2002 Toyota Highlander: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 301 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is visibility (41% of complaints); the 2001 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Apr 2004
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 301 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“I saw someone steal my car and told them they hacked. Windshield wipers would slow up and down. Burning of the electrics when try to charge. Car stopping in the middle of the road. Car going on and off. The middle of the road, turning back on. Speed control messing up. Security warning going up and down.. Battery would shut on and off. Car locks going on and off. Could barely steer the car. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2019
“The ac likes to blow hot air when in the max ac setting and the temp knob being in the coldest position. Nut being the temp setting gauge comes loose causing the ac to blow hot air. Happens anytime if parked or driving.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Apr 2017
“I have had recurrent transmission problems that cost th ousands to fix but yet are not completely resolved.l just had my transmission completely fail after being serviced 17 months ago. Since replacing it, I still have problems with clunking dirt thing in the morning when it tries to change gears. Now there is a vibration and I have to take it back to the shop. The recurring problems are affecting my job which involves a lot of driving and I have to rent cars at my expense each time it goes for repairs at 2 to 4 days each event. Please look into this. My car is paid for and I cannot afford to buy ano th erbone.”Owner report · Power Train · Mar 2017
Show 7 more owner reports
“Sun visors fall down while driving. At any given time while driving both sunvisors will fall completely down obstructing view of the road ahead. Very dangerous.toyota will not recall.”Owner report · Visibility/Wiper · Aug 2016
“The air bag sensor stay on when cold. It will not turn off until car worms up and engine is shut down and restart. The sun visor will not stay on and it is falling down during driving. Both issues are safety hazard”Owner report · Visibility/Wiper · May 2016
“Air bag warning light on dashboard does not turn off in cold weather (20 degrees f, or lower). The warning will stay on even when engine and interior are warm. If the engine is turned off once warm, and then turned back on, air bag warning light turns off with all other panel lights, as it should. With cold weather, the airbag light will stay on when vehicle is stationary, or in motion, and at any speed and will only shut off if car is turned off and then restarted.”Owner report · Air Bags · Feb 2016
“Tl* the contact owned a 2002 toyota highlander. While driving approximately 50 mph, the contact crashed into another vehicle and the air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained neck, lower back, and chest injuries that required medical attention. The vehicle was destroyed. The vehicle was not taken to a mechanic for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2015
“Bought this vehicle in 2002. A year later noticed that the idle controller had problem. When started the engine in the morning, the idle went down very low and the engine shut down automatically. At first it happened not frequently. Past two years I took to a dealer for mayor tuneup, the symptom still resisted. Told the dealer and there was no actions at all. Now it happens more frequently. Usually if it happens, step on the gas peddle ( over 2k rpm) for a few seconds. Sometimes the idle returns to normal; but most of the times, the idle sets very low. I think the idle control for this model should be recalled. *tr”Owner report · Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · Aug 2014
“Letter from congressman cartwright on behalf of constituent re toyota concerns. *smd 2002 toyota highlander. The consumer stated when she attempted to trade the vehicle, she was informed the vehicle was included in the federal cash for clunker program, and there was potential odometer fraud.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jun 2014
“Tl* the contacts owns a 2002 toyota highlander. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would leak antifreeze and the temperature gauge warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who discovered that the motor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jun 2014
When filing, owners marked a crash in 24 of these complaints and injuries in 25 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL SHORTEN THE CPL LEVER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 7, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2002 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Highlander by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2002 Toyota Highlander reliable?
NHTSA has 301 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2002 Toyota Highlander. The most complained-about area is visibility (41% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2002 Toyota Highlander problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 70,000 miles or less.
Does the 2002 Toyota Highlander have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly:mounting. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.