TOYOTA HIGHLANDER · model year

2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER

316 NHTSA complaints, 43 crash reports, and 2 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2003TOYOTAHIGHLANDER carries 316 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 43 crashes, 1 fire, 15 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2003 HIGHLANDER is engine with 41 filings, followed by engine and engine cooling (26) and vehicle speed control (24). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 2 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle, the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 1 investigation file overlapping the 2003 HIGHLANDER. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page, a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

316
Complaints
43
Crashes
1
Fires
15
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

316 filings

Crashes Reported

43 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume, review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ENGINE41
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING26
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL24
VISIBILITY19
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC15
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE14
EXTERIOR LIGHTING14
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM13
STRUCTURE:BODY11
SERVICE BRAKES10
UNKNOWN OR OTHER8
AIR BAGS8
POWER TRAIN7
STEERING6
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM6

Recalls (2)

02V33900017/12/2002

WHEELS

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, G

04V18100015/04/2004

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

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

Recent Complaints

20230525ENGINE

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 transmission was broken and it cost about 6500 dollars.Icontacted the insurance company said they couldn’t help.The car was towed home and is not available.

20230525FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL

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 transmission was broken and it cost about 6500 dollars.Icontacted the insurance company said they couldn’t help.The car was towed home and is not available.

20230322UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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't open at high speeds

20201111UNKNOWN OR OTHER

PASSENGER WINDOW HAS HAD TO BE FIXED MULTIPLE TIMES. COMES OFF THE TRACK AND WILL NOT CLOSE. HAVE HAD INTERIOR DAMAGE BECAUSE OF IT

20191022ENGINE

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 PROBLEM REPORTED. READS ALMOST LIKE A PLAY BOOK ON HOW THE MOTOR OVERHEATS AND FAILS, TOLD HEADGASKET, AFTER OPENING UP THE MOTOR IT IS FOUND THAT THE HEAD BOLTS BACKED OUT. TOYOTA IS NORMALLY A GREAT CAR. I STILL OWE MONEY ON THIS CAR AND TOYOTA IS BASICALLY NOT TAKING CARE OF THEIR CUSTOMERS AND LEAVING US OUT TO DRY. PLEASE ISSUE A RECALL ON THIS. VEHICLE WAS DRIVING AND QUICKLY OVERHEATED. THIS HAPPENED TWICE IN A SHORT DISTANCE. EASILY CAN LEAVE ONE STRANDED. NO STEAM OUT THE TAILPIPE AND WATER GUSHED OUT SIDE OF MOTOR. DEALER LEFT MOTOR APART WHEN I WENT TO PICK IT UP AFTER BEING DRAGGED ABOUT. THEY PROMISED TO FIX IT AT FIRST AS THEY DUG INTO THE MOTOR THEY BACKED OUT OF THEIR WORD.

Mileage: 140,000

20191015CrashAIR BAGS

HEAD ON COLLISION AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY SPEEDS 25-40 MPH

Mileage: 126,000

20191002STRUCTURE:BODY

PAINT SEAL DELAMINATION

20191002UNKNOWN OR OTHER

PAINT SEAL DELAMINATION

20190926CrashAIR BAGS

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

Mileage: 216,616

20190128CrashSTEERING

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 WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

Mileage: 200,000

20190128CrashWHEELS

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 WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

Mileage: 200,000

20190114SUSPENSION

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.

Mileage: 122,200

20181003VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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 MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 185,000.

Mileage: 185,000

20180329VISIBILITY/WIPER

THE HEADLIGHT LENSES ARE COMPLETELY FOGGED AND IMPAIRS DRIVING AFTER DUSK. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED

Mileage: 100,000

20180329EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

THE HEADLIGHT LENSES ARE COMPLETELY FOGGED AND IMPAIRS DRIVING AFTER DUSK. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED

Mileage: 100,000

20180303ENGINE

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 HOPE TO DRIVE AGAIN.

Mileage: 66,000

20171024CrashAIR BAGS

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 RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO AN INSURANCE LOT WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE BODY DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED FOR THE AIR BAG FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

Mileage: 40,000

20171010SEAT BELTS

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 CONTACTED A FEW OTHER MANUFACTURERS AND WAS TOLD THAT DUE TO THIS BEING A SAFETY ISSUE THEY WOULD REPLACE AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER. THE SEATBELT IS NOT MEANT TO WEAR OUT AND THEY SAID THAT IT WAS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. THE SECOND ISSUE HAS TO DO WITH THE BRAKE LIGHTS. REPLACED BULBS, FUSES AND CHECKED WIRING NO PROBLEMS YET THE BRAKE LIGHT DO NOT WORK. TOYOTA'S IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND STATES THAT THE CONSUMER CAN PAY $400 TO HAVE IT CHECKED AND IT STILL DOES NOT WORK.

20171010EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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 CONTACTED A FEW OTHER MANUFACTURERS AND WAS TOLD THAT DUE TO THIS BEING A SAFETY ISSUE THEY WOULD REPLACE AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER. THE SEATBELT IS NOT MEANT TO WEAR OUT AND THEY SAID THAT IT WAS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. THE SECOND ISSUE HAS TO DO WITH THE BRAKE LIGHTS. REPLACED BULBS, FUSES AND CHECKED WIRING NO PROBLEMS YET THE BRAKE LIGHT DO NOT WORK. TOYOTA'S IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND STATES THAT THE CONSUMER CAN PAY $400 TO HAVE IT CHECKED AND IT STILL DOES NOT WORK.

20170522POWER TRAIN

"TAKATA RECALL" TRANSMISSION SLIPS IN REVERSE SURGE IN REVERSE AFTER SLIP

Mileage: 175,000

Compare 2003TOYOTAHIGHLANDER to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER have?
The 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER has 316 NHTSA complaints, 43 crashes, 1 fires, 15 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER?
Yes, the 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER has 2 recall(s). The most common affected component is WHEELS. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER?
The most-complained component for the 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER is ENGINE with 41 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING and VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL.
Is the 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.