Toyota Highlander Complaints (2002)

301 consumer complaints on file.

#10444584January 19, 2012
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 60 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE CONTACT HAD TO COMPLETELY TURN OFF THE ENGINE IN ORDER TO GET THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ACCELERATOR CABLE WAS STUCK IN THE FORWARD POSITION AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 210,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10438512December 4, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO WHITE SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE. LAST WEEK, ON A TRIP WITHIN 400 MILES OF MY HOME, THE ENGINE AND VSC LIGHT CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED TOYOTA AND WAS TOLD THAT THE CAR COULD STOP SUDDENLY AND LEAVE US STRANDED SO I MADE AN APPT FOR MONDAY MORNING. THE CAR RODE VERY ROUGH FOR THE LAST TWO HOURS AND IT SEEMED AS IF IT IS READY TO STALL ANYTIME. TOYOTA CHARGED ME $ 321.00 FOR A COMPRESSION AND DIAGNOSTICS TEST. TOYOTA FOUND THAT I HAD LOW COMPRESSION. TOYOTA ALSO OFFERED TO TAKE APART MY ENGINE FOR 2667.00 TO SEE IF THE RINGS WERE DAMAGED. I REFUSED THE WORK AND PICKED UP MY CAR. WE CALLED AN ENGINE REPAIR BUSINESS. THE OWNER KNEW THE MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR OF MY CAR AND ASKED IF WE HAD JUST HIT THE 100,000 MILE MARKER. WE HAD. HE TOLD US OF THE OIL SLUDGE PROBLEM, SETTLEMENT AND FAULTY ALUMINUM ENGINES. I HAVE RESEARCHED SIMILAR CHARACTERISTICS WITH THE HIGHLANDER AND SEE THAT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THE 2002 HIGHLANDER. THE SLUDGE SITUATION WOULD ONLY BE COVERED IF IT WAS WITHIN 8 YEARS OF THE PURCHASE DATE. WHAT ABOUT THE MANY CONSUMERS WHO STILL HAVE THIS PROBLEM AND IT IS PAST THE EIGHT YEARS? I BOUGHT THIS HIGHLANDER IN 2005, HAD IT SERVICED REGULARLY AND WE ALSO CHANGED THE OIL OURSELVES. IN 2008 I BROUGHT THE CAR INTO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP FOR A TUNE UP AND AN OIL CHANGE PRIOR TO A LONG TRIP. ON THE WAY HOME, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WE PULLED OVER TO A LOCAL GAS STATION AND THERE WAS LITERALLY NO OIL IN MY ENGINE. TOYOTA DID THE OIL CHANGE BUT DID NOT PUT 5 QUARTS OF OIL INTO MY CAR FOR THIS LONG TRIP. WHEN I RETURNED I DID CONFRONT THE DEALERSHIP BUT THEY DENIED ANY WRONGDOING. WE HAVE, SINCE THAT TIME PERIOD HAD TO ADD OIL CONTINUOUSLY. IT TURNS OUT THAT I WILL NEED TO REPLACE MY ENGINE FOR 4500.00. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10437663November 29, 2011
VISIBILITY
OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS THE DRIVERS SIDE VISOR WOULD FALL WHEN I PRESS THE BREAKS. BLOCKING MY VISION. RECENTLY, THE VISOR WILL NOT STAY UP AT ALL, AND NEEDS TO BE TAPED UP TO PREVENT IT FROM FALLING WHILE I AM DRIVING. *KB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10437708November 29, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
VEHICLE HAS TOYOTA 2AZ-FE (2.4 L) 4 CYLINDER ENGINE. OIL & COOLANT LEAKING FROM BACK OF ENGINE. HEAD BOLTS ON MAIN GASKET FAILED. IN SEARCHING INTERNET, COUNTLESS OTHER OWNERS HAVE UNFORTUNATELY EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE WHICH IS DUE TO AN INHERENT DESIGN PROBLEM BY TOYOTA. BOLTS BETWEEN GASKET AND MAIN ENGINE BLOCK FAIL AND CANNOT BE REPAIRED OR REPLACED. HAVE TO BUY AND INSTALL A NEW ENGINE. CALLED TOYOTA USA HEADQUARTERS IN TORRANCE, CA. AND SPOKE TO THEM, THEY SAID THEY WILL DO NOTHING FOR ME. SPOKE TO DYLAN AND THE CASE NUMBER IS 1111291430. I BELIEVE THAT A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED AND THAT TOYOTA SHOULD ASSUME FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THESE FAILURES, WHICH ARE OBVIOUSLY DUE TO A DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING PROBLEM OF TOYOTA. *KB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10426566September 21, 2011
SUSPENSION, WHEELS
THIS STRUT ATTACHES TO THE REAR AXLE AND PREVENTS IT FROM MOVING FORWARD. IT RUSTED OUT AND WAS BOUNCING ON THE ROAD AND HITTING THE CAR AND REAR TIRE. I HAD TO STOP AND GET IT REPAIRED IMMEDIATELY FOR FEAR OF DAMAGING THE TIRE OR CAR. UPON MECHANIC MAKING REPAIR THE OTHER STRUT ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE CAR FELL OFF IN HIS HAND. IF BOTH STRUT HAD FAILED THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN NOTHING TO STOP THE REAR AXLE FROM MOVING FORWARD AND CAUSING A CASTROPHE ACCIDENT. OR IF THE BOUNCING STRUT LODGE IN THE REAR TIRE THE SAME COULD HAVE BEEN TRUE. THE NEW REPLACEMENT PARTS LOOK INADEQUATE FOR SUCH A CRITICAL COMPONENT. SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED IN UNDER 10 YEARS. CAR GET WASHED ONCE EVER TWO WEEKS. FROM MY PERSPECTIVE PART LOOKS THE METAL BRACKET AT THE END OF THE ROD IS WAY TO THIN FOR THIS CRITICAL COMPONENT. PART #48780-4802012398. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10420725August 19, 2011
VISIBILITY
THE DRIVER'S SUNVISOR DOES NOT WORK. IT WON'T STAY IN POSITION OR EVEN UP. THE VISOR JUST FALLS DOWN ALL THE TIME, BLOCKING THE DRIVER'S VIEW. THERE ARE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE WITH NO SOLUTIONS ALL OVER THE INTERNET. I TRIED TALKING TO TOYOTA - THEY JUST TOLD ME TO BUY A NEW $700 VISOR. BUT I HAVE KNOWN OTHERS WITH THIS SAME YEAR/MODEL/MAKE (2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER) OF CAR AND EVEN AFTER REPLACING THE VISOR, THEY HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10417866August 7, 2011
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
RIGHT REAR BRAKE LIGHT INOPERATIVE WHEN BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, BULBS HAVE BEEN REPLACED BY OWNER AND DEALER. *TT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10416840August 3, 2011
VISIBILITY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT APPROXIMATELY TWO YEARS AGO HE NOTICED THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE SUN VISOR WOULD FALL AND OBSCURE HIS VISION WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO ADVISED HIM THAT IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000. UPDATED 09/21/11*LJ THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE PASSENGER SIDE VISOR FAILED AS WELL. UPDATED 09/28/11*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10416799August 2, 2011
VISIBILITY
I HAVE A 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER AND BOTH SUN VISORS WILL NOT STAY UP. THIS IS CREATING A SAFETY HAZARD WHEN THEY FALL DOWN AND BLOCKS MY VIEW WHILE I AM DRIVING. WHAT'S IT GOING TO TAKE - SOMEONE GETTING KILLED BEFORE TOYOTA WILL ADMIT THAT THE VISOR IS TOO HEAVY AND NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED. SEEMS WITH ALL THE NEGATIVE PUBLICITY THAT THEY HAVE RECEIVED LATELY THAT THEY WOULD DO WHAT IS RIGHT AND CORRECT THE PROBLEM ON ALL THEIR VEHICLES WITH THIS PROBLEM. I KNOW THAT IT WOULD BE COSTLY BUT IT IS THEIR PRODUCT AND THEY SHOULD BE WILLING TO DO THE RIGHT THING. *KB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10415401July 27, 2011
VISIBILITY
SUN VISOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUDDENLY FALLS FROM ITS NORMAL POSITION DURING DRIVING BLOCKING THE DRIVER'S FIELD OF VISION. THAT MIGHT CASE AN ACCIDENT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10411601July 9, 2011
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TOYOTA 2002 HIGHLANDER AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 77,754 MILES. REPLACED BY DEALER UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY AFTER PAYING $50 DEDUCTIBLE. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND NEEDS A RECALL. TOYOTA REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THEY HAVE A PROBLEM. COST TO REPLACE WITHOUT WARRANTEE WOULD HAVE BEEN $4290. THE CAR NOW HAS 138,235 MILES ON IT AND BASED ON OTHER DRIVERS' EXPERIENCE AND HISTORY I COULD BE FACING ANOTHER AUTO TRANS PROBLEM VERY SOON. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10401998May 18, 2011
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
PASSENGER AND DRIVER SUN VISORS FALL DOWN WHILE DRIVING POSING A SAFETY HAZARD. HAD THE VISORS REPLACED APRIL 2006, THREE YEARS LATER, HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10398448May 1, 2011
VISIBILITY
SUN VISOR ON MY 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER WILL FREQUENTLY FALL DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. THIS RESULTS IN MY VIEW OF THE ROAD BEING UNEXPECTEDLY HINDERED. THIS COULD EASILY RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. THIS HAPPENS FREQUENTLY - I.E. ALMOST EVERY TIME I DRIVE MORE THAN 3 MILES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10396320April 11, 2011
VISIBILITY
MY TOYOTA HIGHLANDER ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SUN VISORS DROP DOWN WHILE DRIVING. RESEARCH OF THIS PROBLEM INDICATE OTHERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WHICH POTENTIALLY CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT BY BLOCKING VISION OR DISTURBING THE DRIVER WHILE DRIVING. NOTIFIED TOYOTA OF THE PROBLEM AND GOT A VERY PROMPT STANDARD CUSTOMER SERVICE REPLY THAT THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED AND BASICALLY IT IS YOUR PROBLEM VERSUS A POTENTIAL DESIGN FLAW THAT MAY HAVE SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS AND THEY AT LEAST COULD OF PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM OTHER THAN A REPLACEMENT AT $660. EVEN AT THAT BASED ON THE INTERNET THAT IS NOT A PERMANENT REPAIR SINCE IT IS A DESIGN FLAW. APPARENTLY THIS IS ALSO A PROBLEM WITH OTHER TOYOTA MODELS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10395511April 11, 2011
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH WHERE THE DRIVER SIDE WAS IMPACTED AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER AND TWO PASSENGERS SUFFERED HEAD AND BACK INJURIES AS A RESULT OF THE CRASH. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DECLARED AS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO STATED THAT THEY WOULD BE CALLING HER AFTER ANALYZING THE COMPLAINT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 87,393.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
3
Deaths:
0
#10395362April 9, 2011
VISIBILITY
DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR FALLING INTO DRIVER'S FIELD OF VISION WHEN VEHICLE IN OPERATION. 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER LIMITED. OCCURS CONSTANTLY AND BEGAN ABOUT THREE YEARS AFTER THE VISOR WAS REPLACED FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10395376April 9, 2011
VISIBILITY
TOYOTA 2002 HIGHLANDER LIMITED DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR FLOPS DOWN INTO DRIVER'S VISION WHILE DRIVING. OBSCURES VIEW MOMENTARILY CREATING A CRASH DANGER. VISOR HAS LIGHTED MIRROR AND GARAGE DOOR OPENER BUILT IN. REPORTED TO DEALER AND VISOR WAS REPLACED UNDER SERVICE PLAN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10394356April 5, 2011
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
THE LEFT BRAKE LIGHTS ON MY 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER LIMITED EDITION 4 WHEEL DRIVE DO NOT WORK. I CHANGED THE BULBS AND THEY STILL DO NOT WORK. I HAVE RESEARCHED POSSIBLE CAUSES AND FOUND HUNDREDS OF OTHER CONSUMERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS. THIS IS A DANGEROUS DEFECT IN THAT IT AROSE SUDDENLY, FOR NO REASON, AND COMPROMISES THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLES ABILITY TO WARN OTHER DRIVERS THAT THE CAR IS BRAKING. I AM DISAPPOINTED THAT TOYOTA HAS NOT RECALLED THE CAR FOR WHAT APPEARS TO BE A SIGNIFICANT MALFUNCTION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10383409February 20, 2011
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TOYOTA HIGHLANDER BRAKE LIGHTS. RIGHT SIDE/PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE LIGHTS GO OUT OFTEN AND EVEN WITH NEW BULBS DON'T ALWAYS WORK. FAULTY DESIGN. DUE TO ALL THE POSTS ON THE INTERNET ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE I'M ASSUMING THIS IS A COMMON AND UNSAFE PROBLEM WITH HIGHLANDERS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10380328January 28, 2011
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
PASSENGER SIDE BREAK LIGHT FAILURE ON 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE WHEN OTHER DRIVERS CANNOT SEE YOU BREAK PARTICULARLY FROM THE RIGHT ANGLE. THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT HAS HAPPENED TO MANY DRIVERS OF THE SAME MODEL YEAR. SEE THE WEB POSTS AT HTTP://WWW.TOPIX.NET/FORUM/AUTOS/TOYOTA-HIGHLANDER/T7H7LD934GSQLC6BE I AM CONVINCED IT IS A DEFECT IN THE 2002 MODEL AND AS SUCH SHOULD BE RECALLED. I HAVE BROUGHT TO THE TOYOTA DEALER IN MANCHESTER NH 5 TIMES REPLACING LAMP SOCKETS AND OTHER ATTEMPTS AND IT STILL DOES NOT WORK. I HAVE TO BRING IN AGAIN. THERE SHOULD BE A STANDARD WAY TO FIX IT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Toyota Highlander