2002 Toyota HIGHLANDER: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
301 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
70,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 205 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Visibility is the most frequently named component, appearing in 108 of 301 complaints (35.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 42 | 14.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 15 | 5.0% |
| Steering behavior | 6 | 2.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 1.7% |
| Engine operation | 4 | 1.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Visibility | 108 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 29 |
| Structure | 23 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 16 |
| Unknown Or Other | 14 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 11 |
| Electrical System | 10 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 10 |
Visibility: 108; Vehicle Speed Control: 29; Structure: 23; Visibility/Wiper: 16; Unknown Or Other: 14; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 11; Electrical System: 10; Engine And Engine Cooling: 10
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 22 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 46 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 39 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 39 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 44 |
| 150,000 and above | 15 |
Under 25,000: 22; 25,000 to 49,999: 46; 50,000 to 74,999: 39; 75,000 to 99,999: 39; 100,000 to 149,999: 44; 150,000 and above: 15
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (46). 96 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 16 |
| 2003 | 14 |
| 2004 | 16 |
| 2005 | 8 |
| 2006 | 27 |
| 2007 | 32 |
| 2008 | 23 |
| 2009 | 24 |
| 2010 | 59 |
| 2011 | 21 |
| 2012 | 15 |
| 2013 | 17 |
| 2014 | 11 |
| 2015 | 5 |
| 2016 | 6 |
| 2017 | 4 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
2002: 16; 2003: 14; 2004: 16; 2005: 8; 2006: 27; 2007: 32; 2008: 23; 2009: 24; 2010: 59; 2011: 21; 2012: 15; 2013: 17; 2014: 11; 2015: 5; 2016: 6; 2017: 4; 2018: 1; 2019: 1; 2020: 1
Pattern summary
Visibility leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 42 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 15 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10004471 · 2003-01-23 (January 23, 2003)
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN REAR WINDOWS ARE DOWN, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCES VERY BAD TURBULENCE THAT IS "DEAFENING". THIS OCCURS AT ANY SPEED. TS
Owner-reported narrative. 200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10004471 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10004596 · 2003-01-24 (January 24, 2003)
WHEN ONE PERSON EXITS THE VEHICLE AND LOCKS THEIR DOOR THE SECOND PERSON IS STUCK. ALL ELECTRIC LOCKS ARE INSTANTLY DISABLED. THE ONLY WAY TO EXIT IS TO USE THE MANUAL LOCK BUTTON WHICH WILL SET OFF THE ALARM 30 SECONDS AFTER. THE PASSENGER INSIDE HAS TO MANUALLY UNLOCK THE DOOR, AND SET OFF THE ALARM. THE ONLY WAY TO PREVENT, IS TO TURN THE IGNITION ON BEFORE EXITING, BUT ISN'T POSSIBLE FOR MOST PASSENGERS. TS SCC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10004596 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10007803 · 2003-02-19 (February 19, 2003)
A MAJOR WATER LEAK WAS FOUND IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DUE TO THE FRONT COWL PANEL NOT BEING INSTALLED CORRECTLY. IN ADDITION THERE IS NOW A MOLD/MILDEW SMELL THAT THE DEALER CAN NOT GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THEY HAVE RUN THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE OZONE SYSTEM SEVERAL TIMES BUT IT HAS NOT CORRECTED THE PROBLEM.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10007803 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10012052 · 2003-03-19 (March 19, 2003)
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS BECAME STUCK AND CAUSED POOR VISIBILITY. THE DRIVER HAD TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND MOVE THE ARMS BUT THEY STILL DIDN'T WORK. THE DEALER HAD BEEN CONTACTED FOR REPAIR. *NLM PH
Owner-reported narrative. 1,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10012052 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10016838 · 2003-05-01 (May 1, 2003)
WHEN YOU OPEN THE REAR PASSENGER WINDOW(S) THERE IS SEVERE, LOUD AND PAINFUL-TO-THE-EAR TURBULENCE INSIDE THE VEHICLE AT ANY SPEED. IT CAN BE SOMEWHAT, BUT NOT TOTALLY, ALLEVIATED BY OPENING OTHER VEHICLE WINDOWS. IF YOU PERSIST WITH THE REAR WINDOWS DOWN AT SPEED, IT FEELS LIKE YOU ARE PHYSICALLY DAMAGING YOUR EARS.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10016838 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10016877 · 2003-05-01 (May 1, 2003)
VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS ON CAUSING VEHICLE TO START UP STEEP HILL WHERE THE FRONT END SLID TO THE RIGHT WHERE VEHICLE PROCEEDED TO GO UP A DRIVE/CARPORT STRIKING A PORCH AND ROCK WALL
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10016877 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10018755 · 2003-05-15 (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 I…
Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10018755 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10019878 · 2003-06-26 (June 26, 2003)
ON EXTREMELY SUNNY DAYS, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO READ. *JB PH *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10019878 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
02V208000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Mounting
Reported: 2002-07-30 (July 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.
Consequence: IN THE WORST CASE, NOZZLE BREAKAGE COULD RESULT IN FUEL LEAKAGE IF THE VEHICLE ROLLS-OVER AFTER A HIGH SPEED FRONTAL CRASH.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗04V181000 · Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
Reported: 2004-04-15 (April 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL SHORTEN THE CPL LEVER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 7, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
NHTSA campaign record ↗