2002 Toyota Highlander Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 13about this part
- Share
- 4%of 301 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 75,872miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the air bags of the 2002 Toyota Highlander, 4% of the 301 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 75,872 miles. 7 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Airbag warning light illuminates in freezing temps and blinks at different rates. Once the temperature warms up, upon restart the light no longer blinks. I'm not sure if this will cause a problem if I need air bag support in colder temperatures. This has happened in the past several times as well.”
NHTSA complaint #10308559, filed 2010-02, 135,000 miles“I t-boned a car going approximately 35-40 MPH with no braking time and the air bags did not deploy. It caused over $12,000 worth of damage to the front end of my car, but the air bags didn't go off? I bought the car used, but was told that it was a certified Toyota used car. I now wonder if there was an air bag in it at all.”
NHTSA complaint #10132266, filed 2005-08, 38 miles“The air bag sensor stay on when cold. It will not turn off until car worms up and engine is shut down and restart. The sun visor will not stay on and it is falling down during driving. Both issues are safety hazard”
NHTSA complaint #10865179, filed 2016-05, 120,000 miles“The vehicle was in an accident and was hit head on. The vehicle was moving at approximately 30-35 MPH at impact. The front air bags failed to deploy. Provide further details.”
NHTSA complaint #10064914, filed 2004-03, 33,500 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10701181, filed 2015-03, 200,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10244113Aug 17, 2023TSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most…
- 10190460Mar 17, 2021Toyota Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements
- 10132410Jul 20, 2017TSB: REVISION NOTICE July 20, 2017 Rev1: Applicability has been updated to exclude 2007 ? 2017 model year Avanza vehicles. Some hazardous material treatment and handling…
- 10131961Jan 14, 2014Toyota vehicles are equipped with Supplemental Restraint Systems (SRS), including various airbags and in some models, seat belt pre-tensioners, to help reduce the risk of injury…
- 10132055Nov 4, 2013Beginning in 1998, Toyota introduced side airbags as optional equipment. Toyota does NOT recommend replacement of original seat covers with non-Toyota leather or other seat cover…
- 10133915Jan 3, 2013Toyota vehicles are equipped with SRS, including various airbags and in some models, seat belt pre-tensioners, to help reduce the risk of injury in a collision. If a customer…
- 10042555Sep 6, 2011Toyota: information provided for replacing the seat covers for vehicles equipped with side airbags.
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 12 | 6% |
| 2022 | 32 | 12% |
| 2021 | 42 | 8% |
| 2020 | 32 | 10% |
| 2019 | 14 | 3% |
| 2018 | 19 | 7% |
| 2017 | 9 | 3% |
| 2016 | 10 | 9% |
| 2015 | 8 | 4% |
| 2014 | 2 | 1% |
| 2013 | 17 | 8% |
| 2012 | 10 | 5% |
| 2011 | 8 | 4% |
| 2010 | 14 | 6% |
| 2009 | 8 | 6% |
| 2008 | 58 | 14% |
| 2007 | 2 | 2% |
| 2006 | 12 | 4% |
| 2005 | 9 | 4% |
| 2004 | 9 | 3% |
| 2003 | 9 | 3% |
| 2002 | 13 | 4% |
| 2001 | 10 | 7% |
Other parts of the 2002 Toyota Highlander
139 complaintsVehicle speed control
31 complaintsBody and structure
24 complaintsEngine cooling
23 complaintsOther or unknown
14 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
14 complaintsElectrical system
13 complaintsBrakes
12 complaintsExterior lighting
12 complaintsEquipment
11 complaintsEngine
7 complaintsTires
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Toyota Highlander
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology