2003 Model Year

Toyota Highlander

NHTSA Complaints & Reliability Data

Compare
Complaints
258
Recalls
1
Crashes
33
Severe
44

Active Recalls

Manufacturer safety recalls

02V339000 Dec 2002

Other

No consequence data available

Recent Complaints

Latest owner reports

ENGINE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
May 2023

Automatically disengage the transmission Stopped the road Icalled my husband Myhusband came and together we got the car to a safe place.Then Icame...

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Mar 2023

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 wi...

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Nov 2020

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

Engine
Oct 2019

2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 4 CYL. SERVICE BULLITON FROM THEM #310436. HEAD BOLTS COMING UNDONE INSIDE MOTOR CAUSING CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF MOTOR. BOLTS...

Air Bags Crash
Oct 2019

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

Air Bags Crash
Sep 2019

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

STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Feb 2019

PAINT SEAL DELAMINATION

STEERING,WHEELS Crash
Jan 2019

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...

Suspension
Jan 2019

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...

EXTERIOR LIGHTING,VISIBILITY/WIPER
Mar 2018

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

VS

Vehicle Safety Research Team

Automotive Data Analysts

Independent researchers analyzing NHTSA data to help consumers make informed vehicle decisions.

Data updated: March 4, 2026

Summary

The 2003 Toyota Highlander has 258 complaints and 1 recalls on record. The most commonly reported issue is Engine. 33 crash-related incidents have been reported.

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