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Thank God for the few of us that actually can read a book and figure out how to fix something ourselves. In the span of 5 years problems can develop but they can be repaired w/o opening the old check book and bearing all.
I had a Highlander Limited loaded to the hilt w/all the buttons and the Air Fuel Ratio Sensor went out, the wholesale cost of the part was enough but to add injury to insult it twisted off when it was removed requiring the exhaust manifold to be removed and repaired at an exhaust shop but that wasn't the end of the world. At least I paid for the code scanner by using it to figure out the problem in one use, bought the part and fixed it, a hell of alot cheaper than paying to have it done which Toyota.  

There was a class action lawsuit regarding this issue and Toyota is required to fix or replace the engine for gelling, which by the way is a result of not changing oil often enough and using cheap quality oil. Use the best and forget the cheap stuff, sythetic oil is superior all the way...  

My sister is limping into Atlanta from Wisconsin with this exact problem in her Highlander.  She has had since new, and is meticulous with service: oil changes every 3K at the Toyota dealership only.  She stopped into a dealership on the way who said she is looking at a $7,000 engine replacement.  I'll definetly be looking into the class action lawsuit.  Do you know the status of this lawsuit? How to participate?  Thanks for the assist.  

I own a 2002 Toyota Highlander.  It has 106,000 and I bought it brand new.  All of a sudden, the AC is blowing hot air.  At some point it seems to get cool, but it goes back to hot.    I have not taken it to the dealer yet.  I thought that maybe was the compressor...but it sounds just like what other people are experiencing.  It might be a problem that shows up after 6 years of use.  Do you think that Toyota will back up its product and help us with this problem?  It sounds like a quality problem to me.  

There is a settlemant from a class action lawsuit for the engine problem.  Also Toyota is covering the engine for eight years in regards to engine and oil related problems(for Highlander).  I would contact  them if you haven't.  

Hey Iceman,

I have 2002 Toyota Highlander V6 4WD, that I bought used in 2006. Never had a problem with it in my life. Then about two months ago the AC light starts to blink when I turn it on. So I turn it off then back on, until it STAYS ON. Well one day it stopped all together. Took it to the Toyota Dealership, who had no idea what the problem was. But they said it will still cost $500 to repair it, even though that might not do the trick.

So I took it to someone else. They said the compressor is fine, but the computer is not allowing the AC to come on. The mechanic I took it to said it needed to be adjusted. But I am nervous about taking my Highlander back to another dealership. Any ideas?

Do you have any ideas who could fix it and know what they are doing ? Thanks!  

I just purchased a 2002 toyota highlander and am experiencing the same problem of losing oil, not leaking, not blowing out.  I am putting in 1 quart a week.  Does anyone know if the class action suit pertains to used cars.  I didn't purchase the warranty thinking toyotas were such great cars.  

I am going to purchase a 2003 Highlander soon and havent seen any HVAC or engine oil problems with this year. Does any one know if it was fixed with the 2003s.  

I have a 2002 Toyota Highlander which I purchased new.  I 2006 my A/C stopped working the dealership said it would cost me $1,300.00 to fix however; they where unable to find the dash board stuff to fix it.   Now May of 2008 my transmission went, it has been parked in gargage since then, the dealership said it will cost around $3,600.00 to fix.

I'm very disappointed with Toyota right now.

Thanks,

Sunshine  

I am so, so happy you were able to tell me how to get the AC on my 2002 Highlander fixed.  In the summer it will switch from cold to hot all by itself and in the winter it switches from hot to cold.

My local Toyota dealership has replaced "a part" on it each year to no avail.  Now, a different dealership says it will cost $700 to fix it.

I'm going to tell them about your fix and see if they will try it.

Maybe Toyota will do a recall if enough people keep complaining to them.  But the complaints must go directly to Toyota.  

A friend of mine had this problem and it took me about 2 1/2 hours and a few small parts to get it fixed and she is very happy as she was told it would cost about $850.00 to fix it.

so if you know anybody who needs this fixed contact me and I can fix it for them
kelly7070@hotmail.com  

I can do the work to fix your control
kelly7070@hotmail.com  

Thanks for the info.  Any leads on a mechanic that can do this (Santa clara, CA)?  

I also have the same hvac control problem with my 2002 Highlander.  

Thanks to Donp I pulled the knob and found the nut was about to fall off. Tightened up the nut and the control now works fine.
Thanks for the info.