Model Year Problem Record

Toyota Highlander 2002 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 2002 Toyota Highlander: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

301Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints

2Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls

0Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations

35Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Visibility140 complaints

140 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control31 complaints

31 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Engine31 complaints

31 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure24 complaints

24 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train15 complaints

15 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other14 complaints

14 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Electrical System13 complaints

13 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Air Bags13 complaints

13 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting12 complaints

12 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Brakes12 complaints

12 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment11 complaints

11 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Driver Assistance and Stability Systems2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System2 complaints

2 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 02V208000.

Seats1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages1 complaints

1 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 04V181000.

Wheels1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

02V208000Reported July 30, 2002 - 154,593 vehicles potentially affected

Fuel and Propulsion System. Recall covering the fuel and propulsion system system, reported to NHTSA on July 30, 2002. The campaign covers an estimated 154,593 vehicles across all affected models.

04V181000Reported April 15, 2004 - 366,572 vehicles potentially affected

Latches, Locks and Linkages. Recall covering the latches, locks and linkages system, reported to NHTSA on April 15, 2004. The campaign covers an estimated 366,572 vehicles across all affected models.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

200216

200314

200416

20058

200627

200732

200823

200924

201059

201121

201215

201317

201411

20155

20166

20174

20181

20191

20201

How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.