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2002 Toyota Highlander

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2002 Toyota Highlander do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 186.5.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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
Mileage unknown · Oct 15, 2002
Visibility

CONSUMER STATES THAT THERE IS A LOUD NOISE THAT COMES INTO THE VEHICLE ONCE THE CONSUMER OPENS ANY OF THE REAR WINDOWS WITH OUT OPENING THE FRONT WINDOWS. THE NOISE IS SO LOUD THAT IT HURTS THE CONSUMER'S EARS. CONTACTED DEALER. MR

NHTSA ODI #8020784

Mileage unknown · Oct 4, 2002
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING THE THROTTLE WILL STICK. DEALER NOTIFIED. *MR

NHTSA ODI #8020242

Mileage unknown · Sep 13, 2002
Structure

WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY WITH THE WINDOWS DOWN, THERE IS A VIBRATION AND TREMBLING NOISE, THE DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. NLM

NHTSA ODI #8018652

Mileage unknown · Aug 16, 2002
Seat Belts

SEVEN YEAR OLD WAS ON DRIVER'S SIDE REAR SEAT WEARING SEATBELT. CHILD LAID DOWN FOR A NAP. WHEN THE CHILD GOT UP SEATBELT WAS WRAPPED AROUND HIS NECK, CHOKING HIM. CONSUMER TRIED TO UNBUCKLE BELT, BUT BELT KEPT GETTING TIGHTER. CONSUMER HAD TO CUT SEATBELT.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8016539

Mileage unknown · Aug 14, 2002
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING 30MPH AND SLAMMED ON BRAKES TO AVOID A COLLISION. ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM DID NOT WORK PROPERLY. CONSUMER HEARD A GRINDING NOISE, AND VEHCILE SKIDDED AND COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAD ABOUT 5 CAR LENGTHS BETWEEN HIS VEHICLE AND OTHER VEHICLE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8016377

Mileage unknown · Jul 23, 2002
Tires

COMPLETE TIRE NUMBER IS DOT M65LB3DTL3901, AND IS BEING SAFE KEPT BY GOODYEAR DISTRIBUTOR. VEHICLE WAS -THANK GOD- PARKED FOR ABOUT HALF AN HOUR AND WHEN I RETURNED TO IT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS FLAT. THE CAR DID NOT EVEN HIT A POTHOLE ALL DAY LONG AND OUT OF THE BLUE I HAD AFLAT. AFTER FILLING IT WITH FIX A FLAT I…

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COMPLETE TIRE NUMBER IS DOT M65LB3DTL3901, AND IS BEING SAFE KEPT BY GOODYEAR DISTRIBUTOR. VEHICLE WAS -THANK GOD- PARKED FOR ABOUT HALF AN HOUR AND WHEN I RETURNED TO IT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS FLAT. THE CAR DID NOT EVEN HIT A POTHOLE ALL DAY LONG AND OUT OF THE BLUE I HAD AFLAT. AFTER FILLING IT WITH FIX A FLAT I DROVE FOR SOME TWO MILES TO REPAIR IT. AT FIRST THE MECHANIC FOUND NOTHING SUSPICIOUS OTHER THAN THE SMALLEST OF NAILS BUT AFTER REMOVIG IT AND PATCHING THE HOLE HE ATTEMPTED TO FILL IT BACK WHEN HE REALIZED THE TIRE WAS LOSING AIR VERY FAST. THE OUTSIDE WALL OF THE TIRE WAS CRACKED FROM THE INSIDE OUT. THE TIRE WAS TAKEN TO THE GOODYEAR DISTRIBUTOR YESTERDAY AND NOT ONLY DID THEY INSIST THERE IS NO GUARANTEE ON THE TIRE SINCE IT IS NOT A MANUFACTURING DEFECT BUT THAT THE PROBLEM POSES A SAFETY RISK. I MOST CERTAINLY DO NOT AGREE AND HOPE YOU DO TO. THE DISTRIBUTOR AGREED TO HOLD THE TIRE UNTIL THE PROPER AUTHORITIES HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE A LOOK AT IT, IF THEY SO DESIRED. THERE IS CLEARLY A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM. NEEDLESS TO SAY, MY WIFE AND I ARE VERY CONCERNED FOR OUR GRADSON'S SAFETY,. PLEASE TAKE A LOOK AT IT BEFORE LIFES ARE LOST. THANK YOU. *AK

NHTSA ODI #764611

Mileage unknown · Jun 21, 2002
Visibility

WHEN BOTH REAR SIDE WINDOWS ARE ROLLED DOWN, SOUND IS DEAFENING. DEALER WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, THERE WAS NOTHING HE COULD DO.*AK CONSUMER WAS TOLD IT WAS A DESIGN FLAW AND THAT IT COULD NOT BE CORRECTED. TO CONTROL THE NOISE CONSUMER HAS TO OPEN THE MOON ROOF OR THE FRONT WINDOWS. *JG

NHTSA ODI #8012328

Mileage unknown · May 3, 2002
Visibility

THIS IS A 4-DOOR MODEL. WHEN FRONT WINDOWS ARE CLOSED AND REAR DOOR WINDOWS ARE LOWERED IT SOUNDS LIKE AN AIRPLANE FLEW OVER THE BACK SEAT; NOISE CREATED IS HORRENDOUS. YOU CANNOT CONTINUE DRIVING WITH THE NOISE. ROLLING DOWN "A" FRONT WINDOW ELIMINATES THE PROBLEM. I CAN'T IMAGINE THE CONSEQUENCES OF SOMEONE HAVING A DOG IN THE…

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THIS IS A 4-DOOR MODEL. WHEN FRONT WINDOWS ARE CLOSED AND REAR DOOR WINDOWS ARE LOWERED IT SOUNDS LIKE AN AIRPLANE FLEW OVER THE BACK SEAT; NOISE CREATED IS HORRENDOUS. YOU CANNOT CONTINUE DRIVING WITH THE NOISE. ROLLING DOWN "A" FRONT WINDOW ELIMINATES THE PROBLEM. I CAN'T IMAGINE THE CONSEQUENCES OF SOMEONE HAVING A DOG IN THE BACK SEAT AND ROLLING DOWN A REAR WINDOW SO THEY DON'T MESS UP THE GLASS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #761480

Mileage unknown · Mar 6, 2002
StructureUnknown Or Other

ON TWO OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING, THE SUNLIGHT WOULD SHINE THROUGH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW, REFLECTING OFF THE SHINY WOOD LIKE PANEL OVER THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT BLINDING THE DRIVER, THIS OCCURED FOR OVER AN HOUR ON BOTH OCCASIONS, CONSUMER TRIED AND HELD NEWSPAPERS AND ROAD MAPS AGAINST THE WINDOW TO BLOCK THE SUN RAYS, BU…

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ON TWO OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING, THE SUNLIGHT WOULD SHINE THROUGH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW, REFLECTING OFF THE SHINY WOOD LIKE PANEL OVER THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT BLINDING THE DRIVER, THIS OCCURED FOR OVER AN HOUR ON BOTH OCCASIONS, CONSUMER TRIED AND HELD NEWSPAPERS AND ROAD MAPS AGAINST THE WINDOW TO BLOCK THE SUN RAYS, BUT THE TRIM IN THE CAR WAS TOO LONG AND RECAPTURED THE SUNLIGHT AS THE HIGHWAY CURVED, MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED OF THIS DESIGN FLAW. *TT

NHTSA ODI #564614

Mileage unknown · Mar 1, 2002
Visibility

WHILE DRIVING A TOYOTA HIGHLANDER, THAT WE LEASED ON 01/08/2002, WE NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE HAS A PROBLEM: WHEN THE WINDOWS ON THE REAR DOORS ARE LOWERED, THE VEHICLE MAKES A VERY LOUD TURBULANCE NOISE AND VIBRATION OCCURS, THAT MAKES THE VEHICLE DIFFICULT TO STEER. ON 01/12/2002, ACCOMPANIED BY MY BROTHER-IN-LAW, WE VISITED T…

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WHILE DRIVING A TOYOTA HIGHLANDER, THAT WE LEASED ON 01/08/2002, WE NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE HAS A PROBLEM: WHEN THE WINDOWS ON THE REAR DOORS ARE LOWERED, THE VEHICLE MAKES A VERY LOUD TURBULANCE NOISE AND VIBRATION OCCURS, THAT MAKES THE VEHICLE DIFFICULT TO STEER. ON 01/12/2002, ACCOMPANIED BY MY BROTHER-IN-LAW, WE VISITED TOYOTA OF CERRITOS, WHERE I HAD LEASED THE TOYOTA HIGHLANDER, AND ADVISED THEM OF THIS PROBLEM. THE SALES MANAGER DALE POGODA, SAID " THEY HAVE RECEIVED MANY COMPLAINTS IN REGARDS TO ALL OF THE TOYOTA HIGHLANDERS AND IT IS MANUFACTURERS DEFECT, AND THAT ALL THAT THEY ARE WORRIED ABOUT IS GETTING THE VEHICLES OFF THERE LOT". I HAVE CONTACTED THE CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER AT TOYOTA OF CERRITOS, CROWN TOYOTA'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT, TOYOTA REGIONAL OFFICE CASE NO. 200201160431, AND FOLLOWED THE ARBITRATION PROCESS. THEY ADVISED US THAT THIS IS A NORMAL CONDITION OF THE TOYOTA HIGHLANDER DUE TO THE SHAPE OF THE VEHICLE. I HAVE DRIVEN MANY SUV'S LIKE THE DODGE DURANGO, FORD EXPEDITION AND CHEVY TAHOE'S. AND NONE OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE THIS PROBLEM, I FEEL THAT I HAVE A TRUE ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BEFORE AN VEHICLE ACCIDENT OCCURS DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *AK

NHTSA ODI #758802

Official recalls

2

04V181000 · Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch

Apr 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 & 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.

02V208000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:mounting

Jul 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 & 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.