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, Jan 10, 2009
SUN VISOR ON DRIVER'S SIDE OF 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER CAN'T BE USED TO PROTECT DRIVER FROM THE BRIGHT SUNLIGHT AS IT CANNOT BE RATCHETED UP OR ADJUSTED AND JUST HANGS LOOSELY BLOCKING DRIVER'S VIEW OF WINDOW AND REQUIRING DRIVER TO HOLD IT IN PLACE WITH ONE HAND. PROBLEM HAS EXISTED ALMOST FROM BEGINNING. OTHERS HAVE REPORTED SIMILAR PROBLEMS ESPECIALLY WITH THAT MODEL YEAR. *TR
Visibility, Jan 10, 2009
SUN VISOR PROBLEM ... MY DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR WILL NOT STAY UP AND HAS BECOME AN HAZARD. I'VE ALSO NOTICE THE SAME THING STARTING TO HAPPEN TO MY PASSENGER SUN VISOR, A SEAT IN WHICH IS ALL MOST NEVER OCCUPIED! *TR
Visibility, Dec 15, 2008
2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER LIMITED - THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SUN VISORS WILL NOT STAY IN UPRIGHT POSITION. VERY DANGEROUS WHEN DRIVING. TOYOTA OFFERS NO SOLUTIONS BUT PURCHASING ANOTHER $600 VISOR. LOOKING ONLINE, I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. AT WHAT POINT DOES A MANUFACTURE BECOME RESPONSIBLE FOR WHAT IS OBVIOUSLY A DESIGN DEFECT AND SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
Visibility, Dec 8, 2008
2002 TOYOTA HIGHLAND FLIP VISOR KEEPS ON FALLING DOWN. AFTER RESEARCH FROM THE NET, APPARENTLY, THERE ARE MANY OTHERS THAT EXPERIENCE THIS ISSUES. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. IT WILL COSTS $700.00 TO REPLACE IT. I REALLY THINK THIS IS A DEFECT. *TR
Visibility, Nov 26, 2008
FAILURE OF 55904-48210 HVAC CONTROLLER ON A 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE FAILURE OF THIS PART CAUSE THE HEATING AND COOLING CONTROL DIAL TO BECOME INOPERATIVE. THE VEHICLE COULD ONLY BLOW COLD AIR CAUSING MY WINDSHIELD TO FOG OVER. THIS RESULTED IN MY BEING UNABLE SAFELY OPERATE THE VEHICLE. *TR
Electrical system, Visibility, Equipment, Nov 16, 2008
THE INTERIOR HEATING/AC SYSTEM AND FAN REPEATEDLY FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY. IN THE SPRING SUMMER WHEN THE AC WOULD FAIL TO BLOW COLD AND BLOW HEAT THAT WASN'T SO BAD. I GOT THE CONTROL KNOB FIXED AND ALL SEEMED TO WORK FINE. HOWEVER THE KNOB HAS FAILED AGAIN AND WHEN I NEEDED THE HEAT/DEFROST FAN TO WORK AT NIGHT THE FROST GOT WORSE BECAUSE THE KNOB FAILED AND THE HEATER/FAN WOULD ONLY BLOW COLD AIR. DEPENDING ON THE SEASON AND THE POSITION OF THE KNOB WHEN IT FAILS THIS SHOULD BE CONSTRUED AS A SAFETY ISSUE WHEN IT AFFECTS THE VISUAL CLARITY OF THE WINDSHIELD . *TR
Visibility, Nov 13, 2008
2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR FALLS DOWN WHILE DRIVING CAUSING A POSSIBLE HAZARD. *TR
Visibility, Oct 10, 2008
2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER - BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUNVISORS DO NOT STAY UP. WHEN PLACED IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION, THE SUNVISORS RELEASE OVER ANY SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD. *TR
Visibility, Jul 10, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH OR LESS, THE SUN VISOR WOULD AUTOMATICALLY RELEASE AT ANY GIVEN TIME. THE FAILURE MADE VISIBILITY DIFFICULT AND OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE SUN VISOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $700. THE CONTACT DETACHED THE SUN VISOR FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 42,000. UPDATED 09/10/08 *BF UPDATED 09/11/08.*JB
Visibility, Jun 8, 2008
2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. SUN VISOR WITH HOMELINK KEEPS FALLING DOWN WITH HITTING MINOR BUMPS. SAFETY HAZARD, AS VISION IS BLOCKED AND CAN LEAD TO ACCIDENTS. *TR
Visibility, May 17, 2008
2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR WILL RANDOMLY FALL DOWN, COMPLETELY BLOCKING THE VIEW OF THE ROAD AHEAD. ON A BUSY HIGHWAY, IF THIS FALLS AT THE WRONG MOMENT, IT CAN RESULT IN A SEVERE MULTI-CAR ACCIDENT. *TR
Visibility, Structure, Apr 18, 2008
THE DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR (W/ LIGHTED MIRROR AND HOMELINK) ON MY 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER WILL NOT STAY UP AND DROPS DOWN WHEN DRIVING WHICH IS A SERIOUS HAZARD. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AND THE COST FOR ONLY THE REPLACEMENT PART IS OVER $700.00. IT IS OBVIOUSLY A DESIGN ISSUE AND SERIOUS HAZARD THAT TOYOTA WILL NOT ADDRESS. *TR
Visibility, Structure, Mar 30, 2008
I HAVE A 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE SUN VISORS ON THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES NO LONGER STAY UP. THIS STARTED NINE MONTHS AGO. IF THE SUN VISOR DOES STAY UP, IT DROPS DOWN WHEN THE VEHICLE HITS A MILD BUMP. *TR
Visibility, Structure, Mar 29, 2008
2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER DRIVERS SIDE SUN VISOR FELL DOWN WHEN HITTING A SMALL POTHOLE, OBSCURING DRIVER VISION...NARROWLY AVERTING A COLLISION WITH ONCOMING VEHICLE BEFORE I COULD GET IT PUSHED BACK UP INTO PLACE, WHEREUPON IT FELL AGAIN AND I HAD TO SWING IT OUT OF THE WAY TO DRIVE HOME...NO FRICTION TO HOLD IT UP OUT OF THE WAY....CALLED DEALERSHIP...SORRY...600 DOLLAR REPLACEMENT W/ HOMELINK..NO OTHER FIX AVAILABLE...DEFINITE DESIGN, ABSOLUTE SAFETY FLAW...WENT ONLINE TO RESEARCH AND NOTED THOUSANDS OF RESPONSES TO THIS EXACT PROBLEM FOR 2002 VEHICLE. I TRULY BELIEVE A RECALL IS WARRANTED. *TR
Visibility, Electrical system, Mar 14, 2008
AC/HEAT TEMPERATURE CONTROL SWITCH MALFUNCTION. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT TOYOTA IS AWARE OF AND CHOOSES TO DISREGARD, SINCE IT TENDS TO FAIL AFTER THE WARRANTY ON THE NEW PART AND REPLACEMENT PARTS EXPIRES BEFORE THE PROBLEM. A SMALL, SOLDERED WIRE WHICH CONNECTS THE SWITCH TO A CIRCUIT BOARD IN THE DASH FAILS. SHOULD BE AN EASY FIX, BUT TOYOTA DEALERS WILL ONLY REPLACE THE ENTIRE PANEL FOR $800 - 1200. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE TO ME ON THIS SAME VEHICLE. FIRST TIME I PAID $800, THE SECOND TIME I GOT A LOCAL GUY TO SOLDER THE WIRE ON THE OLD PART AND REPLACED MYSELF. TOTAL COST ABOUT $10. SHAME ON TOYOTA. *TR
Visibility, Dec 9, 2007
THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL KNOW IN OUR 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER IS NOT WORKING CORRECTLY. THE VENTS BLOW COLD AIR WHEN THE DIAL IS SET TO THE HOTTEST SETTING. IT IS VERY HARD TO KEEP THE ICE FROM FORMING ON OUR WINDOWS WHEN WE DON'T HAVE HOT AIR BLOWING. THE ICE STORMS IN MISSOURI OCCUR FAIRLY FREQUENTLY AND HOT AIR BLOWING IN THE DEFROST POSITION USUALLY KEEPS THE WINDSHIELD WARM ENOUGH TO KEEP IT CLEAR. HOWEVER, WITHOUT THE HOT AIR, THE WINDSHIELD ICES UP IMMEDIATELY AND MAKES DRIVING VERY DANGEROUS. THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS ONE OF THE SITES THAT DESCRIBES THE ISSUE AND ALL THE PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM HTTP://WWW.TUNDRASOLUTIONS.COM/FORUMS/HIGHLANDER/32217-HEATER-QUIT-SORT-OF/ *TR
Visibility, Dec 1, 2007
WHILE DRIVING THE DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR FALLS DOWN AFTER HITTING MILD BUMP IN ROAD. *TR
Visibility, Nov 21, 2007
DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR WILL NOT STAY UP. I HAD TO TIE THE THING INTO PLACE IN ORDER TO SEE OUT THE WINDSHIELD AND NOW CANNOT USE IT WHEN THE SUN IS AT A BOTHERSOME ANGLE. VERY ANNOYING THAT A PART LIKE THIS SHOULD FAIL. *TR
Visibility, Structure, Nov 10, 2007
THE SUN VISOR ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF OUR 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER FALLS DOWN WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING ALONG. IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SINCE YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN THE VISOR WILL DROP DOWN AND OBSTRUCT YOUR VIEW. THERE HAVE BEEN A FEW OCCASIONS WHEN I HAVE BEEN DRIVING ALONG AND REACH TO PUT THE TURN SIGNAL ON. AT THAT MOMENT THE VISOR DROPS DOWN AND BEFORE I CAN RECOVER I AM CLOSE TO HITTING A CAR FROM THE REAR. I HAVE TRIED SIMPLE SOLUTIONS BUT THE DEALER INDICATES THAT NOTHING IS WRONG AND IT WILL COST OVER $700 TO FIX. *TR
Visibility, Nov 6, 2007
THE HOT/COLD KNOB IN MY 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. I RESEARCHED AND CALLED TOYOTA THEY SAID THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON IT AND THEY ONLY ISSUE THEM ACCORDING TO HOW MANY PARTS ARE SOLD TO REPAIR THAT VEHICLE. I LOOKED ONLINE AND ALOT OF PEOPLE THAT OWN THE SAME YEAR AND MODEL OF MY SUV ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE. TOYOTA QUOTED ME $805 TO REPAIR IT WHEN I WENT IN TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT. HE SAID THEY HAVE HAD ALOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE AND HAD ALREADY REPAIRED A COUPLE. WHEN I WENT IN TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT I HAD HEAT, WHEN I CAME OUT I DIDN'T. THEY TOLD ME I HAD TO FIX IT AND THERE WAS NOTHING ELSE I COULD DO. I CALLED THE MANAGER OF THIS PARTICULAR DEALERSHIP AND HE TOLD ME TO BRING MY CAR BACK IN AND THEY COULD SET IT TO HEAT. WHY DIDN'T THEY RETURN MY CAR IN THE SAME ORDER IT WAS IN WHEN I BROUGHT IT TO THEM IN THE FIRST PLACE. *TR
Visibility, Oct 21, 2007
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. SO FAR THIS HAS NOT CAUSED A SAFETY ISSUE BUT THE POTENTIAL IS DEFINITELY THERE. *TR
Visibility, Sep 4, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH OR GREATER, THE SUN VISOR DROPPED TO A VERTICAL POSITION WHEN THE VEHICLE VIBRATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING AND MADE IT DIFFICULT FOR THE CONTACT TO SEE THE ROAD. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SUN VISOR CLIPS WERE DEFECTIVE. AS OF SEPTEMBER 4, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE SUN VISOR COULD DROP ON ANY VEHICLE MOVEMENT SUCH AS BUMPS IN THE ROAD, OR APPLYING THE BRAKES. THE SUN VISOR IN THE VERTICAL POSITION BLOCKS THE DRIVERS VIEW OF THE ROAD. UPDATED 09/18/07. *JB
Visibility, Aug 17, 2007
SUN VISOR ON MY DRIVER SIDE OF MY 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER WILL STAY IN THE UP POSITION (AGAINST THE CEILING). ANY SLIGHT BUMP IN THE ROAD CAUSES IT FALL AND BLOCK MY VISION. IT'S QUITE A HAZARD! *JB
Visibility, May 22, 2007
I PURCHASED A 2002 TOYOTA SEQUOIA IN NOVEMBER 2002. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED THE SALES PERSON TOLD ME THAT THE HEATING/AIR CONDITIONER SYSTEM APPEARED TO BE A POORLY DESIGNED, BUT I DID NOT THINK THAT A BIG OBSTACLE TO MY PURCHASE. I HAD CONTINUAL PROBLEMS TRYING TO REGULATE THE TEMPERATURE IN THE VEHICLE. IT WAS EITHER 65 DEGREES AND THE NEXT LEVEL DOWN WAS COLD. I WAS ALWAYS FLIPPING THE KNOB BACK AND FORTH TRYING TO REGULATE THE TEMPERATURE. THIS WAS NOT A BIG SAFETY ISSUE UNLESS TAKING MY EYES OFF THE ROAD FOR THESE ADJUSTMENTS CAN BE CONSIDERED HAZARDOUS. BUT I LIVE IN A SOMEWHAT COLD CLIMATE AND I HAVE HAD TROUBLE KEEPING THE WINDOWS DEFROSTED ON SOME DAYS PARTICULARLY IF THE HUMIDITY WAS HIGH. THIS COULD BE CONSIDERED A SAFETY ISSUE. I JUST TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE TOYOTA SERVICE DEPARTMENT BECAUSE AIR CONDITIONER LIGHT WAS BLINKING. LOOKING AT A REPAIR BILL OF AROUND $1,600.00 FOR A NEW COMPRESSOR AND CLUTCH. OF COURSE, I DO NOT HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY AS THIS WAS MY SIXTH TOYOTA ,AND I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS SUCH AS THIS IS THE PAST. SINCE I HAVE READ THAT OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEMS I WOULD URGE SOMEONE TO LOOK INTO THE ISSUE BEFORE SOMEONE GOT KILLED BECAUSE OF INABILITY TO SEE OUT THE FRONT WINDOW. *AK
Visibility, May 19, 2007
DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR ON THE 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER WILL NOT STAY UP. IT FALLS DOWN ON A REGULAR BASIS ,AND SOMETIME FALLS DOWN WHILE DRIVING, MOMENTARILY, OBSTRUCTING MY VIEW OF THE ROAD AHEAD. DEALERSHIPS QUOTED ME A COST UPWARDS OF $600, PARTS ONLY, TO REPLACE IT, AND I DIDN'T AND HAVE NEVER USED THE HOMELINK FEATURE, WHICH APPARENTLY WAS LARGELY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE RELATIVELY HIGH COST OF REPAIR.*AK