2002 Toyota Highlander Equipment Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 4%of 301 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 83,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the equipment of the 2002 Toyota Highlander, 4% of the 301 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 83,000 miles. 1 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.
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10320349, filed 2010-03, 10,000 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10487762, filed 2012-12, 136,000 miles“Large amount water in passenger side of vehicle compartment, dealer stated due to clogged A/C drain. Our toddler developed congestion and allergy symptoms followed by mildew odor in vehicle. Dealer cleaned out drains and subsequently had to change carpets and disinfect vehicle. Due to overwhelming deodorant smell in vehicle cannot tell if mildew still present, but we are afraid to put the toddler back in vehicle. Toyota also trying to say not covered by warranty.”
NHTSA complaint #10081132, filed 2004-07, 20,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10209701, filed 2007-11, 69,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10193401, filed 2007-06, 83,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10251070Jan 22, 2024OBSOLETE NOTICE January 22, 2024: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0057-18.
- 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…
- 10238157May 30, 2023TSB: The Immobilizer and Smart Key Reset is a feature that allows the registration of new keys when all master keys are lost. Once the system is reset, all previously registered…
- 10207946Jan 12, 2022POL: This consolidated Tire Warranty Guide contains the complete warranty terms for all brands of ground and spare tires currently in use by Toyota. This information must be kept…
- 10188913Feb 3, 2021TSB: 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…
- 10174891Apr 7, 2020TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE April 07, 2020: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0032-20. Replacement Certification Labels and VIN Plates
- 10174890Apr 6, 2020TSB: SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes Service Bulletin Nos. PG021-88, PG015-89, PG0015-90, PG002-91, PG002-93, PG005-97, PG007-01…
- 10171405Jan 27, 2020TSB: Vehicles may display evidence of a fluid leak or fluid seep from powertrain components. This bulletin explains how to determine the differences between a fluid leak versus a…
- 10145749Aug 31, 2018Technical Service Bulletin: OBSOLETE NOTICE: July 31, 2018: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0304-17.
- 10145748Aug 31, 2018Technical Service Bulletin: OBSOLETE NOTICE: July 31, 2018: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0304-17.
Equipment: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 0% |
| 2020 | 1 | 0% |
| 2019 | 1 | 0% |
| 2017 | 2 | 1% |
| 2015 | 1 | 1% |
| 2014 | 1 | 1% |
| 2013 | 3 | 1% |
| 2011 | 2 | 1% |
| 2010 | 4 | 2% |
| 2009 | 2 | 1% |
| 2008 | 9 | 2% |
| 2007 | 2 | 2% |
| 2006 | 2 | 1% |
| 2005 | 8 | 4% |
| 2004 | 10 | 4% |
| 2003 | 3 | 1% |
| 2002 | 11 | 4% |
| 2001 | 4 | 3% |
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 complaintsAir bags
13 complaintsElectrical system
13 complaintsBrakes
12 complaintsExterior lighting
12 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 29, 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