TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE PASSENGER REPLACED THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER AND, WITHOUT WARNING, IT EJECTED AND BURNED HIS HAND. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER FAILED TO OPERATE WHEN THE PASSENGER ATTEMPTED TO USE IT TO WARM HIS COFFEE. ON MAY 22, 2007, AN INSPECTOR FROM TOYOTA VIDEOTAPED AND DUPLICATED THE FAILURE, HOWEVER, HE WAS UNABLE TO DISCUSS HIS FINDINGS WITH THE CONTACT. ON JUNE 18, 2007, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A LETTER STATING THAT A FACTORY REPRESENTATIVE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND THE CASE WAS TRANSFERRED TO TOYOTA MOTOR SALES USA. THE CONTACT WAS GIVEN CASE NUMBER 200705071073 AND WAS INFORMED THAT HE WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR NOTIFYING TOYOTA MOTOR SALES USA FOR MORE DETAILS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,900 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 94,563.
2002 Toyota Highlander complaints
Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2002 record →
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH OR GREATER, THE SUN VISOR DROPPED TO A VERTICAL POSITION WHEN THE VEHICLE VIBRATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING AND MADE IT DIFFICULT FOR THE CONTACT TO SEE THE ROAD. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SUN VISOR CLIPS WERE DEFECTIVE. AS OF SEPTEMBER 4, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE SUN VISOR COULD DROP ON ANY VEHICLE MOVEMENT SUCH AS BUMPS IN THE ROAD, OR APPLYING THE BRAKES. THE SUN VISOR IN THE VERTICAL POSITION BLOCKS THE DRIVERS VIEW OF THE ROAD. UPDATED 09/18/07. *JB
SAFETY ISSUE WITH TOYOTA 2002 HIGHLANDER. THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR REPEATEDLY FALLS DOWN OBSCURING VISION OF THE ROAD LEADING TO POTENTIAL ACCIDENTS. *TR
SUN VISOR ON MY DRIVER SIDE OF MY 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER WILL STAY IN THE UP POSITION (AGAINST THE CEILING). ANY SLIGHT BUMP IN THE ROAD CAUSES IT FALL AND BLOCK MY VISION. IT'S QUITE A HAZARD! *JB
HAVE REGULARLY MAINTAINED MY VEHICLE WITH ALL REQUIRED AND SUGGESTED TOYOTA MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES, THROUGH THE DEALERSHIP, AND WITH ONLY 68,000 MILES, I NOW HAVE LEARNED I HAVE AN OIL LEAK BETWEEN THE MOTOR & TRANSMISSION. *JB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER VEHICLE HAS AN OIL LEAK, WHICH REQUIRES HER TO ADD OIL TO THE VEHICLE EVERY TWO DAYS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE, AND MILEAGE INFORMATION WERE UNKNOWN.
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. *AK
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER MUD FLAPS HAVE CRACKED. THE FLAPS HAVE NOT BEEN REPLACED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WILL NOT REPLACE THE MUD FLAPS FOR FREE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,000.
SUN VISORS ON 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDERS DID NOT STAY IN POSITION AND INTERFERED WITH DRIVER VISIBILITY- THE SUN VISORS WILL NOT STAY IN THE UP POSITION AND WILL DROP DOWN INTO THE DRIVER'S EYES WHILE DRIVING. FURTHERMORE, THE SUN VISORS WERE RENDERED USELESS AS THEY WILL NOT STAY IN POSITION WHEN IN USE. THE DRIVER IS FORCED TO EITHER NOT USE THE VISOR, A HAZARD WHEN DRIVING INTO THE SUN, OR MUST SLUMP DOWN IN THE SEAT AND USE THE VISOR IN THE COMPLETELY DOWN POSITION. BOTH THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER'S VISORS ARE AFFECTED. THIS WAS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH 2002 HIGHLANDERS AS DOCUMENTED ON OWNER'S WEB FORUMS. *AK
DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR ON THE 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER WILL NOT STAY UP. IT FALLS DOWN ON A REGULAR BASIS ,AND SOMETIME FALLS DOWN WHILE DRIVING, MOMENTARILY, OBSTRUCTING MY VIEW OF THE ROAD AHEAD. DEALERSHIPS QUOTED ME A COST UPWARDS OF $600, PARTS ONLY, TO REPLACE IT, AND I DIDN'T AND HAVE NEVER USED THE HOMELINK FEATURE, WHICH APPARENTLY WAS LARGELY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE RELATIVELY HIGH COST OF REPAIR.*AK
DRIVERS SIDE SUN VISOR FALL DOWN INTO DRIVERS VIEW WITHOUT WARNING, BLOCKING THE DRIVERS VIEW AND CREATING A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. THE DRIVERS VISOR WILL NOT STAY IN PLACE ON MY 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THERE IS NO VISIBLE DEFECT WITH THE VISOR AND NO DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE THAT CAUSED THIS PROBLEM TO START. JUDGING FROM THE WEB SITE "HTTP://WWW.TUNDRASOLUTIONS.COM/FORUMS/HIGHLANDER/47694-SUN-VISOR-PROBLEM/" THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH THIS PROBLEM. COST TO REPLACE THE VISOR WITH HOME LINK GARAGE DOOR OPENER IN IT COSTS OVER $600, CAUSING MANY PEOPLE TO TRY MANY DIFFERENT POOR METHODS OF FIXING THIS SAFETY PROBLEM. *JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO CHANGE THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE WITH THE JACK PROVIDED BY THE MANUFACTURER. THE JACK BENT FORWARD AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO LEAN TOWARDS HIM. HE BELIEVED THAT THIS WAS DUE TO METAL FATIGUE OF THE JACK. AS A RESULT, THE TIRE LANDED ON HIS LEFT FOOT AND TRAPPED IT UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. WHEN HE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, THEY SENT HIM A LETTER STATING THAT THE VEHICLE'S WEIGHT CAUSED THE JACK TO FAIL. NO OTHER OFFERS, EXPLANATIONS, OR REMEDIES HAVE BEEN MADE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 55,500 , AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000. *AK UPDATED 06/06/07 *TR
DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR HAS BEEN FALLING SLIGHTLY FROM IT'S RESTING POSITION ON THE HEADLINER. ON 4-20-07 THE VISOR FELL SUDDENLY ALL THE WAY DOWNWARD AND FULLY BLOCKED MY VIEW OF THE ROAD MOMENTARILY. I IMMEDIATELY WENT TO MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER FOR ADVISE ON THIS PROBLEM. HE THOUGHT THERE HAD BEEN A TSB ON THE VISOR BUT INDICATED THAT IT WAS THE LEXUS VERSION THAT HAD THE BULLETIN. I DO NOT KNOW THIS TO BE A FACT. THE NEW VISOR IN MY CASE IS COST PROHIBITIVE AT OVER 600.00. I AM NOT A SAFETY EXPERT BUT THIS SEEMS TO BE A SLAM DUNK SAFETY ISSUE AND NOT A "I WANT MY VISOR REPLACED FOR FREE" ISSUE. CLEARLY A DEFECT INVOLVING PUBLIC SAFETY. I SUSPECT SOME ACCIDENTS WOULD GET MORE ATTENTION-BUT WHY WAIT FOR ONE WHEN THIS PROBLEM IS SO WELL DOCUMENTED? *JB
SUN VISOR, WHEN FLIPPED FORWARD AS FAR AS IT COULD GO, WOULD IMMEDIATELY DROP DOWN TO A VERTICAL POSITION, THUS BLOCKING MY VIEW. I HAD TO BEND DOWN TO PEEK BELOW THE SUN VISOR. *JB
I HAVE OWNED A 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 4 CYLINDER, 2WD. MY CAR STALLED ON THE ROAD ABOUT TOW WEEKS AGO AND I HAD IT TOWED TO A TOYOTA DEALER. I HAVE TAKEN VERY GOOD CARE OF MY CAR AND CAN PROVIDE SOME PARTIAL PAPER WORK OF MY MAINTENANCE. THE DEALER IS TELLING ME THAT I NEED A NEW ENGINE, AND MY BILL WILL GO OVER $5000.00. IT HAS ONLY 77000 MILES AND NO PHYSICAL DAMAGE TO THE CAR (NO ACCIDENTS). I HAVE HEARD ABOUT THE OIL SLUDGE LAW SUIT BUT IT COVERS ONLY 6 CYL BUT NOT 4 CYL. COULD YOU PLEASE HELP ME OUT ON THIS ISSUE. THANKS. *JB
BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONT SUN VISORS BECOME UNABLE TO STAY IN A FIXED VERTICAL POSITION. BOTH HAVE STARTED TO FALL DOWN, WHICH BLOCKS THE DRIVER'S VIEW. THIS IS A VERY SEVERE HAZARD AND COULD CAUSE A WRECK. *NM
AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT COMES ON. DEFECTIVE CENTER AIRBAG SENSOR. *NM
2002 HIGHLANDER DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR FALLS DOWN UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE DRIVING AND AT TIMES WILL NOT REMAIN IN THE UP POSITION, THUS HINDERING VIEW AT TIMES. *JB
THE SUN VISOR ON MY 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER KEEPS FALLING DOWN INTO MY SIGHT OF VISION. I BELIEVE TOYOTA AND YOUR OFFICE SHOULD INVESTIGATE THIS INCIDENT. IT IS BECOMING A SAFETY HAZARD AND IT IS VERY WIDE SPREAD ON MANY OF TOYOTA VEHICLES. YOU ONLY HAVE TO SEARCH THE INTERNET TO SEE HOW MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS THEY ARE . *JB
FAILURE OF DRIVERS SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE SUN VISORS TO STAY IN THEIR NON- USE POSITION. BOTH VISORS FALL WITHOUT ASSISTANCE AND BLOCK VISION CAUSING A SAFETY ISSUE. *NM
2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR CONTINUALLY FALLS DOWN WHILE DRIVING. SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE WHEN IT HAPPENS IT BLOCKS THE DRIVERS VIEW UNEXPECTEDLY. *JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AT 10 MPH, UPON APPLYING BRAKE PRESSURE, THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING, AND CRASHED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT, AND NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THERE WAS MODERATE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE POLICE WERE ALERTED, BUT A REPORT WAS NOT TAKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP FOR INSPECTION OF THE BODY DAMAGE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED. UPDATED 12/12/06. *JB
BOTH DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE SUN VISORS FALL DOWN IN YOUR FACE WHILE DRIVING. OBSCURES VIEW AND THERE COULD BE AN ACCIDENT. DEALER WANTS $667.00 TO REPLACE. TOYOTA CORPORATION SHOULD PAY FOR IT. *NM
2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER TIRES MADE NOISES AND VIBRATED IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE BALANCED. *KB THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THIS WAS A NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THE TIRE WERE NOISY AND THE CONSUMER HAD THEM REPLACED. *NM
EXC. VIBRATION IN FRT. AXLE ASSY. VIBRATION CAN ONLY BE FELT OR HEARD IN VEHICLE CAB AT THE FOLLOWING SPEEDS 38-43, 53-55,61-65 AND ABOVE. SOMETIMES AT THE LOWER SPEEDS. THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN COMMONWEALTH OF P. R. AND SHIPPED TO THE U. S. DURING THE OWNERSHIP OF THIS VEHICLE, I HAVE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO GET ANY OF THE DEALERS IN P. R. OR U. S. TO REPAIR IT. COMPLAINED IN P.R. AND STATED TIRES BALANCED. ALWAYS TIRES PROBLEMS. VIBRATION IN THE STEERING AND CAB AREA. THE NOISE, DRIVE YOU NUTS ,HEARING AND FEELING IT IN STEERING .WHEN RELOCATING TO ILL.,TOOK TO CLOSES DEALER, PEORIA TOYOTA. SEVERAL MONTHS WAIT FOR THEIR COMPUTER SYSTEM. PEORIA TOYOTA WORK ON THE VEHICLE AND STATED TIRES BAD. TIRES REPLACE AND STILL PROBLEMS. REPLACED THE TIRES . SO, I REPLACED TIRES AND FOUND SAME VIBRATION AS BEFORE AND CURT BAUNGART STATED THE WAS THE CHARACTERISTIC OF THIS VEHICLE, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE STILL VIBRATED IN THE FRONT AXLE ASSEMBLE AND IS GETTING WORST WITH MILES ADDED. TOYOTA HAS A PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AND REFUSES TO HONOR THEIR WARRANTY. I FILED TWO ARBITRATION HEARING ON THIS VEHICLE AND HAVE FILED THE COMPLAINT WITH LISA MADIGAN'S OFFICE OF THE ATTY. GEN. THEY TOLD ME AND I QUOTE FROM THEIR LETTER" BECAUSE THIS FILE APPEARS TO FALL WITHIN YOUR JURISDICTION, WE ARE REFERRING IT TO YOUR AGENCY FOR YOUR INFORMATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION. BY COPY OF THIS LETTER, WE ARE INFORMING THE COMPLAINANT OF THIS REFERRAL" END OF QUOTE. LETTER DATED AUGUST 22, 2006. LISA MADIGAN HAS A
SUN VISOR ON BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES ARE DEFECTIVE. THEY KEEP FALLING DOWN AND NOTHING I'VE TRIED WILL KEEP THEM IN PLACE. THIS IS A MAJOR HAZARD AS IT COULD REALLY HURT SOMEBODY IN AN ACCIDENT. THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. SEE FOLLOWING LINKS: HTTP://WWW.TUNDRASOLUTIONS.COM/FORUMS/HIGHLANDER/47694-SUN-VISOR-PROBLEM/ HTTP://WWW.TUNDRASOLUTIONS.COM/FORUMS/HIGHLANDER/47694-SUN-VISOR-PROBLEM-2/ TOYOTA CHARGES OVER $600 FOR THE DRIVER'S SIDE, WHICH WE CANNOT AFFORD. *NM
SAFETY PROBLEM/ACCIDENT POTENTIAL: DRIVERS SIDE SUN VISOR PROBLEM. VISOR DOES NOT STAY IN UPRIGHT (AGAINST THE ROOF) POSITION. WHEN DRIVING, IT CAUSES A SAFETY HAZARD BY BLOCKING MY VIEW OF THE ROAD BECAUSE IT FALLS DOWN INTO THE VERTICAL POSITION. *JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE SUN VISOR ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE WILL NOT LOCK AND FALLS DOWN INTO THE OCCUPANT'S VIEW LIMITING VISIBILITY. THE DEALER DETERMINED THE ROD WITHIN THE VISORS WERE FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT ALERTED. UPDATED 9/13/2006 - THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURE ADVISED THE CONSUMER TO CONTACT THE DEALER. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS NO METHOD TO REPAIR THE VISORS AND THAT THEY HAD TO BE REPLACED. *NM
I PURCHASED A 2001 HIGHLANDER, WHICH THE DMV CLAIMS IS 2002 (DESPITE THE FACT THAT TOYOTA SOLD IT TO ME USED AS A 2001 HIGHLANDER). ITS SUN VISOR WON'T STAY IN PLACE AND KEEPS HANGING DOWN, IMPAIRING MY VISIBILITY, MOSTLY THE TRAFFIC LIGHTS. IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. IT COSTS OVER $600 TO REPLACE THE VISOR WITHOUT WARRANTY AND IT REALLY SHOULD BE DONE FOR FREE, GIVEN HOW MANY OTHER PEOPLE I KNOW WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *JB
TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 2002 DRIVER SIDE VISOR DOES REMAIN IN POSITION. IT FALLS TO FULL DOWNWARD POSITION, BLOCKING VIEW TO ROAD. *NM
BOTH SUN VISORS ON MY 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HAVE COME LOOSE DUE TO A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. THEY WILL FALL WHILE DRIVING AND OBSCURE THE DRIVER'S VISION, CREATING A SAFETY ISSUE. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. *JB
2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER DRIVERS SIDE SUN VISOR FALLS WITHOUT WARNING. THE VISOR FALLS DOWN WILL NOT STAY UP. WHEN THIS HAPPENS YOUR VISION IS UNEXPECTEDLY BLOCKED. I HAVE TRIED SECURING THE VISOR BUT NOTHING HELPS. *NM
DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR WILL NOT STAY UP. DROPS DOWN WHILE DRIVING BLOCKING DRIVER'S VIEW OF THE RODE. PER TOYOTA DEALER, NEW SUN VISOR REQUIRED AT A COST OF $600 PLUS LABOR. *NM
DRIVER-SIDE SUN VISOR KEEPS FALLING STRAIGHT DOWN, AND CAUSES NEARLY NO VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME PROBLEM WITH THE '02 HIGHLANDERS. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL AS IT CAN CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. *JB
THE DRIVER SUN VISOR IS VERY LOOSE AND OFTEN DROPS DOWN WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. SOMETIMES THIS IS JUST A DISTRACTION BUT CAN EASILY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *JB
2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER - DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR WILL NOT STAY IN THE UP POSITION AND WILL NOT STAY IN THE SUN SHADE POSITION. IT FALLS HALF WAY AND IS RIGHT IN THE LINE OF SIGHT OF THE DRIVER. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY UNSAFE CONDITION. HTTP://WWW.TUNDRASOLUTIONS.COM/FORUMS/HIGHLANDER/47694-SUN-VISOR-PROBLEM-2/ TOYOTA CLAIMS THAT THIS IS A WARRANTY ISSUE. THERE ARE MANY RECORDED CASES OF THIS PROBLEM AND TOYOTA IS NOT ADMITTING THAT THERE IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *NM
DRIVERS AND PASSENGER SUN VISORS FALL DOWN OBSCURING VISION WHEN GOING OVER SLIGHTEST BUMP IN THE ROAD - THERE ARE NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS ON THE TUNDRASOLUTIONS.COM WEBSITE. *JB
I HAVE A 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER THAT HAS A DRIVER SIDE VISOR THAT WILL NOT STAY UP AND A PASSENGER THAT POPS DOWN EVERY TIME I HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD. MY DEALER WANTS TO SPLIT THE COST WHICH IS OVER $600 (HOMELINK VERSION) AND A LESS FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE. THIS PROBLEM BEGAN 18 MONTHS AGO WHEN I HAD ONLY 40,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE - JUST OUT OF MANUFACTURES WARRANTY - THIS ALSO WAS NOT COVERED UNDER MY 100000 MILE EXTENDED WARRANTY. I SEE MANY OTHER OWNERS HAVE REPORTED THIS PROBLEM. WITHOUT THE VISOR IT IS DIFFICULT TO DRIVE INTO THE SUN AT RUSH HOUR. ALSO, WITH IT FALLING DOWN ALL THE TIME IT IS DANGEROUS TO NOT LEAVE TIED UP AND UNUSABLE. *NM
TOYOTA HIGHLANDER SUN VISOR DOES NOT STAY IN PLACE AND SUDDENLY DROPS DOWN; IMPAIRING DRIVER'S VISION. *NM
MY HIGHLANDER LIMITED 2002 HAS A DESIGN FLAW. THE SUN VISOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE KEEPS FALLING DOWN UNDER ROAD LOAD OBSTRUCTING FIELD OF VISION. THE SUNGLASS HOLDER DOES THE SAME THING. TOYOTA NEEDS TO MAKE A RECALL ON THESE ITEMS AND FIX THEM. *JB
2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER STALL-REDUCE SPEED TO 1000/2000 RPM AND SHUT OFF ENGINE DURING COLD/HOT WEATHER. *JB
SHORTLY AFTER THE EXPIRATION OF THE MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY, MY 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER BEGAN EXPERIENCING THE FOLLOWING PROBLEM. THE SUN VISORS ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE HAS BECOME LOOSE AND OPENS UP WHEN THE VEHICLE TRAVELS OVER EVEN THE SLIGHTEST BUMP ON THE ROAD. THE UNEXPECTED DROPPING OF THE SUN VISORS IN THE DRIVER'S FIELD OF VISION IS AT BEST DISTRACTING AND AT WORST ACCIDENT CAUSING. LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WANTS TO CHARGE $600 TO REPLACE JUST THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR. I BELIEVE THAT TOYOTA SHOULD RECALL MY VEHICLES AND OTHERS WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS AND REPLACE THE DANGEROUSLY DEFECTIVE SUN VISORS FREE OF CHARGE. *JB
DRIVER SIDE VISOR WILL NOT STAY UP, KEEPS FALLING DOWN AND DISTRACTING ME. THE PROBLEM IS INSIDE THE VISOR, I RARELY USE THE VISOR, BUT IT DOES HAVE THE HOMELINK GARAGE DOOR OPENER, WHICH I USE DAILY. *NM
DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR SWINGS DOWN FROM REST POSITION TO BLOCK VIEW. WE USE VISOR NORMALLY UNTIL IT SUDDENLY GAVE UP AND DID NOT STAY IN ANY POSITION OTHER THAN HANGING STRAIGHT DOWN. WE DO NOT HANG ANYTHING ON THE VISOR TO CAUSE A LOAD. IT JUST SIMPLY "HANG LOOSE" NOW. WHEN I (MALE 5' 11") AM DRIVING, THE VISOR WOULD RANDOMLY AND OFTEN FLIP DOWN RIGHT IN FRONT OF MY EYES BLOCKING MY VIEW. THIS WOULD BE AN EQUIVALENCE TO SOME ONE STICKING THEIR HANDS IN YOUR FACE WHILE YOU DRIVE. THIS DEFINITELY DISTRACTS ME AND CAUSES ME TO TAKE MY EYES OFF THE ROAD. I AM AFRAID THAT THIS WILL EVENTUALLY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AT ANY SPEED. SINCE WE DRIVE LONG DISTANCE WITH THIS CAR, OUR WARRANTY WAS OVER QUICK AND WAS NOT COVERED. I AM CURRENTLY HOLDING IT UP WITH VELCRO JUST SO IT WOULD STAY OUT OF THE WAY. IF IT WASN'T FOR THE HOMELINK SYSTEM ON IT, I WOULD HAVE REMOVED IT ALREADY. THE VISOR IS USELESS TO ME SINCE I CAN NOT TILT IT TO BLOCK THE SUN. IT CAN ONLY HANG AND THAT IT TOO LOW FOR ME TO DRIVE SAFELY. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING MY LITTLE KIDS IN THIS CAR AND HAVE BOUGHT MINI VAN TO DO SO. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT NHTSA AND TOYOTA SHOULD LOOK INTO CORRECTING. I KNOW THERE ARE MANY OTHERS WITH THE SAME EXACT ISSUE, BUT THEY DO NOT KNOW TO VOICE THEIR CONCERNS HERE. PLEASE RESEARCH THIS DEFECT AND HAVE IT CORRECTED BEFORE SOME ONE GET HURT OR KILLED. THANK YOU. *JB
TOYOTA 2002 HIGHLANDER DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR KEEPS FALLING DOWN AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE CAR. *JB
DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR WILL NOT STAY IN POSITION. IT WILL ONLY HANG STRAIGHT DOWN, BLOCKING THE VIEW OF THE DRIVER. VISOR HAS NOT BEEN USED IN ANY UNUSUAL MANNER - THE TENSION IN THE VISOR IS SIMPLY GONE. *JB
PAST COUPLE OF MONTHS HAVE SEEN SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE TAILPIPE. SLUDGE HAS BUILT UP AND CLOGGED THE PVC SYSTEM AND INSIDE OF THE VALVE COVER CAUSING OIL TO SIT INSIDE AND DAMAGED THE VALVE SEALS. DEALER WANTS TO CLEAN THE SLUDGE UNDER THE VALVE COVERS AND REPLACE THE VALVE SEALS - COST OF 3,900.00. *NM
WITHIN A MONTH, BOTH SUN VISORS STARTED FALLING/ROTATING ON THEIR OWN. WHILE DRIVING, THIS CAN BLOCK YOUR VISION AND NOT ALLOW A 'FULL' VIEW OF WHAT'S AHEAD OF YOU. THE DEALERSHIP I CALLED JUST PUT ME THROUGH TO THE 'PARTS' DEPT. AN EMAIL FROM TOYOTA SAID IT WAS MY PROBLEM. THE SUN VISORS HAVE SEEN NOTHING BUT "NORMAL" USE. *NM
IN 30 MPH HIGHWAY TRAFFIC, SEVERAL CARS STOPPED SUDDENLY. I QUICKLY STOMPED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. IT SEEMED LIKE THE WHEELS LOCKED UP, ESPECIALLY THE LEFT FRONT (LIKE SKATING ON ICE AND APPLYING YOUR TOE PICK (BRAKE)). THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. CAME VERY CLOSE TO HITTING THE PERSON IN FRONT OF ME AND GETTING HIT FROM BEHIND. THERE IS NO DRIVER CONTROL OF THE BRAKES IN SUDDEN STOPS. THIS HAS HAPPENED MORE THAN ONCE AND IS VERY SCARY. *JB
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE VEHICLE HAD 49,000 MILES ON IT WHEN HE PURCHASED IT. RECENTLY HE RECEIVED A LETTER FROM THE MOTOR VEHICLE DIVISION WHICH STATED THAT THE MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE WAS INCORRECT. THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD 84,000 MILES ON IT. THE PREVIOUS OWNER OF THE VEHICLE WAS A LEASING COMPANY. THE MOTOR VEHICLE DIVISION TOLD THE CONTACT TO FILL OUT A FORM AND THEY WILL CORRECT THE MILEAGE. THE CONTACT WAS UNHAPPY BECAUSE HE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE THINKING HE HAD 49,000 MILES NOT 84,000 MILES. THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD PURCHASED THE VEHICLE ON 1-22-05 , AND THE ODOMETER READ 84,045 MILES. THE CONTACT PURCHASED IT ON 2-19-05 AND THE ODOMETER SHOWED 49,345 MILES. *AK
Reading these
NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Full record for the 2002 Toyota Highlander → · Every Highlander year → · How the figures are calculated →