2002 Toyota Highlander
This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
- Complaints
- 301
- Recalls
- 2
- Investigations
- 0
- Top problem
- Visibility
Campaigns on file for 2002
None on file
41% of complaints
Complaints per year
2002: 301 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1997 | 1 |
| 1998 | 1 |
| 1999 | 0 |
| 2000 | 0 |
| 2001 | 137 |
| 2002 | 301 |
| 2003 | 258 |
| 2004 | 286 |
| 2005 | 224 |
| 2006 | 278 |
| 2007 | 124 |
| 2008 | 403 |
| 2009 | 134 |
| 2010 | 216 |
| 2011 | 181 |
| 2012 | 182 |
| 2013 | 207 |
| 2014 | 136 |
| 2015 | 192 |
| 2016 | 111 |
| 2017 | 269 |
| 2018 | 267 |
| 2019 | 490 |
| 2020 | 317 |
| 2021 | 527 |
| 2022 | 257 |
| 2023 | 181 |
| 2024 | 42 |
| 2025 | 9 |
| 2026 | 1 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Visibility
41% · 124 reportsMost commonly citing windshield and electrical heating element.
Show complaint excerpts
While driving a Toyota Highlander, that we leased on 01/08/2002, we noticed that the vehicle has a problem: when the windows on the rear doors are lowered, the vehicle makes a very loud turbulance noise and vibration occurs, that makes the vehicle...
NHTSA ODI report, 2002-03-05
Vehicle speed control
10% · 31 reportsMost commonly citing cruise control and accelerator pedal.
Show complaint excerpts
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...
NHTSA ODI report, 2017-12-05
Consumer states that while driving the throttle will stick. Dealer notified.
NHTSA ODI report, 2002-10-04
Structure
8% · 24 reportsMost commonly citing body.
Engine and engine cooling
8% · 24 reportsMost commonly citing engine and exhaust system.
Visibility/wiper
5% · 16 reportsSafety timeline
2 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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2002Complaint volume 301 complaints filed for this model year.
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2002-08-23Fuel system, gasoline02V208000 On sport utility vehicles, there is a breather hose that attaches to the nozzle of the on-board refueling vapor recovery (Orvr) valve, which is located on the topside of the fuel tank. The breather…
Remedy: Dealers will rotate the specified clamp. Owner notification began September 23, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive…
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2004-05-07Latches/locks/linkages04V181000 Certain sport utility vehicles have a child protection lock (Cpl) system on both of the rear side doors. When an operator of the vehicle closes the door very hard with the cpl lever set to the lock…
Remedy: Dealers will shorten the cpl lever. Owner notification began May 7, 2004. Owners should contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Buy-smart checklist
2002 Toyota Highlander — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Visibility: 124 reports on file for this year.
- Vehicle speed control: 31 reports on file for this year.
- Structure: 24 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 02V208000 · Fuel system, gasoline
- Recall 04V181000 · Latches/locks/linkages
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 2002 Toyota Highlander reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2002 Toyota Highlander is rated "worse than typical".
- What are the most common problems with the 2002 Toyota Highlander?
- The most-reported component is visibility, accounting for 41% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2002 Toyota Highlander have?
- 2 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.