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, May 12, 2006
DRIVER SIDE VISOR WILL NOT STAY UP, KEEPS FALLING DOWN AND DISTRACTING ME. THE PROBLEM IS INSIDE THE VISOR, I RARELY USE THE VISOR, BUT IT DOES HAVE THE HOMELINK GARAGE DOOR OPENER, WHICH I USE DAILY. *NM
Visibility, May 3, 2006
DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR SWINGS DOWN FROM REST POSITION TO BLOCK VIEW. WE USE VISOR NORMALLY UNTIL IT SUDDENLY GAVE UP AND DID NOT STAY IN ANY POSITION OTHER THAN HANGING STRAIGHT DOWN. WE DO NOT HANG ANYTHING ON THE VISOR TO CAUSE A LOAD. IT JUST SIMPLY "HANG LOOSE" NOW. WHEN I (MALE 5' 11") AM DRIVING, THE VISOR WOULD RANDOMLY AND OFTEN FLIP DOWN RIGHT IN FRONT OF MY EYES BLOCKING MY VIEW. THIS WOULD BE AN EQUIVALENCE TO SOME ONE STICKING THEIR HANDS IN YOUR FACE WHILE YOU DRIVE. THIS DEFINITELY DISTRACTS ME AND CAUSES ME TO TAKE MY EYES OFF THE ROAD. I AM AFRAID THAT THIS WILL EVENTUALLY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AT ANY SPEED. SINCE WE DRIVE LONG DISTANCE WITH THIS CAR, OUR WARRANTY WAS OVER QUICK AND WAS NOT COVERED. I AM CURRENTLY HOLDING IT UP WITH VELCRO JUST SO IT WOULD STAY OUT OF THE WAY. IF IT WASN'T FOR THE HOMELINK SYSTEM ON IT, I WOULD HAVE REMOVED IT ALREADY. THE VISOR IS USELESS TO ME SINCE I CAN NOT TILT IT TO BLOCK THE SUN. IT CAN ONLY HANG AND THAT IT TOO LOW FOR ME TO DRIVE SAFELY. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING MY LITTLE KIDS IN THIS CAR AND HAVE BOUGHT MINI VAN TO DO SO. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT NHTSA AND TOYOTA SHOULD LOOK INTO CORRECTING. I KNOW THERE ARE MANY OTHERS WITH THE SAME EXACT ISSUE, BUT THEY DO NOT KNOW TO VOICE THEIR CONCERNS HERE. PLEASE RESEARCH THIS DEFECT AND HAVE IT CORRECTED BEFORE SOME ONE GET HURT OR KILLED. THANK YOU. *JB
Visibility, Apr 21, 2006
TOYOTA 2002 HIGHLANDER DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR KEEPS FALLING DOWN AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE CAR. *JB
Visibility, Mar 7, 2006
DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR WILL NOT STAY IN POSITION. IT WILL ONLY HANG STRAIGHT DOWN, BLOCKING THE VIEW OF THE DRIVER. VISOR HAS NOT BEEN USED IN ANY UNUSUAL MANNER - THE TENSION IN THE VISOR IS SIMPLY GONE. *JB
Visibility, Dec 27, 2005
WITHIN A MONTH, BOTH SUN VISORS STARTED FALLING/ROTATING ON THEIR OWN. WHILE DRIVING, THIS CAN BLOCK YOUR VISION AND NOT ALLOW A 'FULL' VIEW OF WHAT'S AHEAD OF YOU. THE DEALERSHIP I CALLED JUST PUT ME THROUGH TO THE 'PARTS' DEPT. AN EMAIL FROM TOYOTA SAID IT WAS MY PROBLEM. THE SUN VISORS HAVE SEEN NOTHING BUT "NORMAL" USE. *NM
Visibility, Jul 24, 2004
PLEASE INCLUDE AND CONSIDER THIS COMPLAINT IN YOUR UPCOMING MEETING.RE: DESIGN DEFECT HEATED AIR FROM VENTING SYSTEM TOYOTA HIGHLANDER I AM AN OWNER OF THE 2002 MODEL. THE AIR FROM THE AIR VENTING SYSTEM IS ALWAYS HEATED. RECENTLY, THE LOCAL DEALER CONFIRMED MY FINDINGS. THE AIR EXITING FROM THE VENTING SYSTEM IS UNNECESSARILY HEATED FOR AN ADDED 6 TO 9 DEGREES. THE CABIN IS 6- 9 DEGREES HOTTER THAN THE OUTSIDE. THIS IS A DESIGN DEFECT. THEIR EXPLANATION IS THAT THE AIR VENT DUCT PULLS AIR THROUGH NEXT TO THE ENGINE. AND IN THE PROCESS HEATED THE VENTED AIR.I WAS TOLD TO USE THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM.HOWEVER, I AM PUZZLED BY THIS DESIGN DEFICIENCY. DUE TO THIS DESIGN DEFECT, I AM WASTING AC AND FUEL EFFICIENCY. PLEASE HELP ME LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM. F. FUNG SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA. *AK
Visibility, Jul 4, 2004
APPROXIMATELY SIX MONTHS AGO I HAD A PROBLEM WITH MY SUN VISOR RANDOMLY FLOPPING DOWN AS I WAS DRIVING, AND IT WOULD NOT STAY IN POSITION WHEN I TRIED TO USE THE VISOR TO BLOCK THE SUN. THE DEALER DID REPLACE THE VISOR UNDER WARRANTY, BUT ADVISED ME THAT THE PART COST OVER $500 DUE TO THE "HOME LINK" SYSTEM IN THE VISOR. THE VISOR IS ONCE AGAIN STARTING TO BECOME LOOSE, AND WILL NOT STAY IN POSITION UP AGAINST THE WINDSHIELD. THIS IS VERY INCONVENIENT BECAUSE I HAVE TO DUCK DOWN TO SEE UNDER THE VISOR AT TRAFFIC SIGNALS TO SEE WHEN THE LIGHT CHANGES. I AM ALSO CONCERNED THAT IT WILL SOON START RANDOMLY FLOPPING DOWN AS I'M DRIVING AGAIN. ONE WEEK AGO, THE DEALER AGREED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH MY VISOR AND THIS TIME TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS A DEFECTIVE PART IN THE VISOR, WHICH THEY REPLACED. AFTER THE REPAIR, THE VISOR STAYED IN POSITION FOR ONLY ONE DAY. WHEN I RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP, THE ADVISOR TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS A DEFECT WITH THE VISOR ON HIGHLANDERS, AND THAT TOYOTA HAD CORRECTED THE PROBLEM WITH THE NEW MODELS BY INSTALLING THE HOME LINK SYSTEM ELSEWHERE IN THE VEHICLE. THE SERVICE MANAGER, HOWEVER, INSISTED THAT THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH THE VISOR, AND THAT WAS THE WAY IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE. AFTER A GREAT DEAL OF DISCUSSION, THE SERVICE MANAGER FINALLY AGREED TO ORDER A NEW VISOR FOR MY VERHICLE. MY CONCERN IS THAT THIS WILL BE AN ONGOING BATTLE WITH THE DEALERSHIP IF THE PROBLEM PERSISTS SINCE MY VEHICLE IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY AND THE PART IS EXPENSIVE. *AK
Visibility, Apr 22, 2004
WHEN DRIVING HIGHLANDER AT SPEED OF 25 PHR OR MORE WITH REAR WINDOWS DOWN AND FRONT WINDOWS UP, AIR ENTERING CABIN SPACE CAUSES HIGH VIBRATIONS THAT MAKE HEARING IMPARED. AND EAR DRUMS UNCOMFORTABLE FOR ALL PASSENGERS. THE FIRST TIME THIS OCCURRED , I WAS DRIVING WITH MY INFANT SON. I WAS NOT EXPECTING TO EXPERINCE WHAT CAME NEXT ONCE I PARTIALLY LOWERED THE REAR WINDOWS. I WAS WORRIED, I MIGHT HAVE DAMAGED MY INFANTS SONS EAR DRUMS.*AK
Visibility, Feb 18, 2004
DRIVER SIDE VISOR WILL NOT STAY IN ANY TILTED POSITION AFTER IT HAS BEEN PULLED DOWN FROM ITS RESTING "OUR OF THE WAY" POSITION IN THE ROOF BRACKET. BECAUSE OF THE FAILURE OF THE VISOR TO STAY IN POSITION IT IS NO LONGER SAFE TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE WHILE USING THE VISOR AS IT OBSTRUCTS THE DRIVER'S VIEW OF THE ROAD. THIS CONDITION ADDITIONALLY MAKES THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO OPERATE WHILE DRIVING IN THE DIRECTION OF THE SUN AS THERE IS NO MEANS BY WHICH TO BLOCK THE INCOMING GLARE FROM THE DRIVER'S EYES WHILE THE VISOR IS IN ITS "OUT OF THE WAY" POSITION IN THE ROOF BRACET. THE DEALER HAS BEEN MADE AWARE OF THE DEFECT. THE REPLACEMENT COST OF THE VISOR IS $580.00. I CONSIDER THIS TO BE A MANUFACTURER DESIGN DEFECT OF A SMALL INEXPENSIVE PART CONTAINED WITHIN A VERY EXPENSIVE VISOR.*AK
Visibility, Mar 19, 2003
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS BECAME STUCK AND CAUSED POOR VISIBILITY. THE DRIVER HAD TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND MOVE THE ARMS BUT THEY STILL DIDN'T WORK. THE DEALER HAD BEEN CONTACTED FOR REPAIR. *NLM PH
Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Visibility, Other or unspecified, Feb 13, 2003
THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS INOPERATIVE, THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO READ THE VARIOUS FEATURES THAT WERE DISPLAYED ON THE UNIT. THE BATTERY HAD GONE DEAD, AND THE POWER WINDOWS FAILED. THE FUEL CONSUMPTION WAS ABNORMAL AND THE AIR HANDLING SYSTEM DID NOT PERMIT OUTSIDE AIR. *SCC *JB
Visibility, Jan 23, 2003
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN REAR WINDOWS ARE DOWN, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCES VERY BAD TURBULENCE THAT IS "DEAFENING". THIS OCCURS AT ANY SPEED. TS
Visibility, Oct 15, 2002
CONSUMER STATES THAT THERE IS A LOUD NOISE THAT COMES INTO THE VEHICLE ONCE THE CONSUMER OPENS ANY OF THE REAR WINDOWS WITH OUT OPENING THE FRONT WINDOWS. THE NOISE IS SO LOUD THAT IT HURTS THE CONSUMER'S EARS. CONTACTED DEALER. MR
Visibility, Jun 21, 2002
WHEN BOTH REAR SIDE WINDOWS ARE ROLLED DOWN, SOUND IS DEAFENING. DEALER WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, THERE WAS NOTHING HE COULD DO.*AK CONSUMER WAS TOLD IT WAS A DESIGN FLAW AND THAT IT COULD NOT BE CORRECTED. TO CONTROL THE NOISE CONSUMER HAS TO OPEN THE MOON ROOF OR THE FRONT WINDOWS. *JG
Visibility, May 3, 2002
THIS IS A 4-DOOR MODEL. WHEN FRONT WINDOWS ARE CLOSED AND REAR DOOR WINDOWS ARE LOWERED IT SOUNDS LIKE AN AIRPLANE FLEW OVER THE BACK SEAT; NOISE CREATED IS HORRENDOUS. YOU CANNOT CONTINUE DRIVING WITH THE NOISE. ROLLING DOWN "A" FRONT WINDOW ELIMINATES THE PROBLEM. I CAN'T IMAGINE THE CONSEQUENCES OF SOMEONE HAVING A DOG IN THE BACK SEAT AND ROLLING DOWN A REAR WINDOW SO THEY DON'T MESS UP THE GLASS.*AK
Visibility, Mar 1, 2002
WHILE DRIVING A TOYOTA HIGHLANDER, THAT WE LEASED ON 01/08/2002, WE NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE HAS A PROBLEM: WHEN THE WINDOWS ON THE REAR DOORS ARE LOWERED, THE VEHICLE MAKES A VERY LOUD TURBULANCE NOISE AND VIBRATION OCCURS, THAT MAKES THE VEHICLE DIFFICULT TO STEER. ON 01/12/2002, ACCOMPANIED BY MY BROTHER-IN-LAW, WE VISITED TOYOTA OF CERRITOS, WHERE I HAD LEASED THE TOYOTA HIGHLANDER, AND ADVISED THEM OF THIS PROBLEM. THE SALES MANAGER DALE POGODA, SAID " THEY HAVE RECEIVED MANY COMPLAINTS IN REGARDS TO ALL OF THE TOYOTA HIGHLANDERS AND IT IS MANUFACTURERS DEFECT, AND THAT ALL THAT THEY ARE WORRIED ABOUT IS GETTING THE VEHICLES OFF THERE LOT". I HAVE CONTACTED THE CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER AT TOYOTA OF CERRITOS, CROWN TOYOTA'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT, TOYOTA REGIONAL OFFICE CASE NO. 200201160431, AND FOLLOWED THE ARBITRATION PROCESS. THEY ADVISED US THAT THIS IS A NORMAL CONDITION OF THE TOYOTA HIGHLANDER DUE TO THE SHAPE OF THE VEHICLE. I HAVE DRIVEN MANY SUV'S LIKE THE DODGE DURANGO, FORD EXPEDITION AND CHEVY TAHOE'S. AND NONE OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE THIS PROBLEM, I FEEL THAT I HAVE A TRUE ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BEFORE AN VEHICLE ACCIDENT OCCURS DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *AK