMISSIONS. COST TO REBUILD: $4,155. *TR
Power train, Jul 9, 2011
TOYOTA 2002 HIGHLANDER AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 77,754 MILES. REPLACED BY DEALER UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY AFTER PAYING $50 DEDUCTIBLE. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND NEEDS A RECALL. TOYOTA REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THEY HAVE A PROBLEM. COST TO REPLACE WITHOUT WARRANTEE WOULD HAVE BEEN $4290. THE CAR NOW HAS 138,235 MILES ON IT AND BASED ON OTHER DRIVERS' EXPERIENCE AND HISTORY I COULD BE FACING ANOTHER AUTO TRANS PROBLEM VERY SOON. *TR
Power train, Jul 8, 2010
AT 108K MILES, MY 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. WHATEVER HAPPENED TO TOYOTAS LASTING TO 200K MILES, LIKE IN THE COMMERCIALS? I'LL NEVER BE ABLE TO JUMP UP AND BE THE ONE PROCLAIMING HOW MANY MILES MY TOYOTA HAS NOW! I'M VERY DISAPPOINTED, AS I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE EXPECTING TO DRIVE IT WELL BEYOND 100K MILES AND WITH FURTHER RESEARCH, APPARENTLY I'M NOT THE ONLY DISAPPOINTED HIGHLANDER OWNER WITH THE SAME ISSUE. *TR
Power train, May 10, 2010
TRANSMISSION WENT OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSTATE. JUST A WEEK EARLIER, THE DEALER TOLD ME THEY COLD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. *TR
Power train, Jan 27, 2010
AWHILE BACK IN THE SUMMER OF 2009, I NOTIFIED YOU ABOUT MY CONCERN FOR SAFETY IN MY 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CAR TOOK OFF FOR NO APPARENT REASON ACCELERATING TO AN UNSAFE SPEED. I WAS ONLY ABLE TO STOP BY SHIFTING TO NEUTRAL AND SLAMMING ON THE BRAKES MISSING SEVERAL CARS. THE FEEDBACK I GOT WAS THE FLOOR MAT...WHICH I TOLD THE DEALER WAS BULL. I BELIEVE THE PROBLEM MAY BE IN THE COMPUTER. I CHECKED ALL THE CABLES AND THROTTLE BODY CABLES INCLUDING LINKAGE. I HAD THE WHOLE FUEL SYSTEM CLEANED INSIDE AND OUT INCLUDING THE THROTTLE BODY. THIS SEEMED TO TEMPORARY SOLVE THE PROBLEM. MY CONCERNS ARE 1. I THINK TOYOTA NEEDS TO LOOK FURTHER BACK IN YEARS THIS HAS BEEN A CONCERN BY GOGGLING THIS PROBLEM. 2. WHEN THE PROBLEM(S) ARE IDENTIFIED YOU NEED THE LOOK AT REPAIRS WHERE THE PARTS MAY HAVE BEEN USED. 3. I BELIEVE THIS PROBLEM MAY BE CAUSED BY SEVERAL FACTORS. 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER *CN
Power train, Dec 15, 2009
WITH ONLY 106,000 MILES ON MY HIGHLANDER, THE TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED AND NEEDS TO COMPLETELY BE REPLACED. A $4600 REPAIR RIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS. I AM IN TEARS. THE DEALERSHIP DIDN'T SEEM VERY SURPRISED THAT THIS WOULD OCCUR. IRONIC? BUT THE TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST I WENT TO FOR A SECOND OPINION SAID THIS SHOULD NEVER HAVE HAPPENED. HE ADVISED EVEN PROPER MAINTENANCE WOULDN'T HAVE PREVENTED THIS KIND OF FAILURE. IT'S JUST BAD EQUIPMENT. HE REPEATEDLY STATED HOW ABNORMAL THIS WAS AND TOYOTA USED TO HAVE A GREAT REPUTATION ON THE TRANSMISSION AND RELIABILITY. I PURCHASED MY TOYOTA BASED ON THAT REPUTATION. AND HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS. AT 35,000 MILES I WAS A VICTIM OF THE "SLUDGE ENGINE" ISSUE TOO. BEFORE THE RECALL WAS ISSUED ON THAT. THE ENTIRE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED. BEFORE THEY WERE WILLING TO FIX IT, I HAD TO PROVE THAT I HAD CHANGED THE OIL REGULARLY. THEY ACCUSED ME OF NOT DOING THIS. TOYOTA KNOWS THERE IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE TRANSMISSION AND FROM WHAT I SEE, THIS IS HAPPENING TO OTHERS. IT IS HAPPENING IN THE RAV4'S TOO. THEY NEED TO STEP UP AND TAKE CARE OF THEIR CUSTOMERS AND TAKE CARE OF THESE VEHICLES. THIS IS THE FIRST AND LAST TOYOTA I WILL EVER OWN. *TR
Power train, Aug 13, 2009
DRIVE SHAFT GOING BAD ON TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 2002. MAJOR PART LIKE THIS ALMOST NEVER FAILS. VERY EXPENSIVE TO FIX. *TR
Power train, Jul 14, 2009
I AM FINANCING A 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. ON 6/25/09 WHILE DRIVING ON A MAJOR SERVICE ROAD, I HEARD A LARGE THUMP SOUND. I TRIED TO PULL OVER TO MAKE SURE THAT I DID NOT HIT ANYTHING OR BLOW A TIRE. ONCE THAT I SAW THAT EVERYTHING SEEMED OKAY, I PROCEEDED INTO MY VEHICLE AND PUT THE CAR INTO DRIVE WHEN I STEPPED ON THE GAS THE CAR JUST REVVED AND IT STAYED INTO POSITION, I KEPT CHANGING GEARS NOT KNOWING WHAT WAS WRONG AND AS I CHANGED INTO DRIVE AND STEPPED ON THE GAS, MY CAR QUICKLY SHIFTED AND ALMOST HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME THEN IT STOPPED AGAIN. FORTUNATELY THERE WAS A AUTOMECHANIC SHOP ON THE CORNER, SOMEONE FROM THE SHOP CAME TO WHERE I WAS TO LOOK AT MY CAR. THE MECHANIC DID THE SAME AS I DID, SHIFT GEARS AND THE CAR WOULD JERK SPONTANEOUSLY BACK THEN FORTH BUT WOULD NOT DRIVE. THE MECHANICS PUSHED IT INTO THE GARAGE AND INSPECTED TO FIND THAT MY TRANSMISSION WA GONE AT 68,000 MILES. I HAVE MY CAR CHECKED OFTEN, FLUIDS REPLACED WHEN NEED BE. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW A TRANSMISSION CAN JUST DIE AT 68,000 MILES. I CALLED TOYOTA BECAUSE I HAVE MY CAR SERVICED AT TOYOTA. AND BECAUSE MY EXTENDED WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED IN 2008 , THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY CAN DO BUT PUT IN A NEW TRANSMISSION. I HAVE HAD THE CAR TOWED TO 3 LOCATIONS TO MAKE SURE I HAD SEVERAL OPINIONS AND THEY ALL SAID THE SAME THING THAT MY TRANSMISSION WAS BAD. MY CAR HAS BEEN AT RELIABLE TRANSMISSION FOR 2 WEEKS NOW, THEY ARE CURRENTLY REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION FOR 4,000.00. THE CAR WILL NOT BE PAID OFF UNTIL AUGUST 2010. I OFTEN HEARD THAT TOYOTA WAS ONE OF THE BEST CARS THAT ONE CAN PURCHASE THAT'S WHY I WENT WITH A TOYOTA, HOWEVER I FIND THIS TO BE QUITE DISTURBING TO HAVE TO REPLACE A MAJOR PART OF MY VEHICLE IN SUCH A SHORT TIME WITH LOW MILEAGE. MY COMPLAINT THAT I HAVE DONE RESEARCH AND SAW THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH TOYOTA HIGHLANDER TRANSMISSIONS. THIS MATTER IS SERIOUS AND CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT FROM THE GEARS SLIPPING. TOYOTA SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS REPAIR! *TR
Power train, May 19, 2007
ONE WEEK AGO I WAS RUNNING ERRANDS WITH THE TOYOTA SEQUOIA, BUT THE CAR REFUSED TO START ONCE I COMPLETED MY ERRANDS. EVENTUALLY, THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED AND THE REPAIR SHOP REPORTED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT BRACKET AND LEVER WERE BROKEN AND THEREFORE PREVENTED THE GEAR FROM PROPERLY GOING INTO PARK. THE REPAIR SHOP REPORTED SEEING SEVERAL SUCH CASES RECENTLY BUT STATED THAT TOYOTA HAS INFORMED HIM THAT THE PROBLEM RESULTED FROM IMPROPER HANDLING OF THE GEAR SHIFT. I HAD THECAR FOR MORE THAN 5 YEARS AND HAVE ALWAYS FOLLOWED THE PROPER PROCEDURE. PERHAPS THIS NEEDED FURTHER INVESTIGATION. *AK
Power train, Sep 13, 2006
EXC. VIBRATION IN FRT. AXLE ASSY. VIBRATION CAN ONLY BE FELT OR HEARD IN VEHICLE CAB AT THE FOLLOWING SPEEDS 38-43, 53-55,61-65 AND ABOVE. SOMETIMES AT THE LOWER SPEEDS. THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN COMMONWEALTH OF P. R. AND SHIPPED TO THE U. S. DURING THE OWNERSHIP OF THIS VEHICLE, I HAVE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO GET ANY OF THE DEALERS IN P. R. OR U. S. TO REPAIR IT. COMPLAINED IN P.R. AND STATED TIRES BALANCED. ALWAYS TIRES PROBLEMS. VIBRATION IN THE STEERING AND CAB AREA. THE NOISE, DRIVE YOU NUTS ,HEARING AND FEELING IT IN STEERING .WHEN RELOCATING TO ILL.,TOOK TO CLOSES DEALER, PEORIA TOYOTA. SEVERAL MONTHS WAIT FOR THEIR COMPUTER SYSTEM. PEORIA TOYOTA WORK ON THE VEHICLE AND STATED TIRES BAD. TIRES REPLACE AND STILL PROBLEMS. REPLACED THE TIRES . SO, I REPLACED TIRES AND FOUND SAME VIBRATION AS BEFORE AND CURT BAUNGART STATED THE WAS THE CHARACTERISTIC OF THIS VEHICLE, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE STILL VIBRATED IN THE FRONT AXLE ASSEMBLE AND IS GETTING WORST WITH MILES ADDED. TOYOTA HAS A PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AND REFUSES TO HONOR THEIR WARRANTY. I FILED TWO ARBITRATION HEARING ON THIS VEHICLE AND HAVE FILED THE COMPLAINT WITH LISA MADIGAN'S OFFICE OF THE ATTY. GEN. THEY TOLD ME AND I QUOTE FROM THEIR LETTER" BECAUSE THIS FILE APPEARS TO FALL WITHIN YOUR JURISDICTION, WE ARE REFERRING IT TO YOUR AGENCY FOR YOUR INFORMATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION. BY COPY OF THIS LETTER, WE ARE INFORMING THE COMPLAINANT OF THIS REFERRAL" END OF QUOTE. LETTER DATED AUGUST 22, 2006. LISA MADIGAN HAS ALL OF THE CORRESPONDENCES(ALL RECORD AND LETTERS FROM ARBITRATION,TOYOTA AND ETC.), THAT I HAVE SENT TO THEM. IT'S BEEN A LONG JOURNEY AND I HOPE AND PRAY SOMEONE WILL LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM. SAFETY IS BEING OVER LOOKED BECAUSE OF THE STATEMENT FROM DEALER AND TOYOTA (VEH. WITHIN SPECIFICATION OF TOYOTA. IS IT RIGHT TO TRADE A VEHICLE OFF, WHICH HAS A PROBLEM? INCIDENT OF FAILURE IS THE DATE OF PURCHASE. *JB
Power train, Apr 21, 2005
TOYOTA 2002 MR2 SPYDER: SEQUENTIAL MANUAL TRANSMISSION (SMT) CREEPING WHILE IN FORWARD OR REVERSE GEAR. THIS HAPPEN TO THE CAR IN DEC OF 2004 BUT WENT AWAY BY ITSELF AFTER A WEEK. I REPORTED TO FREMONT TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN CA BUT THEY SAID IT WAS NORMAL. AGAIN ON APRIL 15TH 2005, THE SMT CREEPING RECURRED. I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO THE SAME DEALERSHIP, THEY REPLACED THE ECU BUT CREEP IS STILL EXIST. AGAIN, THE DEALER PERSISTS THAT THIS IS NORMAL. ACCORDING THE MANUAL BOOK, IT STATES THAT UNLIKE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, SMT DOES NOT CREEP. PLEASE HELP. *NM
Power train, Jan 4, 2005
ONCE YOU COME TO A STOP DURING NORMAL BREAKING, AND TAKE YOUR FOOT OFF THE BREAK PEDAL TO START MOVING FORWARD, THERE IS A ?THUMP? AS IF YOU ARE BEING HIT FROM THE REAR. THIS IS SIMILAR AS BEING REPORTED IN ODI?S 10089480 AND 10092834. DEALER STATES THIS IS NORMAL IN TRUCKS, THAT IT IS THE NATURAL SPACING IN THE DRIVE SHAFT WITH REAR WHEEL DRIVE.THE ONLY WAY FOR THE PROBLEM NOT TO OCCUR, IT TO GLIDE TO A SMOOTH STOP.*AK
Power train, Mar 1, 2004
VEHICLE SHIFTED OUT OF PARK WITHOUT WARNING. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED,BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Power train, Feb 12, 2003
THE VEHICLE DID NOT MOVE OUT OF GEAR, AND IF IT DID MOVE OUT OF GEAR, IT ABRUPTLY DOWN SHIFTED TO SECOND GEAR WHILE DRIVING.*AK 2002 TOYOTA SPYDER) *JB