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: visibility
141 reports, newest first. Show all
Visibility, Nov 29, 2011
OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS THE DRIVERS SIDE VISOR WOULD FALL WHEN I PRESS THE BREAKS. BLOCKING MY VISION. RECENTLY, THE VISOR WILL NOT STAY UP AT ALL, AND NEEDS TO BE TAPED UP TO PREVENT IT FROM FALLING WHILE I AM DRIVING. *KB
Visibility, Aug 19, 2011
THE DRIVER'S SUNVISOR DOES NOT WORK. IT WON'T STAY IN POSITION OR EVEN UP. THE VISOR JUST FALLS DOWN ALL THE TIME, BLOCKING THE DRIVER'S VIEW. THERE ARE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE WITH NO SOLUTIONS ALL OVER THE INTERNET. I TRIED TALKING TO TOYOTA - THEY JUST TOLD ME TO BUY A NEW $700 VISOR. BUT I HAVE KNOWN OTHERS WITH THIS SAME YEAR/MODEL/MAKE (2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER) OF CAR AND EVEN AFTER REPLACING THE VISOR, THEY HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. *TR
Visibility, Aug 3, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT APPROXIMATELY TWO YEARS AGO HE NOTICED THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE SUN VISOR WOULD FALL AND OBSCURE HIS VISION WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO ADVISED HIM THAT IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000. UPDATED 09/21/11*LJ THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE PASSENGER SIDE VISOR FAILED AS WELL. UPDATED 09/28/11*JB
Visibility, Aug 2, 2011
I HAVE A 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER AND BOTH SUN VISORS WILL NOT STAY UP. THIS IS CREATING A SAFETY HAZARD WHEN THEY FALL DOWN AND BLOCKS MY VIEW WHILE I AM DRIVING. WHAT'S IT GOING TO TAKE - SOMEONE GETTING KILLED BEFORE TOYOTA WILL ADMIT THAT THE VISOR IS TOO HEAVY AND NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED. SEEMS WITH ALL THE NEGATIVE PUBLICITY THAT THEY HAVE RECEIVED LATELY THAT THEY WOULD DO WHAT IS RIGHT AND CORRECT THE PROBLEM ON ALL THEIR VEHICLES WITH THIS PROBLEM. I KNOW THAT IT WOULD BE COSTLY BUT IT IS THEIR PRODUCT AND THEY SHOULD BE WILLING TO DO THE RIGHT THING. *KB
Visibility, Jul 27, 2011
SUN VISOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUDDENLY FALLS FROM ITS NORMAL POSITION DURING DRIVING BLOCKING THE DRIVER'S FIELD OF VISION. THAT MIGHT CASE AN ACCIDENT. *TR
Visibility, May 1, 2011
SUN VISOR ON MY 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER WILL FREQUENTLY FALL DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. THIS RESULTS IN MY VIEW OF THE ROAD BEING UNEXPECTEDLY HINDERED. THIS COULD EASILY RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. THIS HAPPENS FREQUENTLY - I.E. ALMOST EVERY TIME I DRIVE MORE THAN 3 MILES. *TR
Visibility, Apr 11, 2011
MY TOYOTA HIGHLANDER ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SUN VISORS DROP DOWN WHILE DRIVING. RESEARCH OF THIS PROBLEM INDICATE OTHERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WHICH POTENTIALLY CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT BY BLOCKING VISION OR DISTURBING THE DRIVER WHILE DRIVING. NOTIFIED TOYOTA OF THE PROBLEM AND GOT A VERY PROMPT STANDARD CUSTOMER SERVICE REPLY THAT THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED AND BASICALLY IT IS YOUR PROBLEM VERSUS A POTENTIAL DESIGN FLAW THAT MAY HAVE SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS AND THEY AT LEAST COULD OF PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM OTHER THAN A REPLACEMENT AT $660. EVEN AT THAT BASED ON THE INTERNET THAT IS NOT A PERMANENT REPAIR SINCE IT IS A DESIGN FLAW. APPARENTLY THIS IS ALSO A PROBLEM WITH OTHER TOYOTA MODELS.
Visibility, Apr 9, 2011
TOYOTA 2002 HIGHLANDER LIMITED DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR FLOPS DOWN INTO DRIVER'S VISION WHILE DRIVING. OBSCURES VIEW MOMENTARILY CREATING A CRASH DANGER. VISOR HAS LIGHTED MIRROR AND GARAGE DOOR OPENER BUILT IN. REPORTED TO DEALER AND VISOR WAS REPLACED UNDER SERVICE PLAN. *TR
Visibility, Apr 9, 2011
DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR FALLING INTO DRIVER'S FIELD OF VISION WHEN VEHICLE IN OPERATION. 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER LIMITED. OCCURS CONSTANTLY AND BEGAN ABOUT THREE YEARS AFTER THE VISOR WAS REPLACED FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
Visibility, Nov 18, 2010
WAS DRIVING IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC WHEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE VISOR ON MY '02 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER SUDDENLY DROPPED DOWN TO OBSCURE MY VISION. THIS NECESSITATED ME HITTING MY BRAKES AND DUCKING DOWN TO THE RIGHT OF THE STEERING WHEEL IN ORDER TO VIEW TRAFFIC. THERE WERE NO "EVENTS" LEADING TO MALFUNCTION. THE VISOR WILL NO LONGER REMAIN IN THE "UP" POSITION AND POSES AN ONGOING SAFETY HAZARD AS IT MUST EITHER BE HELD IN PLACE WHILE DRIVING (FORCING THE DRIVER TO USE ONE HAND ON THE WHEEL), TAPED IN PLACE (WHERE IT WILL STILL DROP DOWN IF/WHEN THE TAPE GIVES OUT); OR FORCE THE DRIVER TO LEAN TO THE RIGHT IN ORDER TO SEE AROUND THE VISOR (THUS PROHIBITING THE USE OF THE REARVIEW AND SIDEVIEW MIRRORS(. *TR
Visibility, Oct 26, 2010
2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR WILL NOT STAY UP. IT FLOPS DOWN INTO YOUR VIEW EVERYTIME YOU HIT A BUMP. TOYOTA DEALER WANTED $650 TO FIX/REPLACE HERE IN INDIANAPOLIS. CAR ONLY HAS 60,000 MILES, THIS SHOULDN'T BE A PROBLEM THAT IS SO EXPENSIVE TO FIX. *TR
Visibility, Oct 3, 2010
2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER: BOTH DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE SUNVISORS WILL NOT STAY IN UP POSITION. THE VISORS DROP WITHOUT WARNING MULTIPLE TIMES EVERY DAY SINCE THE PROBLEM BEGAN TO OCCUR. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AS THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUNVISOR RANDOMLY DROPS DOWN WITHOUT WARNING COMPLETELY OBSCURING THE DRIVER'S VISION. REPORTED THE DEFECT TO MY TOYOTA DEALER AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE ONLY OPTION WAS TO PAY FOR REPLACEMENTS AT A COST OF SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS EACH. THIS ASSESSMENT WAS GIVEN WITHOUT ANY INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE AND IN A MANNER WHICH STRONGLY IMPLIED THAT THIS WAS A PROBLEM WHICH THEY WERE VERY FAMILIAR WITH. AFTER SPEAKING TO TOYOTA, I DECIDED TO RESEARCH THIS FOR MYSELF ON THE WEB AND FOUND MANY SIMILAR INCIDENTS. THIS IS CLEARLY A DANGEROUS DESIGN DEFECT AND NEEDS TO BE REMEDIATED BY THE MANUFACTURER URGENTLY BEFORE SOMEONE'S FAMILY IS KILLED BECAUSE THE VISOR DROPS AND BLOCKS THEIR VIEW OF THE TRAFFIC AHEAD. *TR
Visibility, Aug 26, 2010
THE DRIVER'S SIDE VISOR ON MY 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER WILL NOT STAY IN THE UP POSITION AND FALLS INTO THE DRIVER'S VIEW WHEN DRIVING OVER BUMPS. *TR
Visibility, Jul 31, 2010
DEFECTIVE VISOR ON 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER THAT WILL NOT REMAIN IN "UP" POSITION. ANY BUMP WILL CAUSE THE VISOR TO FALL, AND POTENTIALLY BLOCK THE DRIVER'S FIELD OF VISION. DEALER WANTS $667 TO REPLACE THE VISOR - MORE THAN I PAID FOR MY FIRST CAR! *TR
Visibility, Jul 30, 2010
MY 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR CONTINUOUSLY FALLS DOWN AND WILL NOT STAY IN PLACE. THE PASSENGER SIDE SUN VISOR STAYS IN PLACE IF THE CAR ISN'T MOVING, BUT WILL SUDDENLY FALL DOWN UNEXPECTEDLY WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION. THE DEALER SAYS IT WOULD COST $600 TO REPLACE EACH VISOR, BUT MY QUESTION IS, WHY SHOULD I OR ANY CONSUMER HAVE TO PAY FOR A MANUFACTURER DEFAULT? I HAVE RESORTED TO PLACING A VELCRO STRIP ON THE CEILING TO KEEP THE SUN VISOR IN PLACE, WHICH OF COURSE PREVENTS ME FROM USING THE VISOR AT ALL. *TR
Visibility, Jul 26, 2010
I HAVE A TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 2002 LIMITED, V6, BOTH SUN VISORS CONSTANTLY FALL DOWN AND WON'T STAY UP EVEN WITH HEAVY DUTY VELCRO STRIPS. IT IS DISTRACTING AND BLOCKS THE DRIVERS VIEW. *TR
Visibility, Jul 8, 2010
DRIVER'S SIDE SUNVISOR KEEPS FALLING IN TO MY LINE OF VISION UNEXPECTEDLY. IT'S ON MY 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. IT IS TERRIFYING WHEN YOU'RE ON THE HIGHWAY IN TRAFFIC AND IT FALLS! *TR
Visibility, Jun 14, 2010
I HAVE A 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE SUN VISORS WILL NOT STAY IN THE UP POSITION. THEY RANDOMLY FALL DOWN PARTIALLY BLOCKING MY VIEW AND CREATING A SAFETY HAZZARD. I ORIGINALLY TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER WHO HAD IT REPLACED BUT THE SAME THING KEPT HAPPENING. I WENT ONLINE AND DISCOVERED THAT IT'S NOT JUST MY 2002 HIGHLANDER. I'VE TRIED VELCRO BUT THAT WON'T HOLD IT IN PLACE. I'VE HAD SEVERAL NEAR ACCIDENTS ON THE HIGHWAY AS A RESULT OF THIS ISSUE. IT HAPPENED AGAIN TODAY AND I JUST CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE. *TR
Visibility, Jun 10, 2010
THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR WILL NOT STAY UP AND IT IS IMPAIRING MY VISION. IF I CAN GET IT TO STAY UP FOR A FEW MINUTES, IT FALLS UNEXPECTEDLY INTO MY VIEW, CUTTING OFF MY LINE OF SIGHT AND NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THE ONLY REMEDY I CAN SEE IS TO REMOVE IT, BUT THEN I AM BLINDED BY THE SUN. I DRIVE WITH MY CHILD IN THE VEHICLE WITH ME AND FIND THIS TO BE QUITE DISTURBING WHEN IT HAPPENS. I BOUGHT THE HIGHLANDER BECAUSE OF ITS SAFETY RATING, BUT THIS IS VERY DISAPPOINTING. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR SOME TIME, AND NOW THE VISOR JUST SWINGS IN FRONT OF ME WITHOUT STAYING UP OR FORWARD, OUT OF THE WAY. THE DATE REPORTED BELOW IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. *TR
Visibility, May 28, 2010
WE HAVE A 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER WHICH WE PURCHASED NEW IN APRIL 2002. THE VEHICLE HAS ABOUT 39,000 MILES. FOR THE PAST 3 YEARS THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR SUDDENLY FALLS DOWN AND PARTIALLY OBSTRUCTS THE DRIVER'S VISION. IT FALLS DOWN AT SLOW SPEED WHEN THE VEHICLE GOES OVER BUMPS. IT FALLS DOWN ON THE INTERSTATE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS FROM VIBRATIONS - SUCH AS EXPANSION JOINTS IN THE ROAD. IT IS USUALLY JUST ANNOYING BUT ONCE IN AWHILE IT IS VERY DANGEROUS SUCH AS WHEN YOUR ARE PASSING ON A TWO LANE ROAD IT WILL SUDDENLY DROP DOWN OBSTRUCTING THE DRIVER'S VISION. I HAVE LOOKED ON LINE AND FOUND THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2002 HIGHLANDER. AND IT IS VERY EXPENSIVE TO FIX IF YOU HAVE THE GARAGE DOOR REMOTE BUILT INTO THE VISOR - AS WE DO. ABOUT AN $800 REPAIR - WITH THE MAJORITY OF THE COST BEING THE PART. I THINK THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THESE DEFECTIVE VISORS SHOULD BE REPLACED BY TOYOTA. I DON'T KNOW THE EXACT DATE OR MILEAGE WHEN THIS PART STARTED TO FAIL SO I ESTIMATED BOTH. *TR
Visibility, May 23, 2010
2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER DRIVERS SIDE VISOR WILL NOT STAY UP. THIS IS THE SECOND $850 UNIT IN 2 YEARS. IT'S ANNOYING, NOT TO MENTION DANGEROUS WHEN IT DROPPED DOWN UNEXPECTEDLY AND BLOCKED MY VIEW THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. BETWEEN THE VISOR AND THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE, I COULD SEE ABOUT A 2" STRIP OF ASPHALT ABOUT 10 FEET IN FRONT OF THE HOOD. VERY VERY DANGEROUS!!!!!! *TR
Visibility, May 20, 2010
THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR ON MY 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER DROPS DOWN BLOCKING THE DRIVER'S VISION. WHEN PUSHED UP IT SIMPLY FALLS BACK DOWN. *TR
Visibility, Apr 19, 2010
HOW MANY COMPLAINTS DO HIGHLANDER OWNERS HAVE TO SUBMIT ABOUT SUN VISORS DROPPING BEFORE SOMETHING DONE ABOUT IT. IS TOYOTA GOING TO WAIT UNTIL SOMEONE GETS IN AN ACCIDENT DUE TO IT. I HAVE A 2002 HIGHLANDER AND HAVE BEEN TRYING DIFFERENT THINGS TO MAKE THE VISOR STAY UP FOR YEARS, WITH LITTLE SUCCESS. WERE THERE ANY DEATHS OR INJURIES? NO NOT YET WHY WAIT UNTIL IT HAPPENS! [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Visibility, Apr 2, 2010
MY 2002 LIMITED TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HAS A SUN VISOR THAT WONT STAY UP. IT IS THE DRIVER SIDE AND I AM VERY CONCERN ESPECIALLY WHEN HITTING MILD ROAD BUMPS IT FALLS DOWN. I AM HOLDING IT WITH VELCRO AND I HAVE TO CHANGE THAT EVERY OTHER MONTH. THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM AND WOULD APPERICATE IF SOMEONE CAN LOOK INTO IT. I LOOKED AT THE ONLINE FORUMS FOR HIGHLANDERS AND THEY ARE REPORTING THE SAME PROBLEM.
Visibility, Mar 31, 2010
THE DRIVERS SIDE SUN VISOR, WHICH HAS THE ELECTRONICS BUILT IN, UNEXPECTEDLY FLOPS DOWN. IT STARTED IN 2004 AND HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE. TOYOTA WANTS OVER $750 TO REPLACE IT. REPAIR IS NOT OFFERED. IT OCCASIONALLY FALLS UNEXPECTEDLY AND BLOCKS MY VISION OF TRAFFIC LIGHTS. HOWEVER, I DIDN'T CONSIDER IT A REAL SAFETY HAZARD UNTIL RECENTLY. IT FELL AT AN INOPPORTUNE MOMENT, DISTRACTED ME, AND I WAS ALMOST ENVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. THERE IS NO REASON THIS ITEM SHOULD HAVE FAILED AFTER ONLY 1 1/2 YEARS USE AND THERE IS NO REASON A REPLACEMENT SHOULD COST $750. THIS IS A DESIGN DEFECT AND IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD.