Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2002 Toyota Highlander
NHTSA data on file today
The 2002 Toyota Highlander has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 301 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #04V181000 TOYOTA/CHILD PROTECTION LOCK ON SIDE DOORS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #02V208000 TOYOTA/FUEL TANK HOSE ATTACHMENT NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Visibility 123 complaints
- Vehicle Speed Control 31 complaints
- Structure 24 complaints
- Engine and Engine Cooling 23 complaints
- Visibility/Wiper 16 complaints
- Power Train 14 complaints
Of the 301 complaints on file, 24 report a crash and 6 a fire; across all 301 complaints, owners report 25 injuries and 4 deaths (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $4,000–$7,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2002 Toyota Highlander receives an average reliability rating. While it has a few recalls, it's not overly plagued by them. However, visibility-related complaints are notably high, suggesting recurring issues with wiper systems and glass. Other systems exhibit a moderate number of complaints without a dominant pattern, indicating an overall balanced but aging vehicle.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| wiper system | 70,000–100,000 miles | $150–$300 | very common |
| door latches | 60,000–90,000 miles | $100–$200 | common |
| engine cooling system | 80,000–110,000 miles | $200–$600 | occasional |
| vehicle speed control | 60,000–90,000 miles | $250–$500 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter change
- Transmission fluid replacement
- Brake fluid change
- Spark plug replacement
- Coolant flush
- Tire rotation and alignment
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Unusual wiper function
- Doors not latching properly
- Poor visibility during rain
- Engine overheating
- Unresponsive speed controls
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2002 Toyota Highlander at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.