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
327 reports, newest first.
Tires, Oct 22, 2004
THE GOODYEAR INTEGRITY TIRES THAT CAME ON MY 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER ARE HORRIBLE. SINCE DAY ONE, I FEEL EXTREMELY UNSAFE IN WET CONDITIONS LET ALONE ICE AND SNOW. I COMPLAINED SEVERAL TIMES TO THE DEALERSHIP, BUT THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THEY SAY THE TIRES LOOK FINE. I HAVE READ SEVERAL ARTICLES ON THE INTERNET FROM PEOPLE WHO AGREE.*AK
Seat belts, Oct 18, 2004
SET BELT BUCKLE (FEMALE RECEPTICAL) FAILURE.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 2, 2004
WHILE DRIVING OIL PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT. *AK
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
Equipment, Jul 15, 2004
LARGE AMOUNT WATER IN PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE COMPARTMENT, DEALER STATED DUE TO CLOGGED A/C DRAIN. OUR TODDLER DEVELOPED CONGESTION AND ALLERGY SYMPTOMS FOLLOWED BY MILDEW ODOR IN VEHICLE. DEALER CLEANED OUT DRAINS AND SUBSEQUENTLY HAD TO CHANGE CARPETS AND DISINFECT VEHICLE. DUE TO OVERWHELMING DEODORANT SMELL IN VEHICLE CANNOT TELL IF MILDEW STILL PRESENT, BUT WE ARE AFRAID TO PUT THE TODDLER BACK IN VEHICLE. TOYOTA ALSO TRYING TO SAY NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. *LA
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
Latches/locks/linkages, Jun 9, 2004
DOOR HANDLE ON INSIDE OF DRIVER'S SIDE BROKE. IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN DOOR. UNFORTUNATELY IT HAPPENED WHEN MILEAGE IS AT 38,000 AND PAST WARRANTY BY 2000 MILES. COST TO REPAIR WAS $117. TECHNICIAN STATED PROBLEMS WITH CAMRY AND COROLA WITH THAT RESPECT. THE HANDLE WAS NEVER TREATED ROUGHLY, JUST BROKE ONE DAY.*AK
Electrical system, May 10, 2004
THE HEATING SYSTEM STOPPED WORKING. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THE DEALER REPLACED SOME WIRES. UPON LEAVING THE DEALER, THE DRIVER TURNED ON THE REAR DEFROSTER AND THE WIRING HARNESS BURNED UP. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *JB
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
Vehicle speed control, Apr 13, 2004, crash
WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING AREA, AND WHEN CONSUMER DEPRESSED THE BRAKES VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. WHILE TRYING TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AND AVOID PEDESTRIANS VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH A CEMENT POLE IN THE PARKING LOT. CONSUMER SUFFERED SEVERE HEAD AND KNEE INJURIES. THE POLICE ISSUED A REPORT ON THE COLLISION.*AK
Air bags, Mar 25, 2004, crash
THE VEHICLE WAS IN AN ACCIDENT AND WAS HIT HEAD ON. THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30-35 MPH AT IMPACT. THE FRONT AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 11, 2004
BLACK SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE EXHAUST PIPE, AND VEHICLE CONSUMED EXCESSIVE OIL. DEALERSHIP WANTED TO REPLACE THE VALVE SEAL AND PISTON O-RING S, BUT THE PARTS WERE ON BACK ORDER. *AK VEHICLE IS AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS AND CONSUMER WAS ASKED TO USE A RENTAL CAR SINCE VEHICLE'S PARTS FOR REPAIR WHERE NOT AVAILABLE AT THAT TIME. CONSUMER RECEIVED A CALL FROM DEALER THAT VEHICLE WAS READY TOP BE PICKED UP. WHEN CONSUMER PICKED UP THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT VEHICLE IS ONCE AGAIN SMOKING AND EXPERIENCED HESITATION. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP AND REPLACED THE TIMING BELT WHICH CAUSED THE HESITATION. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM WITH THE SMOKE COMING OUT AND OCCASIONAL HESITATION STILL EXIST. *LA
Power train, Mar 1, 2004
VEHICLE SHIFTED OUT OF PARK WITHOUT WARNING. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED,BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *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
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 15, 2004
THE ENGINE OIL LIGHT WAS COMING ON WHEN BRAKING. I HAD RECENTLY HAD THE OIL CHANGED. THE ENGINE WAS ALSO EMITTING A WHITE SMOKE WHEN STARTING THE CAR. OIL WAS SHOWING ABOUT 1/2 QUART LOW ON INITIAL INSPECTION. IT TOOK TWO TRIPS TO THE DEALER FOR THEM TO FINALLY DISCOVER INTERNAL OIL GELLING. NO INFORMATION WAS GIVEN BY THE DEALER ABOUT PREVIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE AND ENGINE GELLING.
Tires, Dec 26, 2003
PURCHASED TOYOTA MR2 SPYDER IN AUGUST OF 2002. CAR NOW HAS 18,300 MILES AND BOTH FRONT TIRES (YOKOHAMA ADVAN A043 185/50R15) ARE WORN BEYOND RECOMMENDED TREAD DEPTH AND BLISTERED ON INSIDE(BECAUSE OF FRONT-END MISALIGNMENT ACCORDING TO DEALERSHIP). *AK
Vehicle speed control, Oct 31, 2003, crash
DRIVER MADE A LEFT TURN WITH FOOT ON BRAKE PEDAL AND ROLLED INTO A PARKING SPOT WITHIN A PARKING LOT, ESTIMATED SPEED TO BE 2 MPH. THE ENGINE SURGED AND THE CAR RAN OVER 3 SMALL TREES, WENT UP AN INCLINE APPROXIMATELY 3 FT. HIGHER THAN THE PARKING LOT, THEN PROCEEDED APPROXIMATELY 8 FEET INTO THE ADJACENT PROPERTY THEN STRUCK THE BRICK CHIMNEY OF A HOUSE AND BOUNCED BACK INTO THE PARKING LOT. THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED DURING THIS OCCURRENCE BUT DID NOT STOP THE CAR. *LA
Suspension, Sep 30, 2003
WHILE TRYING TO STOP A GRINDING NOISE WAS HEARD, AND VEHICLE DID NOT STOP RIGHT AWAY. THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 26, 2003
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING OIL UNDERNEATH . *AK
Structure, Jun 26, 2003
ON EXTREMELY SUNNY DAYS, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO READ. *JB PH *JB
Vehicle speed control, Jun 6, 2003
ENGAGED FROM PARK TO DRIVE AND SUDDENLY ACCELERATION HAPPENED, DAMAGING MANY OTHER CARS. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
Electrical system, May 29, 2003, fire
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. SMOKE WAS COMING INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE THOUGH THE DASHBOARD. VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *AK
Parking brake, May 15, 2003, crash
THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR APPROXIMATELY FORTY FIVE MINUTES AND WITHOUT WARNING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE RELEASED AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. (MODEL/MR2 SPYDER) SCC *JB
Structure, May 15, 2003
WE CANNOT READ THE INSTRUMENT PANEL OF OUR 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER IN THE BRIGHT ARIZONA SUN WHEN WEARING SUNGLASSES (A SAFETY AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENT IN ARIZONA THAT IS TO WEAR SUN GLASSES IN THE VERY BRIGHT LATE SPRING TO EARLY FALL SUN). WE HAVE DRIVEN AT LEAST 100 DIFFERENT CARS AND TRUCKS (MANY OF THEM RENTAL VEHICLES) OVER THE YEARS AND NEVER EXPERIENCED NOR EXPECTED THIS PROBLEM WHEN WE PURCHASED OUR 2002 HIGHLANDER. DURING THE BRIGHT SUNNY DAYS IN CENTRAL ARIZONA (IT IS SUNNY HERE OVER 300 DAYS A YEAR), IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO READ ANY INSTRUMENTS (SPEEDOMETER, TEMP GAGE, FUEL GAGE, ODOMETER, AND TACHOMETER) WHEN THE SUN IS COMING IN THE WINDSHIELD AND THE DRIVER IS WEARING SUNGLASSES. OBVIOUSLY THIS IS A SEVERE SAFETY HAZARD. I HAVE REPEATEDLY CONTACTED THE DEALER, THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT, AND TOYOTA ON THIS EXTREME SAFETY HAZARD SINCE ACQUIRING THE VEHICLE IN FEBRUARY 2002. IN CONSIDERATION FOR TOYOTA AND ITS REPUTATION, I AVOIDED CONTACTING CU AND THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION TO ALLOW TIME FOR TOYOTA TO RESPOND TO THIS SAFETY ISSUE. MY PATIENCE ENDED WITH THE BEGINNING OF ANOTHER SEASON OF VERY BRIGHT SUNSHINE IN ARIZONA. THE DEALER AND TOYOTA FACTORY REPRESENTATIVES TOLD ME AS RECENTLY AS MAY 14, 2003 THAT THERE IS NOTHING THAT TOYOTA CAN DO, SINCE THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH COMPLAINTS OR PERHAPS ANY OTHER THAN MINE (PERHAPS MANY PEOPLE DON'T LOOK AT THEIR DASH INSTRUMENTS WHEN THEY DRIVE). HOWEVER, THE SERVICE MANAGER AT A LOCAL DEALERSHIP TELLS ME THAT OTHER ARIZONA HIGHLANDER OWNERS HAVE COMPLAINED, BUT THAT THERE IS NOTHING THAT HE CAN DO ABOUT THE REPORTED PROBLEM. HE AGREES WITH MY ASSESSMENT OF THE PROBLEM. HOW CAN HE NOT AGREE WHEN IT IS SO EVIDENT BY SETTING IN THE VEHICLE WITH THE BRIGHT ARIZONA SUN COMING THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD WHILE WEARING SUNGLASSES?*JB
Electrical system, May 14, 2003, fire
WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE DASH BOARD PANEL. *JB