Complaints
316
Crashes
43
Fires
1
Injuries
15
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 2003 Toyota Highlander Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#141 complaints
Engine Problems
Avg mileage:116,495 mi
Crash-related:1
#226 complaints
Engine & Cooling
Avg mileage:114,758 mi
#324 complaints
Unintended Acceleration
Avg mileage:84,223 mi
Crash-related:13
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2003 Toyota Highlander.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Problems | 41 | 1 | — | 116,495 mi | |
| Engine & Cooling | 26 | — | — | 114,758 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 24 | 13 | — | 84,223 mi | |
| Visibility | 19 | — | — | 77,475 mi | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 15 | 4 | — | 73,227 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 14 | — | — | 92,252 mi | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 14 | — | — | 119,055 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 13 | — | 1 | 125,933 mi | |
| Body Structure | 11 | 3 | — | 67,237 mi | |
| Brakes | 10 | 2 | — | 139,239 mi | |
| Airbags | 8 | 6 | — | 107,802 mi | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 7 | 3 | — | 68,734 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 6 | — | — | 115,050 mi | |
| Steering Defects | 6 | 3 | — | 78,720 mi | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 5 | 2 | — | 72,652 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 5 | — | — | 73,290 mi | |
| Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls | 5 | — | — | 41,036 mi | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal | 4 | 3 | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Wipers & Visibility | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 2 | — | — | — |
Engine Problems
41
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
116,495
Engine & Cooling
26
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
114,758
Unintended Acceleration
24
complaints
Crashes
13
Fires
—
Avg Miles
84,223
Visibility
19
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
77,475
Hydraulic Brakes
15
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
—
Avg Miles
73,227
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
14
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
92,252
Headlight/Taillight Failures
14
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
119,055
Electrical Faults
13
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
125,933
Body Structure
11
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
67,237
Brakes
10
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
139,239
Airbags
8
complaints
Crashes
6
Fires
—
Avg Miles
107,802
Transmission / Drivetrain
7
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
68,734
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
115,050
Steering Defects
6
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
78,720
Gasoline Fuel System
5
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
72,652
Automatic Transmission
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
73,290
Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
41,036
Seat Belt Issues
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structural Problems
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension Failures
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal
4
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electronic Stability Control
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tires:Tread/Belt
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Wipers & Visibility
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2003 Toyota Highlander. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Toyota Highlander Years
2003 Toyota Highlander — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2003 Toyota Highlander reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2003 Toyota Highlander has 316 NHTSA complaints, 43 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Engine Problems with 41 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2003 Toyota Highlander?
Top reported problems: Engine Problems (41 complaints, avg 116,495 mi); Engine & Cooling (26 complaints, avg 114,758 mi); Unintended Acceleration (24 complaints, avg 84,223 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2003 Toyota Highlander?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 98,342 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2003 Toyota Highlander?
NHTSA complaints for the 2003 Toyota Highlander include 43 crash-related reports, 1 fire reports, 15 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2003 Toyota Highlander have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 2003 Toyota Highlander as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 2003 Toyota Highlander?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Toyota Highlander reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2003 Toyota Highlander
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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