Sun Visor Problem

[PineRidge]

Originally Posted by milesprower

The part I referred to as the bracket is the metal shaft (that sticks into the visor) and the flange with (three screws, I think) that secures the visor to the ceiling. You have to ease the shaft out of the visor. It feels like it won't go, but if you are patient and use enough steady force, it will eventually start to come out.

Mine's a 2002 Highlander with the same problem. My initial fix was to put a small dot of RTV to hold a small square of velcro to the headliner. This works well but now I think that I'll just try your cure as it sounds a lot more professional than my jerry-rig solution.

Does anyone know if the Highlander visor is interchangeable with any other Toyota models? I would gladly give up the HomeLink for a visor without, that works like it should without paying the $600.00 that Toyota wants for a replacement.

[edwardh1]

you wonder if Toyota is testing cars less before introduction. My HL has a few defects that my 94 Camry did not have.
2004 HL not as well made as the 94.

[jerrimu]

I, too, have a sun visor on my Toyota Highlander '02 that won't stay up. This problem sounds fairly common on the '02 Highlander, based on this forum's posts. I suggest that everyone (with a sun visor problem) contact Toyota's website to report the sun visor problem. I have contacted Toyota & will let you know their response when I receive one.

[maguirehome]

I, too have an 02 Highlander that has a driver side visor that will not stay up and a paasenger that pops down every time I hit a mild bump in the road. My dealer wanted $650 for parts only (homelink version). I just joined this forum and cannot believe how many people have this problem. I already wrote a letter to Toyota seeking their help. I cannot help but think that enough people make toyota aware of this problem that they would address it somehow. I wanted to tell them that both visor in my other toyota (93 Pick-up) still work fine but I figured don't ruffle any feathers while asking for something. I did see in an earlier post something about contacting the Highway Safety people and I will probably look into that as well.

[jcumming]

Hey everbody

just purchased a new 2007 Camry SE V6 ...should be in next week...can't wait....anyone out there have one?

cheers
Jim

[Olive]

My wife just came back from the dealership with an estimate: $667. Now I have to see if they'll replace it with one without homelink. There's no way anyone should pay to replace it, without any assurances that it won't happen again.
Please use this link to report the problem. If Toyota wants to be #1 - they've got to take responsibility for this hazard.

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/

[Tly]

Update after I finally decided to do something about it.

Turns out that Toyota WILL cover the cost/installation of the Visor (driver side - didn't check passenger side as ours is still OK) even if it has Homelink. Only thing is, it needs to be under warranty. Mine is a 2002 but when I bought it used, I bought the extended warranty.

I had to pay for tax but it still saved me ~620 bucks.

So see if you're still under warranty and use it!

[molsan]

My 2002 Highlander has the exact same issue!! and our local dealer said the same thing, "it's out of warranty so it will cost $667".

With this many people having the same issue, and a safety issue at that there is definetly a design defect in the visor design.

I followed Olive's link (2 or 3 posts before thisone) and reported it to NHTSA.

I also reported to Toyota at http://toyota.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/t..._intercept.php

In your language to both NHTSA and Toyota refer to the problem as a "safety issue" and a "design defect"

[molsan]

I am curious to know, did anyone post a complaint to Toyota or NHTSA?

Toyota's response left a few things to be desired: (like a solution)

Thank you for contacting Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

We apologize for your concerns with the sun visor in your 2002 Toyota Highlander.
In order to properly assess your concerns, we recommend you contact the Customer Relations Manager at your local Toyota dealership to further evaluate your Highlander.
Toyota dealership technicians are specialized in the diagnosis and repair of Toyota vehicles. They are provided with extensive training and have access to state-of-the-art equipment to help in the accurate diagnosis of your vehicle. Also, if necessary, we provide additional support to assist Toyota dealership technicians in resolving unusual vehicle concerns.
The warranty for your sun visor is 3 years/36,000 miles, whichever comes first, from the date of first use for your vehicle. Based on the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) you provided, JTEGXXXXXXXXXXXX, your warranty coverage started on April 9, 2002. Your email has been documented at our National Headquarters under file #2006XXXXXXXX. If we can be of further assistance, please feel free to contact us

I'd like to know if anyone else has had success other than paying the $600 for a defective sun visor.

[visual_image]

I posted a complaint to the NHTSA months ago but did not hear a peep from them. Do they even have some one that look into these complaints?

[yrmother]

I had the same sun visor problem in my 2002 Highlander. I went to the dealer and the service manager told me that the home-link visor can be replaced by a plain visor without the home-link and lighted mirror. I ordered one from the parts department for $79.00 and the service manager himself put it on for me; it took two minutes and he didn't charge me. It was a very simple fix, one I could do myself if it happens again. You just remove the plastic facing around the top of the sun visor bracket, unscrew the two screws holding it in, remove the visor, unplug the electrical connection, put in the new visor and put the screws back in and the facing. Voila!! I will add that the mirror has no light but that is not important to me. And for those of you who are spoiled by pushing the button in the visor to open your garage door or gate, you will have to go back to using your remote. I will add that I had been told that the home-link visor could not be replaced by a plain visor, but that is NOT true and you should not accept that. The new visor works just fine!

[LifeTech]

u can disect the home link button pad off the old visor and relocate it to another area on the headliner near yu. This can work for yu and others.

LT

[yrmother]

Message to Life Tech from Yrmother:
What you are saying about cutting out the home-link buttons from the defective visor and mounting them elsewhere is very unclear to me. How do you install a new visor while at the same time keeping the electrical wiring exposed that connects to the home link buttons? It's an interesting solution in theory but I don't see how it works.

[wcpo]

My sunvisor is also loose and I have read all the replys you received. I just have one question - how do I get to the screw to try to tighten? I don't see any visible screws and I'm afraid to pull on anything.

[milesprower]

There is a plastic cover over the screws at the base of the pivot arm that goes into the ceiling of the car. You can pry it off with your finger(nails). It just pops on and off.

However, if you have to ask the question, this might not be a wise thing to start into.