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2002 Toyota Highlander
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 301 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2002 Toyota Highlander, most frequently naming the visibility, driver assistance and engine categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 120 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 2010 | 12 | 190 |
| Apr 2010 | 4 | 194 |
| May 2010 | 5 | 199 |
| Jun 2010 | 4 | 203 |
| Jul 2010 | 7 | 210 |
| Aug 2010 | 2 | 212 |
| Sep 2010 | 1 | 213 |
| Oct 2010 | 4 | 217 |
| Nov 2010 | 2 | 219 |
| Jan 2011 | 3 | 222 |
| Feb 2011 | 1 | 223 |
| Apr 2011 | 5 | 228 |
| May 2011 | 2 | 230 |
| Jul 2011 | 2 | 232 |
| Aug 2011 | 4 | 236 |
| Sep 2011 | 1 | 237 |
| Nov 2011 | 2 | 239 |
| Dec 2011 | 1 | 240 |
| Jan 2012 | 1 | 241 |
| Feb 2012 | 2 | 243 |
| Mar 2012 | 1 | 244 |
| Apr 2012 | 1 | 245 |
| May 2012 | 3 | 248 |
| Jun 2012 | 2 | 250 |
| Jul 2012 | 2 | 252 |
| Sep 2012 | 1 | 253 |
| Dec 2012 | 2 | 255 |
| Feb 2013 | 2 | 257 |
| Mar 2013 | 4 | 261 |
| Apr 2013 | 1 | 262 |
| Jun 2013 | 2 | 264 |
| Jul 2013 | 1 | 265 |
| Aug 2013 | 1 | 266 |
| Sep 2013 | 2 | 268 |
| Oct 2013 | 1 | 269 |
| Nov 2013 | 1 | 270 |
| Dec 2013 | 2 | 272 |
| Jan 2014 | 1 | 273 |
| Mar 2014 | 2 | 275 |
| Apr 2014 | 1 | 276 |
| Jun 2014 | 2 | 278 |
| Jul 2014 | 2 | 280 |
| Aug 2014 | 1 | 281 |
| Oct 2014 | 1 | 282 |
| Nov 2014 | 1 | 283 |
| Jan 2015 | 1 | 284 |
| Mar 2015 | 1 | 285 |
| Apr 2015 | 1 | 286 |
| May 2015 | 2 | 288 |
| Feb 2016 | 1 | 289 |
| Mar 2016 | 1 | 290 |
| May 2016 | 2 | 292 |
| Aug 2016 | 1 | 293 |
| Sep 2016 | 1 | 294 |
| Apr 2017 | 2 | 296 |
| Aug 2017 | 1 | 297 |
| Dec 2017 | 1 | 298 |
| Jul 2018 | 1 | 299 |
| May 2019 | 1 | 300 |
| Feb 2020 | 1 | 301 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Visibility13944.1%
- Driver assistance319.8%
- Engine299.2%
- Body & structure247.6%
- Airbags134.1%
- Brakes134.1%
- Electrical123.8%
- Exterior lighting113.5%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
2 campaigns cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
MY AIR BAG LITE KEEPS POPING ON
- NHTSA ID
- 11311792
- Incident
- Feb 5, 2020
- Mileage
- 242,523 mi
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
- NHTSA ID
- 11210679
- Incident
- May 26, 2019
ACCELERATOR STICIKING. VEHICLE ACCELERATES AT 4000 TO 5000 RPMS HAD VEHICE TOWED TO TOYOTA OF BEDFORD 440-809-8399
- NHTSA ID
- 11105039
- Incident
- Jun 30, 2018
WHILE DRIVING HOME THE CAR ACCELERATED ON IT,S OWN AND WAS UNABLE TO STOP WITHOUT REARENDING ANOTHER CAR WITHALL THE DAMAGE TO MY CAR AS A MECHANIC I REPAIRED THE BODY ON MY OWN AFTER MAKING REPAIRS I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR FROM THE SHOP I WORK AT TO MY HOUSE THE CAR WAS IDLING A LITTLE HIGH .I RETURNED TOWARD WORK THE NEXT MORNING TO SCAN THE CAR FOR HIGH IDLE .THE CAR ACCELERATED TO OVER 100 MPH WITH MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATER AND BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE PEDAL I HAD TO SHUT THE CAR OFF TOSTOP IT I HAD IT TOWED TO WORK I SCAN IT AND FOUND CODE C1203 WHICH IS A COMUNICATION FAULT FROM THE ECM TO THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLLER WHILE RESEARCHING THE CODE I FOUND THAT MY CAR FELL UNDER A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT FOR THIS PROBLEM I NOTIFYED TOYOTA WHERE THEY SENT AN OUTSIDE ADJUSTER OUT TO EXAMINE THE CAR HE FILED A REPORT TO TOYOTA SAYING THERE WAS NO PROBLEM HE DID NOT MENTION THE CODE IN HIS REPORT I FILED AN APPEAL ON OCTOBER 2017 AND HAVE NOT HEARD OF ANYTHING WITH THIS PROBLEM I HAVE BEEN A MECHANIC FOR OVER 35 YEARS AND EXPLAIN THE PROBLEM TO THEM WITH NO SOLUTION THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE MAY2017 I JUST WANT A SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM WITHOUT HAVING TO EXPLAIN A FIX TO TOYOTA FOR THIER CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT IT SEEMS THAT THE INDEPENENT ASSESSOR IS WORKING FOR TOYOTA AND NOT THE CONSUMER
- NHTSA ID
- 11052625
- Incident
- May 24, 2017
- Mileage
- 240,000 mi
DRIVER SIDE VISOR HAS 2 POSITIONS ONLY. DOWN OR UP. CANNOT ADJUST FOR TALLER DRIVERS.
- NHTSA ID
- 11012342
- Incident
- Jan 1, 2008
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.
- NHTSA ID
- 10972357
- Incident
- Apr 13, 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.
- NHTSA ID
- 10969923
- Incident
- Mar 13, 2017
VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET GOING STRAIGHT SLIGHTLY DOWNHILL AND THEN UPHILL. THE WEATHER WAS CLEAR. SPEED WAS ABOUT 15-25 MPH. I WAS BRAKING TO SLOW THE CAR DOWN BUT THE CAR ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN ( TOYOTA CALLS IT "UNINTENDED ACCELERATION"). THE CAR CONTINUED ACCELERATING EVEN THOUGH I WAS PRESSING THE BRAKES AS HARD AS I COULD AND IT WAS NOW GOING UPHILL.. TO AVOID CRASHING I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL, AND ENGAGED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND HAZARDS. THE ENGINE RACED IN NEUTRAL AND THEN STOPPED RACING.. TOYOTA STARTED A CASE FILE AND INSPECTED IT. THEY SAID EVERYTHING IS WORKING PROPERLY NOW, CASE CLOSED AND I CAN COME GET THE CAR. I HAD IT TOWED THERE AND AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT UNTIL SOMETHING IS FIXED. IT WAS A TERRIFYING EXPERIENCE. I AM CONCERNED IT COULD HAPPEN AGAIN OR TO OTHER CARS. I AM THOROUGHLY DISAPPOINTED IN TOYOTA'S NONCHALANT ATTITUDE; IT WAS-IS A POTENTIALLY FATAL SITUATION, AND IT SEEMS THAT ACCORDING TO TOYOTA IF SUCH AN ACCIDENT WAS INVESTIGATED NOTHING WOULD SHOW UP.
- NHTSA ID
- 10907274
- Incident
- Aug 29, 2016
- Mileage
- 76,171 mi
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
STRUCTURE:BODY
To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. The purpose of the wheel film is to shield the disc brake rotor from weather elements and initial rust before the vehicle is delivered to the customer. Consequently, the film should remain on the wheel for as long as possible.
STRUCTURE:BODY
The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. If these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicle surface, especially the horizonal areas of the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage can occur. This damage is the result of actual etching of the paint and appears as pitting or water spots. As acid rain droplets on the vehicle surface evaporate, the concentration strength of the acid increases, causing deeper and more rapid damage. This evaporation and corrosive action also occur more rapidly on dark colored cars as direct sun heat increases. It is the dealer’s responsibility to protect and maintain the quality of the vehicle’s paint finish after receipt at the dealership prior to the first sale. In areas known for high frequency and/or concentration of acid rain, frequent vehicle washing during high heat or humidity periods will minimize the potential for paint damage caused by acid rain. It is further recommended that either reverse osmosis or deionized water be used to prevent water spotting.
STRUCTURE:BODY
Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. If these acidic compounds settle on an exposed vehicle, especially the horizontal areas such as the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage to the painted surfaces can occur. Acid rain damage can typically be identified on vehicles by the presence of stains on the paint surface that resemble hard water spots. Unlike water spots however, acid rain damage cannot be removed by regular washing procedures. Also, because acid rain can etch and soften the paint, normal buffing or polishing repair procedures should not be attempted. This can cause further damage and result in visible depressions in the paint surface. The following are the three major categories of acid rain damage: •Minor damage: requires only buffing to repair. •Moderate damage: usually requires neutralizing, color sanding, and buffing. •Severe damage: extending beyond 1/2 mil of clearcoat on a pearl, metallic, or solid color, requires neutralization, sanding, and repainting. In cases where acid rain damage is minor, neutralization and buffing with a liquid-type paint finessing product may provide an adequate repair. Only specially formulated products outlined in this bulletin should be used for that purpose. Unfortunately, other than minor damage, there is no simple method of determining the actual extent (depth) of acid penetration other than color sanding a representative affected area until there is no visible etching or depressions, followed by measuring the amount of paint removed with either a magnetic or digital-type film thickness gauge. The procedures in this bulletin are intended for use by qualified body/paint technicians and should not be attempted by inexperienced personnel. It is the dealer’s responsibility to protect and maintain the quality of the vehicle’s paint finish after receipt at the dealership prior to the first sale. Perform frequent vehicle washing, as often as daily, during high heat and humidity periods to minimize the potential for paint damage due to acid rain exposure. This is especially important in geographical areas known for high frequency and concentration of acid rain and industrial fallout.
STRUCTURE:BODY
Toyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal painted surfaces. This material protects from acid rain, environmental fallout, and rail contamination. Follow the Removal Procedure in this bulletin to remove the RapgardTM protective film within 90 days from initial application.
STRUCTURE:BODY
Vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad tracks, train wheels, exposure to heavy machinery facilities, grinding, welding, etc. This type of contamination can be identified by the presence of small, red or brown particles on the paint surface. These particles are often difficult to see on dark color paints but can be easily felt when brushing a hand across horizontal body surfaces such as the hood, roof, or deck lid. Follow the Repair Procedure in this bulletin to clean vehicles that may have been subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles such as rail dust during rail transportation or extended storage near industrial areas.
STRUCTURE:BODY
The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. If these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicle surface, especially the horizonal areas of the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage can occur. This damage is the result of actual etching of the paint and appears as pitting or water spots. As acid rain droplets on the vehicle surface evaporate, the concentration strength of the acid increases, causing deeper and more rapid damage. This evaporation and corrosive action also occur more rapidly on dark colored cars as direct sun heat increases. It is the dealer’s responsibility to protect and maintain the quality of the vehicle’s paint finish after receipt at the dealership prior to the first sale. In areas known for high frequency and/or concentration of acid rain (see Figure 1), frequent vehicle washing during high heat or humidity periods will minimize the potential for paint damage caused by acid rain. It is further recommended that either reverse osmosis or deionized water be used to prevent water spotting.
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2025 | 9 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 2024 | 39 | 7 | 0 | 65.5 |
| 2023 | 172 | 9 | 0 | 60.8 |
| 2022 | 229 | 5 | 0 | 59.6 |
| 2021 | 487 | 4 | 0 | 60.2 |
| 2020 | 304 | 4 | 0 | 60.6 |
| 2019 | 471 | 3 | 0 | 60.7 |
| 2018 | 258 | 5 | 0 | 61.7 |
| 2017 | 261 | 4 | 0 | 61.2 |
| 2016 | 109 | 3 | 0 | 56.6 |
| 2015 | 189 | 2 | 0 | 55.2 |
| 2014 | 134 | 5 | 0 | 52.1 |
| 2013 | 205 | 3 | 2 | 60.5 |
| 2012 | 181 | 2 | 2 | 57.3 |
| 2011 | 181 | 5 | 2 | 58.5 |
| 2010 | 216 | 10 | 2 | 60.9 |
| 2009 | 134 | 9 | 2 | 58.0 |
| 2008 | 403 | 13 | 2 | 63.7 |
| 2007 | 123 | 4 | 0 | 51.3 |
| 2006 | 275 | 7 | 2 | 63.4 |
| 2005 | 224 | 6 | 1 | 61.7 |
| 2004 | 286 | 5 | 1 | 58.4 |
| 2003 | 258 | 2 | 0 | 50.7 |
| 2002Viewing | 301 | 2 | 0 | 51.2 |
| 2001 | 137 | 3 | 0 | 53.4 |
| 2000 | 0 | 0 | 1 | — |
| 1999 | 0 | 0 | 1 | — |
| 1998 | 1 | 0 | 1 | — |
| 1997 | 1 | 0 | 1 | — |
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.