2003 Toyota HIGHLANDER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
258 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
93,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 213 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 41 of 258 complaints (15.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 63 | 24.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 16 | 6.2% |
| Steering behavior | 10 | 3.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 7 | 2.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 1.2% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 0.4% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 41 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 26 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 24 |
| Visibility | 19 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 15 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 14 |
| Exterior Lighting | 14 |
| Electrical System | 13 |
Engine: 41; Engine And Engine Cooling: 26; Vehicle Speed Control: 24; Visibility: 19; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 15; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 14; Exterior Lighting: 14; Electrical System: 13
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 36 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 15 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 31 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 38 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 74 |
| 150,000 and above | 19 |
Under 25,000: 36; 25,000 to 49,999: 15; 50,000 to 74,999: 31; 75,000 to 99,999: 38; 100,000 to 149,999: 74; 150,000 and above: 19
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (74). 45 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 22 |
| 2004 | 16 |
| 2005 | 9 |
| 2006 | 4 |
| 2007 | 8 |
| 2008 | 9 |
| 2009 | 19 |
| 2010 | 52 |
| 2011 | 19 |
| 2012 | 23 |
| 2013 | 26 |
| 2014 | 20 |
| 2015 | 7 |
| 2016 | 6 |
| 2017 | 6 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 6 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2023 | 2 |
2003: 22; 2004: 16; 2005: 9; 2006: 4; 2007: 8; 2008: 9; 2009: 19; 2010: 52; 2011: 19; 2012: 23; 2013: 26; 2014: 20; 2015: 7; 2016: 6; 2017: 6; 2018: 3; 2019: 6; 2020: 1; 2023: 2
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 63 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 16 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 10 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10016093 · 2003-04-17 (April 17, 2003)
THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLES BRAKES WERE SOFT AND THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. NLM THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED INTO A PARKING SPACE WHEN THE BRAKES HAD GONE TO THE FLOOR AND JUMPED THE CURB. A WEEK BEFORE, THE CONSUMER NOTICED (2 OR 3 TIMES) WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE VEHICLE STOPPED BUT THE PEDAL SLOWLY WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE DEALER CURRENTLY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS FINE. SCC
Owner-reported narrative. 4,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10016093 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10021095 · 2003-06-05 (June 5, 2003)
BRAKES ON NEW 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLINDER ARE INCOSISTENT AND PROVIDE LIMITED STOPPING POWER. DEALER SAYS BRAKES ARE SMALL FOR THE SIZE OF THE VEHICLE, THEY OVERHEAT EASILY AND THEY HAVE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FROM CUSTOMERS. RETURNED VEHICLE 3 DAYS AFTER PURCHASING IT AND REQUEST ATTENTION. AFTER SEVERAL TRIPS AND COMMUNICATIOS TO THE DEALER AND TOYOTA, I WAS TOLD THE BRAKES DON'T WORK WELL, BUT THAT IS HOW THEY WERE DESIGNED. I WAS TOLD I WOULD HAVE TO LEARN TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE AS THE BRAKES ARE DIFFERENT THAN OTHER VEHICLES. THE VEHICLE IS VE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10021095 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10124936 · 2005-06-28 (June 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 …
Owner-reported narrative. 18,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10124936 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10137824 · 2005-09-27 (September 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 DE…
Owner-reported narrative. 31,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10137824 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10067926 · 2004-04-27 (April 27, 2004)
1) VIBRATION WITH ONE OR MORE WINDOWS DOWN. 2) FRONT END PULLING TO ONE SIDE WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED. TAKEN TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS ON SEVERAL OCCASSIONS FOR SERVICING. TOLD AT THE DEALERSHIP OF PURCHASE NOTHING WAS WRONG. THEY REFUSED TO DRIVE IT ON THE FREEWAY AT FREEWAY SPEED TO DETERMINE IF THERE WAS A PROBLEM. BECAUSE THE SERVICE MANAGER ONLY DROVE THE VEHICLE ON CITY STREETS, PULLING DID NOT OCCUR. SECOND DEALERSHIP DROVE VEHICLE ON FREEWAY AND DETERMINED THERE WAS NO PROBLEM, STEERING, ALIGNMENT, TIRES AND BALANCE ARE …
Owner-reported narrative. 10 miles reported. Look up ODI 10067926 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10197531 · 2007-07-26 (July 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 DEALE…
Owner-reported narrative. 58,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10197531 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10017045 · 2003-05-05 (May 5, 2003)
ELECTRICAL SHORT IN HEADLINER BETWEEN SUN ROOF AND SUN VISOR. BURN MARK 5-6 INCHES LONG THROUGH HEADLINER. NO FIRE OR FLAMES BUT COULD SMELL STRONG ODOR OF SMOKE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10017045 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10256854 · 2009-01-29 (January 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 …
Owner-reported narrative. 120,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10256854 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10029632 · 2003-07-10 (July 10, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING. A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD AS IF THE VEHICLE HAD RAN OVER SOMETHING LARGE IN THE ROAD. THE CONSUMER NOTICED A LIQUID SPRAYING OUT FROM THE VEHICLE, ONCE HE PULLED OVER, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED A HOLE WAS IN THE GAS TANK. HOWEVER, ONE MONTH LATER THE SAME LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD AND THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THE GAS TANK HAD A DEEP INDENTATION IN IT. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE GAS TANK. *MR *TS *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10029632 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10251399 · 2008-12-10 (December 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 INT…
Owner-reported narrative. 67,810 miles reported. Look up ODI 10251399 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10441759 · 2011-12-30 (December 30, 2011)
THE ENGINE ON THIS VEHICLE REQUIRED A COMPLETE REBUILD, AT A COST OF OVER $5000 DUE TO OIL LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE AND FOULING THE COMPONENTS. IN THE MONTHS LEADING UP TO THE COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE STALLED REPEATEDLY ON BOTH CITY ROADS AND HIGHWAYS, CREATING A DANGEROUS SITUATION SEVERAL TIMES. WHENEVER THE OIL WAS CHANGED, THE PROBLEM BECAME WORSE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD USE UP TO 4 QUARTS OF OIL PER WEEK FOR SEVERAL WEEKS. I CONTACTED TOYOTA'S CORPORATE OFFICE BY LETTER AND PHONE AND WAS TOLD THAT NO DEFECT EXISTED. TOYOTA IS CURR…
Owner-reported narrative. 105,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10441759 at NHTSA ↗