Photo: SsmIntrigue / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons
2003 Toyota Highlander: common problems and reliability
An average Highlander year.
270 owner complaints, most about engine and engine cooling. 2 recalls.
Should I buy a 2003 Highlander?The 2003 Toyota Highlander has 270 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are engine and engine cooling and engine.
Safety record for the 2003 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2003 Toyota Highlander vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Highlander years only. How we score it
Is 2003 a good year for the Highlander?
Across the 25 Highlander model years we track, complaint volume runs from 139 (2001) to 1,005 (2008). With 270 complaints, the 2003 Highlander sits below the model's median of 324.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2003 Highlander
latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
Campaign 04V181000CERTAIN 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.
wheels
Campaign 02V339000ON 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.
What owners say across generations
Sentiment is mixed and heavily dependent on model year and powertrain. The Highlander is widely recognized as a reliable, practical, and comfortable family SUV, praised for its solid build quality, good ride comfort, and strong resale value.
Owner insights cover all generations of the Highlander. See the full Highlander owner picture and every model year.
Other Highlander model years
Compare every Highlander year side by side to see how 2003 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Highlander against its rivals
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