2002 Toyota Highlander Complaint Log

2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER ACCELERATOR STICKING IN THE FULL DOWN POSITION WHEN PASSING ANOTHER VEHICLE. FIRST HAPPENED SUMMER OF 2008. SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED AUGUST 13, 2009. PUT ON FULL BRAKE AND TURNED IGNITION KEY OFF. AFTER VEHICLE STOPPED, ABOUT 5-10 SECONDS, PEDAL RELEASED. SERVICE APPOINTMENT WITH DEALERSHIP AUGUST 18, 2009 TO CORRECT PROBLEM. DEALERSHIP COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH VEHICLE. SAID IT WAS THE FLOOR MAT THAT MADE THE ACCELERATOR STICK IN THE OPEN POSITION. DON'T THINK TOYOTA INFORMED OF THIS COMPLAINT. SINCE TOYOTA RECALL HAS TAKEN PLACE, I WANTED TO GET MY VEHICLE BACK IN THE DEALERSHIP TO CORRECT MY PROBLEM. APPOINTMENT MADE 2/09/10 AT 10:30 WITH DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP CHECKED THROTTLE BODY AND THROTTLE CABLE. SAID ALL OKAY. DEALERSHIP CONTINUES TO TELL ME RUBBER MAT COULD CATCH PEDAL AND CAUSE PROBLEM. I DISAGREE WITH THIS DIAGNOSIS. I ASKED DEALERSHIP TO PLEASE INFORM TOYOTA ABOUT THIS PROBLEM IN MY MODEL SINCE THE RECALL IS ONLY CORRECTING 2010 MODELS. THE ONLY WAY I WILL TRY AND PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE NOW, ESPECIALLY ON MOUNTAIN ROADS, IS PLACE THE CAR IN SECOND GEAR AND ACCELERATE. I DON'T TRUST PLACING THE PEDAL DOWN TO FLOORBOARD. I OFFER THIS AS ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM. I HOPE TOYOTA WILL CORRECT THIS SITUATION IN "ALL" MODELS OF THEIR CARS. *TR

DRIVE SHAFT GOING BAD ON TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 2002. MAJOR PART LIKE THIS ALMOST NEVER FAILS. VERY EXPENSIVE TO FIX. *TR

I NOTICED COOLANT LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE PLASTIC INTO INTAKE MANIFOLD IN THE REAR OF THE ENGINE. I BROUGHT IT IN FOR REPAIR AND THE MECHANIC SAID HE NOTICED A LARGE PIECE OF FOAM RUBBER BETWEEN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND THE ENGINE BLOCK AND HEAD.THE LEAK WAS BEHIND THE FOAM PIECE. THE ONLY OPTION TO DISCOVER THE SOURCE OF THIS LEAK WAS TO REMOVE THE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD, WHICH THE MECHANIC DID. AFTER THIS WAS REMOVED, IT BECAME OBVIOUS THAT COOLANT HAD BEEN LEAKING A MINOR AMOUNT FOR QUITE SOME TIME DUE TO BUILD UP BETWEEN THE CYLINDER HEAD AND BLOCK. THE ONLY OPTION LEFT IS TO REMOVE THE HEAD, WHICH REQUIRES AN EXTENSIVE DISASSEMBLY (R AND R CYLINDER HEAD). AFTER LOOSENING THE BOLTS IN SEQUENCE, HE NOTICED THREE OF THE HEAD BOLTS IN THE BACK OF THE ENGINE WERE LOOSE. AFTER HE REMOVED THE HEAD SURE ENOUGH, ONE BOLT CAME OUT WITH ALUMINUM IN THE THREAD THUS INDICATING A STRIPPED BOLT. AND THE OTHER THREE WERE LOOSE. HE SAID THE ONLY OPTION WAS TO REPLACE THE ENGINE BLOCK, WHICH WILL COST ABOUT $6000 INCLUDING SHIPPING/LABOR. I CAN NOT AFFORD THIS AND SO HAD THE HIGHLANDER TOWED BACK TO MY HOME. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT APPROXIMATELY TWO YEARS AGO HE NOTICED THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE SUN VISOR WOULD FALL AND OBSCURE HIS VISION WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO ADVISED HIM THAT IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000. UPDATED 09/21/11*LJ THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE PASSENGER SIDE VISOR FAILED AS WELL. UPDATED 09/28/11*JB

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. *TR

FALLING VISOR ON TOYOTA HIGHLANDERS ARE CREATING DRIVER VISIBILITY ISSUES. A MAJOR CONCERN FOR SAFETY. SENT IN ATTACHMENT THAT LISTED OTHER DRIVER COMPLAINT ON THE SAME ISSUE TO DOT QUESTION 090817-000072. *TR

2002 HIGHLANDER VISOR DOES NOT STAY IN POSITION, TENDS TO FALL DOWN WHEN IT SHOULD BE UP. *TR

2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HAS ISSUE WITH DRIVER'S SIDE SUNVISOR THAT CONSTANTLY FALLS OBSTRUCTING VISION. *TR

AWHILE BACK IN THE SUMMER OF 2009, I NOTIFIED YOU ABOUT MY CONCERN FOR SAFETY IN MY 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CAR TOOK OFF FOR NO APPARENT REASON ACCELERATING TO AN UNSAFE SPEED. I WAS ONLY ABLE TO STOP BY SHIFTING TO NEUTRAL AND SLAMMING ON THE BRAKES MISSING SEVERAL CARS. THE FEEDBACK I GOT WAS THE FLOOR MAT...WHICH I TOLD THE DEALER WAS BULL. I BELIEVE THE PROBLEM MAY BE IN THE COMPUTER. I CHECKED ALL THE CABLES AND THROTTLE BODY CABLES INCLUDING LINKAGE. I HAD THE WHOLE FUEL SYSTEM CLEANED INSIDE AND OUT INCLUDING THE THROTTLE BODY. THIS SEEMED TO TEMPORARY SOLVE THE PROBLEM. MY CONCERNS ARE 1. I THINK TOYOTA NEEDS TO LOOK FURTHER BACK IN YEARS THIS HAS BEEN A CONCERN BY GOGGLING THIS PROBLEM. 2. WHEN THE PROBLEM(S) ARE IDENTIFIED YOU NEED THE LOOK AT REPAIRS WHERE THE PARTS MAY HAVE BEEN USED. 3. I BELIEVE THIS PROBLEM MAY BE CAUSED BY SEVERAL FACTORS. 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER *CN

I AM FINANCING A 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. ON 6/25/09 WHILE DRIVING ON A MAJOR SERVICE ROAD, I HEARD A LARGE THUMP SOUND. I TRIED TO PULL OVER TO MAKE SURE THAT I DID NOT HIT ANYTHING OR BLOW A TIRE. ONCE THAT I SAW THAT EVERYTHING SEEMED OKAY, I PROCEEDED INTO MY VEHICLE AND PUT THE CAR INTO DRIVE WHEN I STEPPED ON THE GAS THE CAR JUST REVVED AND IT STAYED INTO POSITION, I KEPT CHANGING GEARS NOT KNOWING WHAT WAS WRONG AND AS I CHANGED INTO DRIVE AND STEPPED ON THE GAS, MY CAR QUICKLY SHIFTED AND ALMOST HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME THEN IT STOPPED AGAIN. FORTUNATELY THERE WAS A AUTOMECHANIC SHOP ON THE CORNER, SOMEONE FROM THE SHOP CAME TO WHERE I WAS TO LOOK AT MY CAR. THE MECHANIC DID THE SAME AS I DID, SHIFT GEARS AND THE CAR WOULD JERK SPONTANEOUSLY BACK THEN FORTH BUT WOULD NOT DRIVE. THE MECHANICS PUSHED IT INTO THE GARAGE AND INSPECTED TO FIND THAT MY TRANSMISSION WA GONE AT 68,000 MILES. I HAVE MY CAR CHECKED OFTEN, FLUIDS REPLACED WHEN NEED BE. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW A TRANSMISSION CAN JUST DIE AT 68,000 MILES. I CALLED TOYOTA BECAUSE I HAVE MY CAR SERVICED AT TOYOTA. AND BECAUSE MY EXTENDED WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED IN 2008 , THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY CAN DO BUT PUT IN A NEW TRANSMISSION. I HAVE HAD THE CAR TOWED TO 3 LOCATIONS TO MAKE SURE I HAD SEVERAL OPINIONS AND THEY ALL SAID THE SAME THING THAT MY TRANSMISSION WAS BAD. MY CAR HAS BEEN AT RELIABLE TRANSMISSION FOR 2 WEEKS NOW, THEY ARE CURRENTLY REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION FOR 4,000.00. THE CAR WILL NOT BE PAID OFF UNTIL AUGUST 2010. I OFTEN HEARD THAT TOYOTA WAS ONE OF THE BEST CARS THAT ONE CAN PURCHASE THAT'S WHY I WENT WITH A TOYOTA, HOWEVER I FIND THIS TO BE QUITE DISTURBING TO HAVE TO REPLACE A MAJOR PART OF MY VEHICLE IN SUCH A SHORT TIME WITH LOW MILEAGE. MY COMPLAINT THAT I HAVE DONE RESEARCH AND SAW THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH TOYOTA HIGHLANDER TRANSMISSIONS. THIS MATTER IS SERIOUS AND CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT FROM THE GEARS SLIPPING. TOYOTA SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS REPAIR! *TR

WAS DRIVING IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC WHEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE VISOR ON MY '02 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER SUDDENLY DROPPED DOWN TO OBSCURE MY VISION. THIS NECESSITATED ME HITTING MY BRAKES AND DUCKING DOWN TO THE RIGHT OF THE STEERING WHEEL IN ORDER TO VIEW TRAFFIC. THERE WERE NO "EVENTS" LEADING TO MALFUNCTION. THE VISOR WILL NO LONGER REMAIN IN THE "UP" POSITION AND POSES AN ONGOING SAFETY HAZARD AS IT MUST EITHER BE HELD IN PLACE WHILE DRIVING (FORCING THE DRIVER TO USE ONE HAND ON THE WHEEL), TAPED IN PLACE (WHERE IT WILL STILL DROP DOWN IF/WHEN THE TAPE GIVES OUT); OR FORCE THE DRIVER TO LEAN TO THE RIGHT IN ORDER TO SEE AROUND THE VISOR (THUS PROHIBITING THE USE OF THE REARVIEW AND SIDEVIEW MIRRORS(. *TR

THE SUN VISOR WILL NOT STAY IN THE UP POSITION. TOYOTA REPLACED THE VISORS UNDER WARRANTY AFTER THE FIRST OCCURRENCE. HOWEVER, THEY ARE NOT STAYING UP ANYMORE. THE DRIVERS SIDE VISOR FALLS DOWN WHEN DRIVING CREATING A SAFETY HAZARD. BOTH OF THEM FALL DOWN AT AN ANGLE WHICH COULD CAUSE HEAD INJURIES DURING A CRASH. IN DOING AN INTERNET SEARCH, IT APPEARS THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH MANY OTHER HIGHLANDERS. I WENT BACK TO TOYOTA AND THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE IT UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. SINCE FEBRUARY OF 2007, THE SUN VISOR IN THE VEHICLE DOES NOT ATTACH TIGHTLY AND COMES DOWN WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH AND ABOVE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED, BUT THE REPAIR WOULD COST OVER $300. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THE DEFECT SHOULD BE REPAIRED BY THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000. UPDATED 07/01/09 *BF UPDATED 07/06/09. *JB

DRIVER'S SIDE VISOR FAILS TO STAY UP. VISOR SEEMS TO BE TOO HEAVY TO SUPPORT ITSELF. VISOR FALLS DOWN DUE TO ROAD VIBRATIONS AND BLOCKS EYE SIGHT FOR TALLER DRIVERS. TRIED SIMPLE FIXES USING VELCRO AND SUPER GLUE - BUT ALL FAILED WHEN SUMMER INTERIOR TEMPERATURES CAUSED THE GLUE / ADHESIVE TO FAIL AND PROBLEM CONTINUES. COMPLETE REPLACEMENT SEEMS TO BE ONLY SOLUTION. *TR

THE SUN VISOR ON MY TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 2002 DOESN'T REMAIN IN PLACE. IT STARTED LAST YEAR AND NO MATTER WHAT I DO IT KEEP ON FALLING. I BELIEVE THIS IS A DESIGN PROBLEM AND A SAFETY HAZARD THAT NEEDED TO BE ADDRESSED OR FIXED BY TOYOTA CORPORATION. *TR

SUN VISOR WILL NOT STAY PUT - IT'S IN THE DOWN POSITION AT ALL TIMES AND WON'T STAY UP OUT OF THE LINE OF SIGHT. *TR

2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER LIMITED - THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SUN VISORS WILL NOT STAY IN UPRIGHT POSITION. VERY DANGEROUS WHEN DRIVING. TOYOTA OFFERS NO SOLUTIONS BUT PURCHASING ANOTHER $600 VISOR. LOOKING ONLINE, I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. AT WHAT POINT DOES A MANUFACTURE BECOME RESPONSIBLE FOR WHAT IS OBVIOUSLY A DESIGN DEFECT AND SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

SUN VISOR ON DRIVER'S SIDE OF 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER CAN'T BE USED TO PROTECT DRIVER FROM THE BRIGHT SUNLIGHT AS IT CANNOT BE RATCHETED UP OR ADJUSTED AND JUST HANGS LOOSELY BLOCKING DRIVER'S VIEW OF WINDOW AND REQUIRING DRIVER TO HOLD IT IN PLACE WITH ONE HAND. PROBLEM HAS EXISTED ALMOST FROM BEGINNING. OTHERS HAVE REPORTED SIMILAR PROBLEMS ESPECIALLY WITH THAT MODEL YEAR. *TR

2002 HIGHLANDER LTD, 48K MILES, WELL MAINTAINED. ABS SYSTEM AWRY, ACTIVATING LEFT FRONT BRAKES AS BRAKES APPLIED, MOST SEVERE AS COMING TO STOP. NO CODE, NO REMEDY WITH REPLACEMENT OF REAR SENSOR. PRESENTLY DRIVING WITH ABS DISABLED, SERVICE PROVIDER SEEKING SOLUTION. *TR

2002 TOYOTA HIGHLAND FLIP VISOR KEEPS ON FALLING DOWN. AFTER RESEARCH FROM THE NET, APPARENTLY, THERE ARE MANY OTHERS THAT EXPERIENCE THIS ISSUES. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. IT WILL COSTS $700.00 TO REPLACE IT. I REALLY THINK THIS IS A DEFECT. *TR

FAILURE OF 55904-48210 HVAC CONTROLLER ON A 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE FAILURE OF THIS PART CAUSE THE HEATING AND COOLING CONTROL DIAL TO BECOME INOPERATIVE. THE VEHICLE COULD ONLY BLOW COLD AIR CAUSING MY WINDSHIELD TO FOG OVER. THIS RESULTED IN MY BEING UNABLE SAFELY OPERATE THE VEHICLE. *TR

THE INTERIOR HEATING/AC SYSTEM AND FAN REPEATEDLY FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY. IN THE SPRING SUMMER WHEN THE AC WOULD FAIL TO BLOW COLD AND BLOW HEAT THAT WASN'T SO BAD. I GOT THE CONTROL KNOB FIXED AND ALL SEEMED TO WORK FINE. HOWEVER THE KNOB HAS FAILED AGAIN AND WHEN I NEEDED THE HEAT/DEFROST FAN TO WORK AT NIGHT THE FROST GOT WORSE BECAUSE THE KNOB FAILED AND THE HEATER/FAN WOULD ONLY BLOW COLD AIR. DEPENDING ON THE SEASON AND THE POSITION OF THE KNOB WHEN IT FAILS THIS SHOULD BE CONSTRUED AS A SAFETY ISSUE WHEN IT AFFECTS THE VISUAL CLARITY OF THE WINDSHIELD . *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHEN THE CONTACT OPENED THE DOOR TO HER VEHICLE, SHE DISCOVERED THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT FILLED WITH SMOKE. THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS BURNED. THERE WERE NO OCCUPANTS IN THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS ARRIVED AT THE SCENE AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE INVESTIGATOR INFORMED HER THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE UNDERNEATH THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT WAS A MANUAL SEAT, NOT ELECTRIC. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE AND FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000. UPDATED 1/6/09 *CN UPDATED 01/14/09. *JB

LEFT (DRIVER SIDE) FRONT ABS BEGAN ACTIVATING SPONTANEOUSLY AS MY 02 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER CAME TO STOP. SERVICE AGENCY FOUND NO CODE. REMOVING FUSE ON ABS SENSOR ELIMINATED 'FALSE ACTIVATION' PROBLEM, BUT DISABLED ABS; REPLACING SENSOR HAD NO EFFECT. DISCOVERED BROKEN SENSOR RING ON REAR AXLE, DUE TO CORROSION. (NECESSARY REPLACEMENT OF ENTIRE AXLE) ELIMINATED ABS ACTIVATION ON BRAKING, BUT INDUCED ABS ACTIVATION ON ACCELERATION FROM STOP. REPLACEMENT OF ANOTHER SENSOR (ALSO CONTAMINATED/DAMAGED BY AXLE CORROSION/INFILTRATION) SEEMED TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM, BUT I NOW EXPERIENCE NOISE/ACTIVATION WHEN REAR WHEEL DRIVE ENGAGES IN WINTER DRIVING. MY ONLINE RESEARCH (AND SERVICE AGENCY) INDICATE THIS IS A RECURRING, GROWING PROBLEM IN HIGHLANDERS AND LEXUSES AND OTHER TOYOTA MODELS SHARING THE REAR AXLE ASSEMBLIES, THAT ARE PRONE TO INFILTRATION CORROSION DAMAGE, ESPECIALLY IN THE NORTHERN STATES. *TR

ACCELERATOR DOES NOT RESPOND WHEN PUSHED,THE FAILURE OCCURS REGULARLY WHEN PASSING VEHICLE WONT ACCELERATE,THE DEALER ACKNOWLEDGE THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES THAN CAN BE REPAIRED FOR $1200. *TR

4 CYLINDER ENGINE BLOCKED WARPED WHERE HEAD MEETS BLOCK. HEAD BOLTS WERE STRIPPED AND COULD NOT BE TIGHTENED DOWN. FOLLOWING LINK DESCRIBES THE PROBLEM WE ENCOUNTERED WITH OUR 2002 HIGHLANDER WHICH HAS THE SAME 2.4 LTR 4 CYLINDER ENGINE AS THE CAMRY. HTTP://WWW.TUNDRASOLUTIONS.COM/FORUMS/ CAMRY/148454-CAMRY-WITH-STRIPPED-HEAD-BOLTS/ ALL DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR OF OUR HIGHLANDER WAS DONE AT A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN ROSWELL, GA. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE DRIVER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A WALL OF HIS GARAGE WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 48,690. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 38,000.

I HAVE A TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 2002 LIMITED, V6, BOTH SUN VISORS CONSTANTLY FALL DOWN AND WON'T STAY UP EVEN WITH HEAVY DUTY VELCRO STRIPS. IT IS DISTRACTING AND BLOCKS THE DRIVERS VIEW. *TR

2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR FALLS DOWN WHILE DRIVING CAUSING A POSSIBLE HAZARD. *TR

2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER SUN VISOR KEEPS FALLING DOWN ON ITS OWN. NOTICED THAT THIS IS A COMMON COMPLAINT ON THE INTERNET. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND THE VISOR SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SUN VISORS WOULD RELEASE DOWNWARDLY WITHOUT INTENT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY OR IN MOTION. THE SUN VISORS WOULD BE PLACED IN THE UPWARD POSITION UPON RELEASING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY AND TEMPORARILY DISTORTED THE VISIBILITY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO BOTH STATED THAT THE ENTIRE SUN VISOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 5 MPH INTO A PARKING GARAGE WHEN SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. SHE ATTEMPTED TO ENGAGE THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE INSURANCE COMPANY AND THEY COVERED THE REPAIR COST. THE CONTACT WAS SORE AFTER THE CRASH OCCURRED DUE TO MINOR INJURIES. THREE WEEKS AGO WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE IT SURGED FORWARD AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD SEND SOMEONE TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND IF THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE THEY WOULD REIMBURSE HER IN 35 DAYS. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY RISK AND CHOSE TO RENT A VEHICLE TO DRIVE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. SUN VISOR WITH HOMELINK KEEPS FALLING DOWN WITH HITTING MINOR BUMPS. SAFETY HAZARD, AS VISION IS BLOCKED AND CAN LEAD TO ACCIDENTS. *TR

2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. BOTH SUNVISORS FAULTY. HIT A BUMP AND THEY WILL FALL DOWN IN FRONT OF VISION. CRASH HAZARD IN CERTAIN DRIVING SITUATIONS, ESPECIALLY DRIVING UPHILL OR TRYING TO LOOK AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THEY SUDDENLY FALL AND OBSCURE UPWARD VISION. *TR

IN JUNE 2008, I WAS DRIVING WHEN MY ENGINE APPARENTLY MELTED DOWN. IT WENT COMPLETELY HOT. I PULLED OVER AND THERE WAS WHAT APPEARED TO BE COOLANT POOLED UNDER THE CAR. PRIOR TO THIS ALL SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE HAD BEEN DONE AND THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF ANY TROUBLE WITH THE CAR EARLIER THAT DAY. I LATER TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC WHO SAID HE HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THAT IN HIS LIFE. THE ENGINE HAD LITERALLY MELTED. HE THEN TRIED TO CALL TOYOTA AND GOT IN CONTACT WITH SOMEONE BUT THEY COULDN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT HAPPENED EITHER AND WAS UNWILLING TO DEAL WITH IT. HE SAID IT OBVIOUSLY HAD TO BE A FACTORY DEFECT. IT COST ME A WHOLE NEW ENGINE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR BRACKET FAILED. THE SUN VISOR DETACHED FROM THE BRACKET AND OBSTRUCTED THE CONTACT'S VIEW OF THE ROADWAY. THE DEALER HAD PREVIOUSLY REPLACED THE SUN VISOR BRACKET HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

I BOUGHT A 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER LIMITED IN MAY 2008. THE CAR HAD JUST UNDER 60,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. THIS CAR IS MY SECOND CAR, MAINLY TO BE USED TO TOW MY HORSE TRAILER. WITHIN A MONTH OF OWNING THE CAR IT SHOWED THE SUDDEN UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION. THIS WAS NOT UNFAMILIAR TO ME BECAUSE I ALSO OWN A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. I HAVE OWNED THE HIGHLANDER NOW FOR 1 AND 3/4 YEAR AND THE CAR HAS SHOWED THE DESCRIBED BEHAVIOR OFF AND ON. IT HAPPENS MOSTLY ON THE FREEWAY AND MOSTLY WHEN I AM NOT TOWING. IT DOES NOT HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH FLOORMATS OR STICKY GASPEDALS. SINCE THE SAME BEHAVIOR HAPPENS IN BOTH TOYOTA'S I OWN, IT IS TIME THAT TOYOTA STARTS LOOKING AT SOMETHING ELSE THAN THE SILLY EXPLANATIONS OF FLOORMATS AND STICKY GASPEDALS. IT IS THE ENGINE WHICH RUNS AWAY, LEAVING THE DRIVER NO CONTROL OVER THE SPEED. I HAD NOT EXPECT THIS FROM TOYOTA. I BOUGHT TOYOTAS BECAUSE OF THEIR RELIABILITY AND BECAUSE I TRUSTED THE COMPANY (AS OPPOSED TO FORD, WHICH I ALSO OWNED AND EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WHICH TURNED OUT THE COMPANY KNEW A LONG TIME ABOUT AND DID NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT). I GUESS TOYOTA IS NOT DIFFERENT. ALSO, IT IS TIME THAT THE RECALL GOES FURTHER BACK THEN THE 3-4 YEARS. I EVEN HAVE A COPY OF A PROFESSIONAL CAR REVIEW OF THE CAMRY WHO EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM IN 2002. *TR

SAFETY ISSUE WITH TOYOTA HIGHLANDER (02 MODEL)...SUN VISOR ON DRIVERS SIDE KEEPS FALLING DOWN AND OBSTRUCTING VIEW. *TR

2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR WILL RANDOMLY FALL DOWN, COMPLETELY BLOCKING THE VIEW OF THE ROAD AHEAD. ON A BUSY HIGHWAY, IF THIS FALLS AT THE WRONG MOMENT, IT CAN RESULT IN A SEVERE MULTI-CAR ACCIDENT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH OR LESS, THE SUN VISOR WOULD AUTOMATICALLY RELEASE AT ANY GIVEN TIME. THE FAILURE MADE VISIBILITY DIFFICULT AND OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE SUN VISOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $700. THE CONTACT DETACHED THE SUN VISOR FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 42,000. UPDATED 09/10/08 *BF UPDATED 09/11/08.*JB

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. *TR

MY 2002 HIGHLANDER ALSO HAD THE FLOPPY VISOR SYNDROME WHEN OUT OF WARRANTY. COST TO REPLACE WAS $660 BUT NORTH KINGSTOWN TOYOTA DID A COURTESY REPLACEMENT AT NO CHARGE. ALL WHO HAVE PAID FOR THIS REPAIR SHOULD CONSIDER A CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST TOYOTA FOR IGNORING ANOTHER SAFETY PROBLEM. *TR

2004, MY HIGHLANDER WAS SERVICED FOR GEL IN THE VALVE SEALS. ON APRIL 2, MY CAR WAS BROUGHT TO LEITH TOYOTA BECAUSE THE CAR MADE A LOUD NOISE AFTER BEING CRANKED AND THE OIL LIGHT WAS ON. AS I DROVE A COUPLE OF MILES, ALL COMPUTER LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE CAR CUT OFF. I WAS TOLD TESTING WAS DONE AND I HAD OIL ALTHOUGH IT WAS NOT BEING PUMPED TO THE ENGINE FOR SOME REASON. (I HAVE OIL CHANGED EVERY 3,000 MILES). THE NEXT DAY, I WENT TO CHECK ON THE PROGRESS AND THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THEY DROVE THE CAR AROUND AND IT NEVER CUT OFF AND HE REALLY DID NOT KNOW WHAT WAS WRONG WITH IT. I DECIDED TO TAKE IT TO ANOTHER MECHANIC TO FIND OUT AND 10 MILES AWAY, THE ENGINE BLEW UP. NOW, I HAVE NO CAR TO DRIVE AND I AM A SINGLE MOM THAT HAS TO WORK. I FEEL THAT THE SERVICE MANAGER SHOULD HAVE BEEN HONEST WITH ME REGARDING TOYOTA'S PAST ENGINE DEFECTS AND TO DRIVE MY CAR WOULD BE FATAL. AFTER HAVING IT TOWED TO ANOTHER TOYOTA DEALERSHIP TO CHECK FOR OIL SLUDGE AND REQUESTING THAT MY MECHANIC BE PRESENT WHEN DROPPING THE OIL PAN, THEY TOLD ME THAT WAS NOT NECESSARY AND DID IT WITHOUT CALLING ME FIRST. I HAVE LOST ALL FUTURE TRUST WITH THIS COMPANY AND FELL THAT THEIR"HUSH HUSH RECALL" SHOULD HAVE BEEN MADE PUBLIC. *TR

2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER DRIVERS SIDE SUN VISOR FELL DOWN WHEN HITTING A SMALL POTHOLE, OBSCURING DRIVER VISION...NARROWLY AVERTING A COLLISION WITH ONCOMING VEHICLE BEFORE I COULD GET IT PUSHED BACK UP INTO PLACE, WHEREUPON IT FELL AGAIN AND I HAD TO SWING IT OUT OF THE WAY TO DRIVE HOME...NO FRICTION TO HOLD IT UP OUT OF THE WAY....CALLED DEALERSHIP...SORRY...600 DOLLAR REPLACEMENT W/ HOMELINK..NO OTHER FIX AVAILABLE...DEFINITE DESIGN, ABSOLUTE SAFETY FLAW...WENT ONLINE TO RESEARCH AND NOTED THOUSANDS OF RESPONSES TO THIS EXACT PROBLEM FOR 2002 VEHICLE. I TRULY BELIEVE A RECALL IS WARRANTED. *TR

A/C BLOWS HOT AIR ON DRIVER SIDE WHEN IT SHOULD BLOW COLD AIR AS IT DOES WITH PASSENGER SIDE. *TR

COMPONENT: EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:AIR CONDITIONER SUMMARY: 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. I SENT AN EMAIL TO TOYOTA AND ALL I GOT BACK WAS THEY HAVEN'T HAD ANY RECALLS FOR THAT. THE PROBLEM WITH MY WIFE'S HIGHLANDER WAS THAT THE HEAT STOPPED WORKING DURING THE WINTER. THE ONLY WAY TO GET IT TO WORK WAS TO KEEP TURNING THE KNOB UNTIL IT WOULD START BLOWING WARM AIR, BUT IT WOULD NOT DO IT FOR LONG. THE A/C WORKED FINE ,BUT WHEN WINTER RETURNED, THERE WAS NO HEAT. IF THE WAS A CONTINUING PROBLEM, AND MORE DEALERS FOUND OUT ABOUT, WHY WEREN'T THEY DOING SOMETHING ABOUT IT. IF ONE COULD RESEARCH THIS I WOULD APPRECIATE IT. IF ANY BODY HAS ANY INFORMATION ON HOW TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM THANK YOU *TR

2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER DRIVER'S SIDE VISOR FALLS DOWN AND BLOCKS THE VISION OF THE DRIVER. TOYOTA'S SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM IS TO REPLACE THE VISOR AT A COST OF $600 PLUS LABOR. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY REPORTS OF THIS PROBLEM ACCORDING TO THE TOYOTA DEALER, YET TOYOTA HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL. *TR

02 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER DRIVERS SIDE SUN VISOR DROPS DOWN WHILE DRIVING $650 FOR A TOYOTA REPLACEMENT OR $450 AT THE AUTO WRECKERS , MANY PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME COMPLAINT. *TR

DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUN VISORS FALL DOWN INTO DRIVERS AND PASSENGER VIEW. SAFETY ISSUE WAS NOT RECOGNIZED BY VEHICLE MANUFACTURER. *TR

DRIVER SIDE VISOR HAS 2 POSITIONS ONLY. DOWN OR UP. CANNOT ADJUST FOR TALLER DRIVERS.