Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
220–25K
4625–50K
3950–75K
3975–100K
44100–150K
15150K+
205 reports with mileage · 96 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Visibility. Review the 123 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 31 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Structure. Review the 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
24 crash reports6 fire reports17 injury reports
What owners actually said
301 reports
89,374 miles · Nov 16, 2008
Electrical SystemEquipmentVisibility
THE INTERIOR HEATING/AC SYSTEM AND FAN REPEATEDLY FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY. IN THE SPRING SUMMER WHEN THE AC WOULD FAIL TO BLOW COLD AND BLOW HEAT THAT WASN'T SO BAD. I GOT THE CONTROL KNOB FIXED AND ALL SEEMED TO WORK FINE. HOWEVER THE KNOB HAS FAILED AGAIN AND WHEN I NEEDED THE HEAT/DEFROST FAN TO WORK AT NIGHT THE FROST …
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THE INTERIOR HEATING/AC SYSTEM AND FAN REPEATEDLY FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY. IN THE SPRING SUMMER WHEN THE AC WOULD FAIL TO BLOW COLD AND BLOW HEAT THAT WASN'T SO BAD. I GOT THE CONTROL KNOB FIXED AND ALL SEEMED TO WORK FINE. HOWEVER THE KNOB HAS FAILED AGAIN AND WHEN I NEEDED THE HEAT/DEFROST FAN TO WORK AT NIGHT THE FROST GOT WORSE BECAUSE THE KNOB FAILED AND THE HEATER/FAN WOULD ONLY BLOW COLD AIR. DEPENDING ON THE SEASON AND THE POSITION OF THE KNOB WHEN IT FAILS THIS SHOULD BE CONSTRUED AS A SAFETY ISSUE WHEN IT AFFECTS THE VISUAL CLARITY OF THE WINDSHIELD . *TR
NHTSA ODI #10248917
Mileage unknown · Nov 13, 2008
Visibility
2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR FALLS DOWN WHILE DRIVING CAUSING A POSSIBLE HAZARD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10248759
50,000 miles · Nov 8, 2008
Vehicle Speed Control
ACCELERATOR DOES NOT RESPOND WHEN PUSHED,THE FAILURE OCCURS REGULARLY WHEN PASSING VEHICLE WONT ACCELERATE,THE DEALER ACKNOWLEDGE THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES THAN CAN BE REPAIRED FOR $1200. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10248014
70,000 miles · Oct 10, 2008
Visibility
2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER - BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUNVISORS DO NOT STAY UP. WHEN PLACED IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION, THE SUNVISORS RELEASE OVER ANY SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10245049
42,000 miles · Jul 10, 2008
Visibility
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 TH…
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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
NHTSA ODI #10233747
75,000 miles · Jun 18, 2008
Structure
SAFETY ISSUE WITH TOYOTA HIGHLANDER (02 MODEL)...SUN VISOR ON DRIVERS SIDE KEEPS FALLING DOWN AND OBSTRUCTING VIEW. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10231421
48,000 miles · Jun 16, 2008
Structure
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
NHTSA ODI #10231144
62,959 miles · Jun 8, 2008
Visibility
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
NHTSA ODI #10230254
Mileage unknown · Jun 7, 2008
EquipmentStructure
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
NHTSA ODI #10230217
1,000 miles · May 17, 2008
Visibility
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
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 & remedy
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.
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 & remedy
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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2002 Toyota Highlander Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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