RoadVitals

2002 Toyota Highlander Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
301
Latest Feb 27, 2020
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
18
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
30

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2002 Toyota Highlander, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

139
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

DRIVER SIDE VISOR HAS 2 POSITIONS ONLY. DOWN OR UP. CANNOT ADJUST FOR TALLER DRIVERS.

NHTSA ID 11012342 · filed Aug 2, 2017

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.

NHTSA ID 10896454 · filed Aug 16, 2016
All 139 reports naming visibility

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

31
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed May 29, 2019

ACCELERATOR STICIKING. VEHICLE ACCELERATES AT 4000 TO 5000 RPMS HAD VEHICE TOWED TO TOYOTA OF BEDFORD 440-809-8399

NHTSA ID 11105039 · filed Jul 2, 2018
All 31 reports naming driver assistance

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

29
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I DROVE VEHICLE CROWN TOYOTA FOR A MINOR SERVICE AND MENTIONED THAT THERE WAS DRIPPING OF COOLANT NOTICED ON THE GARAGE FLOOR. REQUESTED 'CHECK AND ADVISE' ON THIS. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 3.0 HOURS, I WENT TO THE SERVICE DESK FOR INFORMATION REGARDING LEAK. I WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE ADVISOR [XXX] AND HE TOLD ME THAT THEY COULD NOT REPAIR THE LEAK BECAUSE THAT SITUATION IS DUE TO THE HEAD BOLTS PULLING OUT OF THE BLOCK. THE ESTIMATE FOR SUCH REPAIR WAS $6,780.28 PLUS TAX AND WOULD INVOLVE REPLACING THE SHORT BLOCK. HE MENTIONED THIS PROBLEM WAS KNOWN TO OCCUR WITH VEHICLES HAVING THE 2AZ-FE ENGINES SUCH AS THE ABOVE HIGHLANDER AND THAT I COULD RESEARCH SAME. SINCE I WAS BUYING ONLY TOYOTA CARS SINCE 1972 AND HAVE OWNED 4 SUCH CARS AND ONE LEXUS BASED ON MY EXPERIENCE AND CONCLUSION THAT RELIABILITY IS NUMBER ONE WITH TOYOTA. I CAN ONLY SAY I WAS IN SHOCK. WHEN I TOLD MY WIFE (THIS IS ACTUALLY HER AUTO), SHE WAS SICK FOR THE NEXT THREE DAYS. A SHORT DISCUSSION WITH AAA. SUGGESTED WE LOOK AT THIS WEB SITE FOR COMPLAINTS, ETC. IT TURNS OUT THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED MANY TIMES BEFORE AND APPLIES TO SEVERAL MODELS INCLUDING THE RAV-4 AND HIGHLANDER SOME WITH MUCH LOWER MILEAGE BUT THERE IS NO ACTUAL RECALL OR LETTER NOTICE FROM TOYOTA. ALSO, NO PROPOSED ACTION BY DEALERSHIPS TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. I THINK THAT DUMPING THIS SUDDEN, MAJOR EXPENSE PROBLEM ON OWNERS IS VERY IRRESPONSIBLE- NOT WORTHY OF TOYOTA. COMPENSATION REGARDING THE TIME LOSS AND EXPENSE SHOULD BE OFFERED TO OWNERS OR DEALERS SHOULD BE INSTRUCTED BY TOYOTA TO RESOLVE WHEN FOUND. PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS VEHICLE AND ALL THE PREVIOUS WAS SERVICED BY TOYOTA /LEXUS DEALERSHIPS. A POSITIVE RESPONSE WOULD BE APPRECIATED. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID 10712876 · filed Apr 25, 2015

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.

NHTSA ID 10617928 · filed Jul 31, 2014
All 29 reports naming engine

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

24
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

DRIVER SIDE VISOR WILL NOT STAY IN PLACE, DROPS DOWN DUE TO VIBRATION. APPEARS TO BE A DESIGN FLAW. VISOR TOO HEAVY FOR ARMITURE, DEALERSHIP COST TO REPLACE APPROXIMATELY 800.00. *TR

NHTSA ID 10502013 · filed Mar 7, 2013

1. PLASTIC TENSION COIL HOLDING UP VISOR FAILED ALL OF THE SUDDEN. 2. PLASTIC TENSION COIL HOLDING UP VISOR FAILED CAUSING THE VISOR TO FALL DOWN OBSTRUCTING MY VISION WHILE DRIVING. THIS OCCURS ANYTIME I HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD WHILE DRIVING. 3. I WENT TO TOYOTA TO HAVE IT FIXED AND THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD COST A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF MONEY SINCE THERE HADN'T BEEN ANY RECALL NOTICES INVOLVING THE DESCRIBED FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA ID 10274538 · filed Jun 21, 2009
All 24 reports naming body & structure

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

13
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

MY AIR BAG LITE KEEPS POPING ON

NHTSA ID 11311792 · filed Feb 27, 2020

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

NHTSA ID 10865179 · filed May 16, 2016
All 13 reports naming airbags

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

13
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

ENGINE ACCELERATING WHEN BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED. *TR

NHTSA ID 10609772 · filed Jul 11, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35MPH, THE ACCELERATOR CABLE DISCONNECTED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED IN TO STOP THE VEHICLE FROM MOVING FORWARD. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE WRONG CABLE WAS PLACED IN VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION BECAME DEFECTIVE AS A RESULT OF ENGAGING THE BRAKES WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS ACCELERATING. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

NHTSA ID 10605503 · filed Jun 24, 2014
All 13 reports naming brakes

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

12
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed May 29, 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.

NHTSA ID 10972357 · filed Apr 14, 2017
All 12 reports naming electrical

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

11
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

REAR-RIGHT BREAK LIGHT NOT WORKING. REPLACE BULB AND DID NOT WORK. CHECKED SOCKET AND ALL IS FINE BUT BREAK LIGHT STILL NOT WORKING. I HAVE RESEARCH THIS FOR A WHILE AND NO SOLUTION. THESE SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND TOYOTA DOES NOT HAVE A SOLUTION. DEFINITIVELY A SAFETY ISSUE. I ALREADY GOT A TICKET FROM POLICE FOR NOT HAVING THESE LIGHTS IN WORKING CONDITION.

NHTSA ID 10458694 · filed May 16, 2012

PASSENGER RIGHT REAR BRAKE INTERMITTENT. TOOK THE CAR TO MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER, THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. BULB, LIGHT SOCKET, WIRING, FUSE ALL CHECKED GOOD. THE ISSUE HAS NOT GONE AWAY. TODAY I WAS STOPPED BY A POLICE OFFICER BECAUSE OF MY PASSENGER BRAKE LIGHT NOT WORKING. I TOLD THE OFFICER ABOUT WHAT I DID TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE AND THAT I TOOK THE CAR TO THE TOYOTA DEALER AND THEY COULD NOT FIND OUT THE PROBLEM. AFTER EXPLAINING WHAT I DID TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE, THE POLICE OFFICER EXPLAINED TO ME THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THE BRAKE LIGHT NEEDS TO BE FIXED. I GOOGLED THE PROBLEM THIS EVENING AND FOUND 10 WEB SITES ALL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE PASSENGER RIGHT REAR BRAKE INTERMITTENT OR NOT WORKING. I FOUND ONE COMMON THREAD WAS THAT THE MAJORITY OF THE COMPLAINTS WAS ON THE 2002 MODEL AND A FEW ON 2003. *TR

NHTSA ID 10456515 · filed Apr 25, 2012
All 11 reports naming exterior lighting

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

8
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I WAS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. I PUT THE CAR CIGARETTE LIGHTER INTO ITS HOLDER AND INADVERTENTLY PRESSED IT IN ALL THE WAY. AFTER A FEW MINUTES IT FLEW OUT OF ITS SPACE, IT WAS ALL LITE UP AND FELL TO THE FLOOR OF THE CAR WHERE IT BEGAN TO BURN THE MAT. I PICKED IT UP AND GOT A 2ND DEGREE BURN ON MY FINGER. WE COULD NOT BELIEVE THAT IT HAPPENED SO WE PUT THE LIGHTER BACK IN THE HOLDER AND PRESSED IT IN. IT FLEW OUT AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ID 10487762 · filed Dec 8, 2012

THIS STRUT ATTACHES TO THE REAR AXLE AND PREVENTS IT FROM MOVING FORWARD. IT RUSTED OUT AND WAS BOUNCING ON THE ROAD AND HITTING THE CAR AND REAR TIRE. I HAD TO STOP AND GET IT REPAIRED IMMEDIATELY FOR FEAR OF DAMAGING THE TIRE OR CAR. UPON MECHANIC MAKING REPAIR THE OTHER STRUT ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE CAR FELL OFF IN HIS HAND. IF BOTH STRUT HAD FAILED THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN NOTHING TO STOP THE REAR AXLE FROM MOVING FORWARD AND CAUSING A CASTROPHE ACCIDENT. OR IF THE BOUNCING STRUT LODGE IN THE REAR TIRE THE SAME COULD HAVE BEEN TRUE. THE NEW REPLACEMENT PARTS LOOK INADEQUATE FOR SUCH A CRITICAL COMPONENT. SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED IN UNDER 10 YEARS. CAR GET WASHED ONCE EVER TWO WEEKS. FROM MY PERSPECTIVE PART LOOKS THE METAL BRACKET AT THE END OF THE ROD IS WAY TO THIN FOR THIS CRITICAL COMPONENT. PART #48780-4802012398. *TR

NHTSA ID 10426566 · filed Sep 21, 2011
All 8 reports naming other / unspecified

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

8
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Apr 1, 2017

TRANSMISSION JUMPS IN 3RD GEAR, DEALER SAID MUST REPLACE. *TR

NHTSA ID 10552856 · filed Nov 19, 2013
All 8 reports naming powertrain (other)

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TOYOTA 2002 HIGHLANDER AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 77,754 MILES. REPLACED BY DEALER UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY AFTER PAYING $50 DEDUCTIBLE. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND NEEDS A RECALL. TOYOTA REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THEY HAVE A PROBLEM. COST TO REPLACE WITHOUT WARRANTEE WOULD HAVE BEEN $4290. THE CAR NOW HAS 138,235 MILES ON IT AND BASED ON OTHER DRIVERS' EXPERIENCE AND HISTORY I COULD BE FACING ANOTHER AUTO TRANS PROBLEM VERY SOON. *TR

NHTSA ID 10411601 · filed Jul 9, 2011

AT 108K MILES, MY 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. WHATEVER HAPPENED TO TOYOTAS LASTING TO 200K MILES, LIKE IN THE COMMERCIALS? I'LL NEVER BE ABLE TO JUMP UP AND BE THE ONE PROCLAIMING HOW MANY MILES MY TOYOTA HAS NOW! I'M VERY DISAPPOINTED, AS I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE EXPECTING TO DRIVE IT WELL BEYOND 100K MILES AND WITH FURTHER RESEARCH, APPARENTLY I'M NOT THE ONLY DISAPPOINTED HIGHLANDER OWNER WITH THE SAME ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ID 10341934 · filed Jul 8, 2010

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE TIRES *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED ONE OF THE TIRES HE HAD PUT ON THE VEHICLE WERE PUNCTURED. THE CONSUMER STATED HE HAD THE GOODYEAR ROAD HAZARD PROTECTION PLAN. THE CONSUMER STATED LATER IN THE DAY, WHEN HE CONTACTED GOODYEAR, TO CHECK THE STATUS, HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE TIRES WERE WORN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IMMEDIATELY. THE CONSUMER STATED HE ONLY HAD 110,000 MILES AND ONLY 9,000 NEW MILES ON THEM. THE CONSUMER STATED HE EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM BEFORE WHICH WAS WHY HE HAD TO PURCHASE NEW TIRES AFTER 20,000 AND ANOTHER TIME PRIOR TO THAT. (GOODYEAR FORTERA TRIPLETRED)*JB

NHTSA ID 10360908 · filed Oct 20, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN 2007. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED WITH THE WRONG SIZE TIRES, PER A FIRESTONE DEALER. THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACE THE TIRES. THE CONTACT HAS PURCHASED 4 NEW TIRES. HE ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH PER A LOCAL MECHANIC. THE WRONG TIRE SIZE WAS 215/70/15 AND THE CORRECT TIRE SIZE HE PURCHASED FROM FIRESTONE WAS 195/70/16. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 83,000.

NHTSA ID 10314651 · filed Feb 26, 2010

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Heating & air conditioning

Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

COMPONENT: EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:AIR CONDITIONER SUMMARY: THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING A/C CONTROL UNIT. I'D TALKED TO SEVERAL TOYOTA OWNERS ABOUT THIS, AND THEY SAID THAT THEY HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM , AND EACH HAS TAKEN IT TO A DEALERSHIP NEAR THEM AND GOT THE SAME REPLY. THIS WAS A VERY EXPENSIVE REPLACEMENT PART. THE DEALERSHIP THAT I WENT TO SAID THEY HAVE SEEN A FEW VEHICLES. THE OWNERS I TALKED TO OWNED HIGHLANDERS,4 RUNNERS, AND MINIVANS. MY WIFE'S HIGHLANDER IS A 200, 2 THE OTHER VEHICLES RANGE FROM 2002 TO 2004, FOR AS I KNOW THERE HASN'T BEEN ANYTHING REPORTED ABOUT THIS. I SENT AN EMAIL TO TOYOTA AND ALL I GOT BACK WAS THEY HAVEN'T HAD ANY RECALLS FOR THAT. THE PROBLEM WITH MY WIFE'S HIGHLANDER WAS THAT THE HEAT STOPPED WORKING DURING THE WINTER. THE ONLY WAY TO GET IT TO WORK WAS TO KEEP TURNING THE KNOB UNTIL IT WOULD START BLOWING WARM AIR, BUT IT WOULD NOT DO IT FOR LONG. THE A/C WORKED FINE ,BUT WHEN WINTER RETURNED, THERE WAS NO HEAT. IF THE WAS A CONTINUING PROBLEM, AND MORE DEALERS FOUND OUT ABOUT, WHY WEREN'T THEY DOING SOMETHING ABOUT IT. IF ONE COULD RESEARCH THIS I WOULD APPRECIATE IT. IF ANY BODY HAS ANY INFORMATION ON HOW TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM THANK YOU *TR

NHTSA ID 10217098 · filed Feb 6, 2008

I HAVE READ OF NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FROM CONSUMERS CONCERNING THE A/C SYSTEM ON 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDERS. THE COMPLAINTS ARE SIMILAR TO MY OWN IN THAT THE A/C JUST STOPS WORKING ONE DAY. IF I TURN THE HOT/COLD SWITCH KNOB TO THE COLD SECTION WHEN JUST THE VENT IS ON, IT BLOWS HOT AIR. IF I TURN IT TO THE RIGHT FOR HOT AIR- IT GETS EXTREMELY HOT. EVEN IF I TURN THE A/C BUTTON ON, COLD AIR DOES NOT COME OUT. THIS SEEMS TO BE A DEFECT IN A SWITCH. I'VE HAD THE PRESSURE TO THE A/C CHECKED AND IT WAS NORMAL AND CHARGED. I AM FEARFUL THERE IS A SHORT IN A SWITCH SOMEWHERE THAT MAY CAUSE MY VEHICLE TO CATCH FIRE. IT SEEMS TO BE A MAJOR COMPLAINT WITH A LOT OF HIGHLANDER OWNERS. *TR

NHTSA ID 10209701 · filed Nov 22, 2007

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THIS STRUT ATTACHES TO THE REAR AXLE AND PREVENTS IT FROM MOVING FORWARD. IT RUSTED OUT AND WAS BOUNCING ON THE ROAD AND HITTING THE CAR AND REAR TIRE. I HAD TO STOP AND GET IT REPAIRED IMMEDIATELY FOR FEAR OF DAMAGING THE TIRE OR CAR. UPON MECHANIC MAKING REPAIR THE OTHER STRUT ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE CAR FELL OFF IN HIS HAND. IF BOTH STRUT HAD FAILED THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN NOTHING TO STOP THE REAR AXLE FROM MOVING FORWARD AND CAUSING A CASTROPHE ACCIDENT. OR IF THE BOUNCING STRUT LODGE IN THE REAR TIRE THE SAME COULD HAVE BEEN TRUE. THE NEW REPLACEMENT PARTS LOOK INADEQUATE FOR SUCH A CRITICAL COMPONENT. SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED IN UNDER 10 YEARS. CAR GET WASHED ONCE EVER TWO WEEKS. FROM MY PERSPECTIVE PART LOOKS THE METAL BRACKET AT THE END OF THE ROD IS WAY TO THIN FOR THIS CRITICAL COMPONENT. PART #48780-4802012398. *TR

NHTSA ID 10426566 · filed Sep 21, 2011

2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER TIRES MADE NOISES AND VIBRATED IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE BALANCED. *KB THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THIS WAS A NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THE TIRE WERE NOISY AND THE CONSUMER HAD THEM REPLACED. *NM

NHTSA ID 10170138 · filed Sep 15, 2006

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT THREAD WAS DETERIORATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT BELTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO OFFERED TO PAY FOR HALF OF THE REPAIR COSTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 170,848.

NHTSA ID 10543444 · filed Sep 13, 2013

SET BELT BUCKLE (FEMALE RECEPTICAL) FAILURE.*AK

NHTSA ID 10095962 · filed Oct 18, 2004

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. SMOKE WAS COMING INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE THOUGH THE DASHBOARD. VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ID 10021885 · filed May 29, 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

NHTSA ID 10004596 · filed Jan 24, 2003

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TANK FOUND TO VERY RUSTED, AND SPLIT, ALONG WITH FASTENERS, SO THAT GAS WAS LEAKING WHILE PARKED. UNABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ID 10496148 · filed Feb 2, 2013

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER VEHICLE HAS AN OIL LEAK, WHICH REQUIRES HER TO ADD OIL TO THE VEHICLE EVERY TWO DAYS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE, AND MILEAGE INFORMATION WERE UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID 10196459 · filed Jul 16, 2007

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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

NHTSA ID 10572799 · filed Mar 17, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

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.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .