2002 Toyota Highlander

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/30/2013· VISIBILITY

  SUN VISOR KEEPS COMING DOWN AS IT AFFECTS MY VISION ON THE ROAD. *TR

• 12/30/2007· STRUCTURE

  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

• 12/27/2005· VISIBILITY

  WITHIN A MONTH, BOTH SUN VISORS STARTED FALLING/ROTATING ON THEIR OWN. WHILE DRIVING, THIS CAN BLOCK YOUR VISION AND NOT ALLOW A 'FULL' VIEW OF WHAT'S AHEAD OF YOU. THE DEALERSHIP I CALLED JUST PUT ME THROUGH TO THE 'PARTS' DEPT. AN EMAIL FROM TOYOTA SAID IT WAS MY PROBLEM. THE SUN VISORS HAVE SEEN NOTHING BUT "NORMAL" USE. *NM

• 12/26/2003· TIRES

  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

• 12/25/2012· VISIBILITY/WIPER

  WHILE DRIVING BOTH SUN VISORS FALL UNEXPECTEDLY AND BLOCK VISION. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FROM THE GET-GO AND WE HAD THESE REPLACED ALREADY AND JUST OVER A YEAR LATER THE PROBLEM IS OCCURRING AGAIN. *TR

• 12/24/2009· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  BRAKE LIGHT ASSEMBLY IN TOYOTA HIGHLANDERS 2001 AND BEYOND FAIL. THEREBY CAUSING THE BRAKE LIGHTS NOT TO WORK. THE LIGHTS AND FUSES ARE NOT BROKEN. THERE ARE 16 POSTINGS MADE SINCE 2007 AT HTTP://WWW.TOPIX.COM/FORUM/AUTOS/TOYOTA-HIGHLANDER/T7H7LD934GSQLC6BE THAT REPORT THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. *TR

• 12/21/2007· STRUCTURE

  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

• 12/21/2004· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  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

• 12/19/2013· VISIBILITY/WIPER

  WHEN DRIVING THE 2002 HIGHLANDER, THE DRIVER SIDE VISOR DROPPED DOWN AND HIT THE DRIVER ON THE NOSE AND OBSTRUCTED VISION OF THE ROAD. TOYOTA REPLACED THE VISOR ONCE YEARS BEFORE, BUT WILL NOT DO SO AGAIN BECAUSE IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. NO REPAIR IS POSSIBLE, SO IT MUST BE REPLACED AT A COST OF MORE THAN $800.00 FOR THE VISOR (WITH GARAGE DOOR OPENER) PART ONLY. THE VISOR IS NOW FALLING DOWN DUE TO A POOR HINGE, AND IS A CONSTANT HAZARD. MANY OTHER OWNERS OF THE SAME TOYOTA REPORT THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

• 12/17/2007· STRUCTURE

  I HAVE A COMPLAINT ABOUT MY 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR HAS A PROBLEM STAYING UP AND MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP HAS QUOTED ME A PRICE TO REPLACE THE PART THAT SEEMS EXTREMELY HIGH. THIS VISOR IS THE HOMELINK VISOR. *TR

• 12/16/2009· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  BRAKE LIGHT ASSEMBLY IN TOYOTA HIGHLANDERS 2001 AND BEYOND FAIL. THEREBY CAUSING THE BRAKE LIGHTS NOT TO WORK. THE LIGHTS AND FUSES ARE NOT BROKEN. THERE ARE 16 POSTINGS MADE SINCE 2007 AT HTTP://WWW.TOPIX.COM/FORUM/AUTOS/TOYOTA-HIGHLANDER/T7H7LD934GSQLC6BE THAT REPORT THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. *TR

• 12/15/2009· POWER TRAIN

  WITH ONLY 106,000 MILES ON MY HIGHLANDER, THE TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED AND NEEDS TO COMPLETELY BE REPLACED. A $4600 REPAIR RIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS. I AM IN TEARS. THE DEALERSHIP DIDN'T SEEM VERY SURPRISED THAT THIS WOULD OCCUR. IRONIC? BUT THE TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST I WENT TO FOR A SECOND OPINION SAID THIS SHOULD NEVER HAVE HAPPENED. HE ADVISED EVEN PROPER MAINTENANCE WOULDN'T HAVE PREVENTED THIS KIND OF FAILURE. IT'S JUST BAD EQUIPMENT. HE REPEATEDLY STATED HOW ABNORMAL THIS WAS AND TOYOTA USED TO HAVE A GREAT REPUTATION ON THE TRANSMISSION AND RELIABILITY. I PURCHASED MY TOYOTA BASED ON THAT REPUTATION. AND HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS. AT 35,000 MILES I WAS A VICTIM OF THE "SLUDGE ENGINE" ISSUE TOO. BEFORE THE RECALL WAS ISSUED ON THAT. THE ENTIRE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED. BEFORE THEY WERE WILLING TO FIX IT, I HAD TO PROVE THAT I HAD CHANGED THE OIL REGULARLY. THEY ACCUSED ME OF NOT DOING THIS. TOYOTA KNOWS THERE IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE TRANSMISSION AND FROM WHAT I SEE, THIS IS HAPPENING TO OTHERS. IT IS HAPPENING IN THE RAV4'S TOO. THEY NEED TO STEP UP AND TAKE CARE OF THEIR CUSTOMERS AND TAKE CARE OF THESE VEHICLES. THIS IS THE FIRST AND LAST TOYOTA I WILL EVER OWN. *TR

• 12/15/2008· VISIBILITY

  2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER LIMITED - THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SUN VISORS WILL NOT STAY IN UPRIGHT POSITION. VERY DANGEROUS WHEN DRIVING. TOYOTA OFFERS NO SOLUTIONS BUT PURCHASING ANOTHER $600 VISOR. LOOKING ONLINE, I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. AT WHAT POINT DOES A MANUFACTURE BECOME RESPONSIBLE FOR WHAT IS OBVIOUSLY A DESIGN DEFECT AND SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

• 12/15/2006· VISIBILITY

  2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR CONTINUALLY FALLS DOWN WHILE DRIVING. SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE WHEN IT HAPPENS IT BLOCKS THE DRIVERS VIEW UNEXPECTEDLY. *JB

• 12/14/2004· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  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

• 12/12/2008· SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC

  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

• 12/10/2009· VISIBILITY

  BOTH SUN VISORS ON MY 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER LIMITED FALL DOWN BY THEMSELVES. BOTH HAVE THE LIGHTED MIRROR AND THE RIVER SIDE INCLUDES THE HOMELINK CONTROL. THERE ARE NO OTHER ITEMS ATTACHED TO THE VISORS. IT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME, WHETHER OR NOT I HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD. I'VE ADDED VELCRO TAPE TO THE VISORS, BUT THE WEIGHT OF THEM IS TOO MUCH FOR THE TAPE TO STICK TO THE CEILING, SO AFTER A WHILE, THE VISORS FALL DOWN AGAIN. *TR

• 12/09/2007· VISIBILITY

  THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL KNOW IN OUR 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER IS NOT WORKING CORRECTLY. THE VENTS BLOW COLD AIR WHEN THE DIAL IS SET TO THE HOTTEST SETTING. IT IS VERY HARD TO KEEP THE ICE FROM FORMING ON OUR WINDOWS WHEN WE DON'T HAVE HOT AIR BLOWING. THE ICE STORMS IN MISSOURI OCCUR FAIRLY FREQUENTLY AND HOT AIR BLOWING IN THE DEFROST POSITION USUALLY KEEPS THE WINDSHIELD WARM ENOUGH TO KEEP IT CLEAR. HOWEVER, WITHOUT THE HOT AIR, THE WINDSHIELD ICES UP IMMEDIATELY AND MAKES DRIVING VERY DANGEROUS. THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS ONE OF THE SITES THAT DESCRIBES THE ISSUE AND ALL THE PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM HTTP://WWW.TUNDRASOLUTIONS.COM/FORUMS/HIGHLANDER/32217-HEATER-QUIT-SORT-OF/ *TR

• 12/09/2004· SERVICE BRAKES, AIRCrash

  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

• 12/09/2002· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  CONSUMER TRIED TO DISENGAGE THE VEHICLE CRUISE CONTROL, AND WAS UNSUCCESSFUL, VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AT A HIGH SPEED WHEN CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES, CONSUMER HAD TO TURN THE KEYS IN THE ACCESSORY POSITION, AND ALLOWED THE VEHICLE TO COAST TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE DEALERSHIP HAD BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. PH THE DEALERSHIP STATED THE VEHICLE WAS FINE AND THERE HAVE BEEN NO PROBLEMS SINCE.*JB

• 12/08/2012· EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

  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

• 12/08/2008· VISIBILITY

  2002 TOYOTA HIGHLAND FLIP VISOR KEEPS ON FALLING DOWN. AFTER RESEARCH FROM THE NET, APPARENTLY, THERE ARE MANY OTHERS THAT EXPERIENCE THIS ISSUES. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. IT WILL COSTS $700.00 TO REPLACE IT. I REALLY THINK THIS IS A DEFECT. *TR

• 12/07/2004· EQUIPMENT

  I PURCHASED A 2002 TOYOTA SAQUOIA IN THE YEAR OF 2002,IN THE YEAR 2003 MY AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM WENT OUT IN MY NEW VEHICAL UPON TAKING IT TO THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER I WAS TOLD THAT MY COMPLETE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED,I HAVE WENT A COMPLETE YEAR WITH OUT AN AIR CONDITION SYSTEM MIND YOU I LIVE IN AUGUSTA GEORGIA,THIS CAUSES SEVERAL THINGS TO NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY SUCH AS GAS GAGE NOT PROPERLT WORKING,WHEN YOU DRIVE THE CAR 60 MPH OR OVER THE TRUCK BEGAN TO BURN,THE AIR COMES ON AUTOMATICLLY AND THE TRUCK BEGAN TO JUMP VERY BADLY LIKE THE CAR IS GOING TO BLOW UP,THE HEAT ONLY WORKS WHEN YOU SET IT AT 80 DEGREES OR HIGHER SO YOU CAN ONLY LEAVE IT ON FOR SO LONG THEN YOU MUST TURN IT OFF AND WHEN IT GETS COLD AGAIN YOU HALF TO TURN IT ON AGAIN THIS GOES ON ALL DAY LONG.I CAN'T SEM TO GET ANY ONE FROM TOYOTA TO HELP ME WITH THERE DEFAULT, MY WIFE WON'T EVEN DRIVE THE CAR.SO WHEN I TOOK IT TO A NOTHER DEALER TO SEE IF THIS WAS REALLY THE PROBLEM HE TOLD ME THAT THE SYSTEM WAS REALLY BLOWEN.SIRS I WORK VERY HARD FOR MY MONEY AND I DON'T HAVE A LOT OF IT TO GIVE AWAY,IREALLY DON'T APPRICIATE A PRESTEGIOUS COMPANY SUCH AS TOYOTA TO PRAY ON ON IT'S CONSUMER. WHEN THE VEHICAL WAS CHECKED TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL AT MY REQUEST THERE WAS WHAT YOU CALL A BULLITEN ON THIS PROBLEM,I THEN ASKED IF YOU KNOW THAT THIS PROBLEM ENOUGH WHY ISN'T THERE A RECALL I REALLY DON THINK THAT I THE CONSUMER SHOULD HALF TO FOOT A $2000 BILLL ON SOMETHING THAT WAS NOT MY FAULT I AM VERY SORRY THAT I PICKED A TOYOTA SEQUOIA THIS IS NOT A CHEAP VEHICAL IF YOU CAN HELP ME AND MY FAMILY PLEASE DO SO.THANK YOU IN ADVANCE. *AK

• 12/05/2017· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  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

• 12/04/2011· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  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

• 12/02/2004· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  WHENEVER MY VEHICLE IS LOADED UP THE HEADLIGHTS BLIND ONCOMING DRIVERS.I DREAD GOING ON VACATION WITH THIS VEHICLE.TOYOTA DEALER SAID A FIX WAS NOT AVAILABLE.I TOW A 15 FT BOAT 1200LBS.ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE IS RATED FOR 3500LBS TOWING CAPACITY THE HEADLIGHTS WHEN TOWING BLIND ONCOMING TRAFFIC I ASSUME TO POOR SUSPENSION DESIGN.*AK

• 12/01/2007· VISIBILITY

  WHILE DRIVING THE DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR FALLS DOWN AFTER HITTING MILD BUMP IN ROAD. *TR

• 11/29/2011· VISIBILITY

  OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS THE DRIVERS SIDE VISOR WOULD FALL WHEN I PRESS THE BREAKS. BLOCKING MY VISION. RECENTLY, THE VISOR WILL NOT STAY UP AT ALL, AND NEEDS TO BE TAPED UP TO PREVENT IT FROM FALLING WHILE I AM DRIVING. *KB

• 11/29/2011· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  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

• 11/27/2005· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  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

• 11/26/2008· VISIBILITY

  FAILURE OF 55904-48210 HVAC CONTROLLER ON A 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE FAILURE OF THIS PART CAUSE THE HEATING AND COOLING CONTROL DIAL TO BECOME INOPERATIVE. THE VEHICLE COULD ONLY BLOW COLD AIR CAUSING MY WINDSHIELD TO FOG OVER. THIS RESULTED IN MY BEING UNABLE SAFELY OPERATE THE VEHICLE. *TR

• 11/22/2007· EQUIPMENT

  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

• 11/22/2006· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AT 10 MPH, UPON APPLYING BRAKE PRESSURE, THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING, AND CRASHED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT, AND NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THERE WAS MODERATE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE POLICE WERE ALERTED, BUT A REPORT WAS NOT TAKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP FOR INSPECTION OF THE BODY DAMAGE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED. UPDATED 12/12/06. *JB

• 11/21/2007· VISIBILITY

  DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR WILL NOT STAY UP. I HAD TO TIE THE THING INTO PLACE IN ORDER TO SEE OUT THE WINDSHIELD AND NOW CANNOT USE IT WHEN THE SUN IS AT A BOTHERSOME ANGLE. VERY ANNOYING THAT A PART LIKE THIS SHOULD FAIL. *TR

• 11/20/2014· ELECTRICAL SYSTEMCrash

  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

• 11/20/2010· STRUCTURE,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  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

• 11/20/2008· ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFire

  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

• 11/19/2013· POWER TRAIN

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

• 11/19/2002· SEATSCrash

  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

• 11/18/2010· VISIBILITY

  WAS DRIVING IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC WHEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE VISOR ON MY '02 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER SUDDENLY DROPPED DOWN TO OBSCURE MY VISION. THIS NECESSITATED ME HITTING MY BRAKES AND DUCKING DOWN TO THE RIGHT OF THE STEERING WHEEL IN ORDER TO VIEW TRAFFIC. THERE WERE NO "EVENTS" LEADING TO MALFUNCTION. THE VISOR WILL NO LONGER REMAIN IN THE "UP" POSITION AND POSES AN ONGOING SAFETY HAZARD AS IT MUST EITHER BE HELD IN PLACE WHILE DRIVING (FORCING THE DRIVER TO USE ONE HAND ON THE WHEEL), TAPED IN PLACE (WHERE IT WILL STILL DROP DOWN IF/WHEN THE TAPE GIVES OUT); OR FORCE THE DRIVER TO LEAN TO THE RIGHT IN ORDER TO SEE AROUND THE VISOR (THUS PROHIBITING THE USE OF THE REARVIEW AND SIDEVIEW MIRRORS(. *TR

• 11/16/2010· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  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.

• 11/16/2008· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY,EQUIPMENT

  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

• 11/16/2007· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  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

• 11/13/2008· VISIBILITY

  2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR FALLS DOWN WHILE DRIVING CAUSING A POSSIBLE HAZARD. *TR

• 11/12/2002· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  NO SUMMARY. DT

• 11/10/2007· VISIBILITY,STRUCTURE

  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

• 11/08/2008· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  ACCELERATOR DOES NOT RESPOND WHEN PUSHED,THE FAILURE OCCURS REGULARLY WHEN PASSING VEHICLE WONT ACCELERATE,THE DEALER ACKNOWLEDGE THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES THAN CAN BE REPAIRED FOR $1200. *TR

• 11/08/2006· VISIBILITY

  BOTH DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE SUN VISORS FALL DOWN IN YOUR FACE WHILE DRIVING. OBSCURES VIEW AND THERE COULD BE AN ACCIDENT. DEALER WANTS $667.00 TO REPLACE. TOYOTA CORPORATION SHOULD PAY FOR IT. *NM

• 11/06/2007· VISIBILITY

  THE HOT/COLD KNOB IN MY 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. I RESEARCHED AND CALLED TOYOTA THEY SAID THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON IT AND THEY ONLY ISSUE THEM ACCORDING TO HOW MANY PARTS ARE SOLD TO REPAIR THAT VEHICLE. I LOOKED ONLINE AND ALOT OF PEOPLE THAT OWN THE SAME YEAR AND MODEL OF MY SUV ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE. TOYOTA QUOTED ME $805 TO REPAIR IT WHEN I WENT IN TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT. HE SAID THEY HAVE HAD ALOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE AND HAD ALREADY REPAIRED A COUPLE. WHEN I WENT IN TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT I HAD HEAT, WHEN I CAME OUT I DIDN'T. THEY TOLD ME I HAD TO FIX IT AND THERE WAS NOTHING ELSE I COULD DO. I CALLED THE MANAGER OF THIS PARTICULAR DEALERSHIP AND HE TOLD ME TO BRING MY CAR BACK IN AND THEY COULD SET IT TO HEAT. WHY DIDN'T THEY RETURN MY CAR IN THE SAME ORDER IT WAS IN WHEN I BROUGHT IT TO THEM IN THE FIRST PLACE. *TR

• 10/31/2003· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  DRIVER MADE A LEFT TURN WITH FOOT ON BRAKE PEDAL AND ROLLED INTO A PARKING SPOT WITHIN A PARKING LOT, ESTIMATED SPEED TO BE 2 MPH. THE ENGINE SURGED AND THE CAR RAN OVER 3 SMALL TREES, WENT UP AN INCLINE APPROXIMATELY 3 FT. HIGHER THAN THE PARKING LOT, THEN PROCEEDED APPROXIMATELY 8 FEET INTO THE ADJACENT PROPERTY THEN STRUCK THE BRICK CHIMNEY OF A HOUSE AND BOUNCED BACK INTO THE PARKING LOT. THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED DURING THIS OCCURRENCE BUT DID NOT STOP THE CAR. *LA