2002 Toyota Highlander: Is It Reliable?
Problems, Recalls & Buyer Verdict
Shopping for a used 2002 Toyota Highlander? This page highlights owner-reported complaint patterns and recall history so you can inspect the right systems before buying. Current data includes 328 complaints, with Visibility as the top reported area.
2002 Toyota Highlander Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA-rated fuel economy across 4 2002 Toyota Highlander trim configurations. The median figure is shown; range reflects all available trims.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions. 4 trims analysed.
2002 Toyota Highlander Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star ProgramOfficial crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
Not RatedFrontal Crash
Not RatedSide Crash
Not RatedRollover
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2002 Toyota Highlander has 328 owner complaints, 27 crash-related complaints, and 2 recall campaigns on record. The most frequently reported component is Visibility. NHTSA reliability signal: Severe Issues.
- Make
- Toyota
- Model
- Highlander
- Model year
- 2002
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 328
- Crash-related complaints
- 27
- Safety recall campaigns
- 2
- Top reported component
- Visibility
- Reliability signal
- Severe Issues
- EPA MPG combined
- 19
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 17 / 22
- Fuel type
- Regular Gasoline
- NHTSA rollover rating
- 3/5 stars
- Electronic stability control
- Optional
Most Common 2002 Toyota Highlander Problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Visibility
Unintended Acceleration
Engine Problems
Complaint patterns center on Visibility, Unintended Acceleration, Engine Problems. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Should You Buy a Used 2002 Toyota Highlander?
The 2002 Toyota Highlander shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase.
Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report.
What to Check Before Buying a Used 2002 Toyota Highlander
Inspection Focus
- Inspect visibility components such as windshield, wipers, and mirrors.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for reported components like engine and transmission.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase.
Before You Close the Deal
- Inspect visibility components such as windshield, wipers, and mirrors.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for reported components like engine and transmission.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase.
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2002 Toyota Highlander, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
What the Complaint Data Suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
Complaints for the 2002 Toyota Highlander are concentrated in Visibility, with 125 reports. Unintended Acceleration and Engine Problems each account for 31 complaints. The data suggests potential issues with visibility components, but the low confidence level and limited model year range warrant caution.
- Visibility complaints dominate with 125 reports, far exceeding other categories.
- Unintended Acceleration and Engine Problems each have 31 complaints.
- There are 27 crash-related complaints out of 328 total.
- Visibility
- Unintended Acceleration
- Engine Problems
All 2002 Toyota Highlander Complaints by Category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2002 Toyota Highlander. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visibility | 125 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 31 | 11 | 2 | — | |
| Engine Problems | 31 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| Structural Problems | 25 | — | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 18 | — | — | — | |
| Brake System | 17 | 3 | — | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 16 | — | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 15 | 2 | — | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 14 | 8 | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 14 | 1 | 4 | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 13 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment | 11 | 1 | — | — | |
| Hydraulic | 8 | 2 | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Door Lock Issues | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Electric | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 2 | — | 1 | — | |
| Steering Defects | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Air | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Parking-Brake Issues | 2 | 2 | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment Adaptive/Mobility | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 1 | 1 | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Real Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2002 Toyota Highlander. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
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 W…
ACCELERATOR STICIKING. VEHICLE ACCELERATES AT 4000 TO 5000 RPMS HAD VEHICE TOWED TO TOYOTA OF BEDFORD 440-809-8399
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 IDLI…
DRIVER SIDE VISOR HAS 2 POSITIONS ONLY. DOWN OR UP. CANNOT ADJUST FOR TALLER DRIVERS.
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.
I HAVE HAD RECURRENT TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS THAT COST TH OUSANDS TO FIX BUT YET ARE NOT COMPLETELY RESOLVED.L JUST HAD MY TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY FAIL AFTER BEING SERVICED 17 MONTHS AGO. SINCE REPLACING IT, I STILL HAVE PROBLEMS WITH CLUNKING DIRT THING IN THE MORNING WHEN IT TRIE…
VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET GOING STRAIGHT SLIGHTLY DOWNHILL AND THEN UPHILL. THE WEATHER WAS CLEAR. SPEED WAS ABOUT 15-25 MPH. I WAS BRAKING TO SLOW THE CAR DOWN BUT THE CAR ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN ( TOYOTA CALLS IT "UNINTENDED ACCELERATION"). THE CAR CONTINUED ACCELE…
SUN VISORS FALL DOWN WHILE DRIVING. AT ANY GIVEN TIME WHILE DRIVING BOTH SUNVISORS WILL FALL COMPLETELY DOWN OBSTRUCTING VIEW OF THE ROAD AHEAD. VERY DANGEROUS.TOYOTA WILL NOT RECALL.
I PURCHASED AN ADDITIONAL SECURITY DEVICE. IF SOMEONE BREAKS A WINDOW, AN ALARM IS SUPPOSED TO GO OFF. YOU CAN TEST TO SEE IF IT WORKS BY HITTING YOUR CAR KEY AGAINST A CLOSED WINDOW & THE ALARM SHOULD GO OFF. IT HAS NEVER WORKED. AT TIME OF PURCHASE THE DEALERSHIP REMOVED THE C…
THE AIR BAG SENSOR STAY ON WHEN COLD. IT WILL NOT TURN OFF UNTIL CAR WORMS UP AND ENGINE IS SHUT DOWN AND RESTART. THE SUN VISOR WILL NOT STAY ON AND IT IS FALLING DOWN DURING DRIVING. BOTH ISSUES ARE SAFETY HAZARD
THIS IS THE FOURTH SUN VISOR ON THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THIS CAR WHICH WILL NO LONGER STAY UP BLOCKING MY VISION WHILE DRIVING. THE FIRST WAS REPLACED 09/03 AT ABOUT 22,600 MILES UNDER WARRANTY WITH A HOME LINK INCLUDED AS WAS THE ORIGINAL. THE SECOND REPLACEMENT WAS 01/07 AT 65,300…
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. IF THE ENGINE IS TURNED OFF ONCE WARM, AND THEN TURNED BACK ON, AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT TURNS OFF WITH ALL OTHER PANEL …
WHEN ENGAGING CAR IN REVERSE THE CAR WILL UNPREDICTABLY AT TIMES SUDDENLY ACCELERATE.
DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUN VISORS FALL DOWN INTO DRIVERS AND PASSENGER VIEW. SAFETY ISSUE WAS NOT RECOGNIZED BY VEHICLE MANUFACTURER. *TR
I DROVE VEHICLE CROWN TOYOTA FOR A MINOR SERVICE AND MENTIONED THAT THERE WAS DRIPPING OF COOLANT NOTICED ON THE GARAGE FLOOR. REQUESTED 'CHECK AND ADVISE' ON THIS. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 3.0 HOURS, I WENT TO THE SERVICE DESK FOR INFORMATION REGARDING LEAK. I WAS TAKEN TO T…
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. …
THE DRIVER SIDE VISOR DOES NOT STAY PROPPED UP IN THE FORWARD DIRECTION. IT DROPS DOWN TO A VERTICAL POSITION DOWNWARDS, WHERE IT BLOCKS THE DRIVER'S VIEW. *TR
MY PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE LIGHT IS INTERMITTENT AT BEST. REPLACED BULBS MANY TIMES, CLEANED CONTACTS, ETC...BUT NO HELP.ON-GOING PROBLEM . WAS REAR-ENDED DUE TO THIS EXACT PROBLEM. DRIVER SIDE BRAKE LIGHT FINE...IT IS ALWAYS PASSENGER SIDE. MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME EXACT ISS…
THE DRIVERS SIDE SUN VISOR NO LONGER STAYS FULLY UP. IT STAYS 1/2 DOWN WHICH BLOCKS VISIBILITY. IT SUDDENLY FALLS DOWN FURTHER, BLOCKING MY VIEW EVEN MORE, ESPECIALLY WHEN I BRAKE (EVEN LIGHT BRAKING), CHANGE LANES OR CHANGE VEHICLE SPEEDS. AFTER SEVERAL TIMES OF GETTING SCARED …
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2002 Toyota Highlander.
2002 Toyota Highlander Recalls
2 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2002 Toyota Highlander. 2 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
2002 Toyota Highlander Buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2002 Toyota Highlander reliable?▾
Severe Issues. NHTSA currently shows 328 owner complaints, 27 crash-related complaints, and 2 recall campaigns for this model year. The 2002 Toyota Highlander shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Toyota Highlander?▾
#1: Visibility (125 complaints). #2: Unintended Acceleration (31 complaints). #3: Engine Problems (31 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2002 Toyota Highlander?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2002 Toyota Highlander?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2002 Toyota Highlander, NHTSA complaints include 27 crash-related reports and 6 fire reports out of 328 total complaints. 27 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2002 Toyota Highlander have any recalls?▾
Yes. 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2002 Toyota Highlander. A major recall area is LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH. 2 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.
Should I buy a 2002 Toyota Highlander?▾
The 2002 Toyota Highlander shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report. Pay extra attention to Visibility during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Toyota Highlander reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Owner Reliability Rating
Rate the 2002 Toyota Highlander based on your ownership experience.
Add your rating:
Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Check the Exact Vehicle History Before You Buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.