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.
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
Other or unspecified, Jan 4, 2002
EXTREME AIR PRESSURE WHEN DRIVING ABOVE 35 MPH, AND EITHER REAR WINDOWS ARE OPEN. IT FEELS AS THOUGH RIDING IN AN AIRPLANE. IT MAKES EARS FEEL FUNNY.*AK