VehicleVerdict

2003 Toyota Highlander problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2003 Toyota Highlander sits mid-pack among Highlander years: 316 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 238, with 2 recalls and no defect investigations. Complainants reported 15 injuries in total across these filings.

Engine leads the complaint categories with 92 reports (29% of the total).

316

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

43

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

15

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2003 compare to other Highlander years?

Highlander NHTSA complaints by model year, 2003 highlighted613 complaints1997: 1 complaints1998: 1 complaints1999: 0 complaints2000: 0 complaints2001: 158 complaints2002: 335 complaints2003: 316 complaints2004: 337 complaints2005: 289 complaints2006: 344 complaints2007: 159 complaints2008: 502 complaints2009: 178 complaints2010: 272 complaints2011: 229 complaints2012: 228 complaints2013: 280 complaints2014: 158 complaints2015: 245 complaints2016: 137 complaints2017: 364 complaints2018: 342 complaints2019: 613 complaints2020: 348 complaints2021: 590 complaints2022: 291 complaints2023: 219 complaints2024: 54 complaints2025: 9 complaints2026: 1 complaints
Highlander NHTSA complaints by model year, 2003 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Highlander years to avoid →

What are the most common 2003 Toyota Highlander problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine9229%
Visibility & Wipers3411%
Brakes3310%
Speed Control289%
Electrical System206%
Body & Structure186%
Lighting165%
Transmission144%
Other103%
Fuel System103%
Tires & Wheels103%
Airbags93%
Steering62%
Suspension62%
Seat Belts41%
Latches & Locks21%
Driver Assistance10%
Child Seat10%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)10%
Seats10%

Does the 2003 Toyota Highlander have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

04V181000Latches & LocksApril 15, 2004 · 366,572 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL SHORTEN THE CPL LEVER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 7, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

02V339000Tires & WheelsDecember 17, 2002 · 176 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH DIFFERENT STYLE LUG NUTS, A WARNING LABEL FOR THE SPARE RE/ALLOY WHEEL, AND AN OWNER'S MANUAL ADDENDUM.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“I WAS BACKING MY CAR FROM ACROSS THE STREET. AFTER SHIFTING TO DRIVE, MY CAR JUMPED BACK IN REVERSED FULL SPEED CRASH IN TO MY GARAGE. I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE BUT WOULDN'T STOP TILL IT HIT MY GARAGE WALL. *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · July 19, 2013 · crash

“2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 4.0 HEATER HAS GONE OUT IN THIS VEHICLE AND ONLY THE A/C NOW WORKS THIS HAPPENED RIGHT AFTER THE PURCHASE OF THIS VEHICLE AND THE COST TO FIX THIS IS VERY HIGH AND SHOULD BE DEALT WITH PER TOYOTA SINCE IT SEEMS ALOT OF OTHERS ARE ALSO HAVING THE PROBLEM DUE TO A FAULTY KNOB…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · April 4, 2006

“PULLING INTO PARKING SPACE THE BRAKES DID NOT STOP THE CAR EVEN A THAT SLOW RATE. MY CAR HIT THE PARKED CAR IN FRONT OF ME CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THAT CAR AND ONLY MODERATE BUMPER DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE. AT OTHER TIMES THE ENGINE SEEMS TO POWER UP WHILE DRIVING AND THIS MAY HAVE HAPPENED WHILE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · January 29, 2005 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE ATTEMPTING A RIGHT TURN AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · July 20, 2010 · crash

“MY DAUGHTER HAD PARKED HER CAR AT THE SCHOOL PARKING LOT ON 5/27/2014 AT 7:02 AM , SHE WENT TO SCHOOL STAYED THE WHOLE DAY AT SCHOOL , SHE WENT TO DANCE PRACTICE AFTER SHE GOT OUT AT ABOUT 3:30 PM SHE HEADED TO THE PARKING LOT TO GO HOME, SHE SAID AS SHE WAS APPROACHING THE VEHICLE SHE HIT THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · May 27, 2014 · fire

2003 Toyota Highlander — common questions

Is the 2003 Toyota Highlander reliable?

It is close to typical for the Highlander: 316 NHTSA complaints, 2 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2003 Highlander problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (92 complaints), visibility & wipers (34 complaints), brakes (33 complaints).

Does the 2003 Toyota Highlander have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2003 Toyota Highlander. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Toyota Highlander years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Highlander years to avoid are 2019, 2021, 2008, 2017. The cleanest record among Highlander years belongs to 2000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.