2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER Problems
Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2003 Toyota Highlander. This model year has 270 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Engine Problems.
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This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about the specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls.
Worst 2003 Toyota Highlander Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Engine Problems
Brake System
Unintended Acceleration
Considering a 2003 Toyota Highlander?
This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2003 Toyota Highlander. A single complaint may appear in multiple categories.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Problems | 90 | 1 | — | — | |
| Brake System | 34 | 7 | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 31 | 17 | — | — | |
| Visibility | 31 | — | — | — | |
| Hydraulic | 22 | 5 | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 19 | 3 | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 17 | 3 | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 15 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 15 | — | 1 | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 9 | 6 | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 8 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 7 | 2 | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 6 | 3 | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline | 6 | 2 | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Door Lock Issues | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Traction Control System | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment Adaptive/Mobility | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electric | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Other | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Child Seat | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2003 Toyota Highlander. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Showing 270 most recent complaints
Many things are happening to my truck that’s why I am contacting you people to see if I got any callback thank you so much
Automatically disengage the transmission Stopped the road Icalled my husband Myhusband came and together we got the car to a safe place.Then Icame home with my husband and he called the insurance company and had the car towed. Ifound a place to fix the car and they said the tr…
The hood latch cable inside the vehicle when pulled did not allow the hood to open now the secondary hood latch is stuck in the closed position and will not release..I have to use a strap from wheel opening to wheel opening to keep my hood secure so when I am driving my hood won'…
PASSENGER WINDOW HAS HAD TO BE FIXED MULTIPLE TIMES. COMES OFF THE TRACK AND WILL NOT CLOSE. HAVE HAD INTERIOR DAMAGE BECAUSE OF IT
2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 4 CYL. SERVICE BULLITON FROM THEM #310436. HEAD BOLTS COMING UNDONE INSIDE MOTOR CAUSING CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF MOTOR. BOLTS NOT HOLDING DOWN MFGR KNOWS ABOUT THIS. WAS A MANUFACTURING PROCESS THAT DID NOT WORK. ON CARCOMPLAINTS.COM THIS IS A RAMPANT PRO…
HEAD ON COLLISION AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY SPEEDS 25-40 MPH
PAINT SEAL DELAMINATION
I WAS IN MOTION WHEN WE HIT A COW GOING 45MPH THAT JUMPED OUT AT MY HUSBAND AND I MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY THE CAR IS TOTALED WAS CITY STREET
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH ON ICE, THE POWER STEERING SEIZED AND THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL LOCKED UP. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE SPUN OUT AND CRASHED INTO A SNOW MOUND. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT …
REAR FORWARD CONTROL ARM BROKE IN HALF UNDER NORMAL DRIVING. THIS IS A HOLLOW SHAFT, WHICH SEEMS INADEQUATE, AND CREATES A DANGER OF LOSS OF REAR AXEL AND OR WHEEL.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE UNINTENTIONALLY ACCELERATED AT HIGH SPEEDS WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A COMPLETE STOP AND TURN OFF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT …
THE HEADLIGHT LENSES ARE COMPLETELY FOGGED AND IMPAIRS DRIVING AFTER DUSK. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED
HEAD BOLTS STRIPPED IN ENGINE , 66K MILES - COOLANT LOSS - ALL MECHANICS PREFER TO SWAP ENGINE - TOYOTA SERVICE SHOP BY ME QUOTED ME 5,000 FOR AN ENGINE AND 1 YEAR WARRANTY. THE CAR IS WORTH 8,000 TOPS. HEARTBROKEN BY THIS - WILL HAVE TO FIND A WAY TO MAKE REPAIRS ON MY OWN AND H…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT FELT LIGHTHEADED AND CRASHED INTO A LIGHT POLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT DID NOT SUSTAIN INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDEN…
SEAT BELT ON DRIVERS SIDE IS FRAYING ON THE EDGES. SPOKE TO OTHER TOYOTA HIGHLANDER OWNERS AND THEY ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP WHERE WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND THEY SAID WE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR A NEW SEATBELT AND INSTALLATION COST. I CONTACT…
"TAKATA RECALL" TRANSMISSION SLIPS IN REVERSE SURGE IN REVERSE AFTER SLIP
DRIVER SIDE VISOR IS LOOSE AND DROPS DOWN DURING DRIVING , OBSTRUCTING VIEW. IS NOT SAVE DURING DRIVING , VISIR CAN NOT HOLD POSITION UP
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS REPORTING AN ISSUE AND DESPITE TAKATA RECALL - SPENDING THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS ON CODED REPAIRS, THE LIGHT COMES BACK ON. I HAVE SPENT NUMEROUS DOLLARS TO REPLACE CAT CONVERTER, 2 SETS OF INJECTORS, FUEL PUMP, ON AND ON......WITHIN 2 DAYS, THE LIGHT IS BAC…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE, IT ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT FAILED TO EFFECTIVELY SLOW DOWN THE VEHICLE. THE GEAR SHIFTER BUTTON WAS PUSHED INTO DRIVE AND THE VEHICLE SP…
DURING A WRECK AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN I HIT AN UNMARKED UTILITY POLE IN THE ROADWAY OF A PARKING LOT EXIT.
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2003 Toyota Highlander.
Recalls for 2003 Toyota Highlander
2 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2003 Toyota Highlander. Recalls are free to fix at any authorized dealer. Run a VIN check below to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
2003 Toyota Highlander — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2003 Toyota Highlander reliable?▾
Severe Issues. The 2003 Toyota Highlander has 270 NHTSA owner complaints, 34 crash-related, and 2 recall campaigns. The most reported issue is Engine Problems (90 complaints). Source: NHTSA via VinSpector AI.
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Toyota Highlander?▾
#1: Engine Problems (90 complaints). #2: Brake System (34 complaints). #3: Unintended Acceleration (31 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2003 Toyota Highlander?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2003 Toyota Highlander?▾
The 2003 Toyota Highlander has 34 crash-related complaints and 1 fire reports out of 270 total NHTSA complaints. 12 injuries were reported. For NCAP lab crash test star ratings, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2003 Toyota Highlander have any recalls?▾
Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2003 Toyota Highlander. The largest issue: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
Should I buy a 2003 Toyota Highlander?▾
The 2003 Toyota Highlander has severe issues — review the top problems before buying. Pay particular attention to Engine Problems issues. Always run a VIN check on the specific car you're considering to check for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Toyota Highlander reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Check Your Specific 2003 Toyota Highlander
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99.