2002 Toyota Highlander: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2002 Toyota Highlander: 2 recalls, 301 owner complaints and up to 22 mpg combined.
Recalls
2 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #02V208000 · 2002 · 154,593 vehicles
What's wrong: 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. When the vehicle was crashed under the new car assessment program (ncap) test (i.e., 35 mph frontal barrier crash), the clamp "tabs" contacted the…
Why it matters: In the worst case, nozzle breakage could result in fuel leakage if the vehicle rolls-over after a high speed frontal crash.
The fix: Dealers will rotate the specified clamp. Owner notification began September 23, 2002.
Latches & locks Vehicle recall #04V181000 · 2004 · 366,572 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: This condition could allow the door to be opened with the inside while the operator believes that the cpl was activated. If the door were opened from the inside while the vehicle was in motion, an occupant could fall out and be injured.
The fix: Dealers will shorten the cpl lever. Owner notification began May 7, 2004. Owners should contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 6 mention a fire, 25 injuries and 4 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Visibility (wipers, glass) (123): the most common themes are noise or vibration (8).
- Speed control / throttle (31): the most common themes are sudden acceleration (9).
- Body & structure (24): the most common themes are noise or vibration (2).
- Engine & cooling (23): the most common themes are leaks (6), stalls / loses power (5), fire / smoke (4).
The 2002 Toyota Highlander has 301 owner complaints, ranking #5 of 28 Highlander model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 205). Complaints peaked in 2010 (59 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 6 years old, at a median of 70,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2001 (137 complaints, 3 recalls), 2003 (258 complaints, 2 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 25 | 22 | Regular |
| 2.4 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 | 22 | 19 | Regular |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 21 | 18 | Regular |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 16 | 21 | 18 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2002 Toyota Highlander.
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Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2002 Toyota Highlander have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 2002 Toyota Highlander. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2002 Toyota Highlander problems?
Owners have filed 301 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are visibility (wipers, glass) (123), speed control / throttle (31), body & structure (24).
What gas mileage does the 2002 Toyota Highlander get?
EPA ratings run up to 22 mpg combined (2.4 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 4 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2002 Toyota Highlander repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.