2002 Toyota Highlander Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 139about this part
- Share
- 46%of 301 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 65,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 139 complaints about the visibility of the 2002 Toyota Highlander, 46% of the 301 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 65,000 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“2002 Toyota Highlander. Driver's side sun visor does not stay up or down. While trying to make it work properly I am distracted from my primary duty of driving the vehicle. Toyota does not recognize this a safety or recall issue. Cost to replace $1000.00. If you check the internet this is not an isolated problem and has been ignored by Toyota for many years.”
NHTSA complaint #10303997, filed 2010-02, 65,000 miles“2002 Toyota Highlander drivers side visor will not stay up. This is the second $850 unit in 2 years. It's annoying, not to mention dangerous when it dropped down unexpectedly and blocked my view through the windshield. Between the visor and the hood of the vehicle, I could see about a 2 strip of asphalt about 10 feet in front of the hood. Very very dangerous!!!!!!”
NHTSA complaint #10331887, filed 2010-05, 120,000 miles“1. Regular driving causes the issue which seems to be due to poor product design. 2. The driver side sun visor does not stay in the upright position ever, and continuously blocks my clear view of the road. 3. The Toyota dealer was informed and they did nothing to fix their inferior product. I have to purchase a replacement sun visor.”
NHTSA complaint #10278741, filed 2009-07, 30,000 miles“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“My 2002 limited Toyota Highlander has a sun visor that wont stay up. It is the driver side and I am very concern especially when hitting mild road bumps it falls down. I am holding it with velcro and I have to change that every other month. This is a safety problem and would appericate if someone can look into it. I looked at the online forums for highlanders and they are reporting the same problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10323429, filed 2010-04, 100,343 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10131993Dec 19, 2013This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0185-13.
- 10131988Dec 19, 2013The following procedures are recommended during routine maintenance or in the event of a customer concern for wiper performance.
- 10132136Oct 23, 2013The appearance of spots in tempered glass (when viewed at certain angles) is the result of the heat treating and quick quenching process during manufacturing.
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 10% |
| 2024 | 1 | 2% |
| 2023 | 5 | 3% |
| 2022 | 17 | 6% |
| 2021 | 17 | 3% |
| 2020 | 5 | 2% |
| 2019 | 6 | 1% |
| 2018 | 6 | 2% |
| 2017 | 15 | 6% |
| 2016 | 9 | 8% |
| 2015 | 13 | 7% |
| 2014 | 10 | 7% |
| 2013 | 8 | 4% |
| 2012 | 19 | 10% |
| 2011 | 35 | 19% |
| 2010 | 42 | 19% |
| 2009 | 7 | 5% |
| 2008 | 16 | 4% |
| 2007 | 15 | 12% |
| 2006 | 24 | 9% |
| 2005 | 28 | 13% |
| 2004 | 29 | 10% |
| 2003 | 34 | 13% |
| 2002 | 139 | 46% |
| 2001 | 26 | 19% |
Other parts of the 2002 Toyota Highlander
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 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 28, 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