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
Avg mileage:116,495 mi
Crash-related:1
#226 complaints
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Avg mileage:114,758 mi
#324 complaints
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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 | 41 | 1 | — | 116,495 mi | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 26 | — | — | 114,758 mi | |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 24 | 13 | — | 84,223 mi | |
| VISIBILITY | 19 | — | — | 77,475 mi | |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 15 | 4 | — | 73,227 mi | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 14 | — | — | 92,252 mi | |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 14 | — | — | 119,055 mi | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 13 | — | 1 | 125,933 mi | |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 11 | 3 | — | 67,237 mi | |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 10 | 2 | — | 139,239 mi | |
| AIR BAGS | 8 | 6 | — | 107,802 mi | |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 8 | — | — | 25,040 mi | |
| POWER TRAIN | 7 | 3 | — | 68,734 mi | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM | 6 | — | — | 115,050 mi | |
| STEERING | 6 | 3 | — | 78,720 mi | |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 5 | 2 | — | 72,652 mi | |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 5 | — | — | 73,290 mi | |
| VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS | 5 | — | — | 41,036 mi | |
| SEAT BELTS | 4 | — | — | 47,000 mi | |
| STRUCTURE | 4 | — | — | 13,093 mi | |
| SUSPENSION | 4 | — | — | 99,733 mi | |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL | 4 | 3 | — | 29,010 mi | |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | 3 | — | — | 98,783 mi | |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 3 | 1 | — | 97,833 mi | |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 3 | — | — | 2,650 mi | |
| TIRES:TREAD/BELT | 3 | — | — | 16,767 mi | |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 3 | — | — | 109,667 mi | |
| VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM | 3 | — | — | 96,000 mi | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 2 | — | — | 33,580 mi | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM | 2 | — | — | 106,136 mi |
ENGINE
41
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
116,495
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
26
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
114,758
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
24
complaints
Crashes
13
Fires
—
Avg Miles
84,223
VISIBILITY
19
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
77,475
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
15
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
—
Avg Miles
73,227
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
14
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
92,252
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
14
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
119,055
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
13
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
125,933
STRUCTURE:BODY
11
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
67,237
SERVICE BRAKES
10
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
139,239
AIR BAGS
8
complaints
Crashes
6
Fires
—
Avg Miles
107,802
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
25,040
POWER TRAIN
7
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
68,734
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
115,050
STEERING
6
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
78,720
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
5
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
72,652
POWER TRAIN: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 BELTS
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
47,000
STRUCTURE
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
13,093
SUSPENSION
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
99,733
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
4
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
29,010
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
98,783
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
97,833
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
2,650
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
16,767
VISIBILITY/WIPER
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
109,667
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
96,000
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
33,580
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
106,136
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
Wider context: See the full Toyota Highlander reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
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