My air bag lite keeps poping on
The worst 2002 Toyota Highlander problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Visibility139
- Acceleration31
- Engine29
- Body24
- Transmission14
- Airbags13
- Electrical13
- Brakes12
- Lights12
- Tires5
- Seat belts3
- Suspension3
- Driver assistance2
- Fuel system2
- Locks1
- Seats1
- Steering1
- Wheels1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2002 Toyota Highlander
Engine failure 11Sudden acceleration 11Overheating 6No deployment 5
Recalls 2
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch
- What is wrong
- Certain sport utility vehicles have a child protection lock (cpl) system on both of the rear side doors. When an operator of the vehicle closes the door very hard with the cpl lever set to the lock position, there is a possibility that the lever may contact the body panel, causing the cpl lever to move into the unlock position.
- Risk
- This condition could allow the door to be opened with the inside while the operator believes that the cpl was activated. If the door were opened from the inside while the vehicle was in motion, an occupant could fall out and be injured.
- Remedy
- Dealers will shorten the cpl lever. Owner notification began may 7, 2004. Owners should contact toyota at 1‑800‑331‑4331.
Recall number 04V181000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: mounting
- What is wrong
- On sport utility vehicles, there is a breather hose that attaches to the nozzle of the on-board refueling vapor recovery (orvr) valve, which is located on the topside of the fuel tank. The breather hose is attached with a clamp, whose "tabs" face in the upward direction. When the vehicle was crashed under the new car assessment program (ncap) test (I.e., 35 MPH frontal barrier crash), the clamp "tabs" contacted the underside of the body due to movement of the fuel tank, causing the nozzle to break.
- Risk
- In the worst case, nozzle breakage could result in fuel leakage if the vehicle rolls-over after a high speed frontal crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will rotate the specified clamp. Owner notification began september 23, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact toyota at 1‑800‑331‑4331.
Recall number 02V208000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2002 Toyota Highlander 120
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical...
- To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used...
- The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix...
- Toyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal...
- Vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad...
- Toyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal...
- This is to advise of various price adjustments that will affect Toyota Genuine Motor Oil and Long Life...
- Obsolete notice
- Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN...
- The Immobilizer and Smart Key Reset is a feature that allows the registration of new keys when all master...
2002 Toyota Highlander fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4‑cyl | FWD | 19 | 25 | 22 |
| 2.4L 4‑cyl | 4WD | 17 | 22 | 19 |
| 3.0L 6‑cyl | FWD | 17 | 21 | 18 |
| 3.0L 6‑cyl | 4WD | 16 | 21 | 18 |
What 2002 Toyota Highlander owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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.
Accelerator sticiking. Vehicle accelerates at 4000 to 5000 rpms had vehice towed to toyota of bedford 440‑809‑8399
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
Driver side visor has 2 positions only. Down or up. Cannot adjust for taller drivers.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Compare the 2002 Toyota Highlander
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Other model years
1997199820012002200320042005200620072008200920102011201220132014201520162017201820192020202120222023202420252026
Questions about the 2002 Toyota Highlander
Is the 2002 Toyota Highlander reliable?
Owners have filed 301 complaints about the 2002 Toyota Highlander, 1.3 times a typical Highlander model year.
What is the 2002 Toyota Highlander year score?
The 2002 Toyota Highlander scores 64 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Toyota Highlander: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2002 Toyota Highlander?
Windows, wipers and visibility, with 139 complaints, typically around 65,000 miles. Next is acceleration (31).
How many recalls does the 2002 Toyota Highlander have?
2 recalls, covering latches/locks/linkages and fuel system, gasoline.
What year does the Toyota Highlander have the most visibility problems?
The Toyota Highlander model years with the most visibility complaints are 2002 (139 complaints), 2010 (42 complaints) and 2011 (36 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2002 Toyota Highlander get?
Official estimates for the 2002 Toyota Highlander range from 18 to 22 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.4L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 19 city and 25 highway.
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