2002 TOYOTA Highlander Problems & Complaints
Real owner complaints and problems reported to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). View common issues by component.
328
Complaints Reported
Complaints by Component
VISIBILITY
114 complaints
DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUN VISORS FALL DOWN INTO DRIVERS AND PASSENGER VIEW. SAFETY ISSUE WAS NOT RECOGNIZED BY VEHICLE MANUFACTURER. *TR
May 06, 2015
THE DRIVER SIDE VISOR DOES NOT STAY PROPPED UP IN THE FORWARD DIRECTION. IT DROPS DOWN TO A VERTICAL POSITION DOWNWARDS, WHERE IT BLOCKS THE DRIVER'S VIEW. *TR
Jan 02, 2015
SUBMISSION FROM CONSTITUENT RE DEFECTIVE VISOR/ SAFETY PROBLEMS 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER ( FULL DOCUMENT NOT IMAGED). *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED ABOUT FOUR MONTHS AGO, THE PASSENGER SIDE VISOR WOULD NOT REMAIN IN THE UP POSITION, AND APPROXIMATELY TWO WEEKS LATER, THE SAME THING HAPPENED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE.
Jan 07, 2014
SUN VISOR KEEPS COMING DOWN AS IT AFFECTS MY VISION ON THE ROAD. *TR
Dec 30, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS OVER ROAD BUMPS, THE SUN VISOR WOULD FALL, CAUSING THE DRIVER'S VISION OF THE ROADWAY TO BECOME OBSCURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WAS APPROXIMATELY 166,000. *TR...UPDATED 05/08/13 *BF
Mar 19, 2013
+ 109 more complaints for this component
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
25 complaints
ACCELERATOR STICIKING. VEHICLE ACCELERATES AT 4000 TO 5000 RPMS HAD VEHICE TOWED TO TOYOTA OF BEDFORD 440-809-8399
Jul 02, 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
Dec 05, 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.
Sep 16, 2016
WHEN ENGAGING CAR IN REVERSE THE CAR WILL UNPREDICTABLY AT TIMES SUDDENLY ACCELERATE.
May 20, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 60 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE CONTACT HAD TO COMPLETELY TURN OFF THE ENGINE IN ORDER TO GET THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ACCELERATOR CABLE WAS STUCK IN THE FORWARD POSITION AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 210,000.
Jan 19, 2012
+ 20 more complaints for this component
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
23 complaints
A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO WHITE SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE. LAST WEEK, ON A TRIP WITHIN 400 MILES OF MY HOME, THE ENGINE AND VSC LIGHT CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED TOYOTA AND WAS TOLD THAT THE CAR COULD STOP SUDDENLY AND LEAVE US STRANDED SO I MADE AN APPT FOR MONDAY MORNING. THE CAR RODE VERY ROUGH FOR THE LAST TWO HOURS AND IT SEEMED AS IF IT IS READY TO STALL ANYTIME. TOYOTA CHARGED ME $ 321.00 FOR A COMPRESSION AND DIAGNOSTICS TEST. TOYOTA FOUND THAT I HAD LOW COMPRESSION. TOYOTA ALSO OFFERED TO TAKE APART MY ENGINE FOR 2667.00 TO SEE IF THE RINGS WERE DAMAGED. I REFUSED THE WORK AND PICKED UP MY CAR. WE CALLED AN ENGINE REPAIR BUSINESS. THE OWNER KNEW THE MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR OF MY CAR AND ASKED IF WE HAD JUST HIT THE 100,000 MILE MARKER. WE HAD. HE TOLD US OF THE OIL SLUDGE PROBLEM, SETTLEMENT AND FAULTY ALUMINUM ENGINES. I HAVE RESEARCHED SIMILAR CHARACTERISTICS WITH THE HIGHLANDER AND SEE THAT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THE 2002 HIGHLANDER. THE SLUDGE SITUATION WOULD ONLY BE COVERED IF IT WAS WITHIN 8 YEARS OF THE PURCHASE DATE. WHAT ABOUT THE MANY CONSUMERS WHO STILL HAVE THIS PROBLEM AND IT IS PAST THE EIGHT YEARS? I BOUGHT THIS HIGHLANDER IN 2005, HAD IT SERVICED REGULARLY AND WE ALSO CHANGED THE OIL OURSELVES. IN 2008 I BROUGHT THE CAR INTO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP FOR A TUNE UP AND AN OIL CHANGE PRIOR TO A LONG TRIP. ON THE WAY HOME, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WE PULLED OVER TO A LOCAL GAS STATION AND THERE WAS LITERALLY NO OIL IN MY ENGINE. TOYOTA DID THE OIL CHANGE BUT DID NOT PUT 5 QUARTS OF OIL INTO MY CAR FOR THIS LONG TRIP. WHEN I RETURNED I DID CONFRONT THE DEALERSHIP BUT THEY DENIED ANY WRONGDOING. WE HAVE, SINCE THAT TIME PERIOD HAD TO ADD OIL CONTINUOUSLY. IT TURNS OUT THAT I WILL NEED TO REPLACE MY ENGINE FOR 4500.00. *TR
Dec 04, 2011
VEHICLE HAS TOYOTA 2AZ-FE (2.4 L) 4 CYLINDER ENGINE. OIL & COOLANT LEAKING FROM BACK OF ENGINE. HEAD BOLTS ON MAIN GASKET FAILED. IN SEARCHING INTERNET, COUNTLESS OTHER OWNERS HAVE UNFORTUNATELY EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE WHICH IS DUE TO AN INHERENT DESIGN PROBLEM BY TOYOTA. BOLTS BETWEEN GASKET AND MAIN ENGINE BLOCK FAIL AND CANNOT BE REPAIRED OR REPLACED. HAVE TO BUY AND INSTALL A NEW ENGINE. CALLED TOYOTA USA HEADQUARTERS IN TORRANCE, CA. AND SPOKE TO THEM, THEY SAID THEY WILL DO NOTHING FOR ME. SPOKE TO DYLAN AND THE CASE NUMBER IS 1111291430. I BELIEVE THAT A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED AND THAT TOYOTA SHOULD ASSUME FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THESE FAILURES, WHICH ARE OBVIOUSLY DUE TO A DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING PROBLEM OF TOYOTA. *KB
Nov 29, 2011
I PURCHASED A NEW 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER FROM SIERRA TOYOTA OF LANCASTER, CA. I HAVE EXPERIENCED NO PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE UNTIL 25 JAN. 2011 WHEN THE ENGINE OVERHEATED WHILE DRIVING 40MPH ON CITY STREET. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO MY MECHANIC AND HE INFORMED ME OF A PROBLEM WITH THE 2.4L 4CYL TOYOTA ENGINES IN WHICH SOME OF THE HEAD BOLTS BECOME LOOSE/STRIPPED WHERE THEY ATTACH AT THE ENGINE BLOCK. I CALLED SIERRA TOYOTA OF LANCASTER AND THEY DENIED ANY KNOWLEDGE OF THIS PROBLEM. ON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, I DISCOVERED THAT SIERRA TOYOTA HAD A SPECIALIST SERVICING ONE OF THEIR VEHICLES BY PLACING INSERTS INTO THE STRIPPED HOLES THE VERY NEXT DAY. SIERRA TOYOTA REFUSED TO GIVE ME ANY MONETARY ASSISTANCE IN REPAIRING MY VEHICLE. AFTER RESEARCHING THE BOLT PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET, I HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS TOYOTA OWNERS WITH THE SAME ENGINE, THAT HAVE HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR VEHICLES. THE ONLY FIX IS EITHER A COMPLETE ENGINE REPLACEMENT OR HAVING AN EXPENSIVE ANCHOR-BOLT REDO. MY COSTS LOOK LIKE TO BE ABOUT $2500, IF THERE IS NO OTHER DAMAGE FOUND DUE TO THE OVER-HEATING. AT THIS POINT, I DON'T EVEN KNOW IF THE NEW ANCHOR-BOLT SYSTEM WILL WORK. MY VEHICLE WAS ALWAYS WELL-MAINTAINED AND CURRENTLY HAS APX. 126,000 MILES ON IT. *TR
Jan 26, 2011
SOME EARLIER MODELS OF TOYOTA'S 2AZ-FE 4 CYLINDER ENGINE ARE SUSCEPTIBLE TO SUDDEN FAILURE AND ARE DANGEROUS. THE ENGINE IS WIDELY USED IN TOYOTA'S POPULAR CAMRY, HIGHLANDER, RAV4 AND SCION TC MODELS. TOYOTA NEEDS TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY AND INVESTIGATE THE ENGINE. ON 9/11/2010, 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER'S 2AZ-FE ENGINE FAILED AND LEFT OCCUPANTS STRANDED. EVENT TOOK PLACE IMMEDIATELY AFTER EXITING THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE SPUTTERED AND CEASED TO FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE HAD ABOUT 75,000 MILES ON IT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WHICH REPORTED THE FOLLOWING: - OIL AND COOLANT LEAKING FROM THE BACK OF THE ENGINE HEAD - HYDROCARBON IN THE COOLANT - OIL SEVERELY BURNT DUE TO OVERHEATING THE ESTIMATE TO OPEN UP AND REPAIR THE ENGINE COULD RUN ANYWHERE FROM $2,000 TO $7,500 DEPENDING ON WHETHER THE ENGINE BLOCK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN REGULARLY MAINTAINED ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURER'S SCHEDULE WITH ALL THE RECORDS TO PROVE IT. TOYOTA DENIED REQUEST TO INVESTIGATE AND DEFRAY COSTS. WHILE ENGINE WAS OPENED BY A LOCAL MECHANIC IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT TWO OF THE HEAD BOLTS WERE LOOSE AND THAT THE THREADS IN THE ALUMINUM ENGINE BLOCK FOR 3 HEAD BOLTS IN THE REAR WERE STRIPPED. REPAIRING THE ENGINE INVOLVED RE-THREADING THE HOLES IN THE ENGINE BLOCK FOR ALL TEN HEAD BOLTS USING THE TIME-SERT THREAD REPAIR KIT. *TR
Oct 18, 2010
IN JUNE 2008, I WAS DRIVING WHEN MY ENGINE APPARENTLY MELTED DOWN. IT WENT COMPLETELY HOT. I PULLED OVER AND THERE WAS WHAT APPEARED TO BE COOLANT POOLED UNDER THE CAR. PRIOR TO THIS ALL SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE HAD BEEN DONE AND THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF ANY TROUBLE WITH THE CAR EARLIER THAT DAY. I LATER TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC WHO SAID HE HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THAT IN HIS LIFE. THE ENGINE HAD LITERALLY MELTED. HE THEN TRIED TO CALL TOYOTA AND GOT IN CONTACT WITH SOMEONE BUT THEY COULDN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT HAPPENED EITHER AND WAS UNWILLING TO DEAL WITH IT. HE SAID IT OBVIOUSLY HAD TO BE A FACTORY DEFECT. IT COST ME A WHOLE NEW ENGINE. *TR
Jul 10, 2010
+ 18 more complaints for this component
POWER TRAIN
18 complaints
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.
Apr 01, 2017
TRANSMISSION JUMPS IN 3RD GEAR, DEALER SAID MUST REPLACE. *TR
Nov 19, 2013
I PLACED CAR INTO REVERSE TO BACK OUT OF PARKING SPOT. WHEN I SHIFTED INTO DRIVE, THE CAR REMAINED STUCK IN REVERSE. THE SHIFT LINKAGE WAS NO LONGER FUNCTIONING. I BACKED THE CAR INTO A PARKING SPOT IN THE CORNER OF THE PARKING LOT. WHEN I STOPPED THE ENGINE I COULD NO LONGER START THE ENGINE AS IT WAS STUCK IN REVERSE. I CALLED A TOW TRUCK. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER WAS ABLE TO PLACE THE TRANMISSION INTO NEUTRAL (USING A WRENCH ON THE TRANSMISSION) ENABLING THE CAR TO BE PUSHED FORWARD. THE CAR WAS THEN PLACED ON THE TOW TRUCK AND TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE CABLE AND SHIFT MECHANISM REQUIRED REPLACEMENT.
Sep 23, 2013
TOOK OFF AND PULLED INTO TRAFFIC WHEN THE TRANSMISSION QUIT WORKING. TRIED AGAIN AND IT WORKED. DANGEROUS. *TR
Jul 31, 2013
PULLED OUT OF WORK PARKING LOT ONTO MAJOR HIGHWAY AND HEARD LOUD CLUNK FROM ENGINE AREA. CAR STOPPED MOVING FORWARD SO I PULLED OFF TO SIDE. PUT CAR IN PARK AND ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING. PUT CAR INTO DRIVE AND NOTHING HAPPENED. PUT CAR IN REVERSE AND NOTHING HAPPENED. LOUD METAL GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT. TRANSMISSION SHOP SAID COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE TRANSMISSIONS. COST TO REBUILD: $4,155. *TR
Mar 22, 2013
+ 13 more complaints for this component
STRUCTURE
17 complaints
SAFETY ISSUE WITH TOYOTA HIGHLANDER (02 MODEL)...SUN VISOR ON DRIVERS SIDE KEEPS FALLING DOWN AND OBSTRUCTING VIEW. *TR
Jun 18, 2008
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
Jun 16, 2008
2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER DRIVER'S SIDE VISOR FALLS DOWN AND BLOCKS THE VISION OF THE DRIVER. TOYOTA'S SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM IS TO REPLACE THE VISOR AT A COST OF $600 PLUS LABOR. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY REPORTS OF THIS PROBLEM ACCORDING TO THE TOYOTA DEALER, YET TOYOTA HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL. *TR
Mar 06, 2008
THE SUN VISORS ON MY 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER ARE BOTH FAILING. THE DRIVER SIDE VISOR FAILED AFTER ABOUT 2 YEARS. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPLACED IT UNDER WARRANTY. NOW IT IS FAILING AGAIN. THE PASSENGER SIDE VISOR IS NOW FAILING AS WELL. ACCORDING TO MY MECHANIC, THE COST TO REPLACE THEM WOULD BE ABOUT $1,000 - PARTS ONLY. *TR
Dec 30, 2007
2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR DOES NOT STAY UP, DROPS DOWN WHILE DRIVING DUE TO ANY SMALL BUMPS. OFTEN DROPS AND TEMPORARILY BLOCKS VIEW WHILE DRIVING. FROM WEB SEARCHES SOUNDS LIKE A COMMON ISSUE WITH THE 02 HIGHLANDERS. *TR
Dec 21, 2007
+ 12 more complaints for this component
VISIBILITY/WIPER
14 complaints
DRIVER SIDE VISOR HAS 2 POSITIONS ONLY. DOWN OR UP. CANNOT ADJUST FOR TALLER DRIVERS.
Aug 02, 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.
Aug 16, 2016
THIS IS THE FOURTH SUN VISOR ON THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THIS CAR WHICH WILL NO LONGER STAY UP BLOCKING MY VISION WHILE DRIVING. THE FIRST WAS REPLACED 09/03 AT ABOUT 22,600 MILES UNDER WARRANTY WITH A HOME LINK INCLUDED AS WAS THE ORIGINAL. THE SECOND REPLACEMENT WAS 01/07 AT 65,300 MILES AND THE PASSENGER ONE WAS REPLACED AT THE SAME TIME. THESE DID NOT HAVE THE HOME LINK FEATURE AS IT WAS TOO EXPENSIVE. THE PROBLEM RECURRED IN 3/10 AT 86,000 MILES AND WAS ONCE AGAIN REPLACED. IT IS NOW 3/16 WITH 115,000 MILES AND THE SAME PROBLEM AS BEFORE EXISTS. IT FALLS RIGHT AT EYE LEVEL WHICH IMPAIRS VISIBILITY. WITH THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS TOYOTA HAS RECEIVED ON THIS AND OTHER MODELS, A MANDATORY REPLACEMENT IS WARRANTED.
Mar 21, 2016
THE DRIVERS SIDE SUN VISOR NO LONGER STAYS FULLY UP. IT STAYS 1/2 DOWN WHICH BLOCKS VISIBILITY. IT SUDDENLY FALLS DOWN FURTHER, BLOCKING MY VIEW EVEN MORE, ESPECIALLY WHEN I BRAKE (EVEN LIGHT BRAKING), CHANGE LANES OR CHANGE VEHICLE SPEEDS. AFTER SEVERAL TIMES OF GETTING SCARED WHEN THE VISOR SUDDENLY FLIPS DOWN, I NOW HAVE TO USE BUNGEE CORDS OR RUBBER BANDS TO HOLD THE VISOR UP SO THAT I CAN SEE. UNFORTUNATELY, THAT MEANS THAT I CANNOT EASILY FLIP IT DOWN TO BLOCK THE SUN, WHICH IS ITS PURPOSE, AND I LIVE IN "SUNNY CALIFORNIA!" I HAVE SEEN DOZENS OF OTHER PEOPLE COMPLAIN ONLINE FALLS ABOUT THIS SAFETY ISSUE OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS. MY RESEARCH A FEW YEARS AGO SHOWED THAT THE REPLACEMENT FOR THE VISOR WAS RIDICULOUSLY OVER $800 (I THINK BECAUSE IT HAS A LIGHTED MIRROR). MY ASSUMPTION IS THAT IT ONLY NEEDS A SPRING REPLACED AND TOYOTA SHOULD DO THIS TO PROTECT ITS CUSTOMERS. *TR
Oct 23, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE SUN VISOR WOULD CONTINUE TO FALL. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE SUN VISOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000.
Apr 23, 2014
+ 9 more complaints for this component
AIR BAGS
12 complaints
MY AIR BAG LITE KEEPS POPING ON
Feb 27, 2020
AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ON DASHBOARD DOES NOT TURN OFF IN COLD WEATHER (20 DEGREES F, OR LOWER). THE WARNING WILL STAY ON EVEN WHEN ENGINE AND INTERIOR ARE WARM. IF THE ENGINE IS TURNED OFF ONCE WARM, AND THEN TURNED BACK ON, AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT TURNS OFF WITH ALL OTHER PANEL LIGHTS, AS IT SHOULD. WITH COLD WEATHER, THE AIRBAG LIGHT WILL STAY ON WHEN VEHICLE IS STATIONARY, OR IN MOTION, AND AT ANY SPEED AND WILL ONLY SHUT OFF IF CAR IS TURNED OFF AND THEN RESTARTED.
Feb 24, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK, LOWER BACK, AND CHEST INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
Mar 23, 2015
THE AIR BAGS DASHBOARD LIGHT BLINKS INTERMITTENTLY IN TEMPERATURES BELOW 20 F. DEALER SAYS TO BRING IN. TROUBLE IS WE NEED THE CAR FOR HOURS BEFORE THEY OPEN AND BY THAT TIME THE CAR HAS WARMED UP, THE CAR HAS BEEN TURNED ON AND OFF SEVERAL TIMES DURING ERRAND RUNNING. AFTER WHICH TIME, THE WARNING LIGHT IS NOT SHOWING. 1-TROUBLE IS WE ARE NOT ASSURED THIS IS JUST A WARNING LIGHT ISSUE WHICH MEANS IT'S OKAY TO USE WHILE LIGHT IS FLASHING. NOR DO WE KNOW IF THIS MEANS THE AIR BAGS MAY BE DEFECTIVE AND NOT WORK IN ANY CONDITIONS!? 2-THE DEALER CLAIMS TO NOT BE AWARE OF THIS ISSUE ALTHOUGH A SIMPLE SEARCH OF THE INTERNET SHOWS THE SAME ISSUE--THEIR ANSWER? "WE DIDN'T FIND ANY CODES WHEN WE TESTED IT". 3-THIS ISSUE SHOWED SEVERAL TIMES WHILE OUR CAR WAS COVERED UNDER THE PLATINUM WARRANTY AT THE TIME THEY FIRST "TESTED" FOR PROBLEMS. *TR
Jun 11, 2013
2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. CONSUMER STATES AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING A COLLISION *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED A VAN PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF HUSBAND WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH. THE IMPACT WAS AT 45-50 MPH. THE CONSUMER'S HUSBAND HIT HIS HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND SUFFERED AMNESIA AND THE CONSUMER SUFFERED A NECK INJURY. *JB
Feb 15, 2012
+ 7 more complaints for this component
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
10 complaints
I PURCHASED AN ADDITIONAL SECURITY DEVICE. IF SOMEONE BREAKS A WINDOW, AN ALARM IS SUPPOSED TO GO OFF. YOU CAN TEST TO SEE IF IT WORKS BY HITTING YOUR CAR KEY AGAINST A CLOSED WINDOW & THE ALARM SHOULD GO OFF. IT HAS NEVER WORKED. AT TIME OF PURCHASE THE DEALERSHIP REMOVED THE CENTER FLOOR GLOVE COMPARTMENT ASSEMBLY. THE MICROPHONE HAD FALLEN OFF THE SIDE & WAS LAYING ON THE FLOOR. THEY GLUED IT BACK TO THE SIDES & IT STILL DIDN'T GO OFF WHEN HITTING A KEY AGAINST THE WINDOW WHEN ALL THE WINDOWS WERE CLOSED. THEY COULDN'T GET IT TO WORK & BREAKING MY WINDSHIELD WAS NOT AN OPTION - OBVIOUSLY. THE DEALERSHIP HAD NO IDEA ON HOW TO FIX IT.
May 27, 2016
LETTER FROM CONGRESSMAN CARTWRIGHT ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT RE TOYOTA CONCERNS. *SMD 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO TRADE THE VEHICLE, SHE WAS INFORMED THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE FEDERAL CASH FOR CLUNKER PROGRAM, AND THERE WAS POTENTIAL ODOMETER FRAUD.
Jun 30, 2014
PASSENGER AND DRIVER SUN VISORS FALL DOWN WHILE DRIVING POSING A SAFETY HAZARD. HAD THE VISORS REPLACED APRIL 2006, THREE YEARS LATER, HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM
May 18, 2011
THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR DOES NOT STAY IN PLACE. AT FIRST OCCURRENCE, THE VISOR WOULD SLOWLY DROOP DOWN WITH NORMAL VIBRATIONS IN THE CAR AND REQUIRED REPEATED TAPING OF THE VISOR BACK INTO PLACE WITH THE DRIVER'S HAND (A DISTRACTION AND HAZARD AS IS). AS TIME WENT ON THE VISOR LOOSENED COMPLETELY AND DOES NOT STAY UP AT ALL. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND DISTRACTING AS IT BLOCKS FULL VISION OUT OF THE WINDSHIELD BY THE DRIVER. THIS SEEMS TO BE A DEFECT OF THE VISOR ITSELF BY THE MANUFACTURER AS IT SEEMS AS IF THE VISOR IS TOO HEAVY TO STAY IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE AMONG THIS MAKE AND MODEL AND SEEMS AS IF THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL REGARDING THIS ISSUE LONG AGO.
Jan 27, 2011
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE VEHICLE HAD 49,000 MILES ON IT WHEN HE PURCHASED IT. RECENTLY HE RECEIVED A LETTER FROM THE MOTOR VEHICLE DIVISION WHICH STATED THAT THE MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE WAS INCORRECT. THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD 84,000 MILES ON IT. THE PREVIOUS OWNER OF THE VEHICLE WAS A LEASING COMPANY. THE MOTOR VEHICLE DIVISION TOLD THE CONTACT TO FILL OUT A FORM AND THEY WILL CORRECT THE MILEAGE. THE CONTACT WAS UNHAPPY BECAUSE HE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE THINKING HE HAD 49,000 MILES NOT 84,000 MILES. THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD PURCHASED THE VEHICLE ON 1-22-05 , AND THE ODOMETER READ 84,045 MILES. THE CONTACT PURCHASED IT ON 2-19-05 AND THE ODOMETER SHOWED 49,345 MILES. *AK
Sep 16, 2005
+ 5 more complaints for this component
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
10 complaints
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
Apr 25, 2012
RIGHT REAR BRAKE LIGHT INOPERATIVE WHEN BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, BULBS HAVE BEEN REPLACED BY OWNER AND DEALER. *TT
Aug 07, 2011
TOYOTA HIGHLANDER BRAKE LIGHTS. RIGHT SIDE/PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE LIGHTS GO OUT OFTEN AND EVEN WITH NEW BULBS DON'T ALWAYS WORK. FAULTY DESIGN. DUE TO ALL THE POSTS ON THE INTERNET ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE I'M ASSUMING THIS IS A COMMON AND UNSAFE PROBLEM WITH HIGHLANDERS. *TR
Feb 20, 2011
THE RIGHT BRAKE LIGHT REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOES NOT WORK. I HAVE CHANGED ALL BULBS AND CHECKED FUSES. ALL OTHER LIGHT IN THE ASSEMBLY WORK JUST FINE TAIL,BACKUP,RIGHT BLINKER BUT WHEN YOUR PRESS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL THE LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS TO THE NHTSA ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. DIRECT ACTION IS NEEDED TO FIX THIS PROBLEM BEFORE AN ACCIDENT OR SOMEONE IS PULLED OVER FOR A PROBLEM THAT IS NOT FIXABLE ON THE CUSTOMERS END. *TR
Aug 02, 2010
THE RIGHT BRAKE LIGHT ON MY 2002 HIGHLANDER KEEPS GOING OUT, DESPITE THE NUMBER OF BULB CHANGES I'VE DONE. THERE IS A LARGE NUMBER OF HIGHLANDER OWNERS THAT HAVE FILED THIS SAME REPORT ONLINE VIA BULLETIN BOARDS, ETC. *TR
Apr 11, 2010
+ 5 more complaints for this component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
8 complaints
MY PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE LIGHT IS INTERMITTENT AT BEST. REPLACED BULBS MANY TIMES, CLEANED CONTACTS, ETC...BUT NO HELP.ON-GOING PROBLEM . WAS REAR-ENDED DUE TO THIS EXACT PROBLEM. DRIVER SIDE BRAKE LIGHT FINE...IT IS ALWAYS PASSENGER SIDE. MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME EXACT ISSUE ON-LINE. *TR
Nov 20, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SECURITY SYSTEM FAILED AND CAUSED ALL OF THE DOORS TO LOCK. THE DOORS COULD NOT BE OPENED MANUALLY, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO BE TRAPPED IN THE VEHICLE DURING EXTREME HEAT. THE POLICE DEPARTMENT BROKE THE REAR WINDOW TO RELEASE THE CONTACT. THE CONTACT FELT CONSTANT WEAKNESS IN THE HEAD DUE TO THE EXTREME HEAT EXPOSURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,050 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 39,106.
Jul 17, 2012
AIR CONDITIONER THERMOSTAT DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. IT SWINGS BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN COLD AND HOT WITHOUT TOUCHING DIAL. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS DURING WINTER WHERE YOU COULD DIE IF NOT ABLE TO GET HEAT.
Nov 16, 2010
MY 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HAD APPROXIMATELY 110,000 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME WHEN I STARTED HEARING A NOISE AROUND THE DISTRIBUTOR. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC (NOT TOYOTA FOR OTHER REASONS) AND HE SAID THE BEARINGS IN THE DISTRIBUTOR WERE GOING OUT. I CALLED TOYOTA (TOYOTA OF TEXAS - GRAPEVINE) TO ORDER THE PART. THEY DIDN'T HAVE ANY IN STOCK, SO HAD TO ORDER FROM THE DC. THEY SAID IT WOULD BE IN 4 DAYS AND TO CALL BACK. CALLED BACK IN 5 DAYS AND THEY SAID THEY HAD TO ORDER FROM HQ IN CALIFORNIA AND IT WOULD BE IN NEXT WEEK (HA!). CALLED NEXT WEEK. STILL NO DISTRIBUTOR!! HAD TO ORDER IT FROM JAPAN!! AT THAT POINT, THE REGIONAL PARTS MANAGER CALLED ME AND SAID THAT A HIGHLANDER DISTRIBUTOR HAS NEVER GONE OUT. I DISCUSSED MY DISGUST WITH THE FACT THAT THERE WAS NO DISTRIBUTORS FOR A 6 YEAR OLD HIGHLANDER IN THE UNITED STATES!! MY MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO GET WITH A LOCAL DISTRIBUTOR REBUILDER TO TRY TO FIX IT EVEN WITHOUT HAVING THE MANUAL ON THE TOYOTA DISTRIBUTOR. HE WAS ABLE TO REBUILD IT BEFORE THE DISTRIBUTOR I ORDERED CAME IN 3 WEEKS AFTER THE INITIAL ORDER. IN THE END, MY HIGHLANDER SAT AT MY MECHANIC'S SHOP FOR 3 WEEKS AND I WAS STUCK RENTING A THE WHOLE TIME. *TR
Jul 13, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHEN THE CONTACT OPENED THE DOOR TO HER VEHICLE, SHE DISCOVERED THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT FILLED WITH SMOKE. THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS BURNED. THERE WERE NO OCCUPANTS IN THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS ARRIVED AT THE SCENE AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE INVESTIGATOR INFORMED HER THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE UNDERNEATH THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT WAS A MANUAL SEAT, NOT ELECTRIC. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE AND FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000. UPDATED 1/6/09 *CN UPDATED 01/14/09. *JB
Nov 20, 2008
+ 3 more complaints for this component
EQUIPMENT
8 complaints
A/C BLOWS HOT AIR ON DRIVER SIDE WHEN IT SHOULD BLOW COLD AIR AS IT DOES WITH PASSENGER SIDE. *TR
Apr 26, 2008
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
Feb 06, 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
Nov 22, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE PASSENGER REPLACED THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER AND, WITHOUT WARNING, IT EJECTED AND BURNED HIS HAND. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER FAILED TO OPERATE WHEN THE PASSENGER ATTEMPTED TO USE IT TO WARM HIS COFFEE. ON MAY 22, 2007, AN INSPECTOR FROM TOYOTA VIDEOTAPED AND DUPLICATED THE FAILURE, HOWEVER, HE WAS UNABLE TO DISCUSS HIS FINDINGS WITH THE CONTACT. ON JUNE 18, 2007, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A LETTER STATING THAT A FACTORY REPRESENTATIVE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND THE CASE WAS TRANSFERRED TO TOYOTA MOTOR SALES USA. THE CONTACT WAS GIVEN CASE NUMBER 200705071073 AND WAS INFORMED THAT HE WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR NOTIFYING TOYOTA MOTOR SALES USA FOR MORE DETAILS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,900 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 94,563.
Sep 28, 2007
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. *AK
Jun 14, 2007
+ 3 more complaints for this component
TIRES
6 complaints
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
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.
Feb 26, 2010
THE GOODYEAR INTEGRITY TIRES THAT CAME ON MY 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER ARE HORRIBLE. SINCE DAY ONE, I FEEL EXTREMELY UNSAFE IN WET CONDITIONS LET ALONE ICE AND SNOW. I COMPLAINED SEVERAL TIMES TO THE DEALERSHIP, BUT THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THEY SAY THE TIRES LOOK FINE. I HAVE READ SEVERAL ARTICLES ON THE INTERNET FROM PEOPLE WHO AGREE.*AK
Oct 22, 2004
PURCHASED TOYOTA MR2 SPYDER IN AUGUST OF 2002. CAR NOW HAS 18,300 MILES AND BOTH FRONT TIRES (YOKOHAMA ADVAN A043 185/50R15) ARE WORN BEYOND RECOMMENDED TREAD DEPTH AND BLISTERED ON INSIDE(BECAUSE OF FRONT-END MISALIGNMENT ACCORDING TO DEALERSHIP). *AK
Dec 26, 2003
THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE BLEW FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THE SIDEWALL WAS TORN. THE DEALER HAS REFUSED TO REPLACE IT BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURER WOULDN'T REFUND THEM. THE TEAR IS FROM THE INSIDE OUT. THE SIZE OF THE TIRE IS 205/65R15 92T. THE TIRES ARE BRIDGESTONE POTENZA RE92. NLM
Oct 03, 2002
+ 1 more complaint for this component
ENGINE
5 complaints
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
Apr 25, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AS A STRONG ODOR OF ENGINE OIL AND FUEL EMITTED FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE ENGINE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO ENGINE SLUDGE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,800.
Mar 04, 2014
WHILE DRIVING ON A BUSY INTERSTATE, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO OVERHEAT, CAUSING THE NEED TO PULL OVER. THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE TEMPERATURE WAS AT ITS MAXIMUM AND WAS LOOSING COOLANT. AFTER SEVERAL INSPECTIONS, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE HEAD GASKET HAD BLOWN AT SUCH LOW OVERALL VEHICLE MILEAGE DUE TO THE ENGINE HEAD BEING MADE OF ALUMINUM AND THE BLOCK BEING MADE OF STEEL. THIS ALSO CAUSED THE VEHICLE HEAD BOLT THREADS TO BE STRIPPED, RESULTING IN THE NEED FOR A NEW ENGINE. *TR
Oct 04, 2013
I WAS DRIVING MY 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER ON THE HIGHWAY AND WAS ACCELERATING TO PASS A CAR WHEN I HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AREA, ALL THE LIGHTS ON MY DASH CAME ON AND MY CAR STALLED. I STRUGGLED WITHOUT THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES TO GET MY CAR OVER 2 LANES OF FAST MOVING TRAFFIC AND GET IT ONTO THE EXIT RAMP. MY AUTO HAD DRASTICALLY SLOWED DUE TO ENGINE NOT WORKING AND I WAS ALMOST HIT SEVERAL TIMES AS CARS FLEW AROUND AND PAST ME. I FINALLY MANAGE TO GET IT OFF THE HIGHWAY AND INTO A SAFE SPOT, BUT IT WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT BECAUSE I HAD LOST ALL POWER AND HAD NO POWER STEERING OR POWER BRAKES. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER. I AM ONLY THE SECOND OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE AND I KNOW THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND HE TOOK VERY GOOD CARE OF THIS CAR DOING ALL THE MAINTENANCE HIMSELF AND USING ONLY TOYOTA PARTS. THE DEALER SAYS MY ENGINE IS RUINED BUT HE NEVER MENTIONED ANYTHING ABOUT THE PROBLEMS THEY HAVE HAD WITH THESE ENGINES AND SLUDGE AND ENGINE FAILURE. THE ORIGINAL OWNER SAYS HE NEVER RECEIVED ANYTHING FROM TOYOTA ABOUT THE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT NOR ANY OF THE FIXES FOR THE SLUDGE/ENGINE FAILURE PROBLEM. I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED AND AM LUCKY I WAS NOT. TOYOTA SHOULD HAVE RECALLED ALL THESE ENGINES AND FIXED OR REPLACED THEM INSTEAD OF JUST SECRETLY FIXING THEM, ONLY WHEN FORCED TO BY THE CUSTOMER FOR ONLY 8 YEARS. FACT IS, IF THE ORIG OWNER HADN'T BABIED THE CAR, THE ENGINE WOULD HAVE GONE MUCH SOONER. SO BECAUSE HE TOOK GOOD CARE OF IT, I AM S-O-L BECAUSE THE 8 YEAR EXTENDED WARRANTY IS UP. I GUESS THE REAL TRUTH IS THAT TOYOTA MAKE ITS CARS TO LAST LONGER THAN 8 YEARS. *TR
Jun 25, 2013
LAST SATURDAY 4/13/13 THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR STARTED SHAKING AND MAKING A WEIRD NOISE. I HAVEN'T DRIVEN IT SINCE THEN WHEN I PARKED IT IN THE DRIVEWAY. I DIDN'T EVEN TRUST IT TO PARK IT IN THE GARAGE BECAUSE IT SMELLED HOT. WHITE SMOKE AND THE SMELL OF EXHAUST HAS BEEN COMING OUT OF THE EXHAUST. TODAY WAS THE SOONEST I COULD GET IT LOOKED AT (BY A TRUSTED LOCAL REPAIR SHOP) AND I WAS JUST TOLD IT'S AN INTERNAL ENGINE PROBLEM. I SEE THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH THIS ENGINE AND BECAUSE OF A CLASS ACTION SUIT TOYOTA HAS HAD TO REPLACE THE ENGINE IN CARS 8 YEARS AND NEWER, I DON'T QUALIFY. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED BY TOYOTA OF THIS PROBLEM....AND I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. I HAVE REPLACED 3 OXYGEN SENSORS AND THE AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR. *TR
Apr 18, 2013
VISIBILITY,STRUCTURE
5 complaints
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
Jun 21, 2009
THE DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR (W/ LIGHTED MIRROR AND HOMELINK) ON MY 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER WILL NOT STAY UP AND DROPS DOWN WHEN DRIVING WHICH IS A SERIOUS HAZARD. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AND THE COST FOR ONLY THE REPLACEMENT PART IS OVER $700.00. IT IS OBVIOUSLY A DESIGN ISSUE AND SERIOUS HAZARD THAT TOYOTA WILL NOT ADDRESS. *TR
Apr 18, 2008
I HAVE A 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE SUN VISORS ON THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES NO LONGER STAY UP. THIS STARTED NINE MONTHS AGO. IF THE SUN VISOR DOES STAY UP, IT DROPS DOWN WHEN THE VEHICLE HITS A MILD BUMP. *TR
Mar 30, 2008
2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER DRIVERS SIDE SUN VISOR FELL DOWN WHEN HITTING A SMALL POTHOLE, OBSCURING DRIVER VISION...NARROWLY AVERTING A COLLISION WITH ONCOMING VEHICLE BEFORE I COULD GET IT PUSHED BACK UP INTO PLACE, WHEREUPON IT FELL AGAIN AND I HAD TO SWING IT OUT OF THE WAY TO DRIVE HOME...NO FRICTION TO HOLD IT UP OUT OF THE WAY....CALLED DEALERSHIP...SORRY...600 DOLLAR REPLACEMENT W/ HOMELINK..NO OTHER FIX AVAILABLE...DEFINITE DESIGN, ABSOLUTE SAFETY FLAW...WENT ONLINE TO RESEARCH AND NOTED THOUSANDS OF RESPONSES TO THIS EXACT PROBLEM FOR 2002 VEHICLE. I TRULY BELIEVE A RECALL IS WARRANTED. *TR
Mar 29, 2008
THE SUN VISOR ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF OUR 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER FALLS DOWN WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING ALONG. IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SINCE YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN THE VISOR WILL DROP DOWN AND OBSTRUCT YOUR VIEW. THERE HAVE BEEN A FEW OCCASIONS WHEN I HAVE BEEN DRIVING ALONG AND REACH TO PUT THE TURN SIGNAL ON. AT THAT MOMENT THE VISOR DROPS DOWN AND BEFORE I CAN RECOVER I AM CLOSE TO HITTING A CAR FROM THE REAR. I HAVE TRIED SIMPLE SOLUTIONS BUT THE DEALER INDICATES THAT NOTHING IS WRONG AND IT WILL COST OVER $700 TO FIX. *TR
Nov 10, 2007
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
5 complaints
IN 30 MPH HIGHWAY TRAFFIC, SEVERAL CARS STOPPED SUDDENLY. I QUICKLY STOMPED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. IT SEEMED LIKE THE WHEELS LOCKED UP, ESPECIALLY THE LEFT FRONT (LIKE SKATING ON ICE AND APPLYING YOUR TOE PICK (BRAKE)). THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. CAME VERY CLOSE TO HITTING THE PERSON IN FRONT OF ME AND GETTING HIT FROM BEHIND. THERE IS NO DRIVER CONTROL OF THE BRAKES IN SUDDEN STOPS. THIS HAS HAPPENED MORE THAN ONCE AND IS VERY SCARY. *JB
Nov 27, 2005
STRONG VIBRATIONS FROM FRONT BRAKES
May 16, 2005
I HAVE A 2002 TOYOTA SEQUOIA LIMITED. THE BRAKES NEEDED REPLACING AT 21000 MILES.THIS IS CONCIDERED NORMAL , FOR THIS HEAVY CAR. THE DEALER REQUESTED $330.00 TO REPLACE PADS I SHOPPED AROUND GOT THE JOB DONE FOR $250.00. BUT THE BRAKES STARTED VIBRATING WHENEVER I APPLIED THEM. TOOK IT BACK TO REPAIR CENTER THEY RE-DID THE ENTIRE BRAKE JOB WITH DIFFERENT FACTORY PADS (26000 MI) , SAME RESULT. I THEN TOOK IT TO THE DEALER I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM (33000 MI) , THEY CHECKED IT OUT, PROBLEM NOT OCCURING AT THIS TIME. NO REPAIR DONE. I TOOK IT TO THE TIRE CENTER I ALWAYS USE FOR TIRES, THEY REPLACED REAR ROTORS, PROBLEM NOT FIXED. I THEN REPLACED THE FRONT ROTORS & PADS MYSELF. VIBRATION STILL OCCURING. I HAVE SPENT $800.00 TO FIX THE VIBRATION. TALKED TO TOYOTA ABOUT IT THERE IS A SERVICE BULITTEN ABOUT THIS COMPLANT, IT SHOULD BE FIXED FREE OF CHARGE. BUT THE CAR IS AT 41000 MI NOW. THE WARRANTY IS 36000 MILES.TOYOTA REFUSED TO MAKE NECESSARY REPAIRS UNDER WARRANTY, EVEN THOUGH COMPLAINT WAS ORIGINALLY PLACED DURING WARRANTY PERIOD. REPAIR COST APPROX $2000.00 PER SERVICE WRITER. I WILL NEVER DEAL WITH TOYOTA AGAIN! *AK
Jan 26, 2005
2002 TOYOTA SEQUOIA BRAKES VIBRATE SEVERELY. VSC SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT FREQUENTLY COMES ON. PROBLEM HAS EXISTED SINCE CAR HAD 10,000 MILES, NOW HAS 36,000 AND DEALER AND TOYOTA CLAIM IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. TOYOTA CLAIMS THAT CAR HAS NO BRAKE PROBLEMS, NO SAFETY PROBLEMS AT ALL, AND THAT ORIGINAL BRAKES ARE NOT DEFECTIVE IN DESIGN. I AM INFORMED THAT TOYOTA ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN, ALTHOUGH TOYOTA DENIED THIS THE DEALER ADMITTED THAT IT EXISTED, BUT I HAD TO SPECIFICALLY COMPLAIN ABOUT THE SPECIFIC BRAKE PROBLEM, OR THEY WOULD NOT AND DID NOT ADVISE ME OF THE REMEDY. THESE BRAKE ISSUES ARE A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM.*AK
Dec 21, 2004
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
Aug 14, 2002
SUSPENSION
4 complaints
1:40 PM, JAN 20, 2007, I WAS DRIVING MY SEQUOIA N/B ON SIERRA HWY IN THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA. I WAS TRAVELING APPROX 40-45 MPH. I NOTICED A SLIGHT STIFFNESS IN THE STEERING. A SHORT TIME LATER THE LEFT FRONT OF MY VEHICLE VIOLENTLY FELL TO THE GROUND. THERE WERE VEHICLES BEHIND ME AND WITH DIFFICULTY I STEERED TO THE CURB. WHEN THE VEHICLE FELL TO THE GROUND, I HEARD A LOUD 'BANG', AND I FELT THAT I LOST SOME OF MY BRAKES. ONE OF THE DRIVERS BEHIND ME TOLD ME SHE SAW SPARKS COMING FROM UNDER MY VEHICLE. I LOOKED AT THE FRONT OF MY VEHICLE. I SAW THE LEFT FRONT TIRE, WHEEL & HUB (ALL STILL ATTACHED) FOLDED UNDER THE LEFT RUNNING BOARD PREVENTING THE FRONT FENDER AND BUMPER FROM FALLING DIRECTLY TO THE ROADWAY. I SAW THAT THE BRAKE LINES APPEARED TO BE BROKEN. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO TOYOTA ON MON, JAN 22, 2007. I WAS TOLD THAT IT APPEARED THE LEFT UPPER BALL JOINT HAD BROKEN CAUSING THE WHEEL TO BREAK AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP CONTACTED THEIR SERVICE DIRECTOR TO DETERMINE WHAT REPAIRS SHOULD BE MADE. I WAS SUBSEQUENTLY TOLD THAT MY VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THAT TOYOTA HAD 'NO LIABILITY' TO REPAIR MY VEHICLE AT THEIR EXPENSE. REPAIR ESTIMATE IS APPROX $5,000. + THE RENTAL VEHICLE THEY ARRANGED. I WAS TOLD A REGIONAL SERVICE INSPECTOR WOULD LOOK AT MY VEHICLE. I TOLD THEM THAT I WANTED THE OLD PARTS IF REPAIRS WERE TO BE MADE. I AM NOW AFRAID TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE. I WENT TO THE TOYOTA WEB SITE AND NOTICED NUMEROUS RECALL NOTICES FROM TOYOTA FOR FRONT BALL JOINT FAILURES ON MY TYPE OF VEHICLE. I RECEIVED NO RECALL NOTICES FROM TOYOTA. TOYOTA STATED MY VIN WAS NOT ON THE LIST FOR ANY RECALL NOTICES. THE TOYOTA SERVICE DEPT STATED THAT THIS WOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED 'NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR' THAT WOULD REQUIRE ME TO HAVE THIS ITEM CHECKED DURING ALL OF MY REGULAR MAINTENANCE SERVICES. THIS FAILURE COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE, CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY TO MYSELF AND OTHERS ON THE ROAD. AS OF THIS DATE I HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED THAT THE REGIONAL INSPECTOR HAS INSPECTED MY VEHICLE. *JB
Feb 02, 2007
DT: 2002 TOYOTA RUNNER. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER FOR LOWER BALL JOINT. THE CONSUMER STATED THE WHEELS WERE CUTTING THE TIRES ON FRONT WHERE LOWER BALL JOINT WAS LOCATED. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED TOYOTA, WHO SAID IT IS NOT RELATED TO LOWER BALL JOINT, AND THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING ELSE FOR THE CONSUMER. THIS HAS BEING HAPPENING SINCE THE CONSUMER BOUGHT VEHICLE. IT HAS 30,000 MILES , AND NEEDED NEW TIRES.*AK
Sep 27, 2005
WHILE TRYING TO STOP A GRINDING NOISE WAS HEARD, AND VEHICLE DID NOT STOP RIGHT AWAY. THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED. *AK
Sep 30, 2003
CAR PULLS TO THE RIGHT, TOOK IN CAR TODAY AND TOLD THEM TO ADJUST ALIGNMENT AND HAVE OIL CHANGED, THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT CALLED BACK AND SAID THEIR WAS A MANUFACTURE RECALL AND THE CAR HAD TO STAY OVERNIGHT. IF IT HAD A RECALL NO NOTICE WAS SENT OUT THIS IS WHAT I'M UPSET ABOUT. CONSUMERS ARE SOPOSED TO BE NOTIFIED IF THERE IS A RECALL NOT FIND OUT AFTER THEY DAMAGE OTHER COMPONENTS AND FIND OUT WHEN THEY TAKE THEIR CAR IN FOR OIL CHANGES.*AK
Jun 12, 2002
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
4 complaints
I PURACHASE MY TOYOTA SEQUOIA IN AUGUST 2003 FOR THE FIRST SEVERAL MONTH THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVE THAT MUCH, BECAUSE OF MY WIFE'S ILLNESS. WITHIN EIGHT MONTHS THE FRONT DOOR HANDLE BROKE, IT WAS UNDERWARRANTY AND I DID NOT THINK MUCH OF IT, IN APRIL OF THIS YEAR 2005, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR HANDLE BROKE AND AGAIN I DID NOT THINK MUCH OF IT. THREE WEEKS AGO ON SUNDAY ONE OF THE MEMBER FROM THE CHURCH WAS ATTEMPTING TO RETREIVE HIS BAG AND THE HANDLE BROKE. WHEN I WENT TO THE DEALER SHIP TO ASK ABOUT REPAIR THEY INFORMED ME THAT IT WOULD BE $300.00, AND 200.00 TO FIX THE PASSANGER SIDE. MY COMMENT TO THEM WAS CONCERNING THE REAR DOOR, WHICH I HAD NOT USED THAT MUCH AND OVER THE LAST 6 MONTH MAYBE 3 TIME AT THE MOST PER WEEK, CERTAINLY NOT ALOT. WHAT WAS AMAZING TO ME WAS THAT THE DOOR HANDLE MECHANISM IS MADE OF PLASTIC AND SO IS THE PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE. MY CONCERN AS A CONSUMER THAT TOYOTA DID NOT DO DUE DILIGENCE TO USE A PLASTIC DOOR HANDLE AND MECHANISM AND GIVEN THAT THINGS BREAK SHOULD NOT HAVE A PRICE TAG OF 300.00 TO REPLACE. I CONTEND THAT METAL PARTS SHOULD HAVE BEEN USED WITH THE UNDERSTANDING AND CONSIDERATION OF THE USE OF THE HANDLES. CONSUMERS SHOULD NOT BE AT THE MERCY OF CAR MANUFACTURES TO PUT ANYTHING INTO A CAR THAT WOULD UTIMATELY WOULD PROVE NOT IN THE CONSUMERS BEST INTEREST. I AM SUGGESTING THAT THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON ALL TOYOTA' DOOR HANDLES. PARTICULARLY THE TRUCK WHICH BY DESIGN ARE SUPPOSE TO ENDURE TOUGH USESAGE.
Jul 26, 2005
PLASTIC DOOR HANDLES ON TOYOTA SEQUOIAS EASILY BREAK OFF, VERY FLIMSY. THIS COULD LEAD TO SOMEONE GETTING TRAPPED IN THEIR CAR, ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND NEED TO OPEN THE DOOR QUICKLY OR AGGRESSIVELY. MY NEIGHBOR HAPPENS TO HAVE THE SAME VEHICLE EVEN THE SAME COLOR AND I ASKED HIM HOW HE LIKES IT AND HE SAID FANTASTIC, EXCEPT WE HAVE BROKEN OFF 2 DOOR HANDLES. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THE SERVICE WRITER CASUALLY MENTIONED, "OH, WE GET THESE IN ALL THE TIME". I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THE TOYOTA ZONE OFFICE AND THEY WILL NOT PAY FOR THE $175 REPAIR. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFTEY HAZARD AND A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT.*AK
Dec 14, 2004
DOOR HANDLE ON INSIDE OF DRIVER'S SIDE BROKE. IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN DOOR. UNFORTUNATELY IT HAPPENED WHEN MILEAGE IS AT 38,000 AND PAST WARRANTY BY 2000 MILES. COST TO REPAIR WAS $117. TECHNICIAN STATED PROBLEMS WITH CAMRY AND COROLA WITH THAT RESPECT. THE HANDLE WAS NEVER TREATED ROUGHLY, JUST BROKE ONE DAY.*AK
Jun 09, 2004
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
Jan 24, 2003
SEAT BELTS
3 complaints
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.
Sep 13, 2013
SET BELT BUCKLE (FEMALE RECEPTICAL) FAILURE.*AK
Oct 18, 2004
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
Aug 16, 2002
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
3 complaints
THE LEFT BRAKE LIGHTS ON MY 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER LIMITED EDITION 4 WHEEL DRIVE DO NOT WORK. I CHANGED THE BULBS AND THEY STILL DO NOT WORK. I HAVE RESEARCHED POSSIBLE CAUSES AND FOUND HUNDREDS OF OTHER CONSUMERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS. THIS IS A DANGEROUS DEFECT IN THAT IT AROSE SUDDENLY, FOR NO REASON, AND COMPROMISES THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLES ABILITY TO WARN OTHER DRIVERS THAT THE CAR IS BRAKING. I AM DISAPPOINTED THAT TOYOTA HAS NOT RECALLED THE CAR FOR WHAT APPEARS TO BE A SIGNIFICANT MALFUNCTION. *TR
Apr 05, 2011
LEFT (DRIVER SIDE) FRONT ABS BEGAN ACTIVATING SPONTANEOUSLY AS MY 02 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER CAME TO STOP. SERVICE AGENCY FOUND NO CODE. REMOVING FUSE ON ABS SENSOR ELIMINATED 'FALSE ACTIVATION' PROBLEM, BUT DISABLED ABS; REPLACING SENSOR HAD NO EFFECT. DISCOVERED BROKEN SENSOR RING ON REAR AXLE, DUE TO CORROSION. (NECESSARY REPLACEMENT OF ENTIRE AXLE) ELIMINATED ABS ACTIVATION ON BRAKING, BUT INDUCED ABS ACTIVATION ON ACCELERATION FROM STOP. REPLACEMENT OF ANOTHER SENSOR (ALSO CONTAMINATED/DAMAGED BY AXLE CORROSION/INFILTRATION) SEEMED TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM, BUT I NOW EXPERIENCE NOISE/ACTIVATION WHEN REAR WHEEL DRIVE ENGAGES IN WINTER DRIVING. MY ONLINE RESEARCH (AND SERVICE AGENCY) INDICATE THIS IS A RECURRING, GROWING PROBLEM IN HIGHLANDERS AND LEXUSES AND OTHER TOYOTA MODELS SHARING THE REAR AXLE ASSEMBLIES, THAT ARE PRONE TO INFILTRATION CORROSION DAMAGE, ESPECIALLY IN THE NORTHERN STATES. *TR
Feb 09, 2010
2002 HIGHLANDER LTD, 48K MILES, WELL MAINTAINED. ABS SYSTEM AWRY, ACTIVATING LEFT FRONT BRAKES AS BRAKES APPLIED, MOST SEVERE AS COMING TO STOP. NO CODE, NO REMEDY WITH REPLACEMENT OF REAR SENSOR. PRESENTLY DRIVING WITH ABS DISABLED, SERVICE PROVIDER SEEKING SOLUTION. *TR
Dec 12, 2008
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES
2 complaints
ENGINE ACCELERATING WHEN BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED. *TR
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.
Jun 24, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
2 complaints
PASSENGER SIDE BREAK LIGHT FAILURE ON 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE WHEN OTHER DRIVERS CANNOT SEE YOU BREAK PARTICULARLY FROM THE RIGHT ANGLE. THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT HAS HAPPENED TO MANY DRIVERS OF THE SAME MODEL YEAR. SEE THE WEB POSTS AT HTTP://WWW.TOPIX.NET/FORUM/AUTOS/TOYOTA-HIGHLANDER/T7H7LD934GSQLC6BE I AM CONVINCED IT IS A DEFECT IN THE 2002 MODEL AND AS SUCH SHOULD BE RECALLED. I HAVE BROUGHT TO THE TOYOTA DEALER IN MANCHESTER NH 5 TIMES REPLACING LAMP SOCKETS AND OTHER ATTEMPTS AND IT STILL DOES NOT WORK. I HAVE TO BRING IN AGAIN. THERE SHOULD BE A STANDARD WAY TO FIX IT.
Jan 28, 2011
I HAVE A 2002 TOYOTA SEQUOIA WITH 62,000 MI. I HAVE BEEN TO TWO TOYOTA DEALERS TO FIGURE OUT MY PROBLEM. THE VSC TRAC, VSC OFF, ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS ARE COMING ON. FINALLY AFTER @$700 OF MY MONEY, THEY FIGURED OUT THE PROBLEM TO BE THE ECU. THIS WILL NOW COST ME @1800 FOR PARTS, AND WHO KNOWS YET FOR LABOR. I HAVE READ ONLINE THAT MANY OTHER TOYOTA OWNERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE SITUATION, UNLESS YOU HAVE THE EXT. WARRANTY. I FEEL THAT TOYOTA NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS, MAYBE RECALL THIS AND FIX THESE CARS BEFORE THERE IS AN ACCIDENT. I LIVE IN NEW YORK WHERE THERE IS ALOT OF SNOW. MY VSC WILL NOT WORK UNTIL I GET THIS FIXED. I HAVE TWO SMALL CHILDREN AND HAVE TO RELAY ON STANDARD BRAKES IN THE SNOW UNTIL THIS IS FIXED. TOYOTA SHOULD STAND BEHIND THEIR REPUTABLE NAME AND FIX THESE PROBLEMS ASAP..... *TR
Nov 16, 2007
VISIBILITY,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
2 complaints
DRIVERS SIDE SUN VISOR FALL DOWN INTO DRIVERS VIEW WITHOUT WARNING, BLOCKING THE DRIVERS VIEW AND CREATING A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. THE DRIVERS VISOR WILL NOT STAY IN PLACE ON MY 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THERE IS NO VISIBLE DEFECT WITH THE VISOR AND NO DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE THAT CAUSED THIS PROBLEM TO START. JUDGING FROM THE WEB SITE "HTTP://WWW.TUNDRASOLUTIONS.COM/FORUMS/HIGHLANDER/47694-SUN-VISOR-PROBLEM/" THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH THIS PROBLEM. COST TO REPLACE THE VISOR WITH HOME LINK GARAGE DOOR OPENER IN IT COSTS OVER $600, CAUSING MANY PEOPLE TO TRY MANY DIFFERENT POOR METHODS OF FIXING THIS SAFETY PROBLEM. *JB
May 04, 2007
BOTH SUN VISORS ON MY 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HAVE COME LOOSE DUE TO A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. THEY WILL FALL WHILE DRIVING AND OBSCURE THE DRIVER'S VISION, CREATING A SAFETY ISSUE. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. *JB
Jul 27, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR
2 complaints
I AM DEALING WITH UNDERSIZED BRAKE CALIPER AND ASSOCIATED ROTOR AND BRAKE PAD QUALITY PROBLEMS. THE CARS SHAKES VIOLENTLY QWHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. THEY ARE CAUSING THE ROTORS TO OVERHEAT CAUSING THE ROTORS TO WARP AND EXCESS WEAR. WHILE TOYOTA RECOGNIZED THAT THE CALIPERS ARE TOO SMALL FOR THE 2002 SEQUOIA, THEY WOULD ONLY REPLACE THEM UNDER WARRANTY. NOT SURE WHY THEY ARE ONLY TOO SMALL UNDER WARRANTY. DO THEY GROW AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRES? THIS IS BAD POLICY. THE DEALER RECOMMENDED I SPEND THE $2000 TO FIX THE PROBLEM, WHICH TOYOTA SAYS IS NOT A PROBLEM AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRES. WHEN I SPOKE TO THE LOCAL DEALER,BOULDER TOYOTA, HE STATED IT IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE, ONLY A QUALITY QUESTION. I SEEM TO GET TWO DIFFERENT STORIES FROM THE DEALER AND TOYOTA "CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE". I HAVE RESEARCHED A NUMBER OF SITES INCLUDING NHTS AND AUTOBYTEL. APPARTENTLY I AM NOT UNIQUE AND MANY OTHERS ARE CLAIMING PROBLEMS WITH TOYOTA SEQUOIA BRAKES. THIS IS NOT THE QUALITY I EXPECTED FROM A TOYOTA.
May 18, 2005
WHILE TRAVELING AT LESS THAN 20 MPH, THE DRIVER IN FRONT SLAMMED INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF THEM (NO BRAKE LIGHTS). I IMMEDIATELY STOMPED ON THE BRAKES... THE HIGHLANDER SLOWED VERY BRIEFLY AND THEN WENT "NUMB". THE HIGHLANDER CAME TO A STOP ONLY BY HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THERE WAS PLENTY OF ROOM TO STOP AND IT SHOULD HAVE. THIS IS THE 3RD TIME THE HIGHLANDER HAS "LOCKED UP" ON SUDDEN SHORT STOPS.*AK
Dec 09, 2004
PARKING BRAKE
2 complaints
THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR APPROXIMATELY FORTY FIVE MINUTES AND WITHOUT WARNING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE RELEASED AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. (MODEL/MR2 SPYDER) SCC *JB
May 15, 2003
VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN AN INCLINED SPOT. PARKING BRAKE ENGAGED. PARKING BRAKE FAILED AND CAR ROLLED OVER A CURB INTO A METAL POLE ABOUT 10-15 MINUTES AFTER THE CAR WAS PARKED. *PH (2002 TOYOTA MR2) *JB **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS**768022
Oct 02, 2002
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
1 complaint
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
May 29, 2019
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1 complaint
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.
Apr 14, 2017
AIR BAGS,VISIBILITY/WIPER
1 complaint
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
May 16, 2016
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
1 complaint
BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE IN 2002. A YEAR LATER NOTICED THAT THE IDLE CONTROLLER HAD PROBLEM. WHEN STARTED THE ENGINE IN THE MORNING, THE IDLE WENT DOWN VERY LOW AND THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN AUTOMATICALLY. AT FIRST IT HAPPENED NOT FREQUENTLY. PAST TWO YEARS I TOOK TO A DEALER FOR MAYOR TUNEUP, THE SYMPTOM STILL RESISTED. TOLD THE DEALER AND THERE WAS NO ACTIONS AT ALL. NOW IT HAPPENS MORE FREQUENTLY. USUALLY IF IT HAPPENS, STEP ON THE GAS PEDDLE ( OVER 2K RPM) FOR A FEW SECONDS. SOMETIMES THE IDLE RETURNS TO NORMAL; BUT MOST OF THE TIMES, THE IDLE SETS VERY LOW. I THINK THE IDLE CONTROL FOR THIS MODEL SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TR
Aug 15, 2014
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ENGINE
1 complaint
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.
Jul 31, 2014
STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE
1 complaint
DRIVING ON I-26 EAST BOUND WITH KIDS NEAR EXIT 110 IN COLUMBIA, SC. CAR VEERED VIOLENTLY 3 LANES AND TOOK A TURN FACING THE TRAFFIC. LOST COMPLETE CONTROL OF THE STEERING, BRAKES AND THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN ABRUPTLY. PICTURES AND VIDEOS WITH TIRE MARKS ARE AVAILABLE FOR ANALYSIS ALONG WITH THE POLICE CONTACT REPORT. ENGINE STARTED AFTER SEVERAL TRIALS AT WHICH TIME THE CAR WAS PULLED AWAY FORM THE MAIN LANES. ALL 4 TIRES ARE REPLACED 6-8 WEEKS AGO WITH BRAND NEW TIRES. FRONT DRIVERS SIDE TIRE SHOWS THE STRESS OF THE SUDDEN IMPACT. A PASTOR COUPLE IS THE EYE WITNESS TO THE WHOLE EVENT. LUCKILY REAR TRAFFIC STOPPED AVOIDING A MAJOR ACCIDENT. OUR SINCERE WISH IS TO PREVENT THIS HAPPENING TO OTHER FAMILIES BY UNDERSTANDING THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. WE MOVED THE CAR TO THE NEAREST TOYOTA CAR DEALER AND REQUESTED THEM TO ANALYZE THE SITUATION TO AVOID REPEAT OF SIMILAR INCIDENTS TO OTHER FAMILIES. *TR
Mar 17, 2014
STRUCTURE,VISIBILITY/WIPER
1 complaint
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
Mar 07, 2013
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
1 complaint
TANK FOUND TO VERY RUSTED, AND SPLIT, ALONG WITH FASTENERS, SO THAT GAS WAS LEAKING WHILE PARKED. UNABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. *TR
Feb 02, 2013
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
1 complaint
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
Dec 08, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY
1 complaint
THE HEATER WOULD NOT PROVIDE HOT AIR. I PUSHED IN ON THE SWITCH AND THE HEAT WOULD WORK AS LONG AS I HELD THE SWITCH PUSHED IN (NOT DESIGNED TO BE PUSHED - ROTARY SELECTOR). EVENTUALLY, EVEN PRESSING THE SWITCH IN WOULD NOT WORK. I WENT ON LINE AND FOUND A DISCUSSION BLOG THAT DISCUSSED MY EXACT ISSUE. I FOLLOWED THE RECOMMENDATION AND PULLED THE FACE COVER OFF, REMOVED THE CONTROL PANEL AND DISCOVERED EXACTLY WHAT HAD BEEN DESCRIBED - A BROKEN SINGLE STRAND WIRE THAT RAN TO THE BACK OF THE SWITCH. I ATTEMPTED TO MAKE THE REPAIR USING A MULTI-STRAND WIRE AS RECOMMENDED BECAUSE THE DEALER REPAIR OPTION WAS $1,000. THE HEATER APPEARS TO WORK -SLIGHTLY, BUT NOW I HAVE NO AC. I THINK THE CIRCUIT BOARD WAS DAMAGED BY THE SOLDERING IRON HEAT. BECAUSE WE LIVE IN THE SEATTLE AREA, THIS CAUSES ISSUES WITH THE WINDOW DEFOGGER AS WELL AS HAVING NO AC. *TR
Jun 05, 2012
EXTERIOR LIGHTING,SERVICE BRAKES
1 complaint
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.
May 16, 2012
SUSPENSION,WHEELS
1 complaint
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
Sep 21, 2011
STRUCTURE,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
1 complaint
2002 TOYOTA SIENNA MINIVAN. WHEN I TRY TO OPEN THE DRIVER SIDE SLIDING DOOR, I CAN HEAR IT UNLATCH BUT REMAINS SHUT. YOU HAVE TO PUSH THE REAR PART OF THE DOOR BACK IN UNTIL YOU HEAR A CLICK, THEN YOU HAVE TO VIOLENTLY PULL THE HANDLE AND THE DOOR WILL OPEN. *TR
Nov 20, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
1 complaint
2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. CONSUMER STATES BRAKE FAILURE CAUSING AN ACCIDENT *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKE FAILURE CAUSED HER TO ROLL DOWN A HILL AND FLIPPING OVER THREE TIMES. SHE WAS TRAPPED UPSIDE DOWN IN THE VEHICLE. *JB
Jun 10, 2010
EQUIPMENT,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1 complaint
AFTER ONLY HAVING MY NEW 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER FOR APPROX. 8 MONTHS, THE ACCELERATOR IN THE CAR STUCK AND I ENDED UP RUNNING INTO A CAR. I COMPLAINED TO TOYOTA AND HAD THE DEALER LOOK AT THE CAR NUMEROUS TIMES, BUT THEY KEPT TELLING ME THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. WELL 8 YEARS LATER AND THEY STILL HAVEN'T RECALLED MY CAR, EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE OTHER YEARS. *TR
Mar 17, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY,EQUIPMENT
1 complaint
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
Nov 16, 2008
STRUCTURE,EQUIPMENT
1 complaint
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
Jun 07, 2008
VISIBILITY,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1 complaint
AC/HEAT TEMPERATURE CONTROL SWITCH MALFUNCTION. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT TOYOTA IS AWARE OF AND CHOOSES TO DISREGARD, SINCE IT TENDS TO FAIL AFTER THE WARRANTY ON THE NEW PART AND REPLACEMENT PARTS EXPIRES BEFORE THE PROBLEM. A SMALL, SOLDERED WIRE WHICH CONNECTS THE SWITCH TO A CIRCUIT BOARD IN THE DASH FAILS. SHOULD BE AN EASY FIX, BUT TOYOTA DEALERS WILL ONLY REPLACE THE ENTIRE PANEL FOR $800 - 1200. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE TO ME ON THIS SAME VEHICLE. FIRST TIME I PAID $800, THE SECOND TIME I GOT A LOCAL GUY TO SOLDER THE WIRE ON THE OLD PART AND REPLACED MYSELF. TOTAL COST ABOUT $10. SHAME ON TOYOTA. *TR
Mar 14, 2008
STEERING
1 complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA PRIUS. EACH TIME THE VEHICLE IS DRIVING FORWARD OR IN REVERSE AT APPROXIMATELY 4 TO 10 MPH, IT SHAKES VIOLENTLY. THE FAILURE OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY AND USUALLY IN COLD WEATHER. THE VEHICLE SHAKES ROUGHLY AFTER IT HAS BEEN DRIVEN FOR A WHILE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER ON TWO OCCASIONS. SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBER 20040604 WAS REFERENCED. THE DEALER DISCOVERED THAT THE STEERING RACK AND STEERING COMPUTER FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $2,200. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
Oct 03, 2007
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
1 complaint
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.
Jul 16, 2007
SUSPENSION,TIRES
1 complaint
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
Sep 15, 2006
AIR BAGS,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
1 complaint
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
May 01, 2003
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1 complaint
THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS INOPERATIVE, THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO READ THE VARIOUS FEATURES THAT WERE DISPLAYED ON THE UNIT. THE BATTERY HAD GONE DEAD, AND THE POWER WINDOWS FAILED. THE FUEL CONSUMPTION WAS ABNORMAL AND THE AIR HANDLING SYSTEM DID NOT PERMIT OUTSIDE AIR. *SCC *JB
Feb 13, 2003
SEATS
1 complaint
THE CONSUMER WAS STOP AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. ANOTHER VEHICLE HIT HIM FROM BEHIND AND THE DRIVER SIDE POWER SEAT COLLAPSE. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM., TS
Nov 19, 2002
Frequently Asked Questions
How many problems does the 2002 TOYOTA Highlander have?
The 2002 TOYOTA Highlander currently has 328 owner-reported complaints according to NHTSA database. These complaints are organized by component to help identify common issues.
What are the most common problems with 2002 TOYOTA Highlander?
The most common problems reported for the 2002 TOYOTA Highlander are organized by component above. Each component section shows owner-reported issues, crash reports, and fire incidents to help identify patterns and problem areas.
Where does this 2002 TOYOTA Highlander problem data come from?
All problem and complaint data for the 2002 TOYOTA Highlander comes directly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) database. These are real complaints submitted by actual vehicle owners.
Other Years - TOYOTA Highlander
2025 Problems
2024 Problems
2023 Problems
2022 Problems
2021 Problems
2020 Problems
2019 Problems
2018 Problems
2017 Problems
2016 Problems
2015 Problems
2014 Problems
2013 Problems
2012 Problems
2011 Problems
2010 Problems
2009 Problems
2008 Problems
2007 Problems
2006 Problems
2005 Problems
2004 Problems
2003 Problems
2001 Problems
2000 Problems
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