2003 Toyota Highlander
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine and engine cooling is the leading concern among 270 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 8th highest complaint count among 25 Highlander model years with reports.
Of the 2003 reports, 34 involved a crash and 1 involved a fire. 12 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Latches/locks/linkages, doors, latchApr 15, 2004
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES HAVE A CHILD PROTECTION LOCK (CPL) SYSTEM ON BOTH OF THE REAR SIDE DOORS. WHEN AN OPERATOR OF THE VEHICLE CLOSES THE DOOR VERY HARD WITH THE CPL LEVER SET TO THE LOCK POSITION, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE LEVER MAY CONTACT THE BODY PANEL, CAUSING THE CPL LEVER TO MOVE INTO THE UNLOCK POSITION.
THIS CONDITION COULD ALLOW THE DOOR TO BE OPENED WITH THE INSIDE WHILE THE OPERATOR BELIEVES THAT THE CPL WAS ACTIVATED. IF THE DOOR WERE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, AN OCCUPANT COULD FALL OUT AND BE INJURED.
DEALERS WILL SHORTEN THE CPL LEVER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 7, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
Campaign 04V181000 on NHTSA.gov
WheelsDec 17, 2002
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FIVE FACTORY ALLOY WHEELS (MODEL 6934 AND 6936), WITH FACTORY LLAT, AND WITH PORT INSTALLED WR4, FOUR ALLOY WHEEL UPGRADE PROCESSED AT THE JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA PORT AND DISTRIBUTED BY SOUTHEAST TOYOTA DISTRIBUTORS IN THE STATES OF ALABAMA, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, NORTH AND SOUTH CAROLINA, WHEN THE VEHICLES WERE PROCESSED AT THE PORT, AN ALLOY TIRE/WHEEL UPGRADE WAS INSTALLED. THE UPGRADE INCLUDED 4 ALLOY WHEELS. THE ORIGINAL SPARE TIRE/ALLOY WHEEL WAS NOT CHANGED. THE SPARE TIRE REQUIRES THE USE OF A DIFFERENT STYLE OF WHEEL NUT TO ATTACH IT TO THE VEHICLE.
IF THE SPARE TIRE/WHEEL IS INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE USING THE WHEEL NUTS PROVIDED FOR THE UPGRADE ALLOY WHEEL, DAMAGE TO THE WHEEL COULD RESULT AND COULD EVENTUALLY LEAD TO A LOOSE WHEEL.
OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH DIFFERENT STYLE LUG NUTS, A WARNING LABEL FOR THE SPARE RE/ALLOY WHEEL, AND AN OWNER'S MANUAL ADDENDUM.
Campaign 02V339000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: engine
90 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine, Mar 22, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE TEMPERATURE INCREASED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ENGINE BLOCK BOLTS HAD STRIPPED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. *TR
Engine, Mar 22, 2013
ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 2.4L 4-CYLINDER ENGINE, SERVICED BY TOYOTA DEALER AND LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE CARE WHEN THE ENGINE TEMP SHOT UP. PULLED OVER AND TOOK CAR TO SHOP FOR DIAGNOSIS. --- MY REPAIR SHOP SERVICEMAN TOLD ME THE RADIATOR WAS ALMOST EMPTY, AND IT LIKELY HAD A BLOWN HEAD GASKET - A $2500 REPAIR BY MY LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. BUT WHEN HE WENT TO TAKE OFF THE HEAD, THE BOLT CYLINDERS CAME OUT TOO, ALMOST ALL WERE LOOSE AND APPARENTLY CAUSED THE LEAKAGE OVER TIME. HE DIDN'T HAVE THE TOOLING TO FIX THE BOLT SLEEVE ISSUE, AND I'D NEED A WATER PUMP, TOO. THERE ARE NUMEROUS REPORTS ONLINE OF THIS HAPPENING WITH THIS ENGINE. TOYOTA SHOULD RECALL THIS TO RESTORE CONSUMER CONFIDENCE. *TR
Engine, Mar 9, 2013
ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 2.4L 4-CYLINDER ENGINE, SERVICED BY TOYOTA DEALER AND LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. 4 MONTHS AGO IT WAS MAKING A FLUTTERING NOISE AND I HAD IT SERVICED, IT NEEDED AN OIL PAN GASKET, GOT A FULL OIL CHANGE, TOO. BUT APPARENTLY IT ALSO HAD A BAD WATER PUMP, AND HAD DEVELOPED A COOLANT LEAK, AND WAS BURNING OIL. -- WE NEVER NOTICED ANY WHITE SMOKE COMING OUT THE BACK, AND NO COOLANT TEMPERATURE VARIANCE, ALWAYS IN THE MIDDLE AFTER WARMING UP. WE NEVER GOT A LOW OIL LIGHT WARNING, NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WHILE DRIVING. --- THE SUV SHUT DOWN ON IT'S OWN JUST COMING OFF A HIGHWAY EXIT RAMP. I STARTED IT UP AGAIN TO PULL OVER A BLOCK AWAY AND THEN SHUT IT OFF. IT STEAMED UP, OVERHEATED. THE TOW SERVICE GUY COULDN'T RESTART IT. --- MY REPAIR SHOP SERVICEMAN TOLD ME THE RADIATOR WAS ALMOST EMPTY, AND IT LIKELY HAD A BLOWN HEAD GASKET - A $2500 REPAIR BY MY LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. BUT WHEN HE WENT TO TAKE OFF THE HEAD, THE BOLT CYLINDERS CAME OUT TOO, ALMOST ALL WERE LOOSE AND APPARENTLY CAUSED THE LEAKAGE OVER TIME. HE DIDN'T HAVE THE TOOLING TO FIX THE BOLT SLEEVE ISSUE, AND I'D NEED A WATER PUMP, TOO. SO FOR LESS THAN THE COST OF ALL THE REPAIRS, KNOWN AND POSSIBLE FUTURE PROBLEMS, LIKE RUST OR OTHER WORN INTERNAL PARTS, HE RECOMMENDED A REBUILT ENGINE, WITH HIGHER QUALITY STEEL BOLT SLEEVES, (THE WAY THE ORIGINAL ENGINE SHOULD HAVE BEEN MADE). HE INVESTIGATED AND ALERTED ME TO THE COMPLAINTS ONLINE, AND REMINDED ME TO KEEP THE REPAIR RECEIPTS. --- I AM DEVASTATED, AND HAD TO BORROW MONEY FROM RETIREMENT TO PAY FOR THIS, SINCE THE KELLY BLUE BOOK VALUE WAS STILL A FEW THOUSAND HIGHER THAN THE REPAIR COST. I BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW AND SERVICED IT WITH THE ANTICIPATION OF DRIVING IT FOR AT LEAST ANOTHER 50K MILES. IT NEVER HAD A SINGLE OVERHEAT PROBLEM, RAN LIKE A TOP, DRIVING ME BACK AND FORTH TO WORK 45 MIN AWAY. *TR
Engine, Feb 19, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. UPDATED 4/24/13 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED A MECHANIC ADVISED THAT 3 BOLTS WERE STRIPPED OUT OF THE BLOCK. IT COULDN'T BE REBUILT. THE MECHANIC ALSO ADVISED THIS WAS DUE TO A MANUFACTURER PROBLEM. REPLACING THE MOTOR IS NOT A GUARANTEE THE FAILURE WOULDN'T RECUR. UPDATED 05/21/2013 *JS
Engine, Feb 6, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE FLUCTUATED THEN INCREASED TO MAX. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE BOLTS WERE STRIPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
Engine, Jan 9, 2013
2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 2.4 L 4-CYLINDER ENGINE, 108,000 MILES, PERFECT SERVICE, UNTIL IT DEVELOPED COOLANT LEAK ON THE BACK SIDE OF THE TOP OF THE ENGINE, ADJACENT TO AN INSULATOR PAD AT THE BACK OF THE ENGINE BLOCK. THE BACK 3 HEAD BOLTS ARE COMPLETELY STRIPPED, ALLOWING COOLANT TO LEAK ONTO THE ENGINE. *TR
Engine, Dec 28, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO OVERHEAT. THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE INCREASED HOWEVER, THE CONTACT DID NOT SEE ANY SMOKE OR STEAM COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT ALLOWED THE VEHICLE TO COOL BEFORE RESUMING OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THE ENGINE BOLTS WERE STRIPPED. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT PROVIDED ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000.
Engine, Oct 23, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS COOLANT WAS LEAKING FROM THE FIRE WALL. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO CONTACT THE DEALER TO SCHEDULE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST BUT THE CONTACT COULD NOT GET A RESPONSE. THE CONTACT THEN CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE FAILURE AND THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000.
Engine, Oct 5, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO OVERHEAT AND COOLANT ABNORMALLY LEAKED FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE WOULD NEED REPLACING DUE TO THE HEAD GASKET NOT BEING ABLE TO BE REMOVED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 160,000.
Engine, Sep 19, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE NOTICED RED FLUID LEAKING FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE HEAD BOLT ON THE ENGINE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 105,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Engine, Jul 24, 2012
I WAS TAKING A SHORT DRIVE ON THE FREEWAY AND FIRST MY A/C STARTED BLOWING HOT AIR AND THEN THE ENGINE OVERHEATED. MY TODDLER WAS IN THE CAR AND I HAD TO GET OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD QUICKLY AND WAS STRANDED. IT WAS DANGEROUS AND SCARY. THE MECHANIC SAID THE HEAD GASKET BLEW AND THAT I HAVE TO GET A NEW ENGINE BECAUSE THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE MATERIALS IN 2003 TOYOTAS THAT MEANS THE SCREWS WON'T STAY IN THE BLOCK. MY CAR WAS CAREFULLY MAINTAINED, SERVICED AND OIL CHANGES EVERY 3,000 MILES. THIS WAS A TOYOTA!, AND I WAS JUST GETTING BACK ON MY FEET WITH NEW JOB AFTER LOSING MY JOB, AND NOW I CAN'T DRIVE TO MY DIFFERENT JOB SITES -- AND BUSES CAN'T COVER WHAT I NEED. I BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW WHEN I WAS DOING BETTER FINANCIALLY AND THOUGHT THAT AS LONG AS I KEPT IT MAINTAINED, I'D HAVE 6 YEARS OR MORE LEFT OF A RUNNING VEHICLE. I AM JUST SHOCKED THAT TOYOTA WON'T TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS DEFECT, NOR WILL THE SERVICE MANAGER WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW EVEN OFFER ME A DISCOUNT ON THE REPLACEMENT ENGINE OR LABOR. HE SAYS THERE MUST BE A RECALL ORDERED FIRST. I'M A SINGLE MOM HOPING THAT TOYOTA IS MADE TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR ERROR, AND THAT I'M NOT LEFT WITHOUT A CAR UNTIL I CAN SAVE TO BUY A CHEAP USED ONE. *TR
Engine, Jul 23, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING BETWEEN 65 AND 70 MPH WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER STOPPED EMITTING COOL AIR AND STARTED EMITTING HOT AIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. THE REPAIR SHOP STATED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 115,000. UPDATED 08/16/12*LJ THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE COMPLAINT DELETED. UPDATED 08/21/12
Electrical system, Engine, Jul 17, 2012
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WENT ABOVE THE HALF WAY MARK AND WITHIN 15 MINUTES OF STOPPING AND STARTING IT APPROACHED THE RED BUT NEVER ACTUALLY WENT INTO THE RED ZONE. NO DASHBOARD LIGHTS EVER WENT ON TO ALERT ME TO AN ENGINE PROBLEM. WHEN STOPPED, IT WENT ABOVE THE HALF WAY MARK AND WHEN DRIVING IT WENT DOWN TO THE HALFWAY MARK. I GOT HOME ( 20 MINUTES LATER), I PARKED THE CAR AND DROVE IT THE NEXT DAY TO THE TOYOTA DEALER ( 8 MINUTES AWAY FROM MY HOUSE). IT DID NOT GO ABOVE THE HALFWAY MARK AT THIS TIME.FYI, ALL MAINTENANCE AND CHECK UPS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN ON TIME AND DONE AT THIS DEALER. THE DEALER CALLED LATER THAT DAY AND INFORMED ME THAT THE HEAD GASKET WAS BAD AND IN ORDER TO SEE WHAT ELSE MAY BE DAMAGED, IT WOULD COST $550. JUST TO INVESTIGATE INTO TO HEAD CYLINDER AND THE ENGINE. THE $550.WOULD BE APPLIED TO ANY REPAIRS. THE NEXT BUSINESS DAY, THE DEALER CALLED TO TELL ME THAT THE BOLTS OF THE HEAD CYLINDER WERE STRIPPED AND THE THREADS WERE IN THE BLOCK. I WOULD NEED A NEW SHORT BLOCK AT THE COST OF $6,375.00 PLUS TAX. ALL DUE TO THE OVERHEATING INCIDENT, WHICH HAD NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE. *TR
Engine, Jul 17, 2012
THE INCIDENT OCCURRED ON A FAMILY ROAD TRIP FROM CHICAGO, IL TO HAMILTON, ON, CANADA. AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 7 HOURS INTO THE 8.5 HOUR TRIP, I NOTICED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEAR AND THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE RISE TO THE VERY TOP. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND ASSUMED THAT THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH COOLANT TO KEEP THE ENGINE COOL, AS IT WAS A HOT DAY. AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES, I RESTARTED THE CAR AND NOTICED THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE HAD RETURNED TO ITS NORMAL POSITION. I RE-ENTERED THE HIGHWAY AND WAS ONLY ABLE TO DRIVE FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES BEFORE I NOTICED THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE BEGIN TO RISE ONCE AGAIN. I EXITED THE HIGHWAY AND FOUND A CANADIAN TIRE STORE IN LONDON, ON, CANADA WHERE A MECHANIC LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE AND CONCLUDED THAT THERE WAS SOME SORT OF LEAK IN THE ENGINE. I WAS TOLD THAT IT COULD BE ONE OF TWO VERY UNCOMMON PROBLEMS THAT WOULD BOTH COST A GREAT AMOUNT OF MONEY TO FIX AND WOULD MOST LIKELY EXTEND MY FAMILY'S STAY IN CANADA. WE WERE TOLD THAT WE COULD STAY IN LONDON AND HAVE A MECHANIC BEGIN WORKING ON THE VEHICLE THE NEXT DAY OR CONTINUE ON TO HAMILTON BY STOPPING EVERY FEW MILES TO REFILL THE COOLANT, AS WE WERE ONLY ABOUT AN HOUR AWAY. WE DECIDED TO CONTINUE ON TO HAMILTON AND STOPPED AROUND 5 TIMES TO REFILL THE COOLANT LEVEL. UPON REACHING HAMILTON, ON, CANADA WE FOUND A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO TOOK A CLOSER LOOK AT THE VEHICLE AND ITS ENGINE. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HIM ON FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012 AND HE TOLD US THAT IT LOOKED LIKE AN INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAK. ON SATURDAY, JULY 7, 2012 THE MECHANIC INFORMED US THAT THE LEAK WAS IN FACT COMING FROM ONE OF THE 4 CYLINDER HEADS AS THE BOLTS ON THE ENGINE WERE STRIPPED. OUR ONLY OPTION WAS TO COMPLETELY REPLACE THE ENGINE. THE MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO FIND A MATCHING ENGINE NEARBY AND COMPLETED THE REPLACEMENT BY TUESDAY, JULY 10, 2012. WE RETURNED HOME TO CHICAGO THE VERY SAME DAY WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS ALONG THE WAY. *TR
Engine, Jun 23, 2012
I SAW A SMALL POOL OF A RED-BROWN LIQUID ON THE GARAGE FLOOR, UNDER THE ENGINE. I DROVE IT TO MY MECHANIC AND HE THOUGHT IT WAS A HEAD GASKET PROBLEM. THE MECHANIC CALLED THE NEXT DAY TO SAY THE HEAD BOLTS IN THE ENGINE BLOCK WERE STRIPPED AND THE CAR WAS UNDRIVEABLE. THIS REQUIRED AN ENGINE REPLACEMENT. MY MECHANIC STATED THAT THIS NEVER SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED. THE MECHANIC HAD CHECKED ONLINE AND CALLED HIS ENGINE FRIENDS AND IT APPEARS TO BE A DEFECT WITH THIS YEAR AND MODEL. WWW.CARCOMPLAINT.COM DETAILS THIS PROBLEM WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED TO MY CAR. MY 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HAS BEEN VERY RELIABLE UP TO THIS POINT. WHEN I REPORTED IT TO TOYOTA, THEY STATED THAT THEY WILL NOT OFFER ANY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY, AND THEY WILL LET ME KNOW IF THERE ARE ANY RECALLS. I UNDERSTAND THE CAR IS OLDER AND IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND AM LETTING YOU KNOW BECAUSE THIS APPEARS TO BE A "DEFECT", RATHER THAN NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR ON A VEHICLE. THE TOTAL BILL FOR THE ENGINE REPLACEMENT, WITH GETTING A FEW OTHER PARTS REPLACED WAS $6,272.86. *TT
Engine, Jun 4, 2012
2003 HIGHLANDER , 2.4 ENGINE STARTED LEAKING ANTIFREEZE ON DRIVEWAY. PRESSURE TESTED OK. HEAD GASKET LEAKING DUE TO STRIPPED HEAD BOLTS. MECHANIC STATED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2.4 ENGINE. USUALLY BETWEEN 80,000 & 120,000 MILES. *TR REPAIR ESTIMATED AT $2000.
Engine, May 14, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE TRAVELING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEGAN TO OVERHEAT. AFTER EXAMINING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE RADIATOR WAS LEAKING FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE LOWER BLOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 115,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 30, 2012
2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER (4 CYL. ENGINE) DEVELOPED A COOLANT LEAK. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP WHO ADVISED THE WATER PUMP WAS LEAKING. WATER PUMP WAS REPLACED AT A COST OF $600. VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN HOME AND IMMEDIATELY FOUND TO STILL HAVE A COOLANT LEAK. DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED AND OWNER ADVISED TO BRING THE VEHICLE BACK. DEALERSHIP CHECKED AND ADVISED THAT CYLINDER HEAD BOLTS WERE STRIPPED OUT AND THAT ENGINE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $5400. THE ENGINE NEVER LOST ENOUGH COOLANT TO OVERHEAT BUT THE ONLY REPAIR OPTION GIVEN BY THE SERVICE MANAGER WAS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE ENGINE RATHER THAN REPLACING THE HEAD GASKET AND REPAIRING THE STRIPPED OUT THREADS TO HEAD BOLTS. SERVICE MANAGER SLIPPED UP BY SAYING THIS IS A DEFECT IN THE ENGINE BUT WHEN QUESTIONED FURTHER ABOUT THE PROBLEM HE STATED HE ONLY SEES IT "ONCE IN A BLUE MOON". THIS SEEMS TO BE A CONTRADICTION TO ALL THE OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FOR THIS 4 CYLINDER ENGINE. TOYOTA ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN MARCH 2, 2011 FOR THE HIGHLANDER, RAV4, CAMRY, AND SOLARA WHICH STATES: THERE MAY BE DAMAGED CYLINDER HEAD BOLTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO STATED HE HAS SEEN THIS PROBLEM BEFORE AND KNOWS HOW TO FIX IT (AND WILL GIVE A 2 YEAR 24000 MILE WARRANTY ON THE REPAIR). WHY DOES A VEHICLE DEFECT HAVE TO KILL SOMEONE BEFORE IT PROMPTS A RECALL. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A VEHICLE DEFECT AND IS STILL HAZARDOUS TO CONSUMERS IF THEY ARE SICK, ELDERLY, OR LEFT STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE KILLED EVERY YEAR WHEN THEY ARE STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND STRUCK BY ANOTHER MOTORIST. (TOO MANY!) COME ON TOYOTA, DOES IT TAKE A LAWSUIT OVER SOMEONE'S DEATH FOR YOU TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM? *JS
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 26, 2012
THERE ARE TWO SPEEDS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS. IT WAS ON THE FREEWAY DRIVING BACK HOME WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AT ABOUT 65 MPH. LATER, AFTER EXITING THE FREEWAY AND DRIVING FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES, THE RADIATOR HOSE BLEW OFF FROM THE PRESSURE, SHOOTING COOLANT AND CONTENTS OF THE RADIATOR BACK ONTO THE ENGINE (4 CYLINDER). I WAS GOING 40 MPH AT THE TIME. THE THERMOSTAT MUST NOT HAVE BEEN WORKING BECAUSE I WASN'T READING ANY OVERHEATING GOING ON, THOUGH THERE OBVIOUSLY WAS. AFTER GETTING IT DIAGNOSED, APPARENTLY THE BOLTS WERE STRIPPED, THE HEAD GASKET BLEW, AND THE ENGINE GOT TOO HOT. I AM NOW ASKED TO PAY ALMOST $3,000 TO REBUILD THE ENGINE (RETHREAD, ETC.). THIS THING WITH THE HEAD GASKET AND THE BOLTS FAILING AT RELATIVELY LOW MILEAGE (114,000 IN MY CASE) SEEMS TO BE A RECURRENT PROBLEM WITH THIS PARTICULAR MAKE AND MODEL. I HAD BEEN DRIVING IT AND KEEPING IT WELL MAINTAINED FOR ABOUT FIVE YEARS WITH RELATIVELY FEW PROBLEMS UNTIL THIS HAPPENED. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 6, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE INDICATED THAT THE ENGINE OVERHEATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT THE HEAD GASKET. IN ADDITION, THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE ENGINE BOLTS WERE STRIPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE HEAD GASKET AND THE BOLTS THREAD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 145,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 10, 2012
ENGINE OVERHEATED WHILE DRIVING, AND VEHICLE WAS PARKED OVERNIGHT AND COOLANT RESTORED. WHEN TAKEN TO LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER FOR REPAIR WAS INFORMED THAT BOLTS HOLDING ENGINE BLOCK HAD FAILED DUE TO THREADS INSIDE BLOCK BEING STRIPPED, AND COOLANT WAS LEAKING FROM SEAL IN ENGINE BLOCK. ASIDE FROM HITTING A DEER ONCE (MINOR VEHICLE DAMAGE IN WHICH THE HEADLIGHT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED), THIS VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. IN READING INFORMATION ON WEB, THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN REPORTED BY OTHER TOYOTA OWNERS. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 30, 2011
THE ENGINE ON THIS VEHICLE REQUIRED A COMPLETE REBUILD, AT A COST OF OVER $5000 DUE TO OIL LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE AND FOULING THE COMPONENTS. IN THE MONTHS LEADING UP TO THE COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE STALLED REPEATEDLY ON BOTH CITY ROADS AND HIGHWAYS, CREATING A DANGEROUS SITUATION SEVERAL TIMES. WHENEVER THE OIL WAS CHANGED, THE PROBLEM BECAME WORSE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD USE UP TO 4 QUARTS OF OIL PER WEEK FOR SEVERAL WEEKS. I CONTACTED TOYOTA'S CORPORATE OFFICE BY LETTER AND PHONE AND WAS TOLD THAT NO DEFECT EXISTED. TOYOTA IS CURRENTLY RECALLING EARLIER MODELS OF THIS VEHICLE FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS EMITTING WHITE SMOKE FROM THE TAILPIPE FOR SEVERAL MONTHS BEFORE THE ENGINE FAILED. EVENTUALLY, IT WOULD ONLY SUSTAIN A SPEED OF 30 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS CHECKED BY THREE MECHANICS WHO ALL FOUND THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS VEHICLE IS USED TO TRANSPORT A HANDICAPPED PERSON, AND WAS ALSO USED TO TRANSPORT CHILDREN FREQUENTLY. IN ORDER TO SAVE THE MONEY FOR THE REPAIRS, WHICH I HAD TO MAKE BECAUSE I AM STILL MAKING PAYMENTS ON THE LOAN FOR THIS CAR, I HAD TO PURCHASE A VERY OLD AND INEXPENSIVE CAR TO GET TO WORK. THE TOYOTA SAT PARKED FOR 9 MONTHS BEFORE IT COULD BE FIXED. HAD I NOT BEEN ABLE TO BUY THIS SECOND CAR, I WOULD HAVE LOST MY JOB. I COULD NOT PUT MY DAUGHTER'S WHEELCHAIR IN THE OTHER CAR. SHE IS ABLE TO WALK ONLY FOR SHORT DISTANCES. THIS CREATED A SEVERE HARDSHIP AND ALSO CONTRIBUTED TO HER DEVELOPING A FOOT WOUND AND INFECTION OF THE BONE IN HER FOOT. THIS MEDICAL ISSUE REQUIRED 3 SURGERIES AND 5 HOSPITALIZATIONS, PLUS OVER 6 MONTHS OF IV ANTIBIOTIC THERAPY. I NARROWLY AVOIDED SEVERAL ACCIDENTS WHEN THE CAR STALLED IN TRAFFIC. IF I WAS NOT SUCH AN EXPERIENCED DRIVER, IT IS HIGHLY LIKELY THAT A SERIOUS ACCIDENT WOULD HAVE OCCURRED. *KB
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 8, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEAD BOLT DETACHED FROM THE ENGINE BLOCK WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH. THE VEHICLE BEGAN RUNNING HOT AND WATER WAS LEAKING FROM THE BACK OF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND ADVISED THAT THE HEAD BOLT WAS STRIPPED FROM THE ENGINE BLOCK. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 189,000.
Engine and engine cooling, May 10, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH THE VEHICLE STARTED TO OVERHEAT. SHE DROVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND WAITED FOR THE VEHICLE TO COOL OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN INSPECTED BY A INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ADVISED HER THAT THE ENGINE BOLT WAS STRIPPED AND CAUSED THE COOLANT TO LEAK ONTO THE ENGINE. THE MECHANIC ALSO STATED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 111,400.
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 14, 2011
I HAVE A 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 2.4L THAT HAD ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO 3 HEADBOLTS ON THE INTAKE SIDE OF THE HEAD BECOME LOOSE AS OTHER NUMEROUS FOLKS HAVE EXPERIENCED. THE ENGINE BLEW THE HEADGASKET AND LOST COMPRESSION/POWER AND DIED. THE SEEMS TO BE A VERY WELL KNOWN ISSUE BY TOYOTA, REPAIR SHOPS, AND SALVAGE YARDS. SEEMS SOMEONE SHOULD HOLD TOYOTA RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIR COST - I.E NEW ENGINE SINCE THIS IS AN OBVIOUS MANUFACTURING/ENGINEERING DESIGN FLAW. BEWARE OF HIGHLANDERS, CAMRYS AND RAVS SINCE THEY ALL HAVE THIS 2.4L ENGINE. *TR