Toyota Highlander Complaints (2002)

301 consumer complaints on file.

#10622430August 15, 2014
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE IN 2002. A YEAR LATER NOTICED THAT THE IDLE CONTROLLER HAD PROBLEM. WHEN STARTED THE ENGINE IN THE MORNING, THE IDLE WENT DOWN VERY LOW AND THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN AUTOMATICALLY. AT FIRST IT HAPPENED NOT FREQUENTLY. PAST TWO YEARS I TOOK TO A DEALER FOR MAYOR TUNEUP, THE SYMPTOM STILL RESISTED. TOLD THE DEALER AND THERE WAS NO ACTIONS AT ALL. NOW IT HAPPENS MORE FREQUENTLY. USUALLY IF IT HAPPENS, STEP ON THE GAS PEDDLE ( OVER 2K RPM) FOR A FEW SECONDS. SOMETIMES THE IDLE RETURNS TO NORMAL; BUT MOST OF THE TIMES, THE IDLE SETS VERY LOW. I THINK THE IDLE CONTROL FOR THIS MODEL SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10617928July 31, 2014
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACTS OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD LEAK ANTIFREEZE AND THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DISCOVERED THAT THE MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10609772July 11, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
ENGINE ACCELERATING WHEN BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10606310June 30, 2014
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
LETTER FROM CONGRESSMAN CARTWRIGHT ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT RE TOYOTA CONCERNS. *SMD 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO TRADE THE VEHICLE, SHE WAS INFORMED THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE FEDERAL CASH FOR CLUNKER PROGRAM, AND THERE WAS POTENTIAL ODOMETER FRAUD.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10605503June 24, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35MPH, THE ACCELERATOR CABLE DISCONNECTED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED IN TO STOP THE VEHICLE FROM MOVING FORWARD. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE WRONG CABLE WAS PLACED IN VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION BECAME DEFECTIVE AS A RESULT OF ENGAGING THE BRAKES WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS ACCELERATING. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10584422April 23, 2014
VISIBILITY/WIPER
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE SUN VISOR WOULD CONTINUE TO FALL. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE SUN VISOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10572799March 17, 2014
ENGINE, SERVICE BRAKES, STEERING
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10566968March 4, 2014
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AS A STRONG ODOR OF ENGINE OIL AND FUEL EMITTED FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE ENGINE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO ENGINE SLUDGE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,800.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10558864January 7, 2014
VISIBILITY
SUBMISSION FROM CONSTITUENT RE DEFECTIVE VISOR/ SAFETY PROBLEMS 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER ( FULL DOCUMENT NOT IMAGED). *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED ABOUT FOUR MONTHS AGO, THE PASSENGER SIDE VISOR WOULD NOT REMAIN IN THE UP POSITION, AND APPROXIMATELY TWO WEEKS LATER, THE SAME THING HAPPENED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10557870December 30, 2013
VISIBILITY
SUN VISOR KEEPS COMING DOWN AS IT AFFECTS MY VISION ON THE ROAD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10556635December 19, 2013
VISIBILITY/WIPER
WHEN DRIVING THE 2002 HIGHLANDER, THE DRIVER SIDE VISOR DROPPED DOWN AND HIT THE DRIVER ON THE NOSE AND OBSTRUCTED VISION OF THE ROAD. TOYOTA REPLACED THE VISOR ONCE YEARS BEFORE, BUT WILL NOT DO SO AGAIN BECAUSE IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. NO REPAIR IS POSSIBLE, SO IT MUST BE REPLACED AT A COST OF MORE THAN $800.00 FOR THE VISOR (WITH GARAGE DOOR OPENER) PART ONLY. THE VISOR IS NOW FALLING DOWN DUE TO A POOR HINGE, AND IS A CONSTANT HAZARD. MANY OTHER OWNERS OF THE SAME TOYOTA REPORT THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10552856November 19, 2013
POWER TRAIN
TRANSMISSION JUMPS IN 3RD GEAR, DEALER SAID MUST REPLACE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10546722October 4, 2013
ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING ON A BUSY INTERSTATE, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO OVERHEAT, CAUSING THE NEED TO PULL OVER. THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE TEMPERATURE WAS AT ITS MAXIMUM AND WAS LOOSING COOLANT. AFTER SEVERAL INSPECTIONS, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE HEAD GASKET HAD BLOWN AT SUCH LOW OVERALL VEHICLE MILEAGE DUE TO THE ENGINE HEAD BEING MADE OF ALUMINUM AND THE BLOCK BEING MADE OF STEEL. THIS ALSO CAUSED THE VEHICLE HEAD BOLT THREADS TO BE STRIPPED, RESULTING IN THE NEED FOR A NEW ENGINE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10545020September 23, 2013
POWER TRAIN
I PLACED CAR INTO REVERSE TO BACK OUT OF PARKING SPOT. WHEN I SHIFTED INTO DRIVE, THE CAR REMAINED STUCK IN REVERSE. THE SHIFT LINKAGE WAS NO LONGER FUNCTIONING. I BACKED THE CAR INTO A PARKING SPOT IN THE CORNER OF THE PARKING LOT. WHEN I STOPPED THE ENGINE I COULD NO LONGER START THE ENGINE AS IT WAS STUCK IN REVERSE. I CALLED A TOW TRUCK. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER WAS ABLE TO PLACE THE TRANMISSION INTO NEUTRAL (USING A WRENCH ON THE TRANSMISSION) ENABLING THE CAR TO BE PUSHED FORWARD. THE CAR WAS THEN PLACED ON THE TOW TRUCK AND TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE CABLE AND SHIFT MECHANISM REQUIRED REPLACEMENT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10543444September 13, 2013
SEAT BELTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT THREAD WAS DETERIORATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT BELTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO OFFERED TO PAY FOR HALF OF THE REPAIR COSTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 170,848.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10533735August 5, 2013
VISIBILITY/WIPER
SUN VISOR ON DRIVER'S SIDE UNEXPECTEDLY FALLS DOWN. I HAVE ALMOST REAR ENDED A FEW VEHICLES ON THE HIGHWAY AND SURFACE STREETS DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM FOR ME AND IS GETTING MORE AND MORE SERIOUS. I SEE THAT THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE FOR THIS YEAR TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. HOW MANY COMPLAINTS DOES NHTSA/TOYOTA HAVE TO RECEIVE BEFORE THIS IS CONSIDERED A SAFETY ISSUE? HOW MANY DEATHS? I WAS QUOTED $750 BY A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE VISOR REPLACED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10532890July 31, 2013
POWER TRAIN
TOOK OFF AND PULLED INTO TRAFFIC WHEN THE TRANSMISSION QUIT WORKING. TRIED AGAIN AND IT WORKED. DANGEROUS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10521626June 25, 2013
ENGINE
I WAS DRIVING MY 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER ON THE HIGHWAY AND WAS ACCELERATING TO PASS A CAR WHEN I HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AREA, ALL THE LIGHTS ON MY DASH CAME ON AND MY CAR STALLED. I STRUGGLED WITHOUT THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES TO GET MY CAR OVER 2 LANES OF FAST MOVING TRAFFIC AND GET IT ONTO THE EXIT RAMP. MY AUTO HAD DRASTICALLY SLOWED DUE TO ENGINE NOT WORKING AND I WAS ALMOST HIT SEVERAL TIMES AS CARS FLEW AROUND AND PAST ME. I FINALLY MANAGE TO GET IT OFF THE HIGHWAY AND INTO A SAFE SPOT, BUT IT WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT BECAUSE I HAD LOST ALL POWER AND HAD NO POWER STEERING OR POWER BRAKES. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER. I AM ONLY THE SECOND OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE AND I KNOW THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND HE TOOK VERY GOOD CARE OF THIS CAR DOING ALL THE MAINTENANCE HIMSELF AND USING ONLY TOYOTA PARTS. THE DEALER SAYS MY ENGINE IS RUINED BUT HE NEVER MENTIONED ANYTHING ABOUT THE PROBLEMS THEY HAVE HAD WITH THESE ENGINES AND SLUDGE AND ENGINE FAILURE. THE ORIGINAL OWNER SAYS HE NEVER RECEIVED ANYTHING FROM TOYOTA ABOUT THE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT NOR ANY OF THE FIXES FOR THE SLUDGE/ENGINE FAILURE PROBLEM. I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED AND AM LUCKY I WAS NOT. TOYOTA SHOULD HAVE RECALLED ALL THESE ENGINES AND FIXED OR REPLACED THEM INSTEAD OF JUST SECRETLY FIXING THEM, ONLY WHEN FORCED TO BY THE CUSTOMER FOR ONLY 8 YEARS. FACT IS, IF THE ORIG OWNER HADN'T BABIED THE CAR, THE ENGINE WOULD HAVE GONE MUCH SOONER. SO BECAUSE HE TOOK GOOD CARE OF IT, I AM S-O-L BECAUSE THE 8 YEAR EXTENDED WARRANTY IS UP. I GUESS THE REAL TRUTH IS THAT TOYOTA MAKE ITS CARS TO LAST LONGER THAN 8 YEARS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10516185June 11, 2013
AIR BAGS
THE AIR BAGS DASHBOARD LIGHT BLINKS INTERMITTENTLY IN TEMPERATURES BELOW 20 F. DEALER SAYS TO BRING IN. TROUBLE IS WE NEED THE CAR FOR HOURS BEFORE THEY OPEN AND BY THAT TIME THE CAR HAS WARMED UP, THE CAR HAS BEEN TURNED ON AND OFF SEVERAL TIMES DURING ERRAND RUNNING. AFTER WHICH TIME, THE WARNING LIGHT IS NOT SHOWING. 1-TROUBLE IS WE ARE NOT ASSURED THIS IS JUST A WARNING LIGHT ISSUE WHICH MEANS IT'S OKAY TO USE WHILE LIGHT IS FLASHING. NOR DO WE KNOW IF THIS MEANS THE AIR BAGS MAY BE DEFECTIVE AND NOT WORK IN ANY CONDITIONS!? 2-THE DEALER CLAIMS TO NOT BE AWARE OF THIS ISSUE ALTHOUGH A SIMPLE SEARCH OF THE INTERNET SHOWS THE SAME ISSUE--THEIR ANSWER? "WE DIDN'T FIND ANY CODES WHEN WE TESTED IT". 3-THIS ISSUE SHOWED SEVERAL TIMES WHILE OUR CAR WAS COVERED UNDER THE PLATINUM WARRANTY AT THE TIME THEY FIRST "TESTED" FOR PROBLEMS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10508718April 18, 2013
ENGINE
LAST SATURDAY 4/13/13 THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR STARTED SHAKING AND MAKING A WEIRD NOISE. I HAVEN'T DRIVEN IT SINCE THEN WHEN I PARKED IT IN THE DRIVEWAY. I DIDN'T EVEN TRUST IT TO PARK IT IN THE GARAGE BECAUSE IT SMELLED HOT. WHITE SMOKE AND THE SMELL OF EXHAUST HAS BEEN COMING OUT OF THE EXHAUST. TODAY WAS THE SOONEST I COULD GET IT LOOKED AT (BY A TRUSTED LOCAL REPAIR SHOP) AND I WAS JUST TOLD IT'S AN INTERNAL ENGINE PROBLEM. I SEE THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH THIS ENGINE AND BECAUSE OF A CLASS ACTION SUIT TOYOTA HAS HAD TO REPLACE THE ENGINE IN CARS 8 YEARS AND NEWER, I DON'T QUALIFY. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED BY TOYOTA OF THIS PROBLEM....AND I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. I HAVE REPLACED 3 OXYGEN SENSORS AND THE AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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