2002 Toyota Highlander Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 24about this part
- Share
- 8%of 301 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 50,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 24 complaints about the body and structure of the 2002 Toyota Highlander, 8% of the 301 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 50,000 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The driver side sun visor (w/ lighted mirror and homelink) on my 2002 Toyota Highlander will not stay up and drops down when driving which is a serious hazard. I understand that this is a very common problem with this vehicle and the cost for only the replacement part is over $700.00. It is obviously a design issue and serious hazard that Toyota will not address.”
NHTSA complaint #10224862, filed 2008-04, 65,000 miles“1. Plastic tension coil holding up visor failed all of the sudden. 2. Plastic tension coil holding up visor failed causing the visor to fall down obstructing my vision while driving. This occurs anytime I hit a bump in the road while driving. 3. I went to Toyota to have it fixed and they told me it would cost a significant amount of money since there hadn't been any recall notices involving the described failure.”
NHTSA complaint #10274538, filed 2009-06, 95,000 miles“I purchased a used 2002 Toyota Highlander 3 years ago, last year, the visor on the drivers side started flipping down (will not stay up). I have been quoted approx $700 to replace the visor which seems excessive especially since it is not even lighted.”
NHTSA complaint #10231144, filed 2008-06, 48,000 miles“We cannot read the instrument panel of our 2002 Toyota Highlander in the bright arizona sun when wearing sunglasses (a safety and medical requirement in arizona that is to wear sun glasses in the very bright late spring to early fall sun). We have driven at least 100 different cars and trucks (many of them rental vehicles) over the years and never experienced nor expected this problem when we purchased our 2002 Highlander. …”
NHTSA complaint #10018755, filed 2003-05, 100 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10208577, filed 2007-11, 45,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11012744Dec 6, 2024The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic…
- 11012743Dec 6, 2024To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. The purpose of the wheel film…
- 11012742Dec 6, 2024Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. If these acidic compounds settle on an…
- 11012735Dec 5, 2024Toyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal painted surfaces. This material protects from acid rain, environmental…
- 11012727Dec 3, 2024Vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad tracks, train wheels, exposure to heavy machinery facilities, grinding…
- 11007445Jul 12, 2024The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic…
- 11007444Jul 12, 2024To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. The purpose of the wheel film…
- 11007443Jul 12, 2024Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. If these acidic compounds settle on an…
- 11006151Jul 12, 2024The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic…
- 11006150Jul 12, 2024To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. The purpose of the wheel film…
Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 4 | 9% |
| 2023 | 32 | 17% |
| 2022 | 43 | 16% |
| 2021 | 52 | 10% |
| 2020 | 30 | 9% |
| 2019 | 12 | 2% |
| 2018 | 12 | 4% |
| 2017 | 8 | 3% |
| 2016 | 4 | 4% |
| 2015 | 32 | 17% |
| 2014 | 32 | 24% |
| 2013 | 18 | 9% |
| 2012 | 20 | 11% |
| 2011 | 27 | 15% |
| 2010 | 14 | 6% |
| 2009 | 15 | 11% |
| 2008 | 11 | 3% |
| 2007 | 5 | 4% |
| 2006 | 4 | 1% |
| 2005 | 8 | 4% |
| 2004 | 8 | 3% |
| 2003 | 18 | 7% |
| 2002 | 24 | 8% |
| 2001 | 13 | 9% |
Other parts of the 2002 Toyota Highlander
139 complaintsVehicle speed control
31 complaintsEngine cooling
23 complaintsOther or unknown
14 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
14 complaintsAir bags
13 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 27, 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