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.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Mar 14, 2010, crash
VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE AND MOTOR RACED AND VEHICLE TRAVELED BACKWARD AT RAPID RATE OF SPEED AND COULD NOT BE STOPPED IN SPITE OF BRAKING. ATTEMPT TO STOP VEHICLE WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. VEHICLE ONLY STOPPED WHEN STRUCK TELEPHONE POLE. PROBLEM WAS ENGINE RACING WHICH COULD NOT BE STOPPED. ACCELERATOR SEEMED TO STICK DOWN OR ACCELERATE WITHOUT FOOT APPLICATION. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Mar 11, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING AT 75 MPH UTILIZING THE CRUISE CONTROL MECHANISM, HE ATTEMPTED TO SHUT OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL WHEN THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED UP TO 90 MPH. HE IMMEDIATLEY PUT THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL AND DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL ALMOST TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE FINALLY CAME TO A STOP WHEN HE NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE FLOOR MAT WAS LYING OVER THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. HE IMMEDIATELY REMOVED ALL FLOOR MATS FROM THE VEHICLE AND HAD NOT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE SINCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000 AND THE CURRENT WAS 96,000.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 2, 2010, crash
CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN SLOWLY IN TRAFFIC. WHEN OTHER CARS STOPPED, THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. INSTEAD OF STOPPING, THE CAR CONTINUED FORWARD, HITTING ANOTHER CAR. IT SEEMED AS THOUGH THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY TO HAVE THE BRAKES EVALUATED. WE WERE TOLD THAT THE REPAIRMAN SAW THOSE KIND OF ACCIDENTS ALL THE TIME WITH ANTI-LOCK BRAKES. " YOU CANNOT HIT THEM HARD OR THEY WILL FAIL". *TR
Power train, Mar 1, 2010, crash
I PULLED INTO A PARKING SPACE AT A SHOPPING CENTER NEAR MY HOME, THEN BACKED UP A FEW FEET IN ORDER TO STRAIGHTEN MY CAR. WHEN I PUT THE TRANSMISSION INTO DRIVE, THE CAR SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD ENTIRELY ON ITS OWN, STRIKING THE CONCRETE BARRIER A FEW FEET IN FRONT OF MY CAR. I DID NOT ACCELERATE, THERE WERE NO FLOOR MATS ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE, AND THE FORCE THREW ME AGAINST THE STEERING WHEEL. A WITNESS RAN OVER TO SEE I WAS INJURED, BUT I WAS JUST BADLY FRIGHTENED. THE FRONT FENDER WAS DENTED, BUT ACTUALLY POPPED BACK OUT AS I WAS STANDING BESIDE MY CAR WITH THE WITNESS. I HAD PREVIOUSLY COMPLAINED ABOUT THE ENGINE ALTERNATELY SLOWING AND SURGING AS I DROVE, USUALLY ONLY AT SPEEDS UP TO 40MPH, TO MY LOCAL SERVICE DEPARTMENT. WHEN I CALLED MY SERVICE DEPARTMENT, THEY GAVE ME A TOLL FREE NUMBER WHERE I SPOKE TO A TOYOTA CASE MANAGER WHO ASSIGNED ME A CASE NUMBER AND TREATED ME VERY COLDLY AND WITH SUSPICION, ASKING PERSONAL QUESTIONS ABOUT MY HEALTH, INSURANCE COMPANY AND DRIVING RECORD. I SAID I WAS JUST CONCERNED THAT MY CAR HAD BEHAVED LIKE ONE I HAD JUST HEARD ABOUT ON THE LOCAL NEWS, AND I WANTED TO KNOW WHAT TO DO AND PREVENT OTHERS FROM EXPERIENCING WHAT HAD HAPPENED TO ME OR WORSE THE CASE MGR. SAID THEY WOULD CALL ME BACK. THEY NEVER CALLED BACK. THE FOLLOWING MONTH I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR SERVICE AND ASKED THEM TO CHECK THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THEY SAID THEY FOUND NO PROBLEMS. *TR
Electronic stability control (ESC), Traction control system, Mar 1, 2010
VSC SKID CONTROL/ECU FAILURE IN 2003 HIGHLANDER. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS: MY CAR LIGHTLY SKIDDED ON ICE OR WATER AND THE CHECK ENGINE/VSC AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS CAME ON. EVERY TIME THE CAR SKIDS, THE LIGHTS COME ON AND THE SKID CONTROL APPEARS TO BE DISABLED. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 27, 2010
VEHICLE SUDDENLY LEAKS ENGINE COOLANT TO THE OUTSIDE OF VEHICLE WITHOUT ANY WARNING OF OVERHEATING. LEAK IS COMING FROM A DEFECTIVE HEAD BOLT AND CANNOT BE FIXED. ENTIRE ENGINE BLOCK NEEDS REPLACEMENT. A VERY COMMON ISSUE AMONG 4 CYLINDER 2001-2006 TOYOTA ENGINES IN THE CAMRY,HIGHLANDER AND RAV 4 LEAKING HARMFUL COOLANT TO THE OUTSIDE OF VEHICLES THAT IS DEADLY TO HUMANS AND ANIMALS IF CONSUMED. NOT TO MENTION OVERHEATING OF ENGINE THAT CAN RESULT IN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AND VACUUM THAT SUPPLIES POWER TO STEERING AND BRAKES. *TR
Steering, Feb 26, 2010
2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER-LIMITED (V6): POWER STEERING PUMP FLUID LINES CORRODING AND LEAKING FLUID; THEREBY CAUSING FAILURE OF PWR-ASSISTED STEERING AT ANY SPEED. IN JAN-FEB 2010, MY HIGHLANDER EXHIBITED SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED STEERING EASE AT INTERMITTENT PERIODS. HIGHEST SAFETY RISK OCCURRENCES WERE AT (1) HWY SPEEDS, AND (2) CITY TRAFFIC SPEEDS WHEN ACCIDENT AVOIDANCE HANDLING WAS REQUIRED. A DEALER IN FREDERICK, MD DIAGNOSED THE PROB AS THOROUGHLY CORRODED PWR STEERING PUMP LINES. THEY REPLACED THE LINES AT MY COST. THE VEHICLE HAD ONLY 56K MILES ON IT. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Feb 24, 2010, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. HE STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH WITH HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, IT ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN WITHOUT A WARNING AND CRASHED INTO A BUILDING . THERE WERE FRONT END DAMAGES TO THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. A POLICE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST. THERE WERE REPAIRS MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 62,300.
Exterior lighting, Feb 23, 2010
HEADLIGHT LENSES HAVE BECOME PROGRESSIVELY TRANSLUCENT BLOCKING SIGNIFICANT LIGHT ENERGY FROM VEHICLE TO OPERATE VEHICLE IN A TOTALLY SAFE MANNER. (INCIDENT DATE AND ODOMETER READING NOT APPLICABLE IN THIS CASE.) SOME INTERNET WEB SITES SUGGEST DRILLING HOLES IN THE HEADLAMP FIXTURE TO FIX PROBLEM. I BELIEVE IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD STAND BEHIND GETTING THE PROBLEM RESOLVED. THIS PROBLEM IS NOT EXCLUSIVE TO TOYOTAS AS I HAVE OBSERVED OTHER BRANDS OF VEHICLES WITH THE SAME SAFETY PROBLEM AND MAY BE RELATED SPECIFICALLY TO A HEADLIGHT FIXTURE MANUFACTURER SHARED BY OTHER VEHICLE MANUFACTURERS. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HEARD. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Feb 22, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 5 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO 90 MPH. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKE WHICH DID NOT WORK. THE CONTACT THEN PUT THE GEAR NEUTRAL WHICH SLOWED THE VEHICLE DOWN AND SHE WAS ABLE TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A COMPLETE STOP, HOWEVER THE ENGINE WAS STILL RACING. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER BUT NO ACTION WAS TAKEN. FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,752. UPDATED 04/09/10. *LJ UPDATED EVOQ 06/08/10.*JB UPDATED 06/15/10.*JB
Steering, Feb 19, 2010, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING UP AN INCLINE APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH ON WET ROAD CONDITIONS. THE VEHICLE BEGAN PULLING TO THE RIGHT WITH AN AGGRESSIVE FORCE. SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE TRAVELED INTO THE HIGHWAY MEDIAN. THE POLICE WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO RESUME OPERATION. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED DAMAGES TO THE BUMPER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE FRONT BUMPER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.
Visibility, Feb 17, 2010
FOR THE LAST YEAR, THE DRIVER'S SUN VISOR ON MY 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER LIMITED HAS BEEN LOOSE AND DOES NOT STAY UP - IT IS ESPECIALLY LOOSE DURING WARMER WEATHER. THE VISOR WILL FALL DOWN IN FRONT OF THE DRIVER'S FACE, ESPECIALLY WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS OR ROUGH ROADS. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND A SAFETY HAZARD WHICH COULD LEASE TO A SERIOUS INCIDENT. I HAVE MENTIONED THIS TWICE WHILE BRINGING MY VEHICLE FOR MAINTENANCE AND HAVE BEEN TOLD IT CANNOT BE REPAIRED AND I WOULD HAVE TO BUY A NEW VISOR. LAST WEEK I SPOKE WITH THE PARTS DEPARTMENT AND WAS TOLD THIS IS COMMON AND A NEW VISOR COST MORE THAN $700 BECAUSE IT HAS THE HOMELINK. IT WAS SUGGESTED I GET A VISOR WITHOUT HOMELINK FOR AROUND $70. WHILE THIS IS AFFORDABLE, I WOULD THEN LOSE THE HOMELINK FEATURE, WHICH WAS PART OF MY DECISION-MAKING TO BUY THE HIGHLANDER. MY GUESS IS THE DRIVER'S SUN VISOR IS HAVING THE PROBLEM DUE TO THE ADDITIONAL WEIGHT CAUSED BY THE HOMELINK. I CANNOT AFFORD TO REPLACE THE VISOR, AND BELIEVE TOYOTA SHOULD REPLACE OR REPAIR AT THEIR COST. *TR
Power train, Feb 15, 2010
2003 V6 AWD TOYOTA HIGHLANDER FRONT TO REAR DRIVE SHAFT FAILURE (PROPELLER SHAFT). *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 11, 2010
FAULTY ELECTRONIC COMPUTER MODULE ON 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER THROWS MULTIPLE ERROR CODES TO INDICATE A NUMBER OF PROBLEMS WITH EMISSION COMPONENTS. ERROR CODES CALL OUT OXYGEN SENSORS, (THERE IS FOUR SENSORS ON 2003 (4) CYLINDER HIGHLANDERS). FIX ONE SENSOR AND ANOTHER POPS UP BAD ACCORDING TO THE ERROR CODES. ANOTHER $400 REPAIR BILL ! TOYOTA WILL REPLACE THE MODULE ON CARS WITH WARRANTY, NO PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THEY DENY THERE IS ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE MODULE WHEN NO WARRANTY IS INVOLVED. CODES AT TIMES ALSO SHOW A FAULTY CATALYTIC CONVERTER ($1000 REPAIR BILL ). IF YOU VISIT THE TOYOTA NATION WEB SITE YOU WILL SEE MANY REPORTS OF THE COMPONENT AT ISSUE. THIS IS ON THE SAME VEHICLES AS THE ONE I OWN. SOME PEOPLE HAVE REPORTED TOYOTA CHARGES UNSUSPECTING CUSTOMERS $1600 TO REPAIR THESE FOUR SENSORS. ( NOT MY WORDS, TAKEN OFF THE TOYOTA NATION FORUMS). PLEASE DEMAND TOYOTA REPLACE THE MODULES ON THESE VEHICLES. THANK YOU ! *TR
Steering, Feb 9, 2010, crash
THE VEHICLE WAS BEING OPERATED AT ABOUT 30 MPH WHEN IT SUDDENLY VEERED TO THE LEFT AND CRASHING INTO A LARGE BOULDER. THE POLICE REPORT SUGGESTED IT WAS A MECHANICAL FAILURE. I ASKED TOYOTA TO DO A FORENSIC EXAMINATION OF THE VEHICLE TO AVOID A SIMILAR OCCURRENCE ON OTHER VEHICLES AS A SIMILAR INCIDENT AT HIGHWAY SPEED MIGHT HAVE HAD VERY SERIOUS RESULTS. TOYOTA ADVISED THAT THEY INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND "DETERMINED THAT ALL DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE WAS THE RESULT OF IMPACT AND NOT THE RESULT OF ANY MANUFACTURING DEFECT." *TR
Visibility, Feb 8, 2010
MY 2003 HIGHLANDER HAS AN ISSUE WITH THE DRIVER SIDE SUNVISOR. DURING MOVEMENT OF THE CAR IT'S CONSTANTLY FALLING DOWN INTO MY LINE OF VISION DURING DRIVING. IT STARTED FALLING DOWN ONLY OCASSIONALLY OVER SPEED BUMPS AND NOW IT JUST FALLS DOWN ALMOST EVER FEW MINUTES WHILE DRIVING. I TRIED TO GET THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP TO REPACE THE VISOR UNDER MY EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS NOT COVERED BY IT. AFTER READING MANY POSTINGS ON THE WEB IT SEEMS THAT MANY TOYOTA HIGHLANDER OWNERS HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM. MY VISOR HAS BUILT IN ELECTRICAL PARTS ON IT THAT ARE SUPPOSED TO CONTROL A GARAGE DOOR, HOUSE LIGHTS, ETC. IN WHICH TOYOTA SAY IS A "HOME CENTER CONTROL" - I HAVE NOT PUT ANYTHING ON THE VISOR TO MAKE IT ANY HEAVIER THAN HOW THE FACTORY PRODUCED IT. THE VISOR IS TOO HEAVY AND IT CAN NOT BE SUPPORTED BY THE METAL PART THAT CONNECTS IT TO THE ROOF OF THE CAR. THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP GAVE NO SOLUTION OTHER THAN TO REPLACE THE VISOR AT MY COST BUT I HAVE READ OTHER PEOPLES POSTS SAYING THAT THE ISSUE WILL ONLY HAPPEN AGAIN. THEY INFORMED ME THE PART ALONE IS $800 WITHOUT INSTALLATION. I THOUGHT THAT MAYBE VELCRO WOULD WORK SO I TRIED TO VELCRO THE VISOR TO THE ROOF OF MY CAR BUT UNFORTUNATELY THE VELCOR IS NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO HOLD THE VISOR TO THE ROOF AND DURING THE SUMMER THE GLUE MELTS AND DOESN'T ALLOW THE VELCRO TO STICK TO THE ROOF THUS I CAN NOT KEEP THE VISOR UP. THIS ISSUE STARTED ABOUT 2007 AND PROGRESSIVELY GOT WORSE AND NOW THE VISOR WILL NOT STAY UP MORE THAN A COUPLE OF MINUTES - ESPECIALLY IN THE SUMMER. FIRSTLY THE VISOR ITSELF IS DISTRACTION, SECONDLY ONCE IT'S DOWN IT BLOCKS A PORTION OF THE DRIVER'S VIEW, AND THIRDLY IT'S A DISTRACTION TO HAVE TO USE ONE HAND TO PUT THE VISOR BACK UP. YOU CAN NOT EVEN TRY TO MOVE IT TO THE SIDE AS IT'S STILL TOO LOW TO SEE OUT THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW AND ALSO THER ARE NO ACCESSIBLE SCREWS TO REMOVE THE VISOR MYSELF. ALL IN ALL THIS ISSUE IS A HUGE HAZARD AND SHOULD BE CORRECTED BY TOYOTA.
Other or unspecified, Feb 7, 2010
MY COMPLAINT CENTERS AROUND THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR ON THE TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THIS PROBLEM HAS BECOME MORE APPARENT WITHIN THE LAST YEAR ON THE 2003 MODEL THAT MY WIFE AND I OWN. *TW
Fuel system, Gasoline, Vehicle speed control, Feb 4, 2010, crash
)N THE MORNING OF 12-05-09, AS I'M PULLING INTO MY GARAGE, THE CAR SUDDENLY LURCHED FORWARD WITH AN UNEXPECTED INCREASE IN SPEED. BEFORE I COULD BRAKE, THE CAR SLAMMED INTO A STEEL SHELVING UNIT ON THE BACK WALL WHICH RESULTED IN EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE WALL ( BOTH INTERIOR & EXTERIOR) AND WHAT APPEARED TO BE MINIMAL DAMAGE TO THE AUTO. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MY TOYOTA SERVICE ON THAT SAME DAY BECAUSE I/WE FELT THAT THIS COULD CONSTITUTE AN UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITION. TOTAL COSTS FROM THIS INCIDENT WERE AS FOLLOWS: COVERED BY INSURANCE- $3607.81 (PLUS 703.31 PD. DIRECTLY TO THE DEALER?) AND $916.27 ( 500.00 INSURANCE DEDUCTIBLE AND AN ADDITIONAL MECHANICAL CHARGE FOR A FUEL/AIR SENSOR THAT FAILED ON 12-26-09). I HAVE NOT PREVIOUSLY EXPERIENCED "SUDDEN ACCELERATION" WITH THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE NOTIFIED BOTH MY LOCAL DEALER, SOUTHEAST TOYOTA DISTRIBUTORS AND TOYOTA CUSTOMER RELATIONS REGARDING THE PROBLEM STATING THAT THERE MAY BE OTHER VEHICLES BEYOND THE SCOPE OF THEIR CURRENT RECALL THAT SHOULD ALSO BE CONSIDERED AS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS. *TR UPDATED 05/03.10 TOYOTA DENIED THE CONSUMER CLAIM, STATING THE VEHICLE EXAMINATION REVEALED NO APPARENT REASON FOR THE ACCELERATION. HOWEVER, THE DEALER THAT PERFORMED THE INSPECTION STATED THE THROTTLE WAS BECAME STUCK DUE TO GUMMY DEPOSITS CASED BY ETHANOL IN THE GASOLINE. UPDATED 08/210/10*JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 4, 2010
I ROUTINELY HAVE DIFFICULTY WITH MY BRAKES ON MY 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY WERE NEVER ABLE TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM. JUST RECENTLY I DISCOVERED THAT THE PROBLEM IS CUASED BY MY "BIG FEET" - I AM A SIZE 14. IF MY FOOT IS STRAIGHT UP AND DOWN THE TOP OF MY SHOE OR BOOT RESTS AGAINST THE METAL BRACKET AND I LOSE ALL THE LEVERAGE ON THE BRAKE. IN ESSENCE - I HAVE TO STAND ON THE BRAKE TO MAKE THE CAR STOP. I NOW TRY TO REMEMBER TO KEEP MY FOOT TILTED TO THE SIDE SO THAT I ONLY PUSH ON THE RUBBER PAD OF THE BRAKE PEDAL. I DON'T BELIEVE THAT I SHOULD ALTER HOW I APPLY THE BRAKES TO GET THEM TO WORK. THE BRAKE PEDAL DESIGN NEEDS TO BE CHANGED. AT LEAST TWICE I HAVE HAD NEAR ACCIDENTS WHEN I HAD TO STOP SUDDENLY AND MY REFLEX WAS TO BRAKE NORAMLLY - NOT TILT MY FOOT TO THE SIDE. I ENTERED THE LAST DATE THIS OCCURED. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Feb 3, 2010, crash
ON MONDAY, APRIL 28, 2008 AT APPROXIMATELY 7:45 A.M. CDT, I DROVE MY 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER ON TO THE EMPLOYEE PARKING LOT AT UNIGROUP, INC. AS I ALWAYS DID, I PULLED UP PAST MY ASSIGNED PARKING SPOT, STOPPED, AND PUT THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE TO BACK INTO MY SPACE. WHEN I MOVED MY FOOT FROM THE BRAKE TO THE ACCELERATOR AND TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL TO BACK INTO SPACE 304, THE SUV SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AT A TREMENDOUS SPEED, HIT AND BOUNCED OFF THE FORD EXPLORER PARKED IN SPACE 305 AND THEN HIT THE SUBARU LEGACY WAGON PARKED IN SPACE 317 IMMEDIATELY BEHIND SPACE 304. ONE WITNESS WHO WAS IN THE PARKING LOT AT THE TIME LATER TOLD ME THAT WHILE HE DID NOT SEE THE CRASH, HE HEARD A HUGE ROAR OF A MOTOR AND THE CRASHING NOISE OF THE IMPACT. THE OWNER OF THE SUBARU ALSO DID NOT SEE THE INITIAL ACCELERATION OF THE SUV, BUT HEARD THE TIRES SCREECHING AND TURNED IN TIME TO SEE MY SUV HIT HIS SUBARU. BOTH OF THE TWO WITNESSES HELPED ME LOAD THE BACK BUMPER OF MY HIGHLANDER INTO THE CARGO AREA. PRIOR TO GOING INTO THE OFFICE, I CHECKED THE FLOOR MAT UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL, BUT COULD NOT SEE ANY INDICATION THAT IT IN ANY WAY HAD MOVED. I AM CONVINCED THAT THE ONLY THING THAT STOPPED MY HIGHLANDER WAS THE FACT THAT IT HIT THE TWO VEHICLES IN SPACES 305 AND 317. LATER THAT DAY (4.28.2008), I CALLED TOYOTA TO REPORT THE INCIDENT. I WAS TOLD BY A REPRESENTATIVE BY THE NAME OF BARBARA THAT THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS OR RECALLS ON THE HIGHLANDER, ONLY THE CAMRY (THIS ACCORDING TO THE NHTSA.) MY REPORT WAS GIVEN . THERE WAS EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO MY SUV AND THE TWO OTHER VEHICLES THAT WERE HIT. THUS FAR, TOYOTA HAS NOT ACKNOWLEDGED THAT MY VEHICLE (2003 HIGHLANDER) IS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND SINCE THE VIN # BEGINS WITH A J, I AM TOLD THAT THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH ANY VEHICLE MADE IN JAPAN. THEREFORE, I CANNOT EVEN TAKE IT TO A DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS. I AM LEFT IN LIMBO WITH A DEFECTIVE TOYOTA. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Jan 29, 2010
2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER, I HAVE A RANDOMLY OCCURRING PROBLEM WITH THE GAS PEDAL STICKING WHEN YOU ARE TRYING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP. MY YEAR MODEL IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE CURRENT RECALL BUT I WANTED TO MAKE YOU AWARE THAT THERE ARE OTHER POSSIBLE PROBLEMS OUT THERE. I HAVE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID WITHOUT BEING ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM THERE IS NOTHING THAT I CAN DO AND IT IS RANDOMLY OCCURRING. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Jan 27, 2010
2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER UNCONTROLLED SURGE IN ACCELERATION. CONSUMER STATES THERE WAS LIMITED TO NO USE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE FLOOR MAT PLAYED ABSOLUTELY NO ROLE IN THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION INCIDENT. THE TRUCK WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY REPLACED NUMEROUS PARTS, BUT COULD NOT EXPLAIN THE CAUSE. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 2, 2010
1. ENGINE OVERTEMP 2. ENGINE CONTINUALLY RUNS HOT. CANNOT USE VEHICLE 3. REPLACED HEAD GASKET, RADIATOR, THERMOSTAT. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 22, 2009
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO OVERHEAT. HE PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, AND THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED TO RESUME OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. THE REAR HEAD BOLTS AND A BLOWN HEAD GASKET WERE STRIPPED. ALSO THE CYLINDER HEAD GASKET WAS REPLACED. THE TOTAL COST OF THE SERVICE REPAIR WAS $1,972. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,047. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 05/06/10. *LJ
Vehicle speed control, Nov 30, 2009
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK. HE DOWN-SHIFTED , THEN SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL, AND THEN APPLIED THE BRAKES. HE WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. DURING THE FAILURE, THE FLOOR MAT WAS NOT UNDER THE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE THROTTLE WAS OPEN, WHICH COULD AFFECT THE SPEED. HOWEVER THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM OR LOCATE ANY DIAGNOSTIC ERROR CODES.. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,467.