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, Mar 16, 2010
MY 2002 HIGHLANDER ALSO HAD THE FLOPPY VISOR SYNDROME WHEN OUT OF WARRANTY. COST TO REPLACE WAS $660 BUT NORTH KINGSTOWN TOYOTA DID A COURTESY REPLACEMENT AT NO CHARGE. ALL WHO HAVE PAID FOR THIS REPAIR SHOULD CONSIDER A CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST TOYOTA FOR IGNORING ANOTHER SAFETY PROBLEM. *TR
Visibility, Mar 11, 2010
SUN VISOR WILL NOT STAY PUT - IT'S IN THE DOWN POSITION AT ALL TIMES AND WON'T STAY UP OUT OF THE LINE OF SIGHT. *TR
Visibility, Mar 9, 2010
MY 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER DRIVER'S SIDE SUNVISOR WILL FALL DOWN UNEXPECTED BLOCKING MY VIEW FOR A FEW SECONDS. FOR SAFETY REASONS, I CANNOT USE MY VISOR AS I BUNGY CORD IT TO STAY UP. BUT ANOTHER SAFETY ISSUE NOW IS THERE NO PROTECTION FROM THE BRIGHT SUN OR SNOW. *TR
Visibility, Mar 3, 2010
THE 2002 HIGHLANDER DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR DROPS DOWN AND OBSTRUCTS THE DRIVER'S VIEW OF THE ROADWAY. TOYOTA CHARGES +/- $600.00 FOR THE PART ALONE. THERE IS A BLOG WITH TOYOTA OWNERS THAT DEMONSTRATES THIS PROBLEM IS VERY COMMON AND IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE. THE VISOR DROPS EVERY TIME THE CAR IS IN USE, ESPECIALLY IN WARM WEATHER. *TR
Visibility, Feb 22, 2010
THE DRIVER SIDE VISOR CONSTANTLY FOLDS DOWN BLOCKING MY VISION WHEN I AM DRIVING. VISOR IN LOOSE. THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME. AVOIDED A FEW ACCIDENTS ALREADY. *TR
Visibility, Feb 21, 2010
2002 HIGHLANDER VISOR DOES NOT STAY IN POSITION, TENDS TO FALL DOWN WHEN IT SHOULD BE UP. *TR
Visibility, Feb 12, 2010
02 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER DRIVERS SIDE SUN VISOR DROPS DOWN WHILE DRIVING $650 FOR A TOYOTA REPLACEMENT OR $450 AT THE AUTO WRECKERS , MANY PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME COMPLAINT. *TR
Visibility, Feb 9, 2010
DRIVERSIDE VISOR FLOPS DOWN. I WAS TOLD BY THE WATERTOWN AND LEXINGTON TOYOTA SERVICE DEPTS THAT THIS WAS A UNIQUE PROBLEM TO MY CAR. NOW I HEAR THAT OTHER TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 2002 OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I FOUND THE FLOPPING SO DISTRACTING THAT I TOOK THE SUNVISOR OFF. *TR
Visibility, Feb 2, 2010
2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR DOES NOT STAY UP OR DOWN. WHILE TRYING TO MAKE IT WORK PROPERLY I AM DISTRACTED FROM MY PRIMARY DUTY OF DRIVING THE VEHICLE. TOYOTA DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THIS A SAFETY OR RECALL ISSUE. COST TO REPLACE $1000.00. IF YOU CHECK THE INTERNET THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED PROBLEM AND HAS BEEN IGNORED BY TOYOTA FOR MANY YEARS. *TR
Visibility, Jan 26, 2010
THE SUN VISOR ON MY TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 2002 DOESN'T REMAIN IN PLACE. IT STARTED LAST YEAR AND NO MATTER WHAT I DO IT KEEP ON FALLING. I BELIEVE THIS IS A DESIGN PROBLEM AND A SAFETY HAZARD THAT NEEDED TO BE ADDRESSED OR FIXED BY TOYOTA CORPORATION. *TR
Visibility, Dec 10, 2009
BOTH SUN VISORS ON MY 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER LIMITED FALL DOWN BY THEMSELVES. BOTH HAVE THE LIGHTED MIRROR AND THE RIVER SIDE INCLUDES THE HOMELINK CONTROL. THERE ARE NO OTHER ITEMS ATTACHED TO THE VISORS. IT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME, WHETHER OR NOT I HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD. I'VE ADDED VELCRO TAPE TO THE VISORS, BUT THE WEIGHT OF THEM IS TOO MUCH FOR THE TAPE TO STICK TO THE CEILING, SO AFTER A WHILE, THE VISORS FALL DOWN AGAIN. *TR
Visibility, Oct 19, 2009
SUNVISOR ON DRIVERS SIDE DOES NOT STAY UP. *TR
Visibility, Oct 1, 2009
SUN VISOR DROPS UNEXPECTEDLY ON 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. *TR
Visibility, Sep 21, 2009
SUNVISOR ON 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER CONSTANTLY FALLS DOWN INTO DRIVER'S FIELD OF VISION. VISOR WAS REPLACED ONE TIME UNDER WARRANTY BUT PROBLEM HAS RETURNED. COST TO REPAIR PER TOYOTA DEALER IS $650 FOR PARTS PLUS LABOR - THE VISOR CONTAINS A LIGHTED VANITY MIRROR AND A HOMELINK REMOTE CONTROL SO IT IS AN EXPENSIVE PART TO REPAIR. THE VISOR CANNOT BE USED IN A 'PARTIALLY LOWERED' POSITION TO BLOCK SUN OR REFLECTIONS AS IT CONSTANTLY FALLS INTO THE 'FULLY LOWERED' POSITION WHICH OBSTRUCTS THE DRIVER'S FIELD OF VIEW. THE ONLY WAY TO KEEP THE VISOR FROM SAGGING INTO THE DRIVER'S FIELD OF VIEW IS TO USE TAPE OR VELCRO TO ATTACH IT TO THE CEILING. THIS PREVENTS THE VISOR FROM BEING USED IN THE INTENDED MANNER TO BLOCK SUN OR REFLECTIONS. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE THE DRIVER CAN'T PREVENT SUNLIGHT AND GLARE FROM DIMINISHING VISIBILITY. THIS INCREASES THE CHANCE FOR ACCIDENTS OR HITTING OBJECTS OR PEDESTRIANS IN THE ROAD. *TR
Visibility, Sep 8, 2009
DRIVER'S SIDE VISOR FAILS TO STAY UP. VISOR SEEMS TO BE TOO HEAVY TO SUPPORT ITSELF. VISOR FALLS DOWN DUE TO ROAD VIBRATIONS AND BLOCKS EYE SIGHT FOR TALLER DRIVERS. TRIED SIMPLE FIXES USING VELCRO AND SUPER GLUE - BUT ALL FAILED WHEN SUMMER INTERIOR TEMPERATURES CAUSED THE GLUE / ADHESIVE TO FAIL AND PROBLEM CONTINUES. COMPLETE REPLACEMENT SEEMS TO BE ONLY SOLUTION. *TR
Visibility, Aug 25, 2009
I SEEM TO BE ONE OF MANY THAT IS HAVING AN ISSUE WITH THE SUN VISOR ON A 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR WILL NO LONGER STAY IN PLACE PROPERLY. THIS RESULTS IN IT FALLING DOWN AND BLOCKING THE VISION OF THE DRIVER. A RECALL IS NEEDED IN ORDER TO PREVENT THE POTENTIAL DANGER. *TR
Visibility, Aug 24, 2009
2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER SUN VISOR KEEPS FALLING DOWN ON ITS OWN. NOTICED THAT THIS IS A COMMON COMPLAINT ON THE INTERNET. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND THE VISOR SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TR
Visibility, Aug 17, 2009
FALLING VISOR ON TOYOTA HIGHLANDERS ARE CREATING DRIVER VISIBILITY ISSUES. A MAJOR CONCERN FOR SAFETY. SENT IN ATTACHMENT THAT LISTED OTHER DRIVER COMPLAINT ON THE SAME ISSUE TO DOT QUESTION 090817-000072. *TR
Visibility, Jul 30, 2009
1. REGULAR DRIVING CAUSES THE ISSUE WHICH SEEMS TO BE DUE TO POOR PRODUCT DESIGN. 2. THE DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR DOES NOT STAY IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION EVER, AND CONTINUOUSLY BLOCKS MY CLEAR VIEW OF THE ROAD. 3. THE TOYOTA DEALER WAS INFORMED AND THEY DID NOTHING TO FIX THEIR INFERIOR PRODUCT. I HAVE TO PURCHASE A REPLACEMENT SUN VISOR. *TR
Visibility, Jul 23, 2009
2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HAS ISSUE WITH DRIVER'S SIDE SUNVISOR THAT CONSTANTLY FALLS OBSTRUCTING VISION. *TR
Visibility, Structure, Jun 21, 2009
1. PLASTIC TENSION COIL HOLDING UP VISOR FAILED ALL OF THE SUDDEN. 2. PLASTIC TENSION COIL HOLDING UP VISOR FAILED CAUSING THE VISOR TO FALL DOWN OBSTRUCTING MY VISION WHILE DRIVING. THIS OCCURS ANYTIME I HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD WHILE DRIVING. 3. I WENT TO TOYOTA TO HAVE IT FIXED AND THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD COST A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF MONEY SINCE THERE HADN'T BEEN ANY RECALL NOTICES INVOLVING THE DESCRIBED FAILURE. *TR
Visibility, Jun 16, 2009
I HAVE A 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE VISOR WILL NOT STAY UP. THE VISOR CONSTANTLY FALLS IN MY LINE OF VISION. I'VE HAD THE PROBLEM OVER TWO YEARS. *TR
Visibility, May 20, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. SINCE FEBRUARY OF 2007, THE SUN VISOR IN THE VEHICLE DOES NOT ATTACH TIGHTLY AND COMES DOWN WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH AND ABOVE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED, BUT THE REPAIR WOULD COST OVER $300. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THE DEFECT SHOULD BE REPAIRED BY THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000. UPDATED 07/01/09 *BF UPDATED 07/06/09. *JB
Visibility, May 5, 2009
2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER DRIVERS SIDE VISOR WILL NOT STAY UP. MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE. IF YOU HIT THE EVEN A SMALL BUMP THE VISOR FALLS DOWN WHICH IN TURN CREATES A VIEWING PROBLEM. ONE DAY THERE WILL BE AN ACCIDENT CAUSED BY THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Visibility, Apr 4, 2009
2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER DRIVERS SIDE VISOR. WILL NOT STAY IN PLACE, NEVER REPORTED UNTIL I SAW HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE SO HERE I GO. *TR