Toyota · Highlander · 2002
2002 Toyota Highlander
2
Recalls
301
Complaints
N/A
NCAP overall
The 2002 Toyota Highlander has 2 recalls and 301 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Most frequent stored component label: visibility (113 reports).
Stored NHTSA configuration: 2002 Toyota Highlander 4-DR. NCAP Vehicle ID: 4678
Ratings describe one stored NHTSA configuration, not every trim, body style or drivetrain for this model year. How this configuration is selected
Source: NHTSA Public Records
NHTSA source checks for this vehicle year
- Complaints
- Separate successful check not recorded.
- Recalls
- Separate successful check not recorded.
- Safety ratings
- Separate successful check not recorded.
- Investigations
- Separate successful check not recorded.
- Manufacturer communications
- Separate successful check not recorded.
Checks are recorded separately for each dataset, not for the whole page. Dates use UTC. A missing check date does not mean no records exist.
Vehicle import recorded: Apr 29, 2026. This is the stored import date, not confirmation that every source was successfully refreshed.
Research Context
The 2002 Toyota Highlander page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most frequent complete stored component label is visibility with 113 reported complaints.
Best Research Moves
- Use the complaint log to see whether the 2002 Toyota Highlander reports cluster around one repeated symptom or spread across multiple systems.
- Review the recall section even if the total is smaller, because a limited number of recalls can still point to meaningful safety actions.
- This page is primarily a complaints-and-recalls research surface, so compare nearby model years before treating the complaint total as a standalone verdict.
Key Takeaways
- The 2002 Toyota Highlander currently shows 2 NHTSA recalls listed on this page and 301 owner-reported complaints.
- This page currently shows no linked NHTSA investigations.
- This page reflects complaint volume, recall history, and NHTSA test data, but it does not diagnose causes or rank reliability by itself.
- Safety data currently shows no overall NHTSA safety rating in our current dataset.
- The most frequent complete stored component labels on this page are visibility (113), vehicle speed control (25), engine and engine cooling (22).
- Vehicle
- 2002 Toyota Highlander
- Recalls
- 2
- Complaints
- 301
- Stored Configuration Overall Rating
- Not available in this dataset
How to Interpret This Page
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
NHTSA Configuration Test Results
Stored NHTSA configuration: 2002 Toyota Highlander 4-DR. NCAP Vehicle ID: 4678
Ratings describe one stored NHTSA configuration, not every trim, body style or drivetrain for this model year. How this configuration is selected
No overall score is available in our current dataset. The individual results below are not a combined safety rating; compare vehicles within the same test program and model year.
Frontal Crash Test
Side Crash Test
Overall Frontal Rating
Driver and Passenger Assessment
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Overall Side Rating
Side Barrier and Side Pole Tests
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Rollover Resistance
No rollover risk estimate available in this dataset
Safety Features
ESC: OptionalForward Collision Warning: NoLane Departure Warning: No
Recall Notices
NHTSANHTSA ID: 04V181000April 15, 2004
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES HAVE A CHILD PROTECTION LOCK (CPL) SYSTEM ON BOTH OF THE REAR SIDE DOORS. WHEN AN OPERATOR OF THE VEHICLE CLOSES THE DOOR VERY HARD WITH THE CPL LEVER SET TO THE LOCK POSITION, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE LEVER MAY CONTACT THE BODY PANEL, CAUSING THE CPL LEVER TO MOVE INTO THE UNLOCK POSITION.
Remedy Status
DEALERS WILL SHORTEN THE CPL LEVER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 7, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
NHTSA ID: 02V208000July 30, 2002
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING
ON SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THERE IS A BREATHER HOSE THAT ATTACHES TO THE NOZZLE OF THE ON-BOARD REFUELING VAPOR RECOVERY (ORVR) VALVE, WHICH IS LOCATED ON THE TOPSIDE OF THE FUEL TANK. THE BREATHER HOSE IS ATTACHED WITH A CLAMP, WHOSE "TABS" FACE IN THE UPWARD DIRECTION. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS CRASHED UNDER THE NEW CAR ASSESSMENT PROGRAM (NCAP) TEST (I.E., 35 MPH FRONTAL BARRIER CRASH), THE CLAMP "TABS" CONTACTED THE UNDERSIDE OF THE BODY DUE TO MOVEMENT OF THE FUEL TANK, CAUSING THE NOZZLE TO BREAK.
Remedy Status
DEALERS WILL ROTATE THE SPECIFIED CLAMP. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 23, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
Owner Complaints
301 totalAIR BAGS
Feb 5, 2020
MY AIR BAG LITE KEEPS POPING ON
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
FIREMay 26, 2019
I SAW SOMEONE STEAL MY CAR AND TOLD THEM THEY HACKED. WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD SLOW UP AND DOWN. BURNING OF THE ELECTRICS WHEN TRY TO CHARGE. CAR STOPPING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. CAR GOING ON AND OFF. THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD, TURNING BACK ON. SPEED CONTROL MESSING UP. SECURITY W...
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VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Jun 30, 2018
ACCELERATOR STICIKING. VEHICLE ACCELERATES AT 4000 TO 5000 RPMS HAD VEHICE TOWED TO TOYOTA OF BEDFORD 440-809-8399
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
CRASHMay 24, 2017
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 IDLI...
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ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Apr 13, 2017
THE AC LIKES TO BLOW HOT AIR WHEN IN THE MAX AC SETTING AND THE TEMP KNOB BEING IN THE COLDEST POSITION. NUT BEING THE TEMP SETTING GAUGE COMES LOOSE CAUSING THE AC TO BLOW HOT AIR. HAPPENS ANYTIME IF PARKED OR DRIVING.
POWER TRAIN
Mar 13, 2017
I HAVE HAD RECURRENT TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS THAT COST TH OUSANDS TO FIX BUT YET ARE NOT COMPLETELY RESOLVED.L JUST HAD MY TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY FAIL AFTER BEING SERVICED 17 MONTHS AGO. SINCE REPLACING IT, I STILL HAVE PROBLEMS WITH CLUNKING DIRT THING IN THE MORNING WHEN IT TRIE...
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VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Aug 29, 2016
VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET GOING STRAIGHT SLIGHTLY DOWNHILL AND THEN UPHILL. THE WEATHER WAS CLEAR. SPEED WAS ABOUT 15-25 MPH. I WAS BRAKING TO SLOW THE CAR DOWN BUT THE CAR ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN ( TOYOTA CALLS IT "UNINTENDED ACCELERATION"). THE CAR CONTINUED ACCELE...
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VISIBILITY/WIPER
Aug 15, 2016
SUN VISORS FALL DOWN WHILE DRIVING. AT ANY GIVEN TIME WHILE DRIVING BOTH SUNVISORS WILL FALL COMPLETELY DOWN OBSTRUCTING VIEW OF THE ROAD AHEAD. VERY DANGEROUS.TOYOTA WILL NOT RECALL.
AIR BAGS,VISIBILITY/WIPER
May 16, 2016
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
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Mar 1, 2016
THIS IS THE FOURTH SUN VISOR ON THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THIS CAR WHICH WILL NO LONGER STAY UP BLOCKING MY VISION WHILE DRIVING. THE FIRST WAS REPLACED 09/03 AT ABOUT 22,600 MILES UNDER WARRANTY WITH A HOME LINK INCLUDED AS WAS THE ORIGINAL. THE SECOND REPLACEMENT WAS 01/07 AT 65,300...
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Showing 10 recent complaints from 301 total
View Full Complaint LogCompare Related Vehicles
Why Compare These Pages
The strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2002 Toyota models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
More Toyota Highlander Years
2003 Toyota HighlanderCompare this year against 2002 for complaint and recall shifts.2r258c2001 Toyota HighlanderCompare this year against 2002 for complaint and recall shifts.3r137c2004 Toyota HighlanderCompare this year against 2002 for complaint and recall shifts.5r1i285c2000 Toyota HighlanderCompare this year against 2002 for complaint and recall shifts.1i0c2005 Toyota HighlanderCompare this year against 2002 for complaint and recall shifts.6r1i225c2006 Toyota HighlanderCompare this year against 2002 for complaint and recall shifts.7r2i273c
More 2002 Toyota Models
2002 Toyota CamryAnother 2002 Toyota option for same-year comparison.4r4i1,040c2002 Toyota SequoiaAnother 2002 Toyota option for same-year comparison.8r4i665c2002 Toyota RAV4Another 2002 Toyota option for same-year comparison.529c2002 Toyota TundraAnother 2002 Toyota option for same-year comparison.6r3i484c2002 Toyota TacomaAnother 2002 Toyota option for same-year comparison.5r334c2002 Toyota 4RunnerAnother 2002 Toyota option for same-year comparison.3r1i224c
Frequently Asked Questions
How many recalls does the 2002 Toyota Highlander have?
The 2002 Toyota Highlander has 2 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
How many complaints have been filed for the 2002 Toyota Highlander?
NHTSA has received 301 owner-reported complaints for the 2002 Toyota Highlander.
What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2002 Toyota Highlander?
An overall NHTSA safety rating is not available in our current dataset for the 2002 Toyota Highlander. Individual crash-test results may still be available.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Toyota Highlander?
The most frequent complete stored component labels for the 2002 Toyota Highlander are visibility (113 reports), vehicle speed control (25 reports), engine and engine cooling (22 reports). These are exact-label counts, not broader component-group totals or confirmed defects.
Does the 2002 Toyota Highlander have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA has 2 recalls on record for the 2002 Toyota Highlander. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Check Another Vehicle
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.