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.
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 17, 2008
MY CAR ENGINE IS FILLED WITH SLUDGE AND THE MANUFACTURER (TOYOTA MOTOR CORP.) WILL NOT HONOR THE WARRANTY. *TR
Visibility, Jan 17, 2008
TEMPERATURE KNOB IS LOOSE CAUSING HEAT TO ONLY WORK INTERMITTENTLY. *TR
Visibility, Dec 11, 2007
HEATER CONTROL UNIT MALFUNCTION. HEAT TO COLD SWITCH STOPS WORKING, DEALER STATES THAT THE WHOLE HEATER CONTROL UNIT HAS TO BE REPLACE. AFTER EXTENSIVE SEARCHING, I HAVE FOUND THAT THE PROBLEM IS WHEN A NUT BECOMES LOSE HOLDING THE CONTROL KNOB, IT SHAKES AND THE WIRES BREAK OF MAKE THE UNIT STOP WORKING. *TR
Power train, Nov 24, 2007
AFTER ONLY 64,000 MILES, THE TRANSMISSION ON MY 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER STARTED SKIPPING. WHEN I ACCELERATED, THE CAR WOULD JUMP/SKIP. THIS COULD HAVE EASILY CAUSED A WRECK. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 5, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. TWO TO THREE MONTHS LATER, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE REGARDING THE ENGINE. TOYOTA REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
Power train, Oct 31, 2007
I HAVE A 2003 4RUNNER THAT HAS A HORRIBLE CLUNKING SOUND THAT HAPPENS AT RANDOM. THE TOYOTA DEALER HAS ATTEMPTED TO FIX IT 3 TIMES. IT WILL HAPPEN WHEN COMING TO A STOP OR STARTING FROM A STOP. IT'S VERY ANNOYING AND NOT VERY COMFORTING. IF THE DRIVESHAFT IS SLAMMING AND MAKING THIS NOISE, I CAN'T IMAGING ANYONE THINKING THAT IS VERY SAFE. THE THING COULD BREAK AT ANY MOMENT. WHO KNOWS WHAT DAMAGE THE SLAMMING DOES TO IT! TOYOTA NEEDS TO FIX THIS BEFORE SOME GETS HURT FROM IT. *TR
Structure, Oct 21, 2007
BACK HATCH UNLOCKED AND FLEW OPEN ON HIGHWAY WHILE I HAD CUSTOMERS IN MY 4 RUNNER. PULLED OVER AND TRIED TO SHUT...WOULD NOT SHUT. HAVING TO DRIVE NOW WITH BACK TAILGATE TIED SHUT. EXHAUST COMES IN THROUGH BACK OF VEHICLE. HAVING REPAIRED ON 10/24 FOR A COST OF OVER $400! *TR
Vehicle speed control, Oct 2, 2007, crash
WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK MY 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER AT A MCDONALD'S, AS I WAS APPLYING THE BRAKE AND ALMOST PARKED, THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, JUMPED THE CURB AND CRASHED THROUGH THE ENTRANCE OF THE MCDONALD'S. I CONTINUED TO APPLY THE BRAKE WHEN THIS HAPPENED, AND IT WOULD NOT STOP. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 28, 2007
SUDDEN RAPID INCREASE IN ENGINE TEMPERATURE. MECHANIC FOUND LEAK AT BACK OF HEAD GASKET. TWO BOLTS TO ENGINE BLOCK WERE LOOSE ENOUGH TO BE REMOVED BY HAND AND NEW BOLTS COULD NOT BE REINSTALLED DUE TO DEFECT IN THREADS. ONLY REPAIR SAID TO BE NEW ENGINE. VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY WELL MAINTAINED AND HAD 73,000 MILES. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 26, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD TICKING AND RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. SHE IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER AND THEY PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE TEST INDICATED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS SEPARATING FROM THE INSIDE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD TOO MANY MILES TO BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 62,000.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Seats, Jul 26, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT TOYOTA IS PLACING NEW BRAKE PADS ON VEHICLES WHICH LAST LONGER, BUT GET SO HOT THAT THEY WARP THE VEHICLE'S ROTORS. SHE STATED THAT FORMERLY IT WOULD COST $60 TO REPLACE THE BRAKE PADS, BUT NOW IT COSTS $300, NOT INCLUDING THE REPLACEMENT OF THE WARPED ROTORS. THE WARPED ROTORS CAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL TO SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES AT 60 MPH OR GREATER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 58,400. ON SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, DURING AN OIL CHANGE,THE DEALER CHECKED THE TIRE TREAD AND BRAKE PADS AND THE BRAKE PADS ARE OPERATING NORMALLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE IS STILL SHAKING AT 50MPH BECAUSE THE ROTORS ARE DAMAGED DUE TO THE FRONT BRAKE PADS. THE DEALER AND MECHANIC STATED THAT THE NEWLY DESIGNED BRAKE PADS DON'T WEAR AS FAST; HOWEVER, IT CAUSES FRICTION AND THE ROTORS TO WARP. THE FRONT BRAKES WERE REPLACED IN APRIL. THE DEALER STATED ON THE INVOICE THAT THE REAR BRAKES ARE OPERATING NORMALLY. THE CONTACT IS AWARE OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. UPDATED 02-01-08. *KB THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THERE IS A SEVER ISSUE CONCERNING THE SEATS. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE HAS EXPERIENCED EXTREME HIP AND BACK PAIN FROM THE SEATS. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE CAN'T ADJUST THE SEAT ANYMORE, BECAUSE THEN SHE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO REACH THE STEERING WHEEL.
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 11, 2007
2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER V6 4WD 45000 MILES. IT WA S ALREADY MORE THAN 2 YEARS I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEM AS 'DESCRIBED IN NHTSA RECALL 100I0160 000- CONCERNING ACCESSORY DRIVE BELT SQUEAL/ BELT TENSIONER RATTLES. DEALERSHIP RESPONSE WAS THAT NHTSA ITEM NUMBER 100I0160 DIDN'T APPLY TO V6 HIGHLANDERS. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 17, 2007
1) NOTICED RADIATOR FLUID SLOWLY LEAKING UNDER BOTTOM (TOWARDS BACK OF ENGINE). HAD MECHANIC CHECK ENGINE, - WAS LEAKING AT BACK OF HEAD GASKET, TOOK APART ENGINE AND NOTICED 3 BACK BOLTS TO ENGINE BLOCK (HEADS) COULD BE REMOVED BY HAND. WHEN HEADS WERE FIXED COULD NOT INSTALL NEW BOLTS (WOULD NOT TIGHTEN) - MECHANIC SAID THERE IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT - NO THREADS. 2) CANNOT FIX ENGINE - NEED NEW ENGINE 3) TRYING TO GET TOYOTA TO PAY FOR REPAIR - IN PROGRESS WITH THEM NOW - NO RESOLUTION YET. *JB
Latches/locks/linkages, Jan 8, 2007
POWER LOCKS - BEGINNING IN 2006, THE DRIVER SIDE/REAR POWER LOCK IN MY 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY SE BEGAN TO FAIL. THE FAILURE BEGINS WITH INTERMITTENT FUNCTIONING OF THE LOCKS - THE DOORS WILL LOCK/UNLOCK UNPREDICTABLY. I CONSIDER THIS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE FOR A COUPLE OF REASONS - CHILDREN IN THE CAR AND THE RISK OF THEFT FROM A CAR THAT FAILED TO LOCK. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE PART WAS COVERED UNDER MY EXTENDED WARRANTY. (I ALSO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD). *NM
Tires, Jul 27, 2006
MY 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HAS ONLY 20600 MILES ON IT. I HAVE NOTICED THAT ALL 4 BRIDGESTONE DUELLER H/ T P225 70R 16 TIRES ARE SO WORN OUT THAT I AM HAVING TROUBLE STOPPING IN THE RAIN. I AM GOING TO REPLACE ALL 4 TIRES BUT I BELIEVE THAT THIS OF CONCERN SINCE I DO MAINTAIN THE TIRES AT PROPER INFLATION AND THEY HAVE BEEN ROTATED AT LEAST TWICE. THE WEAR IS EQUAL ON ALL 4 TIRES. THIS TIRES WHERE RATED FOR AT LEAST 60,000 MILES AND TO ONLY GET A THIRD OF THAT AND THE EXPENSE IS TERRIBLE. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED THIS ON OTHER HIGHLANDERS AND EVEN RAV4S. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 22, 2006, crash
PULLING INTO PARKING SPACE THE BRAKES DID NOT STOP THE CAR EVEN A THAT SLOW RATE. MY CAR HIT THE PARKED CAR IN FRONT OF ME CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THAT CAR AND ONLY MODERATE BUMPER DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE. AT OTHER TIMES THE ENGINE SEEMS TO POWER UP WHILE DRIVING AND THIS MAY HAVE HAPPENED WHILE TRYING TO PARK WHEN THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED. *JB
Latches/locks/linkages, Mar 16, 2006
1. NOTICE OR RECALL RECEIVED SSC 40B HIGHLANDER CHILD PROTECTION LOCK SYSTEM SAFETY RECALL 2. CONTACTED 2 TOYOTA DEALERSHIPS TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT AND THE NATIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE AND WAS ADVISED THAT APPOINTMENTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE BUT CARS WERE TAKEN IN THE ORDER RECEIVED ON A GIVEN DAY WITH PRIOR DAYS CARS BEING SERVICED FIRST. 3. I ATTEMPTED TO SET AN APPOINTMENT AT THE CONVENIENCE OF BOTH DEALERSHIPS THIS WEEK, NEXT WEEK, NEXT MONTH OR EVEN TWO MONTHS AWAY WHEN I COULD TAKE MY VEHICLE IN AND HAVE THE 30 MINUTE (APPROXIMATELY) REPAIR COMPLETED WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME. I WAS TOLD THAT NO SUCH APPOINTMENT COULD BE MADE AND THAT I HAD THE CHOICE OF BRINGING THE CAR IN BETWEEN 7:00 A.M. AND 9:00 A.M. AND THAT IT WOULD BE DONE IN A HOUR AND A HALF TO THREE OR FOUR HOURS. TOYOTA IN THEIR RECALL NOTICE PROMISES "ANY TOYOTA DEALER WILL MODIFY THE CPL LEVER AT NO COST TO YOU IN AS CONVENIENT A MANNER AS POSSIBLE." IT FURTHER STATES "MAKE AN APPOINTMENT." *NM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Air bags, Jan 19, 2006, crash
DT*: THE CONSUMER HIT A PATCH OF BLACK ICE TRAVELING AT 45 MPH WHEN APPROACHING A STOP SIGN; THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED THROUGH A STOP SIGN STRIKING ANOTHER VEHICLE IN THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE PRE-BRAKING WAS MINIMAL DUE TO THE ICY ROAD CONDITIONS. BOTH OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE WERE WEARING SEAT BELTS AND SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. POLICE WERE ON THE SCENE AND A REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE, BUT WAS NOT TOTALED DUE TO ASSESSMENT OF THE INSURANCE ADJUSTOR AND THE LACK OF AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED IN COLD TEMPERATURES, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SEEN BY A DEALER FOR THIS PROBLEM. *JB PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, THE REAR BRAKES AND ROTORS WERE REPLACED. UPDATED 03/03/06. *JB UPDATED
Tires, Dec 8, 2005
I HAVE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT TOYO TRANSPATH-A11 TIRES ON MY 2003 HIGHLANDER. I HAVE 15000 MILES AND THE TIRES ARE WORN OUT. THE MAINTENANCE IS COMPLETE AND THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP INSPECTED ALIGNMENT AND SUSPENSION AND AIR PRESSURE..EVERYTHING WAS GOOD. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY SEVERAL TOYO TIRE DEALERS THAT THE EARLY WEAR IS BECAUSE THE A-11'S SHOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN ON MY TRUCK BECAUSE THEY ARE PASSENGER TIRES, NOT SUV TIRES. TOYO STATES THAT THE TOYOTA HIGHLANDER IS CLASSIFIED AS A PASSENGER CAR AND NOT A SUV, THEREFORE TOYOTA SPECS A PASSENGER TIRE FOR THE HIGHLANDER. THERE IS A LOOPHOLE HERE THAT IS ALLOWING TOYOTA TO SPEC A TIRE THAT WILL WEAR OUT QUICKLY ON THE HIGHLANDER. *NM
Power train, Sep 27, 2005
2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER, 4 CYL , AUTO TRANS. BETWEEN 25 AND 45 MPH, WHEN YOU APPLY THE BRAKE ON THE AUTO AND THEN PRESS THE GAS TO RESUME YOUR FORWARD TRAVEL, THERE IS A KICK (LIKE A LOOSENESS IN THE TRANSMISSION AND DRIVE SHAFT) FOLLOWED BY THE MOTOR REVVING AS IT SHOULD AND THE TRANSMISSION DOWN SHIFTING. I WENT TO THE DEALER WHO TOLD ME YES, THERE IS A LOOSENESS CAUSED BY THE FACT THAT THERE IS A LOT OF RUBBER CONNECTORS HOLDING THE DIFFERENTIAL AND DRIVE SHAFT ASSEMBLY TO THE VEHICLE FRAME. OVER TIME THEY HAD FATIGUED (31000 MILES). THE DEALER TOOK NO ACTION. I HAVE A REGISTERED A COMPLAINT WITH TOYOTA (200508090110). A FINAL END RESULT WOULD BE THE DIFFERENTIAL AND ATTACHED DRIVE SHAFT FALLING OFF THE AUTO WHILE IT IS IN MOTION CAUSING A SERIOUS INJURY OR FATAL CRASH. *NM
Tires, Sep 16, 2005
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE TIRES HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 23,000 MILES. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD HER TO CALL BRIDGESTONE, AND BRIDGESTONE SAID THEY DID NOT WARRANTED TIRES THAT CAME FROM THE DEALERSHIP. SHE HAS TO REPLACE THE TIRES TODAY. SHE REPORTED NOT NOTICING ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE TIRES PRIOR TO THIS. SHE MAINTAINED THE CAR WELL. SHE HAS THE TIRES ROTATED TO THE RECOMMEND ROTATIONS. THE RECOMMENDED PSI ON THE TIRES WAS 35. *AK
Wheels, Aug 17, 2005
THE LOCKING LUG NUTS ON THE TOYOTA HIGHLANDER WHEELS BREAK AND FRAGMENT WITH SHARP METAL SHARDS WHEN THEY ARE REMOVED WITH THE MATCHING LOCK LUG SOCKET AND 1 FOOT WRENCH WITHOUT ANY ABNORMAL TORSION. THE EQUIPPED LUG WRENCH IS EXACTLY 12 INCHES LONG (LEVER LENGTH). THE LUG NUTS WHEN BROKEN CANNOT BE REMOVED TO CHANGE THE TIRES. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE: ONCE ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE SECOND TIME WITH A NEW MATCHING SOCKET AND THE 12" WRENCH. THE ORIGINAL LOCKING LUG NUT HAD TO BE DRILLED OFF BY THE DEALER. THE PERSON APPLYING THE TORQUE WEIGHS 153 LBS. PATRICK VANSCHOYCK, M.D.*AK
Electrical system, Aug 10, 2005
DT: 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE VEHICLE DIED WHILE GOING 70 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER. THE CONSUMER PULLED OUT THE FUSES AND STARTED THE VEHICLE. THEN, HE DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. CONSUMER HAD NO WARNING THAT THIS WAS GOING TO HAPPEN.*AK
Power train, Jun 28, 2005
DT: THE CONTACT NOTICED WHILE STOPPING AT A RED LIGHT SHE REACHED OVER TO GET SOMETHING AND HIT THE GEAR SHIFT WITH HER HAND AND WITH HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE THE VEHICLE SHIFTED FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL WITHOUT PUSHING THE BUTTON ON THE GEAR SHIFT. HER CONCERN IS THAT IF THE CAR IS IN LOW DRIVE, SECOND GEAR OR NEUTRAL IT CAN BE SHIFTED, THIS DEFECT CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. CONTACT CALLED TOYOTA, AND THEY SAID THIS WAS A SAFETY FEATURE WHICH WAS MEANT TO DO THAT. CONSUMER WAS NEVER TOLD BY DEALER THAT THIS WAS A FEATURE OF VEHICLE. SHE BELIEVED THAT THIS WAS VERY DANGEROUS AND WAS A SAFETY ISSUE.*AK CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE DOES NOT SHIFT INTO REVERSE WITHOUT PRESSING THE BUTTON. *SB
Tires, Apr 24, 2005
TIRES SLID DANGEROUSLY AT 35 MPH WHILE BRAKING, WITH 9000 MILES ON TREAD. 2 TIRE VALVES HAVE FAILED & HAD TO BE REPLACED WITH NORMAL PAVED ROAD DRIVING BY 62 YR OLD LADY. *JB