Most common 2002 Toyota Highlander problems
Share of the 301 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Toyota Highlander complaints by model year
Best Highlander years: 2025, 2016, 2014. Years to avoid: 2021, 2019, 2023, 2022, 2020. Compare all years →
2002 Toyota Highlander recalls (2)
Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch
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.
Remedy: 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
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.
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…
What 2002 Toyota Highlander owners say
Windows, wipers & sunroof all 133 →
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 miles and the passenger one was replaced at the same time. These did not have the home link feature as it was too expensive. The problem recurred in 3/10 at 86,000 miles and was once again replaced. It is now 3/16 with 115,000 miles and the same problem as before exists. It falls right at eye level which impairs visibility. With the number of complaints Toyota has received on this and other models, a mandatory replacement is warranted.
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
Speed control & acceleration all 31 →
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 the next morning to scan the car for high idle .the car accelerated to over 100 MPH with my foot off the accelerater and both feet on the brake pedal I had to shut the car off tostop it I had it towed to work I scan it and found code c1203 which is a comunication fault from the ECM to the vehicle speed controller while researching the code I found that my car fell under a class action law suit for this problem I notifyed Toyota where they sent an outside adjuster out to examine the car he filed a report to Toyota saying there was no problem he did not mention the code in …
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 accelerating even though I was pressing the brakes as hard as I could and it was now going uphill.. To avoid crashing I put the car in neutral, and engaged the emergency brake and hazards. The engine raced in neutral and then stopped racing.. Toyota started a case file and inspected it. They said everything is working properly now, case closed and I can come get the car. I had it towed there and am afraid to drive it until something is fixed. It was a terrifying experience. I am concerned it could happen again or to other cars. …
Engine & cooling all 29 →
I purchased a new 2002 Toyota Highlander from sierra Toyota of lancaster, ca. I have experienced no problems with this vehicle until 25 jan. 2011 when the engine overheated while driving 40mph on city street. I took my vehicle to my mechanic and he informed me of a problem with the 2.4l 4cyl Toyota engines in which some of the head bolts become loose/stripped where they attach at the engine block. I called sierra Toyota of lancaster and they denied any knowledge of this problem. On further investigation, I discovered that sierra Toyota had a specialist servicing one of their vehicles by placing inserts into the stripped holes the very next day. Sierra Toyota refused to give me any monetary assistance in repairing my vehicle. …
May 17, 2002, I was in a car accident with my 3 month old 2002 Toyota Highlander. I was traveling in the right hand lane on highway 80 west bound between davis, ca and san francisco ca at 8:30 am. According to the police report from eye witnesses, my vehicle left the roadway without any brake lights, went through a cyclone fence, continued .10 miles and down into a ravine. Brake lights never came on and the car never slowed. I was life flighted to the john muir medical center trauma unit. I arrested in the helicopter. I suffered a significant traumatic brain injury, multiple fractures, including a shattered jaw and a paralyzed vocal chord. No other vehicle was involved in the incident.
2002 Toyota Highlander engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 19 / 25 / 22 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 17 / 22 / 19 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 17 / 21 / 18 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 16 / 21 / 18 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2002 Toyota Highlander a good car?
Based on 301 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2002 Highlander rates average: 1.4× as many complaints as a typical year of the Highlander at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2002 Toyota Highlander?
The windows, wipers & sunroof — 133 complaints, 44% of all complaints for this model year, most often about windshield. Next are the speed control & acceleration (31) and engine & cooling (29).
How many recalls does the 2002 Toyota Highlander have?
There are 2 recalls for the 2002 Toyota Highlander, the most recent from April 15, 2004 (latch). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Toyota Highlander?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2025, 2016 and 2014. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2021, 2019, 2023, 2022 and 2020. See the full Toyota Highlander years comparison.
At what mileage do 2002 Toyota Highlander problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 70,000 miles; 33% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.