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
270 reports, newest first.
Exterior lighting, Jan 13, 2014
THE REAR RIGHT BRAKE LIGHT STOPPED BRIGHTENING UPON HITTING THE BRAKES AT FIRST. THEN A FEW MONTHS LATER, NEITHER BRAKE LIGHT IS LIGHTING UP AT ALL. I ALSO WITNESSED THE SAME ISSUE OCCUR ON ANOTHER 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER WHILE STOPPED IN TRAFFIC. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jan 11, 2014
WE HAVE HAD UNRELIABLE OPERATION OF THE DRIVER-SIDE BRAKE LIGHT FOR SOME TIME (APPROXIMATE INCIDENT DATE ABOVE WAS FOR MOST RECENT INCIDENT). WEB SEARCH TURNS UP NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS WITH SAME SYMPTOMS - ONE EXAMPLE IS AT WWW.TOPIX.COM. SEVERAL REPORTING THIS PROBLEM REPLACED MAJOR COMPONENTS OF TAILLIGHT ASSEMBLY ONLY TO HAVE PROBLEM RECUR. A CALL TO TOYOTA ASKING ABOUT TSB OR RECALL YIELDS NOTHING. *TR
Engine, Dec 20, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE RELEASED A PINK FLUID AS A GURGLING NOISE EMITTED FROM THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION, WHO FOUND THAT THE ENGINE CYLINDER, BOLT HEAD AND THE THREAD WERE STRIPPED FROM THE CYLINDER BLOCK DUE TO DEFECTIVE MATERIAL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,900 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 111,500. UPDATED 6/17/14*CN THE ENGINE BLOCK AND VALVE WERE REPLACED. UPDATED 07/03/14
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Nov 18, 2013, crash
GRANDMOTHER WAS LEAVING AND DROVE THROUGH A CLOSED WROUGHT IRON GATE THAT WAS OVER 10' TALL AND 16' WIDE. CONTINUED ACCELERATING THROUGH A PARKING LOT ACROSS THE STREET, DROVE OVER A LARGE DECORATIVE BOULDERS AND CAME TO HALT AFTER CRASHING INTO A NEIGHBORS FENCE. SHE SAID THAT SHE ATTEMPTED TO STOP IN FRONT OF HER GATE TO OPEN IT BUT THE BREAKS WOULD NOT WORK AND THE CAR KEPT ACCELERATING. THANKFULLY IT ENDED HOW IT DID LEAVING HER WITH MINOR INJURIES. IT IS ALSO DISGUSTING KNOWING THAT IT COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE AND IF A CAR DEFECT IS THE REASON NOTHING WILL BE DONE UNTIL DEATHS BEGIN TO OCCUR. *TR
Engine, Nov 1, 2013
MY 4 CYLINDER ENGINE OVERHEATED VERY QUICK, VERY HIGH, CAUSING A GASKET TO BLOW. UPON REPAIRING THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND GASKET, THE MECHANIC RAN INTO ANOTHER ISSUE THAT I'VE BEEN READING ABOUT HAPPENING TO OTHERS, THE THREADS ARE STRIPPED WHERE THEY HOLD THE ENGINE BLOCK. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. THERE ARE TOO MANY PEOPLE WRITING ABOUT HAVING THIS ISSUE FOR IT BE A RARE OCCURRENCE FOR THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE. THE COSTS ARE HIGH TO FIX AND TOYOTA NEEDS TO HELP RECTIFY THE PROBLEM. *TR
Engine, Oct 1, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE ENGINE OVERHEATED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WAS CONTACTED AND THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE MOTOR BOLTS WERE STRIPPED, CAUSING RADIATOR FLUID TO LEAK. AS A RESULT, THE MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REBUILT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 146,000. UPDATED 11/12/13*CN
Engine, Sep 11, 2013
THE ENGINE WAS POURING ANTI FREEZE ON THE ROAD FROM THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE'S HEAD BOLTS WERE STRIPED CAUSING THE HEAD GASKET TO LEAK. THIS WAS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT AND EVEN SENT OUT A SERVICE BULLETIN BUT SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL DUE TO THE SAFETY OF OTHER CARS ON THE ROADWAY. THE EPA SHOULD ALSO BE INVOLVED DUE TO THE HAZARDOUS MATERIAL BEING PLACED IN THE GROUND. *TR
Engine, Sep 9, 2013
HEAD GASKET FAILED, HEAD BOLTS STRIPPED, COOLANT LEAK, A/C BLOWS HOT. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Aug 3, 2013
ON 7-11-13, GOING AT HIGHWAY SPEED ON ROUTE 52 IN NORTH CAROLINA, THE THROTTLE BECAME STUCK WIDE OPEN CAUSING MY CAR TO ACCELERATE BEYOND MY CONTROL. I SLOWED DOWN TO GET OFF ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY, BUT I COULD NOT STOP THE CAR, ONLY SLOW IT DOWN, TO APPROXIMATELY 10-15 MPH. GOT BACK ON THE ROAD AND TOOK THE NEXT EXIT. AGAIN I COULD NOT STOP THE CAR, AND THOUGH I SLOWED AGAIN TO ABOUT 10-15 MPH, I DRIFTED THROUGH THE INTERSECTION AT THE STOP SIGN, WITH TRAFFIC APPROACHING FROM BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT! I TURNED SHARPLY LEFT, GOT OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, AND TURNED THE KEY OFF TO STOP THE CAR. GOD WAS WATCHING, BECAUSE NO COLLISION OCCURRED. WHEN I STARTED THE ENGINE AGAIN, IT ROARED LIKE I'VE NEVER HEARD IT BEFORE. SOMEHOW, I DON'T REMEMBER HOW, I GOT THE CAR ABOUT 100 YARDS DOWN THE ROAD TO A MARATHON GAS STATION, TO GET COMPLETELY OFF THE ROAD AND OUT OF THE WAY. A MAN STOPPED AND WALKED OVER TO ME, TELLING ME THAT MY THROTTLE WAS STUCK BECAUSE OF A FAULTY TPS (THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR). HE INTRODUCED HIMSELF AS A MECHANIC, WHO FORMERLY WORKED AT A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP, AND SAID THAT WAS A ?KNOWN? PROBLEM WITH TOYOTAS. HE TOWED ME TO HIS HOUSE, REPLACED THE TPS, AND WE TESTED THE CAR, TO THE SATISFACTION OF BOTH OF US. IT RAN JUST FINE, SO I FOLLOWED HIM TO THE PNC BANK TO GET MONEY TO PAY HIM. WHILE THERE, THE LADY HELPING ME, IN RESPONSE TO MY STORY, TOLD ME THAT HER TOYOTA PARKED OUTSIDE HAD THE VERY SAME PROBLEM! EXCEPT IT COST HER A LOT MORE THAN MY TOW & REPAIR DID. MY INCIDENT WAS MOST DEFINITELY A PART FAILURE, NOT AN OPERATOR ERROR, OR A PROBLEM DUE TO FLOOR MATS, AS IS ALLEGED IN THE PENDING UNINTENDED ACCELERATION? LITIGATION AGAINST TOYOTA, AND MY 2003 HIGHLANDER IS NOT SPECIFICALLY LISTED IN THAT LITIGATION INFORMATION ON-LINE. I AM SENDING A LETTER TO TOYOTA, THE NTSB AND OUR LOCAL DEALERSHIP WHERE WE PURCHASED THE CAR.
Power train, Engine, Jul 29, 2013, crash
I WAS BACKING MY CAR FROM ACROSS THE STREET. AFTER SHIFTING TO DRIVE, MY CAR JUMPED BACK IN REVERSED FULL SPEED CRASH IN TO MY GARAGE. I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE BUT WOULDN'T STOP TILL IT HIT MY GARAGE WALL. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Jul 13, 2013
I HAVE A 2003 HIGHLANDER. WHEN I PRESS THE BRAKE, ONLY THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE TAIL/BRAKE LIGHT BECOMES BRIGHTER. WHEN THE LIGHTS ARE ON, THE BULBS ILLUMINATE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BUT THEY DO NOT GET BRIGHTER WHEN THE BRAKE IS PRESSED. WHEN THE LIGHTS ARE OFF, THE BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT ILLUMINATE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. I SAW THE SAME PROBLEM TODAY ON A HIGHLANDER JUST LIKE MINE. *TR
Visibility/wiper, Jun 6, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE SUN VISOR FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE PUT THE VISOR UP BUT IT FELL SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000.
Engine, May 29, 2013
LEAK AT REAR OF ENGINE, UNDER INTAKE MANIFOLD. HEAD GASKET, OR WARPED HEAD. CYLINDER HEAD BOLT THREADS DAMAGED . TOYOTA SAID SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 2AZ-FE ENGINE MAY EXHIBIT DAMAGED CYLINDER HEAD BOLTS. *TR
Engine, May 21, 2013
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
Engine, May 14, 2013
I TOOK MY 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER TO THE GARAGE AFTER I NOTICED THAT COOLANT WAS LEAKING FROM THE ENGINE BLOCK. IT HAD JUST GONE OVER 100,000 MILES AND WE BOUGHT IT NEW. I WAS TOLD THAT A HEAD GASKET WAS BLOWN WHICH WAS DUE TO A DEFECT SINCE THE ENGINE DIDN'T OVERHEAT. THERE WEREN'T ANY ISSUES OTHER THAN THE FLUID LEAKING. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT MANY OTHER HIGHLANDER OWNERS HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE (HEAD GASKET BLOWN, LEAKING COOLANT, AND STRIPPED BOLTS ON THE BLOCK). I CALLED MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. THIS IS VERY FRUSTRATING THAT THEY ARE NOT TAKING ACCOUNTABILITY FOR A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. *TR
Engine, May 7, 2013
ENGINE STARTED TO LEAK COOLANT FROM THE HEAD GASKET, AND AFTER A COUPLE DAYS WAS LEAKING ABOUT A GALLON A DAY. AT THAT POINT I STOPPED DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND TOOK IT IN TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT. THEY SAID IT WAS LEAKING FROM THE HEAD GASKET BECAUSE THE HEAD BOLTS ARE STRIPED OUT. COST WOULD BE AROUND $5000 BECAUSE IT HAD TO BE STRIPED DOWN AND TAKEN TO A MACHINE SHOP TO BE FIXED. AND MORE THEN LIKELY IT WOULD NEED A NEW MOTOR BLOCK. I STILL HAVEN'T HAD THE CAR FIXED BECAUSE I CANT AFFORD TO SPEND THAT KIND OF MONEY RIGHT NOW. I HAVE DONE ALOT OF RESEARCH ON THIS AND SEEMS MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE 2003 HIGHLANDER. THIS FOR SURE IS A DESIGN DEFECT IN THE HIGHLANDER AND TOYOTA WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE IT AND HELP RESOLVE THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL. I WROTE SEVERAL LETTERS TO TOYOTA AND THAT IS BASICALLY THE SAME ANSWER I GOT EVERY TIME. *TR
Power train, Structure, May 6, 2013, crash
ON APRIL 15, 2013 WHILE PARKING MY 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR ACCELERATED WHILE SHIFTING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE WHILE I WAS PARKING. SUDDENLY MY CAR TOOK OFF WITH THE ENGINE FULL SPEED TO RED LINE ON THE TACHOMETER IN A SPACE OF FOUR FEET IT JUMPED THE PARKING BLOCK AND SMASHED INTO THE CENTER BLOCK WALL WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. THE DAMAGE TO MY CAR WAS $2000.00. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. I CONSIDER MYSELF LUCKY, BECAUSE I COULD HAVE BEEN HURT AND OTHER PEOPLE. I AM SCARED NOW WHEN I DRIVE MY CAR. *TR
Engine, Apr 22, 2013
MY 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER ( 2.4L 4-CYLINDER) DEVELOPED A COOLANT LEAK ON THE BACK SIDE OF THE ENGINE. MY MECHANIC INFORMED ME IT HAD A BLOWN HEAD GASKET AND THAT THE BACK THREE HEAD BOLTS ARE COMPLETELY STRIPPED,ALLOWING COOLANT TO LEAK ONTO THE ENGINE. AFTER SOME RESEARCH ON THE COMPUTER I FIND THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO GET TOYOTA TO STEP UP AND TAKE CARE OF THEIR PROBLEM? *TR
Engine, Apr 17, 2013
DRIVING IN TOWN TRAFFIC, CAR OVERHEATED FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER HAVING THIS CAR. THOUGHT IT WAS PROBABLY A THERMOSTAT SO TOOK TO FIRESTONE, THEY CALLED AND SAID I HAVE A BLOWN HEAD GASKET! AT ONLY 95000 MILES. I HAVE BABIED AND HAD EVERY SINGLE REGULAR SERVICE DONE TO THIS VEHICLE SINCE IT WAS THE FIRST NEW CAR I EVER BOUGHT. I THOUGHT TOYOTAS WERE LONG LASTING VEHICLES. APPARENTLY NOT. I'M GOING TO HAVE TO COME UP WITH OVER $2000 DOLLARS TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. I'VE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN TOWN THAT I BOUGHT IT FROM AND THEY ARE GOING TO CALL ME TO LET ME KNOW IF THEY AGREE WITH FIRESTONE'S ASSESSMENT. I UNDERSTAND THAT THE HEAD BOLTS ARE ALSO STRIPPED IN THIS YEAR MODEL. I'M VERY UPSET THAT I COULDN'T PAY WHAT I PAID FOR THIS SUV (EXPENSIVE) AND HAVE IT EVEN MAKE IT TO 100,000 MILES. MY AMERICAN MADE CAR WENT TO 130,000 AND THAT'S SUPPOSED TO BE THE OPPOSITE. TOYOTA NEEDS TO PAY FOR MY REPAIRS TO THIS VEHICLE!! I AM THE ONLY OWNER AND I'M NOT BUYING TOYOTA AGAIN...I'M VERY SAD. *TR
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
Structure, Mar 7, 2013
THE PROBLEM IS SINCE WE PURCHASED THE 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER IN 2005, THE DRIVERS SIDE SUN VISOR ( THE ONE WITH THE HOME LINK BUTTONS AND THE LIGHTED MIRROR) ... IT HAS NEVER BEEN ABLE TO STAY UP. WHEN PUT UP NEAR THE ROOF, IT CONSTANTLY FALLS DOWN BLOCKING MY VISION AS THE DRIVER. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE AND SHOULD BE MODIFIED AND RECALLED FROM TOYOTA BEFORE IT CAUSES SOMEONE TO CRASH BECAUSE OF NOT BEING ABLE TO SEE! *TR
Structure, Feb 21, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO PARK, HE HAPHAZARDLY CRASHED INTO A WALL AND THE FRONT FENDER DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FENDER WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT APPLIED GLUE TO THE AREA AND RE-ATTACHED THE FENDER TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000. UPDATED 05/10/2013 *JS
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