CarRecallDB

2002 Toyota Highlander recalls and problems

2 recalls and 301 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2002 Toyota Highlander.

2
recalls
301
owner complaints
24
complaints mentioning a crash
6
mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2002 Toyota Highlander recalls

Latches/locks/linkages: doors, latch

NHTSA campaign 04V181000 · reported April 15, 2004 · TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC. · 366,572 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The risk
This condition could allow the door to be opened with the inside while the operator believes that the cpl was activated. If the door were opened from the inside while the vehicle was in motion, an occupant could fall out and be injured.
The fix
Dealers will shorten the cpl lever. Owner notification began may 7, 2004. Owners should contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331.

Fuel system, gasoline: storage, tank assembly, mounting

NHTSA campaign 02V208000 · reported July 30, 2002 · TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC. · 154,593 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The risk
In the worst case, nozzle breakage could result in fuel leakage if the vehicle rolls-over after a high speed frontal crash.
The fix
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.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Feb 27, 2020 · Air bags · 242,523 miles

MY AIR BAG LITE KEEPS POPING ON

May 29, 2019 · Electronic stability control (ESC) · fire reported

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 WARNING GOING UP AND DOWN.. BATTERY…

Jul 2, 2018 · Vehicle speed control

ACCELERATOR STICIKING. VEHICLE ACCELERATES AT 4000 TO 5000 RPMS HAD VEHICE TOWED TO TOYOTA OF BEDFORD [phone removed]

Dec 5, 2017 · Vehicle speed control · 240,000 miles · crash reported

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 IDLING A LITTLE HIGH .I RETURNED TOWARD WORK…

Aug 2, 2017 · Visibility/wiper

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

Highlander model years compared

YearRecallsComplaintsCrashesFires
2001 3137192
2002 2301246
2003 2258331
2004 5286323
2005 6224354

Across all years, the 2021 Highlander has the most complaints (533). All Toyota Highlander years →

Questions

Does the 2002 Toyota Highlander have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2002 Toyota Highlander, the most recent reported on April 15, 2004 (Latches/locks/linkages: doors, latch). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Toyota Highlander?
Owners have filed 301 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is visibility (123 complaints), followed by vehicle speed control (31).
How many 2002 Toyota Highlander complaints mention a crash or fire?
24 of 301 complaints report a crash and 6 a fire; 25 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received February 27, 2020.