Complaints
335
Crashes
27
Fires
8
Injuries
26
Fatalities
4
Recalls
0
Worst 2002 Toyota Highlander Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#1108 complaints
Visibility
Avg mileage:70,557 mi
#229 complaints
Unintended Acceleration
Avg mileage:85,327 mi
Crash-related:11
Fires:2
#323 complaints
Structural Problems
Avg mileage:55,925 mi
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2002 Toyota Highlander.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visibility | 108 | — | — | 70,557 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 29 | 11 | 2 | 85,327 mi | |
| Structural Problems | 23 | — | — | 55,925 mi | |
| Wipers & Visibility | 16 | — | — | 88,563 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 11 | — | 1 | 86,652 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 10 | 1 | 3 | 90,203 mi | |
| Engine & Cooling | 10 | 1 | — | 59,517 mi | |
| Airbags | 9 | 4 | — | 105,619 mi | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 9 | — | — | 95,531 mi | |
| Engine Problems | 7 | — | — | 132,148 mi | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 7 | — | — | 108,900 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 6 | — | — | 86,339 mi | |
| Other Equipment | 5 | 1 | — | 62,425 mi | |
| Tire Defects | 5 | — | — | 30,000 mi | |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Brakes | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 3 | 3 | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Electric | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:Windshield:Electrical Heating Element | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility:Windshield | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control | 2 | — | 1 | — | |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Side/Rear Glass | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls | 2 | — | — | — |
Visibility
108
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
70,557
Unintended Acceleration
29
complaints
Crashes
11
Fires
2
Avg Miles
85,327
Structural Problems
23
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
55,925
Wipers & Visibility
16
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
88,563
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
11
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
86,652
Electrical Faults
10
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
3
Avg Miles
90,203
Engine & Cooling
10
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
59,517
Airbags
9
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
—
Avg Miles
105,619
Headlight/Taillight Failures
9
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
95,531
Engine Problems
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
132,148
Transmission / Drivetrain
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
108,900
Automatic Transmission
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
86,339
Other Equipment
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
62,425
Tire Defects
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
30,000
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Brakes
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Frontal
3
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Electric
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension Failures
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:Windshield:Electrical Heating Element
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Windshield
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electronic Stability Control
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Exterior Lighting:Headlights
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Hydraulic Brakes
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Side/Rear Glass
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2002 Toyota Highlander. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Toyota Highlander Years
2002 Toyota Highlander — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2002 Toyota Highlander reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2002 Toyota Highlander has 335 NHTSA complaints, 27 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Visibility with 108 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2002 Toyota Highlander?
Top reported problems: Visibility (108 complaints, avg 70,557 mi); Unintended Acceleration (29 complaints, avg 85,327 mi); Structural Problems (23 complaints, avg 55,925 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2002 Toyota Highlander?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 77,357 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2002 Toyota Highlander?
NHTSA complaints for the 2002 Toyota Highlander include 27 crash-related reports, 8 fire reports, 26 injuries, and 4 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2002 Toyota Highlander have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 2002 Toyota Highlander as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 2002 Toyota Highlander?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Toyota Highlander reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2002 Toyota Highlander
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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