Air Conditioner problems of the 2002 Toyota Highlander

Component: equipment:electrical:air conditioner summary: the problem is with the air conditioning a/c control unit. I'd talked to several Toyota owners about this, and they said that they have had this problem , and each has taken it to a dealership near them and got the same reply. This was a very expensive replacement part. The dealership that I went to said they have seen a few vehicles. The owners I talked to owned Highlanders,4 runners, and minivans. My wife's Highlander is a 200, 2 the other vehicles range from 2002 to 2004, for as I know there hasn't been anything reported about this. I sent an email to Toyota and all I got back was they haven't had any recalls for that. The problem with my wife's Highlander was that the heat stopped working during the winter. The only way to get it to work was to keep turning the knob until it would start blowing warm air, but it would not do it for long. The a/c worked fine ,but when winter returned, there was no heat. If the was a continuing problem, and more dealers found out about, why weren't they doing something about it. If one could research this I would appreciate it. If any body has any information on how to solve this problem thank you.

I have read of numerous complaints from consumers concerning the a/c system on 2002 Toyota Highlanders. The complaints are similar to my own in that the a/c just stops working one day. If I turn the hot/cold switch knob to the cold section when just the vent is on, it blows hot air. If I turn it to the right for hot air- it gets extremely hot. Even if I turn the a/c button on, cold air does not come out. This seems to be a defect in a switch. I've had the pressure to the a/c checked and it was normal and charged. I am fearful there is a short in a switch somewhere that may cause my vehicle to catch fire. It seems to be a major complaint with a lot of Highlander owners.

The problem is with the air conditioning a/c control unit. I'd talked to several Toyota owners about this, and they said that they have had this problem , and each has taken it to a dealership near them and got the same reply. This was a very expensive replacement part. The dealership that I went to said they have seen a few vehicles. The owners I talked to owned Highlanders,4 runners, and minivans. My wife's Highlander is a 200, 2 the other vehicles range from 2002 to 2004, for as I know there hasn't been anything reported about this. I sent an email to Toyota and all I got back was they haven't had any recalls for that. The problem with my wife's Highlander was that the heat stopped working during the winter. The only way to get it to work was to keep turning the knob until it would start blowing warm air, but it would not do it for long. The a/c worked fine ,but when winter returned, there was no heat. If the was a continuing problem, and more dealers found out about, why weren't they doing something about it. If one could research this I would appreciate it.

Large amount water in passenger side of vehicle compartment, dealer stated due to clogged a/c drain. Our toddler developed congestion and allergy symptoms followed by mildew odor in vehicle. Dealer cleaned out drains and subsequently had to change carpets and disinfect vehicle. Due to overwhelming deodorant smell in vehicle cannot tell if mildew still present, but we are afraid to put the toddler back in vehicle. Toyota also trying to say not covered by warranty.