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, 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
Structure, Jun 18, 2008
SAFETY ISSUE WITH TOYOTA HIGHLANDER (02 MODEL)...SUN VISOR ON DRIVERS SIDE KEEPS FALLING DOWN AND OBSTRUCTING VIEW. *TR
Structure, Jun 16, 2008
I PURCHASED A USED 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 3 YEARS AGO, LAST YEAR, THE VISOR ON THE DRIVERS SIDE STARTED FLIPPING DOWN (WILL NOT STAY UP). I HAVE BEEN QUOTED APPROX $700 TO REPLACE THE VISOR WHICH SEEMS EXCESSIVE ESPECIALLY SINCE IT IS NOT EVEN LIGHTED. *TR
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
Structure, Equipment, Jun 7, 2008
2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. BOTH SUNVISORS FAULTY. HIT A BUMP AND THEY WILL FALL DOWN IN FRONT OF VISION. CRASH HAZARD IN CERTAIN DRIVING SITUATIONS, ESPECIALLY DRIVING UPHILL OR TRYING TO LOOK AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THEY SUDDENLY FALL AND OBSCURE UPWARD VISION. *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
Equipment, Apr 26, 2008
A/C BLOWS HOT AIR ON DRIVER SIDE WHEN IT SHOULD BLOW COLD AIR AS IT DOES WITH PASSENGER SIDE. *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
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 14, 2008
2004, MY HIGHLANDER WAS SERVICED FOR GEL IN THE VALVE SEALS. ON APRIL 2, MY CAR WAS BROUGHT TO LEITH TOYOTA BECAUSE THE CAR MADE A LOUD NOISE AFTER BEING CRANKED AND THE OIL LIGHT WAS ON. AS I DROVE A COUPLE OF MILES, ALL COMPUTER LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE CAR CUT OFF. I WAS TOLD TESTING WAS DONE AND I HAD OIL ALTHOUGH IT WAS NOT BEING PUMPED TO THE ENGINE FOR SOME REASON. (I HAVE OIL CHANGED EVERY 3,000 MILES). THE NEXT DAY, I WENT TO CHECK ON THE PROGRESS AND THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THEY DROVE THE CAR AROUND AND IT NEVER CUT OFF AND HE REALLY DID NOT KNOW WHAT WAS WRONG WITH IT. I DECIDED TO TAKE IT TO ANOTHER MECHANIC TO FIND OUT AND 10 MILES AWAY, THE ENGINE BLEW UP. NOW, I HAVE NO CAR TO DRIVE AND I AM A SINGLE MOM THAT HAS TO WORK. I FEEL THAT THE SERVICE MANAGER SHOULD HAVE BEEN HONEST WITH ME REGARDING TOYOTA'S PAST ENGINE DEFECTS AND TO DRIVE MY CAR WOULD BE FATAL. AFTER HAVING IT TOWED TO ANOTHER TOYOTA DEALERSHIP TO CHECK FOR OIL SLUDGE AND REQUESTING THAT MY MECHANIC BE PRESENT WHEN DROPPING THE OIL PAN, THEY TOLD ME THAT WAS NOT NECESSARY AND DID IT WITHOUT CALLING ME FIRST. I HAVE LOST ALL FUTURE TRUST WITH THIS COMPANY AND FELL THAT THEIR"HUSH HUSH RECALL" SHOULD HAVE BEEN MADE PUBLIC. *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
Structure, Mar 6, 2008
2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER DRIVER'S SIDE VISOR FALLS DOWN AND BLOCKS THE VISION OF THE DRIVER. TOYOTA'S SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM IS TO REPLACE THE VISOR AT A COST OF $600 PLUS LABOR. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY REPORTS OF THIS PROBLEM ACCORDING TO THE TOYOTA DEALER, YET TOYOTA HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL. *TR
Equipment, Feb 6, 2008
COMPONENT: EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:AIR CONDITIONER SUMMARY: THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING A/C CONTROL UNIT. I'D TALKED TO SEVERAL TOYOTA OWNERS ABOUT THIS, AND THEY SAID THAT THEY HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM , AND EACH HAS TAKEN IT TO A DEALERSHIP NEAR THEM AND GOT THE SAME REPLY. THIS WAS A VERY EXPENSIVE REPLACEMENT PART. THE DEALERSHIP THAT I WENT TO SAID THEY HAVE SEEN A FEW VEHICLES. THE OWNERS I TALKED TO OWNED HIGHLANDERS,4 RUNNERS, AND MINIVANS. MY WIFE'S HIGHLANDER IS A 200, 2 THE OTHER VEHICLES RANGE FROM 2002 TO 2004, FOR AS I KNOW THERE HASN'T BEEN ANYTHING REPORTED ABOUT THIS. I SENT AN EMAIL TO TOYOTA AND ALL I GOT BACK WAS THEY HAVEN'T HAD ANY RECALLS FOR THAT. THE PROBLEM WITH MY WIFE'S HIGHLANDER WAS THAT THE HEAT STOPPED WORKING DURING THE WINTER. THE ONLY WAY TO GET IT TO WORK WAS TO KEEP TURNING THE KNOB UNTIL IT WOULD START BLOWING WARM AIR, BUT IT WOULD NOT DO IT FOR LONG. THE A/C WORKED FINE ,BUT WHEN WINTER RETURNED, THERE WAS NO HEAT. IF THE WAS A CONTINUING PROBLEM, AND MORE DEALERS FOUND OUT ABOUT, WHY WEREN'T THEY DOING SOMETHING ABOUT IT. IF ONE COULD RESEARCH THIS I WOULD APPRECIATE IT. IF ANY BODY HAS ANY INFORMATION ON HOW TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM THANK YOU *TR
Structure, Dec 30, 2007
THE SUN VISORS ON MY 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER ARE BOTH FAILING. THE DRIVER SIDE VISOR FAILED AFTER ABOUT 2 YEARS. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPLACED IT UNDER WARRANTY. NOW IT IS FAILING AGAIN. THE PASSENGER SIDE VISOR IS NOW FAILING AS WELL. ACCORDING TO MY MECHANIC, THE COST TO REPLACE THEM WOULD BE ABOUT $1,000 - PARTS ONLY. *TR
Structure, Dec 21, 2007
2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR DOES NOT STAY UP, DROPS DOWN WHILE DRIVING DUE TO ANY SMALL BUMPS. OFTEN DROPS AND TEMPORARILY BLOCKS VIEW WHILE DRIVING. FROM WEB SEARCHES SOUNDS LIKE A COMMON ISSUE WITH THE 02 HIGHLANDERS. *TR
Structure, Dec 17, 2007
I HAVE A COMPLAINT ABOUT MY 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR HAS A PROBLEM STAYING UP AND MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP HAS QUOTED ME A PRICE TO REPLACE THE PART THAT SEEMS EXTREMELY HIGH. THIS VISOR IS THE HOMELINK VISOR. *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
Equipment, Nov 22, 2007
I HAVE READ OF NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FROM CONSUMERS CONCERNING THE A/C SYSTEM ON 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDERS. THE COMPLAINTS ARE SIMILAR TO MY OWN IN THAT THE A/C JUST STOPS WORKING ONE DAY. IF I TURN THE HOT/COLD SWITCH KNOB TO THE COLD SECTION WHEN JUST THE VENT IS ON, IT BLOWS HOT AIR. IF I TURN IT TO THE RIGHT FOR HOT AIR- IT GETS EXTREMELY HOT. EVEN IF I TURN THE A/C BUTTON ON, COLD AIR DOES NOT COME OUT. THIS SEEMS TO BE A DEFECT IN A SWITCH. I'VE HAD THE PRESSURE TO THE A/C CHECKED AND IT WAS NORMAL AND CHARGED. I AM FEARFUL THERE IS A SHORT IN A SWITCH SOMEWHERE THAT MAY CAUSE MY VEHICLE TO CATCH FIRE. IT SEEMS TO BE A MAJOR COMPLAINT WITH A LOT OF HIGHLANDER OWNERS. *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
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Exterior lighting, Nov 16, 2007
I HAVE A 2002 TOYOTA SEQUOIA WITH 62,000 MI. I HAVE BEEN TO TWO TOYOTA DEALERS TO FIGURE OUT MY PROBLEM. THE VSC TRAC, VSC OFF, ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS ARE COMING ON. FINALLY AFTER @$700 OF MY MONEY, THEY FIGURED OUT THE PROBLEM TO BE THE ECU. THIS WILL NOW COST ME @1800 FOR PARTS, AND WHO KNOWS YET FOR LABOR. I HAVE READ ONLINE THAT MANY OTHER TOYOTA OWNERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE SITUATION, UNLESS YOU HAVE THE EXT. WARRANTY. I FEEL THAT TOYOTA NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS, MAYBE RECALL THIS AND FIX THESE CARS BEFORE THERE IS AN ACCIDENT. I LIVE IN NEW YORK WHERE THERE IS ALOT OF SNOW. MY VSC WILL NOT WORK UNTIL I GET THIS FIXED. I HAVE TWO SMALL CHILDREN AND HAVE TO RELAY ON STANDARD BRAKES IN THE SNOW UNTIL THIS IS FIXED. TOYOTA SHOULD STAND BEHIND THEIR REPUTABLE NAME AND FIX THESE PROBLEMS ASAP..... *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
Structure, Oct 21, 2007
THE SUN VISOR ON THE DRIVER SIDE WILL NOT STAY IN PLACE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD AS IT FALLS INTO THE DRIVER'S LINE OF SITE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. *TR