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.
Vehicle speed control, Nov 4, 2009
THROTTLE STUCK OPEN AND CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE ON MY 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER LIMITED WHILE DRIVING NORTH ON RT 4 IN CALVERT COUNTY, MD. IT WAS NECESSARY TO WEAVE IN AND OUT OF TRAFFIC UNTIL I COULD SAFELY GET OFF ROAD. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO NEAREST GARAGE. MECHANIC BLAMED THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY AND CLEANED. DROVE VEHICLE HOME WITHOUT INCIDENT. THROTTLE AGAIN STUCK OPEN NEXT TIME I STARTED VEHICLE AND BEGAN TO DRIVE AWAY FROM HOUSE. I HAD THE TOWED VEHICLE TO BAYSIDE TOYOTA, PRINCE FREDERICK, MD WITH THROTTLE STILL STUCK OPEN FOR THEM TO SEE WHAT WAS OCCURRING. SERVICE MANAGER SAID IT WAS NECESSARY TO REPLACE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY WHICH WAS BAD. REPLACED TO THE TUNE OF $1,668.74. SERVICE MANAGER, WHO SUGGESTED MY FLOOR MAT MAY HAVE PUSHED DOWN THROTTLE BEFORE TOW TRUCK ARRIVED, SAID I WAS LUCKY TO GET THE CAR TO THE GARAGE SINCE THE WORN THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY MADE DRIVING DANGEROUS. I SENT A LETTER TO TOYOTA MOTOR SALES USA, INC, TORRANCE, CA ON 07/10/2009, AND EXPLAINED THE INCIDENT, THE POSSIBLE DANGEROUS RESULTS, AND THE HIGH COST OF REPAIR. TOYOTA RESPONDED WITH AN ACKNOWLEDGMENT DATED 07/25/2009, AND SAID I COULD CALL THEIR OFFICE IF INTERESTED IN DISCUSSING INCIDENT. I CALLED AND THEIR REPRESENTATIVE SAID THEY HAD NO RECORD OF SIMILAR INCIDENTS, AND THE VEHICLE HAD TO MANY YEARS AND MILES FOR A WARRANTY CONSIDERATION OF A CREDIT ON THE NEW THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY. I DON'T KNOW IF THIS CONVERSATION RESULTED IN A RECORD BEING MADE SINCE I RECEIVED A DUPLICATE OF THE 07/25/2009 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT LETTER IN 09/2009. UNFORTUNATELY, I WAS UNAWARE OF THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY BEING A PROBLEM IN TOYOTA VEHICLES PRIOR TO THE REPAIR, AND I DID NOT REQUEST THE OLD PART BE RETURNED TO ME. I DO HAVE MY COPY OF CORRESPONDENCE TO TOYOTA AND THEIR ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF RECEIPT. *TR UPDATED 06/14/10. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 22, 2009
THIS PERTAINS TO MY WIFE'S 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER SUV, 4 CYLINDER ENGINE. ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2009, WHILE DRIVING SHE NOTICED THE TEMPERATURE GAGE ON THE DASHBOARD WAS HIGH. SHE DROVE THE CAR HOME AND CHECKED THE COOLANT LEVEL. IT WAS EXTREMELY LOW. SHE REFILLED THE COOLANT AND DIDN'T DRIVE THE SUV UNTIL SHE WENT TO HER APPOINTMENT ON WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2009 WITH THE HAWAII TOYOTA DEALER SERVCO'S MOTOR IMPORTS SERVICE & PARTS CENTER AT 609 SOUTH STREET, HONOLULU, HAWAII 96813. THEY TOLD HER THE ENGINE HAD A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. WE UNDERSTAND THIS IS BECAUSE THE CYLINDER HEAD BOLTS ARE STRIPPED ON THE BACK SIDE OF THE ENGINE. THIS IS WHAT CAUSED THE COOLANT LEAK IN THE FIRST PLACE. SERVCO TOLD US THAT THE SURE REPAIR (A WHOLE NEW ENGINE) WOULD EXCEED $20,000, AND THE LESS SURE REPAIR (TRYING TO FIX THE OLD ENGINE) WOULD COST $13,000. WE PICKED UP THE CAR THE NEXT DAY AND TOOK IT TO PRIAM'S AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE & REPAIR AT 2002 PAUOA ROAD. THEY DID A QUICK TEST AND SAID THAT THE HEAD GASKET WAS INDEED BLOWN, AND REFERRED US TO ROD'S AUTO SERVICE AT 972 KAWAIAHAO STREET BECAUSE PRIAM'S WAS NOT EQUIPPED TO HANDLE THAT MAGNITUDE OF REPAIR. ROD'S HAS ADVISED US THAT THE BEST SOLUTION IS REPLACING THE ENTIRE ENGINE WITH A REBUILT ENGINE FOR $5,000, BUT THIS HAS BECOME A COMMON PROBLEM WITH TOYOTA HIGHLANDERS AND LOCATING A REBUILT ENGINE ON THE MAINLAND WILL TAKE TIME. IN DOING SOME INTERNET RESEARCH, I'VE LEARNED THAT CAMRYS OF THE SAME VINTAGE HAVE ALSO DEVELOPED SIMILAR PROBLEMS, BUT IT LOOKS LIKE TOYOTA IS REFUSING TO RECALL THE VEHICLES AND FIX THE DESIGN FLAW. HTTP://WWW.CAMRYFORUMS.COM/FORUM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?P=21539 TO DATE, THE VEHICLE REMAINS IN DISREPAIR. *TR
Visibility, Sep 14, 2009
TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 2003 SUN VISOR SAFETY ISSUE. THE SUN VISOR OF MY VEHICLE HAS A SAFETY HAZARD. I HAD IT REPLACED FOR A NEW ONE, AND THE PROBLEM CAME BACK AGAIN. THE SUN VISOR ON THE DRIVER SIDE WITH HOMELINKED/LIGHTED ON IT. IT DOES NOT STAY UP AND IT BLOCKS MY VIEW WHEN I AM DRIVING. I NOTICED ON THE INTERNET THAT MANY PEOPLE HAD THE SAME ISSUES WITH THIS SUN VISOR. THE TOYOTA REFUSED TO REPLACE IT. *TR ANDY NGUYEN
Visibility, Aug 25, 2009
2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR KEEPS FALLING DOWN. SAFETY CONCERNS AS IT BLOCKS VIEW WHILE DRIVING. RIDICULOUS COST TO REPLACE WITH NEW NOT ASSURED IT WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN SOON. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 10, 2009
ENGINE OVERHEATED. SERVICE DEPT DIAGNOSED BAD HEAD GASKET. DISCOVERED STRIPPED THREADS IN THE BLOCK FOR TWO REAR HEAD BOLTS. SERVICE DEPT ATTEMPTED REPAIR WITH RETHREADED HELICOIL BUT WOULD NOT HOLD. ENGINE REPLACEMENT IS REQUIRED. *TR
Power train, Jul 9, 2009
I HAVE A 2003 AWD V6 LIMITED HIGHLANDER (HL) WITH 115,000 MILES. ABOUT 200 MILES AGO, THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING DURING THE THIRD TO FOURTH GEAR SHIFT. HL GOES INTO NEUTRAL, THE REVS GO WAY UP, THEN IT SHIFTS WITH A CLUNK. I CAN MINIMIZE THE CLUNK FROM A STOP BY ACCELERATING TO 25 MPH, TAKING MY FOOT OFF THE GAS, LETTING THE REVS DROP DOWN TO 1200 RPM (AT WHICH POINT THE TRANS WILL SHIFT TO FOURTH GEAR), AND THEN STEPPING ON THE GAS. THERE ARE NO PROBLEMS IN FIRST, SECOND, THIRD OR FOURTH GEAR. THE CAR RUNS FINE IN FOURTH GEAR. IT IS ONLY A PROBLEM WITH THE THIRD GEAR TO FOURTH GEAR SHIFT. TRIED NOT USING OVERDRIVE, BUT PROBLEM PERSISTS. THIS IS MY FIRST PROBLEM WITH THE HL. I ALWAYS GET MY HL SERVICED AT TOYOTA DEALER AT 5000 MILES INTERVALS. DEALER SAYS THE TRANS NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. IN CALIFORNIA, THE PRICE IS OVER $4500 FOR THE "NEW" TRANS. DEALER WILL GIVE ME A 10% DISCOUNT ON PARTS AND LABOR. I ASKED THE SERVICE MANAGER IF THERE WAS A WAY TO REPROGRAM THE TRANSMISSION COMPUTER MODULE ON MY 2003 HIGHLANDER. HE CHECKED AND SAID THAT THERE WAS NO WAY TO RE-PROGRAM THE MODULE AND THERE WERE NO TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS ON THIS PROBLEM. I REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED WITH A "REBUILT TRANS" FROM TOYOTA. THE TRANSMISSION CASE IS A USED CASE, BUT ALL OF THE INTERNAL PARTS ARE NEW. I SENT AN E-MAIL TO THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER TO THANK THE SERVICE MANAGER FOR CUSTOMER SERVICE. I ALSO ASKED THEM TO FORWARD THE NOTE ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM TO THE REGIONAL TOYOTA SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE. OTHER HIGHLANDER OWNERS HAVE SIMILAR AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. SEE HTTP://TOWNHALL-TALK.EDMUNDS.COM/DIRECT/VIEW/.F0AABC6 NEEDLESS TO SAY, I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THE QUALITY OF THE TOYOTA TRANSMISSION, WHICH IS A MAJOR PART OF THE DRIVETRAIN, AND SHOULD LAST MORE THAN 100,000+ MILES. *TR
Visibility, Jul 9, 2009
ON THE TOYOTA HIGHLANDER FROM AT LEAST 2002 THROUGH CURRENT MODELS THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR FAILS TO STAY IN THE FORWARD DETENT POSITION. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURS, THE VISOR FALLS TO THE VERTICAL POSITION, BLOCKING THE DRIVER'S VIEW OF THE ROAD UNEXPECTEDLY. THIS CAUSES CONFUSION AND DISTRACTION WHICH POTENTIALLY COULD CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WITH DAMAGE AND INJURY OR DEATH RESULTING. THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED TO TOYOTA BY ME AND ACCORDING TO GOOGLE SEARCHES BY NUMEROUS PERSONS. TOYOTA DENIES ANY PROBLEM EXISTS. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 1, 2009
I HAVE A 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER WITH A @AZFE MOTOR IN IT. THERE IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THESE MOTORS STRIPPING OUT THE HEADBOLTSIN THE BACK OF THE MOTOR. I AM NOW IN A PREDICAMENT AS I HAVE TO GET A BLOCK WHEN I KNOW IT WILL MESS UP AGAIN AND TOYOTA HAS AS OF YET TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 15, 2009
I NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE NOISE CHANGED. TOOK THE SUV TO THE DEALER TO CHECK IT OUT, DEALER STATED THAT THE NOISE WAS OK AND RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO ME. AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE LESS THAN 10 MILES RETURNED IT TO THE DEALER AND THE ENGINE WAS BLOWN. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, May 15, 2009
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, MY ENGINE TEMP IN MY 4 CYL, 4WD 2003 HIGHLANDER SUDDENLY SPIKED HIGH. I HAD TO PULL OF THE ROAD. TOWED TO DEALER. DEALER SAID BOLTS ON SHORT BLOCK OF ENGINE WERE STRIPPED AND ALLOWED COOLANT TO LEAK OUT AND ENGINE OVERHEATED. I WAS AT 68,000 MILES, SO OVER THE WARRANTY PERIOD. I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL DEALER AND THEY SAID I HAD A BAD WATER PUMP...I PAID TO HAVE THAT FIXED, BUT THE CAR STILL OVERHEATED. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY THEN SAID IT WAS THE ENGINE ITSELF..THE SHORT BLOCK, SOMETHING ABOUT THE SCREWS WERE STRIPPED, THAT I HAD GOTTEN A BAD ENGINE WITH STRIPPED SCREWS. DEALERS SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THIS WAS A KNOWN ISSUE ON SOME 4CYL 2003 HIGHLANDER BUT COULDN'T HELP ME AS IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY!!! THE SERVICE MANAGER CALLED ME BACK LATER AND SAID THAT TOYOTA WOULD HELP OUT...I ENDED UP PAYING A TOTAL OF ALMOST $1000 FOR THE REPLACEMENT SHORT BLOCK, WITH TOYOTA PAYING THE REST OF THE COST FOR THE SHORT BLOCK REPLACEMENT. THIS WAS ON TOP OF THE COST I PAID JUST A FEW DAYS PRIOR FOR A WATER PUMP THAT TURNED OUT TO NOT BE THE ISSUE. VERY FRUSTRATING...I HAVE ALL MY RECEIPTS FOR MAINTENANCE AND FOR THESE REPAIRS. *TR I AM FILLING OUT THIS COMPLAINT OVER A YEAR AFTER THE INCIDENT, BECAUSE I HAVE SEEN THE SAME THING IN THE COMPLAINTS AND WANTED TO ADD MINE. I DO HAVE ALL THE DOCUMENTATION FOR MY REPAIRS FOR THIS AND AM MORE THAN WILLING TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS, THANK YOU.
Engine and engine cooling, May 1, 2009
THE SUV WAS OUT OF COOLANT & WATER AND MY HUSBAND TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALER TO CHECK THIS PROBLEM AND FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE (THE CAR ONLY HAS RECEIVED SERVICE AT THE DEALER, EXCEPT FOR TIRES). THE DIAGNOSTIC WAS THAT THE SHOCK BLOCK HAS IT THREADS SEPARATED FROM THE SCREWS (OR BOLTS). THE ENGINE HAS TO BE REMOVED IN ORDER TO CHANGE THE SHOCK BLOCK. THE REPAIR HAS COST $4701.31, BECAUSE IT WAS ALSO RECOMMENDED TO CHANGE THE OIL PUMP. PREVIOUS TO THIS REPAIR, THE SUV WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THERE WAS A RECALL TO REPROGRAM ITS COMPUTER BECAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON (THIS HAPPENED TWICE). WE HAVE A FULL RECORD IN THE DEALER OF ALL MAINTENANCE CHECKS AND REPAIRS THE SUV HAD. *TR
Visibility, May 1, 2009
THE DRIVER'S SUN VISOR OF MY 2003 HIGHLANDER DOES NOT STAY IN ITS PROPER PLACE. IN INTERNET FORUMS THIS SEEMS TO BE A PREVAILING SAFETY ISSUE. SOME SAY THE VISOR FLAPS DOWN WHEN THE HIGHLANDER HITS A BUMP. THIS CAN BE A POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE. IT HAS STARTLED SOME DRIVERS AND IS DISCONCERTING TO OTHERS. A NEW VISOR WOULD COST OVER $625 TO REPLACE, WHICH SOME HAVE DONE ONLY TO FIND THAT IN 3 TO 4 MONTHS, THE SAME THING OCCURS. TOYOTA DOES NOT WARRANT THE VISOR. *TR
Power train, Traction control system, Apr 21, 2009
GENTLEMEN: I AM WRITING YOU THIS E-MAIL BECAUSE THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH MY CAR THAT IS NOT ONLY IRRITATING, BUT IS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS TO ALL WHO OWN A FULL TIME FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. MY HIGHLANDER IS A 2003, AND ALTHOUGH WE WERE PROMISED FULL TIME FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE WHEN WE BOUGHT IT, WE FOUND OUT LATER TO OUR HORROR THAT IT IS NOT. WHEN DRIVING DOWN A PAVED HIGHWAY, ALL FOUR WHEELS ARE DRIVING. THIS IS A TIME WHEN FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE IS NOT NEEDED. HOWEVER, A FEW MONTHS AGO, WE DROVE OFF THE PAVEMENT INTO SAND ON A PICNIC TRIP, BUT DID NOT WORRY BECAUSE THE 'FULL TIME' FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE WOULD PULL US OUT. IT DID NOT! ONE OF THE FRONT WHEELS BEGAN TO SPIN IN THE SAND AND THE OTHER THREE IMMEDIATELY STOPPED DRIVING. WE WERE STUCK! THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE DIFFERENTIAL BETWEEN THE FRONT AND REAR WHEELS IS NOT ANTI-SLIP, BUT THE STANDARD DIFFERENTIAL THAT WILL STOP ALL WHEELS FROM DRIVING WHEN ONE LOOSES TRACTION. THIS IS HARDLY FULL-TIME FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE NO MATTER HOW YOU DEFINE IT. WE WERE SOLD A CAR WE PAID FOR BUT DID NOT GET, AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE TO RECTIFY THIS SITUATION. WHO KNOWS HOW MANY CUSTOMERS HAVE BEEN BILKED BY TOYOTA WITH THIS CAR, AND WILL GET THEM INTO TROUBLE THINKING THEY HAD A CAR THAT WOULD PULL THEM OUT. I WOULD LIKE TO START A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT TO GET OUR MONEY BACK OR GET A FREE CAR THAT IS INDEED THE FULL TIME FOUR WHEEL DRIVE WE PAID FOR AND DESERVE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 5, 2009
ENGINE HEAD BOLTS ON 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER BECAME LOOSE; THREADS HAD WORN OFF ON 2 OR 3 BOLTS THAT HOLD THE TOP OF THE ENGINE TO THE MAIN ENGINE BLOCK. VEHICLE HAS BEEN WELL-MAINTAINED; 87,000 MILES. REPAIR REQUIRES NEW ENGINE BLOCK AT COST OF $6,400. APPEARS TO BE MANUFACTURING DEFECT - ENGINE BOLTS SHOULD NOT COME LOOSE. TOYOTA REFUSES TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE IN REPAIR. VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND WAS TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 2, 2009, crash
I HAVE REPLACED THE BRAKES IN MY 2003 HIGHLANDER IN FEB AND AUG 2008 COMPLAINING OF SQUEALING AND OCCASIONAL GRINDING. I RETURNED IN OCT, NOV AND DEC ONLY TO BE TOLD THEY HEAR NO NOISE. I E-MAILED THE SERVICE MGR IN JAN 2009 AND THEY PICKED UP SERVICED & DELIVERED THE CAR TO ME. WITHIN 24 HOURS I HAD GRINDING AGAIN. I WAS WONDERING IF THESE ARE THE SAME BRAKES THEY USED ON THE 2004 LEXUS. MY HUSBAND WAS UNABLE TO STOP LAST WEEK AND DID TAP THE BUMPER OF THE CAR IN FRONT OF US, FORTUNATELY THEIR BUMPER WAS NOT A TOYOTA SO IT DID NOT SCRATCH LIKE OURS DOES. *TR
Electrical system, Visibility, Jan 29, 2009
TEMP (HOT/COLD) DIAL ELECTRICAL SHORT. TEMP SETTING CONTINUOUSLY FAILS TO HOLD SET TEMP & BLOWS OPPOSITE OF SETTING. FEAR OF ELECTRICAL FIRE PLUS UNABLE TO DEFROST WINDSHIELD FOR GOOD VISIBILITY. FEEL THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL OR SOME HELP ON THIS ITEM AS AFTER INVESTIGATING I FOUND THAT ONE DEALERSHIP REPLACED 1,100 LAST YEAR AND HAS REPLACE SEVERAL ALREADY THIS YEAR. I WOULDN'T HAVE A PROBLEM EXCEPT THE FAILED SWITCH CAN NOT BE REPLACE THE WHOLE ASSEMBLY HAS TO BE REPLACED AND THAT PART COST $669.00 PLUS LABOR TO INSTALL. BEING A SINGLE MOM I DON'T HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY AND TRULY FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE DUE TO THE POSSIBILITY OF FIRE AND NOT BEING ABLE TO DEFROST PROPERLY. *TR
Visibility, Jan 15, 2009
MANUAL HEATER CONTROL DIAL LOST FUNCTION TO CONTROL TEMPERATURE. HEATER ONLY BLOWS COLD AIR. RECOMMENDATION WAS TO REPLACE HEATER CONTROL PANEL AT COST OF APPROXIMATELY $600 FOR THE PART ALONE. LABOR ADDITION CHARGE. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Dec 10, 2008
VEHICLE WHICH WAS OUT OF WARRANTY WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY AND WAS OBSERVED DURING EARLY MORNING HOURS TO BE LEAKING FUEL FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE FUEL TANK. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO REPORTED THAT THE ROLL-OVER BALL (SAFETY FEATURE IN A ROLL-OVER CRASH) HAD ACTIVATED AND HAD FLOATED TO THE TOP OF THE FUEL FILLER NECK FORCING FUEL INTO THE CHARCOAL CANISTER. THE FUEL TANK HAD BEEN FILLED SEVERAL DAYS PREVIOUSLY. DEALER ESTIMATED REPAIRS TO BE $1500 FOR A NEW TANK, CANISTER, AND OTHER PARTS. FORTUNATELY, THE DISTRICT REP FOR TOYOTA INTERVENED AND PAID FOR ALL PARTS AND HALF OF LABOR AT WARRANTY RATES. VEHICLE OWNER WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR ONLY $248.50. *TR
Power train, Sep 13, 2008
2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER V-6 WITH 66450 MILES. DRIVING HOME GOING 40 TO 45 MPH, CAR TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SKIP, ENGINE WOULD SURGE THEN BUCK AND ENGINE WOULD HESITATE. DROVE ON TO DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Jul 23, 2008
REPLACEMENT OF A CHARCOAL CANISTER ON A 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. NO ACCIDENTS OCCURRED AS A RESULT OF THE REPLACEMENT OF THIS PART; HOWEVER, I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE NUMBER OF REPORTS OF HAVING TO REPLACE THIS VERY EXPENSIVE PART. ALSO IF THE PART IS A SAFETY HAZARD (MAY CAUSE AN ENGINE FIRE) IT SHOULD NOT BE AT THE EXPENSE OF THE OWNER. THE PART IS AN EMISSION CONTROL DEVICE THAT IS SURELY REQUIRED BY THE GOVERNMENT. THIS ACTION IS TAKEN BECAUSE I NOTICED, WHILE RESEARCHING CHARCOAL CANISTERS THAT TOYOTAS COME UP FREQUENTLY AS HAVING TO HAVE THIS TYPE REPAIR. AT THIS WRITING I AM UNABLE TO CONFIRM THE PART IS DEFECTIVE AS IT IS THE ORIGINAL PART THAT CAME WITH THE VEHICLE WHEN I PURCHASED IT BRAND NEW. THIS IS NOT A PRE-OWNED VEHICLE. *TR
Visibility, Jun 30, 2008
THIS IS REGARDING MY 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. IN JANUARY 2007, THE REAR PASSENGER WINDOW CAME OFF ITS TRACK AND CEASED TO WORK. THE ADJUSTED THE REGULATOR AND PUT IT BACK ON TRACK AND CHARGED ME $210. IN JUNE 2008 THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR WINDOW. THIS IS VERY COINCIDENTAL THAT IT WOULD HAPPEN TO BOTH WINDOWS. *TR
Suspension, Jun 5, 2008
REAR LEFT STRUT SPINDLE ATTACHMENT BOLT (BOLT ADJUST WHEEL TILT) BROKE IN HALF AT CAM. *TR
Seat belts, May 29, 2008
I OWN A 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER PURCHASED NOVEMBER, 2002 WITH CURRENT MILEAGE 49,570. I JUST NOTICED THAT THE STRAP PORTION OF THE SEAT BELT ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT IS SHREDDING TO FINE THREADS PREMATURELY AND QUICKLY DETERIORATING DUE TO UNKNOWN REASON. SOON, NOTHING WILL BE LEFT OF MY SEATBELT BUT FINE THREADS (VERY UNSAFE). I HAVE SPOKEN TO TWO SERVICE ADVISORS AT MICHAEL'S TOYOTA OF BELLEVUE, WA AND TOYOTA OF KIRKLAND, WA AND REQUESTED FOR A WARRANTY REPAIR. I WAS AWARE THAT OTHER CAR MANUFACTURERS HAVE LONGER WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR SAFETY RESTRAINT SYSTEM. UNFORTUNATELY, I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE ADVISORS THAT TOYOTA DOES NOT HAVE EXTENDED SAFETY RESTRAINT COVERAGE SO IT WOULD COST ME $205-230 FOR PARTS PLUS 1-2 HOURS OF LABOR TO GET THE SEATBELT REPLACED BECAUSE THE VEHICLE'S 36,000/3 YR WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. *TR
Power train, Feb 28, 2008
REAR MAIN SEAL LEAK, LARGE AMOUNT. *TR
Visibility, Feb 1, 2008
HEAT STOPPED WORKING, BLOWING COLD AIR. THE PROBLEM IS THE RIBBON WIRE FROM THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL KNOB TO THE ELECTRONIC BOARD BEHIND THE SWITCH BREAKS, THIS IS CAUSED FROM THE KNOB STEM LOOSENING, EVENTUALLY BREAKING THE WIRE. DEALER WILL REPLACE THE UNIT FOR $900 FOUND MANY PEOPLE WITH THIS PROBLEM ON TUNDRASOLUTIONS AND FOUND INSTRUCTIONS TO REMOVE THE UNIT AND SOLDER THE WIRES, WORKS LIKE NEW NOW. SEEMS LIKE THIS PROBLEM MAY ALSO BE THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE DASHBOARD FIRES LISTED ON THIS SITE. *TR