2003 Toyota Highlander problems
NHTSA has received 316 complaints about the 2003 Toyota Highlander, and 27% of them involve engine. After that come wipers, windshield & visibility (11%) and brakes (10%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 316 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Engine 27% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 43 and 1
- Injuries and deaths
- 15 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 94,000 miles 263 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 33 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 11 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 26 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 35 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 42 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 40 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 33 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 24 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 6 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 3 |
| 200k+ miles | 10 |
What the data shows
Among the 263 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 94,000 miles. For engine specifically, the median reported mileage is about 108,000 miles (82 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 43 complaints mention a crash; 1 complaint mentions a fire; 15 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2003 ranks 20th most-complained-about out of 24 model years of the Toyota Highlander with enough data (101 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 2 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
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.
My 2003 toyota highlander accelerated at a high rate of speed while the brake was fully applied as I turned into a parking spot. Luckily, it happened when I was 60% or so into the space, as I only accelerated into a brick wall, not another car or person.
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.
Tl-* the contact owns a 2003 toyota highlander. While traveling 55 MPH, the contact noticed that the temperature gauge was indicating that the vehicle was running hot. After examining the vehicle, the contact discovered coolant leaking from the rear of the cylinder block. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic where z taps were installed inside of the engine. The current and failure mileage was 155,000.