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2002 Toyota Highlander Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2002 Toyota Highlander has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 8 recurring issue clusters, led by “Driver and passenger sun visors falling while driving.” Toyota's owner's manual splits service into Schedule 1 (severe) and Schedule 2 (normal). Most US drivers fall under Schedule 1 because it covers short trips, extreme temperatures, dusty roads, or heavy idling. The intervals below reflect Schedule 1 — the schedule Toyota recommends for typical real-world use.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2002 Toyota Highlander.

Reported to NHTSA

Driver and passenger sun visors falling while driving

VISIBILITY

100 NHTSA complaints · 2007-10 → 2017-08

“SUN VISOR KEEPS COMING DOWN AS IT AFFECTS MY VISION ON THE ROAD. *TR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10557870
“THE DRIVER'S SIDE VISOR ON MY 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER WILL NOT STAY IN THE UP POSITION AND FALLS INTO THE DRIVER'S VIEW WHEN DRIVING OVER BUMPS. *TR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10352197
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10366695

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Rear brake light inoperative despite new bulbs

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

12 NHTSA complaints · 2009-12 → 2014-11

“PASSENGER RIGHT REAR BRAKE INTERMITTENT. TOOK THE CAR TO MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER, THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. BULB, LIGHT SOCKET, WIRING, FUSE ALL CHECKED GOOD. THE ISSUE HAS NOT GONE AWAY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10456515
“THE RIGHT BRAKE LIGHT REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOES NOT WORK. I HAVE CHANGED ALL BULBS AND CHECKED FUSES. ALL OTHER LIGHT IN THE ASSEMBLY WORK JUST FINE TAIL,BACKUP,RIGHT BLINKER BUT WHEN YOUR PRESS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL THE LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10346711
“RIGHT REAR BRAKE LIGHT CONNECTION IS BAD. I HAVE CHANGED THE BULBS AND ALL OTHER LIGHTS ON THAT SIDE WORK. THE TAIL LIGHTS, HAZARDS, REVERSE AND TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS ALL WORK. THE ONLY LIGHT THAT CONTINUES TO NOT WORK IS THE BRAKE LIGHT LIGHTING UP WHEN THE PEDAL IS PUSHED DOWN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10315886

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Heater and A/C temperature control malfunction

EQUIPMENT

11 NHTSA complaints · 2007-11 → 2017-04

“A/C BLOWS HOT AIR ON DRIVER SIDE WHEN IT SHOULD BLOW COLD AIR AS IT DOES WITH PASSENGER SIDE. *TR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10225770
“THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL KNOW IN OUR 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER IS NOT WORKING CORRECTLY. THE VENTS BLOW COLD AIR WHEN THE DIAL IS SET TO THE HOTTEST SETTING. IT IS VERY HARD TO KEEP THE ICE FROM FORMING ON OUR WINDOWS WHEN WE DON'T HAVE HOT AIR BLOWING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10211296
“THE HOT/COLD KNOB IN MY 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. I RESEARCHED AND CALLED TOYOTA THEY SAID THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON IT AND THEY ONLY ISSUE THEM ACCORDING TO HOW MANY PARTS ARE SOLD TO REPAIR THAT VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10208056

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine coolant leak and overheating

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

9 NHTSA complaints · 2009-08 → 2015-04

“WHILE DRIVING ON A BUSY INTERSTATE, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO OVERHEAT, CAUSING THE NEED TO PULL OVER. THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE TEMPERATURE WAS AT ITS MAXIMUM AND WAS LOOSING COOLANT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10546722
“VEHICLE HAS TOYOTA 2AZ-FE (2.4 L) 4 CYLINDER ENGINE. OIL & COOLANT LEAKING FROM BACK OF ENGINE. HEAD BOLTS ON MAIN GASKET FAILED. IN SEARCHING INTERNET, COUNTLESS OTHER OWNERS HAVE UNFORTUNATELY EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE WHICH IS DUE TO AN INHERENT DESIGN PROBLEM BY TOYOTA”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10437708
“TL* THE CONTACTS OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD LEAK ANTIFREEZE AND THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10617928

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Automatic transmission failure

POWER TRAIN

10 NHTSA complaints · 2009-07 → 2017-04

“TRANSMISSION JUMPS IN 3RD GEAR, DEALER SAID MUST REPLACE. *TR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10552856
“I PLACED CAR INTO REVERSE TO BACK OUT OF PARKING SPOT. WHEN I SHIFTED INTO DRIVE, THE CAR REMAINED STUCK IN REVERSE. THE SHIFT LINKAGE WAS NO LONGER FUNCTIONING. I BACKED THE CAR INTO A PARKING SPOT IN THE CORNER OF THE PARKING LOT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10545020
“TOYOTA 2002 HIGHLANDER AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 77,754 MILES. REPLACED BY DEALER UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY AFTER PAYING $50 DEDUCTIBLE. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND NEEDS A RECALL. TOYOTA REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THEY HAVE A PROBLEM”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10411601

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Unintended acceleration and sticking accelerator

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

23 NHTSA complaints · 2010-01 → 2018-07

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 60 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10444584
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER LTD (N/A). WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH AND SPEEDING TO 70 MPH TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL STUCK AND WOULD NOT RELEASE. THE PASSENGER REMOVED THE FLOOR MATS BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE RAPIDLY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10358010
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10313787

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bag warning light on in cold weather

AIR BAGS

5 NHTSA complaints · 2010-02 → 2020-02

“AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES IN FREEZING TEMPS AND BLINKS AT DIFFERENT RATES. ONCE THE TEMPERATURE WARMS UP, UPON RESTART THE LIGHT NO LONGER BLINKS. I'M NOT SURE IF THIS WILL CAUSE A PROBLEM IF I NEED AIR BAG SUPPORT IN COLDER TEMPERATURES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10308559
“THE AIR BAGS DASHBOARD LIGHT BLINKS INTERMITTENTLY IN TEMPERATURES BELOW 20 F. DEALER SAYS TO BRING IN. TROUBLE IS WE NEED THE CAR FOR HOURS BEFORE THEY OPEN AND BY THAT TIME THE CAR HAS WARMED UP, THE CAR HAS BEEN TURNED ON AND OFF SEVERAL TIMES DURING ERRAND RUNNING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10516185
“AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ON DASHBOARD DOES NOT TURN OFF IN COLD WEATHER (20 DEGREES F, OR LOWER). THE WARNING WILL STAY ON EVEN WHEN ENGINE AND INTERIOR ARE WARM”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10838078

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bags not deploying in a collision

AIR BAGS

3 NHTSA complaints · 2011-04 → 2015-03

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH WHERE THE DRIVER SIDE WAS IMPACTED AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER AND TWO PASSENGERS SUFFERED HEAD AND BACK INJURIES AS A RESULT OF THE CRASH”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10395511
“2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. CONSUMER STATES AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING A COLLISION *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED A VAN PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF HUSBAND WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH. THE IMPACT WAS AT 45-50 MPH”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10448674
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK, LOWER BACK, AND CHEST INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10701181

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 5,000 mi

Replace 0W-20 full-synthetic oil and filter every 5,000 miles under Schedule 1, or 10,000 miles under Schedule 2. Toyota covers the first 2 oil changes through ToyotaCare.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 5,000 mi

Rotate tires every 5,000 miles. Toyota recommends rotation at every oil change to maximize tire life on FWD and AWD models.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 5,000 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, and parking brake every 5,000 miles. Toyota recommends measuring pad thickness at each service.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace DOT 3 brake fluid every 30,000 miles or 36 months. Critical for the integrity of the ABS, VSC, and brake assist systems.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace the engine air filter every 30,000 miles. Earlier under Schedule 1 if driven on unpaved roads.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 60,000 mi

Toyota labels ATF as 'lifetime fill' on most automatics, but recommends inspection and replacement every 60,000 miles under severe service. Use Toyota WS or Type-IV — no substitutes.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Spark Plugs

Every 120,000 mi

Toyota iridium-tipped spark plugs are rated for 120,000 miles. Earlier replacement reduces fuel economy and can cause misfires on direct-injection engines.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Super Long Life Coolant (SLLC)

Every 50,000 mi

Toyota SLLC (pink): first change at 100,000 miles, then every 50,000 miles. Do not substitute green or orange coolant — it will damage the cooling system seals.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace the cabin air filter every 30,000 miles, sooner in dusty climates. Located behind the glove box on most Toyota and Lexus models.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Serpentine / Drive Belt Inspection

Every 60,000 mi

Inspect the serpentine belt and tensioner every 60,000 miles. Toyota uses long-life EPDM belts that rarely fail before 100,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$195–$235

Shop

~$135–$165

DIY

~$20–$50

DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.

Timing Chain — No Replacement

On condition / lifetime

Toyota's 2AR-FE, 2GR-FKS, A25A-FKS, and most Toyota engines built since 2010 use a timing chain rated for the life of the engine. No scheduled replacement.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Pro only

Timing chains are normally lifetime. Listen for rattle on cold start — that's the actionable signal. Replacement is major work, quote separately.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

97 crashes 1990–2024

How the 97 occupant deaths break down

65

driver deaths

32

passenger deaths

97

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2001 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

27

complaints mentioning a crash

6

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2002 Toyota Highlander reflects Toyota's published service intervals and the Maintenance Required Light system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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