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2003 Toyota Highlander Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 258 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Toyota Highlander, most often about the engine (34% of complaints, typically around 108,000 miles). It is 11th of 26 Highlander model years by number of complaints and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2003 Toyota Highlander problems
Engine
87 complaints · 34%Half of these problems showed up before 108,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, cooling system, exhaust system.
2003 Toyota Highlander 2.4l 4-cylinder engine, 108,000 miles, 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 were stripped, allowing coolant to also leak into the engine. The Toyota dealer says that the short block…
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…
Visibility and wipers
34 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 94,500 miles. Parts named most often: defroster/defogger/hvac system, power window devices and controls, windshield wiper/washer.
The driver's side sun visor flops down, blocking the driver's vision. It will not stay in the "up" position. When it falls down, this is a potential safety hazard that needs to be corrected to prevent serious injuries or deaths.
Clarification from previous submission (10/21/14)....... Heating system blows cold air intermittently when the heat is on. The system was cleaned, worked well to a short time. Within two weeks the problem returned. The mechanic noted this was a common problem with the heating control panels of the early model…
Brakes
32 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 93,500 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, foundation components, power assist.
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…
Vsc (vehicle stability control, including ABS) & check engine lights have been turning on intermittently almost from the start of our ownership of this 2003 Toyota Highlander v6 AWD limited and after costly repairs at the dealer they are still on continuously. Last time (may-june 2010) dealer replaced front brake pads…
Speed control
28 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 81,000 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal.
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…
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…
Body and structure
18 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 36,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
Was pulling into a parking space in a strip mall, about 10 feet before the parking block the car suddenly accelerated. I was able to turn the wheel hard to the left and hit the brakes to avoid the building. I did hit the awning supports and caused the awning to sag. Was able to finally stop the car and got out safely.…
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…
Electrical
15 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 113,500 miles. Parts named most often: wiring.
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…
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…
Lights
15 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 124,000 miles. Parts named most often: brake lights, headlights.
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.…
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.
Transmission
13 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 65,500 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, driveline.
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.
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.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2003 Toyota Highlander recalls
Doors and locks: latch
Risk: 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.
Fix: Dealers will shorten the cpl lever. Owner notification began may 7, 2004. Owners should contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Full defect summary
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.
Wheels and tires: wheels
Risk: 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.
Fix: Owners will be provided with different style lug nuts, a warning label for the spare re/alloy wheel, and an owner's manual addendum.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2003 Toyota Highlander
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 Toyota Highlander?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (87 complaints, typically around 108,000 miles); visibility and wipers (34 complaints, typically around 94,500 miles); brakes (32 complaints, typically around 93,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2003 Toyota Highlander have?
- 2 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from April 15, 2004 (doors and locks). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2003 a bad year for the Toyota Highlander?
- It is 11th of 26 Highlander model years by number of complaints, with 258 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.