general problems of the 2002 Toyota Highlander - part 1

97 problems related to visibility have been reported for the 2002 Toyota Highlander. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2002 Toyota Highlander based on all problems reported for the 2002 Highlander.

1 Visibility problem

Failure Date: 09/10/2013

Sun visor keeps coming down as it affects my vision on the road.

2 Visibility problem

Failure Date: 08/01/2013

Submission from constituent re defective visor/ safety problems 2002 Toyota Highlander ( full document not imaged). The consumer stated about four months ago, the passenger side visor would not remain in the up position, and approximately two weeks later, the same thing happened on the driver's side.

3 Visibility problem

Failure Date: 04/04/2012

Driver/s side sun visor will not stay up. While driving, it suddenly drops obscuring my vision and putting the driver at extreme risk for an accident (impaired vision of the road). There is no apparent way to fix this problem short of replacing the sun visor (estimated cost of approx. $700 per blogs). This problem has been experienced by many owners of 2002 Highlanders as exemplified via "complaint" postings.

4 Visibility problem

Failure Date: 07/26/2011

Over the past few months the drivers side visor would fall when I press the breaks. Blocking my vision. Recently, the visor will not stay up at all, and needs to be taped up to prevent it from falling while I am driving.

5 Visibility problem

Failure Date: 04/01/2011

My Toyota Highlander on both the driver and passenger side sun visors drop down while driving. Research of this problem indicate others are having the same problem which potentially can cause an accident by blocking vision or disturbing the driver while driving. Notified Toyota of the problem and got a very prompt standard customer service reply that the warranty has expired and basically it is your problem versus a potential design flaw that may have safety considerations and they at least could of provide assistance to correct the problem other than a replacement at $660. Even at that based on the internet that is not a permanent repair since it is a design flaw. Apparently this is also a problem with other Toyota models.

6 Visibility problem

Failure Date: 03/01/2011

Sun visor on the driver's side suddenly falls from its normal position during driving blocking the driver's field of vision. That might case an accident.

7 Visibility problem

Failure Date: 02/01/2011

Driver's side sun visor falling into driver's field of vision when vehicle in operation. 2002 Toyota Highlander limited. Occurs constantly and began about three years after the visor was replaced for the same problem.

8 Visibility problem

Failure Date: 10/24/2010

2002 Toyota Highlander driver side sun visor will not stay up. It flops down into your view everytime you hit a bump. Toyota dealer wanted $650 to fix/replace here in indianapolis. Car only has 60,000 miles, this shouldn't be a problem that is so expensive to fix.

9 Visibility problem

Failure Date: 08/20/2010

The driver's side visor on my 2002 Toyota Highlander will not stay in the up position and falls into the driver's view when driving over bumps.

10 Visibility problem

Failure Date: 07/02/2010

This is clearly a design flaw & potentially dangerous. The sun visors fail & drop down in front on you, no longer staying at a proper angle or staying up. I cut one open & found that the pivoting pin is coated in plastic & held in place by a metal clip. Over time the plastic cracks & falls off the metal pin causing the loss of the required friction to hold the visor securely in place. My 1st repair was to reform the pin with epoxy, but the force from the metal clip was too much and it failed in a few months. The next fix was to cut the visor open again & force the part of the pin still covered in the original plastic coating deeper into the metal clip. That repair lasted until now. The replacement parts are ridiculously expensive, but now I can not repair it and not doing so would be a driving hazard. From what I have read online this is a common problem and Toyota should have done something by now.

11 Visibility problem

Failure Date: 06/14/2010

I have a 2002 Toyota Highlander. The sun visors will not stay in the up position. They randomly fall down partially blocking my view and creating a safety hazzard. I originally took it back to the dealer who had it replaced but the same thing kept happening. I went online and discovered that it's not just my 2002 Highlander. I've tried velcro but that won't hold it in place. I've had several near accidents on the highway as a result of this issue. It happened again today and I just can't take it anymore.

12 Visibility problem

Failure Date: 06/10/2010

Driver's side sun visor keeps falling down suddenly while driving. While searching online, I found out that many 2002 Highlander owners have the same problem. Repair is too costly. It is definitely a safety hazard.

13 Visibility problem

Failure Date: 06/08/2010

The driver's side sun visor will not stay up and it is impairing my vision. If I can get it to stay up for a few minutes, it falls unexpectedly into my view, cutting off my line of sight and nearly causing an accident. The only remedy I can see is to remove it, but then I am blinded by the sun. I drive with my child in the vehicle with me and find this to be quite disturbing when it happens. I bought the Highlander because of its safety rating, but this is very disappointing. This has been happening for some time, and now the visor just swings in front of me without staying up or forward, out of the way. The date reported below is not the first time this has happened.

14 Visibility problem

Failure Date: 06/01/2010

2002 Toyota Highlander: both driver's side and passenger side sunvisors will not stay in up position. The visors drop without warning multiple times every day since the problem began to occur. This is a safety hazard as the driver's side sunvisor randomly drops down without warning completely obscuring the driver's vision. Reported the defect to my Toyota dealer and they informed me that the only option was to pay for replacements at a cost of several hundred dollars each. This assessment was given without any inspection of the vehicle and in a manner which strongly implied that this was a problem which they were very familiar with. After speaking to Toyota, I decided to research this for myself on the web and found many similar incidents. This is clearly a dangerous design defect and needs to be remediated by the manufacturer urgently before someone's family is killed because the visor drops and blocks their view of the traffic ahead.

15 Visibility problem

Failure Date: 05/18/2010

The driver's side sun visor on my 2002 Toyota Highlander drops down blocking the driver's vision. When pushed up it simply falls back down.

16 Visibility problem

Failure Date: 04/19/2010

How many complaints do Highlander owners have to submit about sun visors dropping before something done about it. Is Toyota going to wait until someone gets in an accident due to it. I have a 2002 Highlander and have been trying different things to make the visor stay up for years, with little success. Were there any deaths or injuries? no not yet why wait until it happens! [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

17 Visibility problem

Failure Date: 03/28/2010

The drivers side sun visor, which has the electronics built in, unexpectedly flops down. It started in 2004 and has progressively gotten worse. Toyota wants over $750 to replace it. Repair is not offered. It occasionally falls unexpectedly and blocks my vision of traffic lights. However, I didn't consider it a real safety hazard until recently. It fell at an inopportune moment, distracted me, and I was almost envolved in an accident. There is no reason this item should have failed after only 1 1/2 years use and there is no reason a replacement should cost $750. This is a design defect and it is a safety hazard.

18 Visibility problem

Failure Date: 03/06/2010

My 2002 Toyota Highlander driver's side sunvisor will fall down unexpected blocking my view for a few seconds. For safety reasons, I cannot use my visor as I bungy cord it to stay up. But another safety issue now is there no protection from the bright sun or snow.

19 Visibility problem

Failure Date: 03/03/2010

The 2002 Highlander driver side sun visor drops down and obstructs the driver's view of the roadway. Toyota charges +/- $600. 00 for the part alone. There is a blog with Toyota owners that demonstrates this problem is very common and is definitely a safety issue. The visor drops every time the car is in use, especially in warm weather.

20 Visibility problem

Failure Date: 01/01/2010

Driver's side sunvisor keeps falling in to my line of vision unexpectedly. It's on my 2002 Toyota Highlander. It is terrifying when you're on the highway in traffic and it falls!.

21 Visibility problem

Failure Date: 09/29/2009

Sun visor drops unexpectedly on 2002 Toyota Highlander.

22 Visibility problem

Failure Date: 09/13/2009

My 2002 limited Toyota Highlander has a sun visor that wont stay up. It is the driver side and I am very concern especially when hitting mild road bumps it falls down. I am holding it with velcro and I have to change that every other month. This is a safety problem and would appericate if someone can look into it. I looked at the online forums for Highlanders and they are reporting the same problem.

23 Visibility problem

Failure Date: 08/24/2009

I seem to be one of many that is having an issue with the sun visor on a 2002 Toyota Highlander. The driver side sun visor will no longer stay in place properly. This results in it falling down and blocking the vision of the driver. A recall is needed in order to prevent the potential danger.

24 Visibility problem

Failure Date: 08/03/2009

The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that approximately two years ago he noticed that the drivers side sun visor would fall and obscure his vision while driving. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who advised him that it needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000. The VIN was unavailable.

25 Visibility problem

Failure Date: 08/01/2009

2002 Toyota Highlander. Driver's side sun visor does not stay up or down. While trying to make it work properly I am distracted from my primary duty of driving the vehicle. Toyota does not recognize this a safety or recall issue. Cost to replace $1000. 00. If you check the internet this is not an isolated problem and has been ignored by Toyota for many years.

26 Visibility problem

Failure Date: 07/18/2009

Falling visor on Toyota Highlanders are creating driver visibility issues. A major concern for safety. Sent in attachment that listed other driver complaint on the same issue to dot question 090817-000072.

27 Visibility problem

Failure Date: 07/16/2009

2002 Highlander visor does not stay in position, tends to fall down when it should be up.

28 Visibility problem

Failure Date: 07/10/2009

2002 Toyota Highlander has issue with driver's side sunvisor that constantly falls obstructing vision.

29 Visibility problem

Failure Date: 05/16/2009

The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Highlander. Since February of 2007, the sun visor in the vehicle does not attach tightly and comes down while driving 35 mph and above. The vehicle has not been inspected, but the repair would cost over $300. The contact feels that this is a safety issue and the defect should be repaired by the manufacturer. The failure mileage was 95,000. Updated 07/01/09 updated 07/06/09.

30 Visibility problem

Failure Date: 03/01/2009

Driver's side visor fails to stay up. Visor seems to be too heavy to support itself. Visor falls down due to road vibrations and blocks eye sight for taller drivers. Tried simple fixes using velcro and super glue - but all failed when summer interior temperatures caused the glue / adhesive to fail and problem continues. Complete replacement seems to be only solution.

31 Visibility problem

Failure Date: 02/01/2009

The sun visor on my Toyota Highlander 2002 doesn't remain in place. It started last year and no matter what I do it keep on falling. I believe this is a design problem and a safety hazard that needed to be addressed or fixed by Toyota corporation.

32 Visibility problem

Failure Date: 01/01/2009

Sun visor will not stay put - it's in the down position at all times and won't stay up out of the line of sight.

33 Visibility problem

Failure Date: 12/10/2008

2002 Toyota Highlander limited - the driver and passenger side sun visors will not stay in upright position. Very dangerous when driving. Toyota offers no solutions but purchasing another $600 visor. Looking online, I am not the only one having this problem. At what point does a manufacture become responsible for what is obviously a design defect and safety issue.

34 Visibility problem

Failure Date: 12/09/2008

Sun visor on driver's side of 2002 Toyota Highlander can't be used to protect driver from the bright sunlight as it cannot be ratcheted up or adjusted and just hangs loosely blocking driver's view of window and requiring driver to hold it in place with one hand. Problem has existed almost from beginning. Others have reported similar problems especially with that model year.

35 Visibility problem

Failure Date: 12/02/2008

2002 Toyota highland flip visor keeps on falling down. After research from the net, apparently, there are many others that experience this issues. This is very dangerous. It will costs $700. 00 to replace it. I really think this is a defect.



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Highlander Defect Investigations