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, Apr 9, 2011
TOYOTA 2002 HIGHLANDER LIMITED DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR FLOPS DOWN INTO DRIVER'S VISION WHILE DRIVING. OBSCURES VIEW MOMENTARILY CREATING A CRASH DANGER. VISOR HAS LIGHTED MIRROR AND GARAGE DOOR OPENER BUILT IN. REPORTED TO DEALER AND VISOR WAS REPLACED UNDER SERVICE PLAN. *TR
Visibility, Apr 9, 2011
DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR FALLING INTO DRIVER'S FIELD OF VISION WHEN VEHICLE IN OPERATION. 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER LIMITED. OCCURS CONSTANTLY AND BEGAN ABOUT THREE YEARS AFTER THE VISOR WAS REPLACED FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
Service brakes, Electric, Apr 5, 2011
THE LEFT BRAKE LIGHTS ON MY 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER LIMITED EDITION 4 WHEEL DRIVE DO NOT WORK. I CHANGED THE BULBS AND THEY STILL DO NOT WORK. I HAVE RESEARCHED POSSIBLE CAUSES AND FOUND HUNDREDS OF OTHER CONSUMERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS. THIS IS A DANGEROUS DEFECT IN THAT IT AROSE SUDDENLY, FOR NO REASON, AND COMPROMISES THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLES ABILITY TO WARN OTHER DRIVERS THAT THE CAR IS BRAKING. I AM DISAPPOINTED THAT TOYOTA HAS NOT RECALLED THE CAR FOR WHAT APPEARS TO BE A SIGNIFICANT MALFUNCTION. *TR
Exterior lighting, Feb 20, 2011
TOYOTA HIGHLANDER BRAKE LIGHTS. RIGHT SIDE/PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE LIGHTS GO OUT OFTEN AND EVEN WITH NEW BULBS DON'T ALWAYS WORK. FAULTY DESIGN. DUE TO ALL THE POSTS ON THE INTERNET ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE I'M ASSUMING THIS IS A COMMON AND UNSAFE PROBLEM WITH HIGHLANDERS. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Exterior lighting, Jan 28, 2011
PASSENGER SIDE BREAK LIGHT FAILURE ON 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE WHEN OTHER DRIVERS CANNOT SEE YOU BREAK PARTICULARLY FROM THE RIGHT ANGLE. THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT HAS HAPPENED TO MANY DRIVERS OF THE SAME MODEL YEAR. SEE THE WEB POSTS AT HTTP://WWW.TOPIX.NET/FORUM/AUTOS/TOYOTA-HIGHLANDER/T7H7LD934GSQLC6BE I AM CONVINCED IT IS A DEFECT IN THE 2002 MODEL AND AS SUCH SHOULD BE RECALLED. I HAVE BROUGHT TO THE TOYOTA DEALER IN MANCHESTER NH 5 TIMES REPLACING LAMP SOCKETS AND OTHER ATTEMPTS AND IT STILL DOES NOT WORK. I HAVE TO BRING IN AGAIN. THERE SHOULD BE A STANDARD WAY TO FIX IT.
Other or unspecified, Jan 27, 2011
THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR DOES NOT STAY IN PLACE. AT FIRST OCCURRENCE, THE VISOR WOULD SLOWLY DROOP DOWN WITH NORMAL VIBRATIONS IN THE CAR AND REQUIRED REPEATED TAPING OF THE VISOR BACK INTO PLACE WITH THE DRIVER'S HAND (A DISTRACTION AND HAZARD AS IS). AS TIME WENT ON THE VISOR LOOSENED COMPLETELY AND DOES NOT STAY UP AT ALL. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND DISTRACTING AS IT BLOCKS FULL VISION OUT OF THE WINDSHIELD BY THE DRIVER. THIS SEEMS TO BE A DEFECT OF THE VISOR ITSELF BY THE MANUFACTURER AS IT SEEMS AS IF THE VISOR IS TOO HEAVY TO STAY IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE AMONG THIS MAKE AND MODEL AND SEEMS AS IF THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL REGARDING THIS ISSUE LONG AGO.
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 26, 2011, fire
I PURCHASED A NEW 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER FROM SIERRA TOYOTA OF LANCASTER, CA. I HAVE EXPERIENCED NO PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE UNTIL 25 JAN. 2011 WHEN THE ENGINE OVERHEATED WHILE DRIVING 40MPH ON CITY STREET. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO MY MECHANIC AND HE INFORMED ME OF A PROBLEM WITH THE 2.4L 4CYL TOYOTA ENGINES IN WHICH SOME OF THE HEAD BOLTS BECOME LOOSE/STRIPPED WHERE THEY ATTACH AT THE ENGINE BLOCK. I CALLED SIERRA TOYOTA OF LANCASTER AND THEY DENIED ANY KNOWLEDGE OF THIS PROBLEM. ON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, I DISCOVERED THAT SIERRA TOYOTA HAD A SPECIALIST SERVICING ONE OF THEIR VEHICLES BY PLACING INSERTS INTO THE STRIPPED HOLES THE VERY NEXT DAY. SIERRA TOYOTA REFUSED TO GIVE ME ANY MONETARY ASSISTANCE IN REPAIRING MY VEHICLE. AFTER RESEARCHING THE BOLT PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET, I HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS TOYOTA OWNERS WITH THE SAME ENGINE, THAT HAVE HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR VEHICLES. THE ONLY FIX IS EITHER A COMPLETE ENGINE REPLACEMENT OR HAVING AN EXPENSIVE ANCHOR-BOLT REDO. MY COSTS LOOK LIKE TO BE ABOUT $2500, IF THERE IS NO OTHER DAMAGE FOUND DUE TO THE OVER-HEATING. AT THIS POINT, I DON'T EVEN KNOW IF THE NEW ANCHOR-BOLT SYSTEM WILL WORK. MY VEHICLE WAS ALWAYS WELL-MAINTAINED AND CURRENTLY HAS APX. 126,000 MILES ON IT. *TR
Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Nov 20, 2010
2002 TOYOTA SIENNA MINIVAN. WHEN I TRY TO OPEN THE DRIVER SIDE SLIDING DOOR, I CAN HEAR IT UNLATCH BUT REMAINS SHUT. YOU HAVE TO PUSH THE REAR PART OF THE DOOR BACK IN UNTIL YOU HEAR A CLICK, THEN YOU HAVE TO VIOLENTLY PULL THE HANDLE AND THE DOOR WILL OPEN. *TR
Visibility, Nov 18, 2010
WAS DRIVING IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC WHEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE VISOR ON MY '02 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER SUDDENLY DROPPED DOWN TO OBSCURE MY VISION. THIS NECESSITATED ME HITTING MY BRAKES AND DUCKING DOWN TO THE RIGHT OF THE STEERING WHEEL IN ORDER TO VIEW TRAFFIC. THERE WERE NO "EVENTS" LEADING TO MALFUNCTION. THE VISOR WILL NO LONGER REMAIN IN THE "UP" POSITION AND POSES AN ONGOING SAFETY HAZARD AS IT MUST EITHER BE HELD IN PLACE WHILE DRIVING (FORCING THE DRIVER TO USE ONE HAND ON THE WHEEL), TAPED IN PLACE (WHERE IT WILL STILL DROP DOWN IF/WHEN THE TAPE GIVES OUT); OR FORCE THE DRIVER TO LEAN TO THE RIGHT IN ORDER TO SEE AROUND THE VISOR (THUS PROHIBITING THE USE OF THE REARVIEW AND SIDEVIEW MIRRORS(. *TR
Electrical system, Nov 16, 2010
AIR CONDITIONER THERMOSTAT DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. IT SWINGS BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN COLD AND HOT WITHOUT TOUCHING DIAL. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS DURING WINTER WHERE YOU COULD DIE IF NOT ABLE TO GET HEAT.
Visibility, Oct 26, 2010
2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR WILL NOT STAY UP. IT FLOPS DOWN INTO YOUR VIEW EVERYTIME YOU HIT A BUMP. TOYOTA DEALER WANTED $650 TO FIX/REPLACE HERE IN INDIANAPOLIS. CAR ONLY HAS 60,000 MILES, THIS SHOULDN'T BE A PROBLEM THAT IS SO EXPENSIVE TO FIX. *TR
Tires, Oct 20, 2010
2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE TIRES *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED ONE OF THE TIRES HE HAD PUT ON THE VEHICLE WERE PUNCTURED. THE CONSUMER STATED HE HAD THE GOODYEAR ROAD HAZARD PROTECTION PLAN. THE CONSUMER STATED LATER IN THE DAY, WHEN HE CONTACTED GOODYEAR, TO CHECK THE STATUS, HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE TIRES WERE WORN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IMMEDIATELY. THE CONSUMER STATED HE ONLY HAD 110,000 MILES AND ONLY 9,000 NEW MILES ON THEM. THE CONSUMER STATED HE EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM BEFORE WHICH WAS WHY HE HAD TO PURCHASE NEW TIRES AFTER 20,000 AND ANOTHER TIME PRIOR TO THAT. (GOODYEAR FORTERA TRIPLETRED)*JB
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 18, 2010
SOME EARLIER MODELS OF TOYOTA'S 2AZ-FE 4 CYLINDER ENGINE ARE SUSCEPTIBLE TO SUDDEN FAILURE AND ARE DANGEROUS. THE ENGINE IS WIDELY USED IN TOYOTA'S POPULAR CAMRY, HIGHLANDER, RAV4 AND SCION TC MODELS. TOYOTA NEEDS TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY AND INVESTIGATE THE ENGINE. ON 9/11/2010, 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER'S 2AZ-FE ENGINE FAILED AND LEFT OCCUPANTS STRANDED. EVENT TOOK PLACE IMMEDIATELY AFTER EXITING THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE SPUTTERED AND CEASED TO FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE HAD ABOUT 75,000 MILES ON IT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WHICH REPORTED THE FOLLOWING: - OIL AND COOLANT LEAKING FROM THE BACK OF THE ENGINE HEAD - HYDROCARBON IN THE COOLANT - OIL SEVERELY BURNT DUE TO OVERHEATING THE ESTIMATE TO OPEN UP AND REPAIR THE ENGINE COULD RUN ANYWHERE FROM $2,000 TO $7,500 DEPENDING ON WHETHER THE ENGINE BLOCK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN REGULARLY MAINTAINED ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURER'S SCHEDULE WITH ALL THE RECORDS TO PROVE IT. TOYOTA DENIED REQUEST TO INVESTIGATE AND DEFRAY COSTS. WHILE ENGINE WAS OPENED BY A LOCAL MECHANIC IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT TWO OF THE HEAD BOLTS WERE LOOSE AND THAT THE THREADS IN THE ALUMINUM ENGINE BLOCK FOR 3 HEAD BOLTS IN THE REAR WERE STRIPPED. REPAIRING THE ENGINE INVOLVED RE-THREADING THE HOLES IN THE ENGINE BLOCK FOR ALL TEN HEAD BOLTS USING THE TIME-SERT THREAD REPAIR KIT. *TR
Visibility, Oct 3, 2010
2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER: BOTH DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE SUNVISORS WILL NOT STAY IN UP POSITION. THE VISORS DROP WITHOUT WARNING MULTIPLE TIMES EVERY DAY SINCE THE PROBLEM BEGAN TO OCCUR. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AS THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUNVISOR RANDOMLY DROPS DOWN WITHOUT WARNING COMPLETELY OBSCURING THE DRIVER'S VISION. REPORTED THE DEFECT TO MY TOYOTA DEALER AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE ONLY OPTION WAS TO PAY FOR REPLACEMENTS AT A COST OF SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS EACH. THIS ASSESSMENT WAS GIVEN WITHOUT ANY INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE AND IN A MANNER WHICH STRONGLY IMPLIED THAT THIS WAS A PROBLEM WHICH THEY WERE VERY FAMILIAR WITH. AFTER SPEAKING TO TOYOTA, I DECIDED TO RESEARCH THIS FOR MYSELF ON THE WEB AND FOUND MANY SIMILAR INCIDENTS. THIS IS CLEARLY A DANGEROUS DESIGN DEFECT AND NEEDS TO BE REMEDIATED BY THE MANUFACTURER URGENTLY BEFORE SOMEONE'S FAMILY IS KILLED BECAUSE THE VISOR DROPS AND BLOCKS THEIR VIEW OF THE TRAFFIC AHEAD. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Sep 28, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER LTD (N/A). WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH AND SPEEDING TO 70 MPH TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL STUCK AND WOULD NOT RELEASE. THE PASSENGER REMOVED THE FLOOR MATS BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE RAPIDLY. THE CONTACT MANEUVERED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BY DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL FIRMLY, SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL AND TURNING THE ENGINE OFF. THE RPMS CONTINUED TO INCREASE EXCESSIVELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY HAD CARBON AND BUILT UP CORROSION WHICH CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE AS THE VEHICLE WAS TOO OLD, TOO HIGH IN MILEAGE AND NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 218,000.
Visibility, Aug 26, 2010
THE DRIVER'S SIDE VISOR ON MY 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER WILL NOT STAY IN THE UP POSITION AND FALLS INTO THE DRIVER'S VIEW WHEN DRIVING OVER BUMPS. *TR
Exterior lighting, Aug 2, 2010
THE RIGHT BRAKE LIGHT REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOES NOT WORK. I HAVE CHANGED ALL BULBS AND CHECKED FUSES. ALL OTHER LIGHT IN THE ASSEMBLY WORK JUST FINE TAIL,BACKUP,RIGHT BLINKER BUT WHEN YOUR PRESS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL THE LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS TO THE NHTSA ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. DIRECT ACTION IS NEEDED TO FIX THIS PROBLEM BEFORE AN ACCIDENT OR SOMEONE IS PULLED OVER FOR A PROBLEM THAT IS NOT FIXABLE ON THE CUSTOMERS END. *TR
Visibility, Jul 31, 2010
DEFECTIVE VISOR ON 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER THAT WILL NOT REMAIN IN "UP" POSITION. ANY BUMP WILL CAUSE THE VISOR TO FALL, AND POTENTIALLY BLOCK THE DRIVER'S FIELD OF VISION. DEALER WANTS $667 TO REPLACE THE VISOR - MORE THAN I PAID FOR MY FIRST CAR! *TR
Visibility, Jul 30, 2010
MY 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR CONTINUOUSLY FALLS DOWN AND WILL NOT STAY IN PLACE. THE PASSENGER SIDE SUN VISOR STAYS IN PLACE IF THE CAR ISN'T MOVING, BUT WILL SUDDENLY FALL DOWN UNEXPECTEDLY WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION. THE DEALER SAYS IT WOULD COST $600 TO REPLACE EACH VISOR, BUT MY QUESTION IS, WHY SHOULD I OR ANY CONSUMER HAVE TO PAY FOR A MANUFACTURER DEFAULT? I HAVE RESORTED TO PLACING A VELCRO STRIP ON THE CEILING TO KEEP THE SUN VISOR IN PLACE, WHICH OF COURSE PREVENTS ME FROM USING THE VISOR AT ALL. *TR
Visibility, Jul 26, 2010
I HAVE A TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 2002 LIMITED, V6, BOTH SUN VISORS CONSTANTLY FALL DOWN AND WON'T STAY UP EVEN WITH HEAVY DUTY VELCRO STRIPS. IT IS DISTRACTING AND BLOCKS THE DRIVERS VIEW. *TR
Electrical system, Jul 13, 2010
MY 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HAD APPROXIMATELY 110,000 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME WHEN I STARTED HEARING A NOISE AROUND THE DISTRIBUTOR. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC (NOT TOYOTA FOR OTHER REASONS) AND HE SAID THE BEARINGS IN THE DISTRIBUTOR WERE GOING OUT. I CALLED TOYOTA (TOYOTA OF TEXAS - GRAPEVINE) TO ORDER THE PART. THEY DIDN'T HAVE ANY IN STOCK, SO HAD TO ORDER FROM THE DC. THEY SAID IT WOULD BE IN 4 DAYS AND TO CALL BACK. CALLED BACK IN 5 DAYS AND THEY SAID THEY HAD TO ORDER FROM HQ IN CALIFORNIA AND IT WOULD BE IN NEXT WEEK (HA!). CALLED NEXT WEEK. STILL NO DISTRIBUTOR!! HAD TO ORDER IT FROM JAPAN!! AT THAT POINT, THE REGIONAL PARTS MANAGER CALLED ME AND SAID THAT A HIGHLANDER DISTRIBUTOR HAS NEVER GONE OUT. I DISCUSSED MY DISGUST WITH THE FACT THAT THERE WAS NO DISTRIBUTORS FOR A 6 YEAR OLD HIGHLANDER IN THE UNITED STATES!! MY MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO GET WITH A LOCAL DISTRIBUTOR REBUILDER TO TRY TO FIX IT EVEN WITHOUT HAVING THE MANUAL ON THE TOYOTA DISTRIBUTOR. HE WAS ABLE TO REBUILD IT BEFORE THE DISTRIBUTOR I ORDERED CAME IN 3 WEEKS AFTER THE INITIAL ORDER. IN THE END, MY HIGHLANDER SAT AT MY MECHANIC'S SHOP FOR 3 WEEKS AND I WAS STUCK RENTING A THE WHOLE TIME. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 10, 2010
IN JUNE 2008, I WAS DRIVING WHEN MY ENGINE APPARENTLY MELTED DOWN. IT WENT COMPLETELY HOT. I PULLED OVER AND THERE WAS WHAT APPEARED TO BE COOLANT POOLED UNDER THE CAR. PRIOR TO THIS ALL SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE HAD BEEN DONE AND THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF ANY TROUBLE WITH THE CAR EARLIER THAT DAY. I LATER TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC WHO SAID HE HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THAT IN HIS LIFE. THE ENGINE HAD LITERALLY MELTED. HE THEN TRIED TO CALL TOYOTA AND GOT IN CONTACT WITH SOMEONE BUT THEY COULDN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT HAPPENED EITHER AND WAS UNWILLING TO DEAL WITH IT. HE SAID IT OBVIOUSLY HAD TO BE A FACTORY DEFECT. IT COST ME A WHOLE NEW ENGINE. *TR
Visibility, Jul 8, 2010
DRIVER'S SIDE SUNVISOR KEEPS FALLING IN TO MY LINE OF VISION UNEXPECTEDLY. IT'S ON MY 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. IT IS TERRIFYING WHEN YOU'RE ON THE HIGHWAY IN TRAFFIC AND IT FALLS! *TR
Power train, Jul 8, 2010
AT 108K MILES, MY 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. WHATEVER HAPPENED TO TOYOTAS LASTING TO 200K MILES, LIKE IN THE COMMERCIALS? I'LL NEVER BE ABLE TO JUMP UP AND BE THE ONE PROCLAIMING HOW MANY MILES MY TOYOTA HAS NOW! I'M VERY DISAPPOINTED, AS I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE EXPECTING TO DRIVE IT WELL BEYOND 100K MILES AND WITH FURTHER RESEARCH, APPARENTLY I'M NOT THE ONLY DISAPPOINTED HIGHLANDER OWNER WITH THE SAME ISSUE. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Jun 27, 2010
FROM A STOPPED POSITION ON A SIDE STREET, I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR TO PULL ONTO A MAIN STREET. BECAUSE TRAFFIC ON THE MAIN STREET MOVES RATHER FAST, I ACCELERATED SOMEWHAT ABOVE NORMAL, BUT IN NO WAY EXCESSIVE. AFTER GETTING INTO MY LANE, I BACKED OFF THE ACCELERATOR, BUT THE ENGINE ACTED AS IF I WAS FLOORING IT AND THE CAR CONTINUED ACCELERATING. IT WAS SCARY. I PUSHED HARD ON THE BREAK. THE CAR STILL ACCELERATED. I STEPPED ON THE HAND BRAKE. IT CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. FINALLY, I TOOK THE CAR OUT OF DRIVE AND INTO NEUTRAL. THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO SCREAM, BUT I WAS ABLE TO STOP AT THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AT SOME POINT THE ENGINE DID COME DOWN TO NORMAL IDLE, BUT I WAS SO SHAKEN, I REALLY DON'T KNOW WHEN THAT HAPPENED. FORTUNATELY NO ONE WAS AHEAD OF ME, THE ROAD IS STRAIGHT AND LEVEL, ETC. ASIDE FROM SHATTERED NERVES, THERE WAS NO HARM DONE. BUT I CAN IMAGINE ALL KINDS OF HORRIBLE OUTCOMES HAD CONDITIONS BEEN DIFFERENT. THE CAR ACTED AS IF THE ACCELERATOR STUCK ALL THE WAY DOWN, HOWEVER I KNOW I DIDN'T PRESS IT DOWN THAT FAR. LATER MY HUSBAND DROVE THE CAR HOME FROM WHERE I STOPPED IT. WITH THE CAR OFF, MY HUSBAND INSPECTED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL PRESSING IT WITH HIS HAND AND LETTING IT BACK UP. THERE IS A POINT ABOUT HALF WAY BACK UP WHERE THE MECHANISM IS NOT SMOOTH. THE PEDAL COMES ALL THE WAY BACK UP, BUT SOMETHING INSIDE CATCHES AND CAUSES LOTS OF GAS TO FLOW INTO THE ENGINE. AT LEAST ONE TIME HE WAS ABLE TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM WITH THE CAR IN PARK. I AM AFRAID TO EVER DRIVE IT AGAIN. THIS TIME I WAS LUCKY, BUT I SHUTTER TO THINK. IF SOMEONE HAD BEEN IN ONE OF THE CROSSWALKS. IF I HAD BEEN APPROACHING A RED LIGHT. WHEN MIGHT THIS HAPPEN AGAIN? *TR