The 2002 Toyota Highlander has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 521,165 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 335 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the visibility. Last updated July 5, 2026.
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…
Consequence
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.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL SHORTEN THE CPL LEVER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 7, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
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…
Consequence
IN THE WORST CASE, NOZZLE BREAKAGE COULD RESULT IN FUEL LEAKAGE IF THE VEHICLE ROLLS-OVER AFTER A HIGH SPEED FRONTAL CRASH.
Remedy
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.
Complaints by component
VISIBILITY
108
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
29
11crashes2fires7injuries4deaths
STRUCTURE
23
VISIBILITY/WIPER
16
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
14
2crashes
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
11
1fires
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
10
1crashes3fires1injuries
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
10
1crashes1injuries
AIR BAGS
9
4crashes7injuries
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
9
Total complaints335
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“My air bag lite keeps poping on”
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“Accelerator sticiking. Vehicle accelerates at 4000 to 5000 rpms had vehice towed to toyota of bedford [REDACTED]”
“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…”
“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.”
“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.”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2002 Toyota Highlander as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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