PAINT SEAL DELAMINATION
2003 Toyota Highlander
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2003 Toyota Highlander do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 186.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Highlander years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
213 reports with mileage · 45 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 46 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 41 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Visibility. Review the 31 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Structure complaints
18 reportsDURING A WRECK AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN I HIT AN UNMARKED UTILITY POLE IN THE ROADWAY OF A PARKING LOT EXIT.
WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE IN A STRIP MALL, ABOUT 10 FEET BEFORE THE PARKING BLOCK THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. I WAS ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL HARD TO THE LEFT AND HIT THE BRAKES TO AVOID THE BUILDING. I DID HIT THE AWNING SUPPORTS AND CAUSED THE AWNING TO SAG. WAS ABLE TO FINALLY STOP THE CAR AND GOT OUT SAFELY. THE CA…
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WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE IN A STRIP MALL, ABOUT 10 FEET BEFORE THE PARKING BLOCK THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. I WAS ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL HARD TO THE LEFT AND HIT THE BRAKES TO AVOID THE BUILDING. I DID HIT THE AWNING SUPPORTS AND CAUSED THE AWNING TO SAG. WAS ABLE TO FINALLY STOP THE CAR AND GOT OUT SAFELY. THE CAR LATER WAS TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY.
MY SUV AFTER A HEAVY RAIN WAS FLOODED. (FLOOR, BOTH FRONT AND BACK). I TOOK THE CAR IN TO SEVERAL MECHANICS . ALL AGREED THAT IT COULD BE A CLOGGED AC LINE,CLOGGED VENT IN HOOD, DOOR SEALS. ALL WAS CHECKED AND FOUND NO PROBLEMS. THE A CRACK STARTED IN MY WINDSHIELD. NOT RELATING THE TWO PROBLEMS I TOOK THE CAR IN AGAIN TO A MEC…
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MY SUV AFTER A HEAVY RAIN WAS FLOODED. (FLOOR, BOTH FRONT AND BACK). I TOOK THE CAR IN TO SEVERAL MECHANICS . ALL AGREED THAT IT COULD BE A CLOGGED AC LINE,CLOGGED VENT IN HOOD, DOOR SEALS. ALL WAS CHECKED AND FOUND NO PROBLEMS. THE A CRACK STARTED IN MY WINDSHIELD. NOT RELATING THE TWO PROBLEMS I TOOK THE CAR IN AGAIN TO A MECHANIC. HE FOUND RUST POPPING OUT FROM THE ROOF WHERE THE WINDSHIELD HAD BEEN FORCED OUTWARD BY RUST, CAUSING IT TO CRACK. THE LEAK WAS THEN DISCOVERED, AND CAUSED BY THE ROOF RACKS. ALLOWING WATER TO RUN INSIDE ROOF AND DOOR TRACK INTO THE CAR. I HAVE HERD OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH ROOF RACKS. THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE ADDRESSED, AS IT CAN CAUSE A NUMBER OF MORE SERIOUS PROBLEMS.
ON APRIL 15, 2013 WHILE PARKING MY 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR ACCELERATED WHILE SHIFTING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE WHILE I WAS PARKING. SUDDENLY MY CAR TOOK OFF WITH THE ENGINE FULL SPEED TO RED LINE ON THE TACHOMETER IN A SPACE OF FOUR FEET IT JUMPED THE PARKING BLOCK AND SMASHED INTO THE CENTER BLOCK WALL WITH …
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ON APRIL 15, 2013 WHILE PARKING MY 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR ACCELERATED WHILE SHIFTING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE WHILE I WAS PARKING. SUDDENLY MY CAR TOOK OFF WITH THE ENGINE FULL SPEED TO RED LINE ON THE TACHOMETER IN A SPACE OF FOUR FEET IT JUMPED THE PARKING BLOCK AND SMASHED INTO THE CENTER BLOCK WALL WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. THE DAMAGE TO MY CAR WAS $2000.00. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. I CONSIDER MYSELF LUCKY, BECAUSE I COULD HAVE BEEN HURT AND OTHER PEOPLE. I AM SCARED NOW WHEN I DRIVE MY CAR. *TR
THE PROBLEM IS SINCE WE PURCHASED THE 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER IN 2005, THE DRIVERS SIDE SUN VISOR ( THE ONE WITH THE HOME LINK BUTTONS AND THE LIGHTED MIRROR) ... IT HAS NEVER BEEN ABLE TO STAY UP. WHEN PUT UP NEAR THE ROOF, IT CONSTANTLY FALLS DOWN BLOCKING MY VISION AS THE DRIVER. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE AND SHOULD BE MODIFIED AND …
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THE PROBLEM IS SINCE WE PURCHASED THE 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER IN 2005, THE DRIVERS SIDE SUN VISOR ( THE ONE WITH THE HOME LINK BUTTONS AND THE LIGHTED MIRROR) ... IT HAS NEVER BEEN ABLE TO STAY UP. WHEN PUT UP NEAR THE ROOF, IT CONSTANTLY FALLS DOWN BLOCKING MY VISION AS THE DRIVER. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE AND SHOULD BE MODIFIED AND RECALLED FROM TOYOTA BEFORE IT CAUSES SOMEONE TO CRASH BECAUSE OF NOT BEING ABLE TO SEE! *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO PARK, HE HAPHAZARDLY CRASHED INTO A WALL AND THE FRONT FENDER DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FENDER WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE CON…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO PARK, HE HAPHAZARDLY CRASHED INTO A WALL AND THE FRONT FENDER DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FENDER WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT APPLIED GLUE TO THE AREA AND RE-ATTACHED THE FENDER TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000. UPDATED 05/10/2013 *JS
2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER - 109, 032 MILES I WAS TOLD THAT THE ENGINE SUB-FRAME WAS ROTTED/RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED FOR SAFETY REASONS. I WAS TOLD THE COST TO REPLACE IT WOULD BE $1,865.00. I HAVE CONTACTED THE LOCAL TOYOTA SERVICE MANAGER TO SEE IF TOYOTA WOULD HELP OR COVER THE COST OF THE REPLACEMENT. I'M WAITIN…
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2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER - 109, 032 MILES I WAS TOLD THAT THE ENGINE SUB-FRAME WAS ROTTED/RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED FOR SAFETY REASONS. I WAS TOLD THE COST TO REPLACE IT WOULD BE $1,865.00. I HAVE CONTACTED THE LOCAL TOYOTA SERVICE MANAGER TO SEE IF TOYOTA WOULD HELP OR COVER THE COST OF THE REPLACEMENT. I'M WAITING TO HEAR FROM THEM. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE WHEN HE WAS ADVISED THAT THE SUB FRAME WAS SEVERELY ROTTED UNDER THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT'S CONCERN WAS THAT THE ENGINE WOULD POSSIBLY FALL OUT WHILE DRIVING BUT THE MECHANIC ADVISED HIM THAT THE ENGINE WOULD NOT …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE WHEN HE WAS ADVISED THAT THE SUB FRAME WAS SEVERELY ROTTED UNDER THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT'S CONCERN WAS THAT THE ENGINE WOULD POSSIBLY FALL OUT WHILE DRIVING BUT THE MECHANIC ADVISED HIM THAT THE ENGINE WOULD NOT DROP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE COULD FEEL THE ENGINE SHIFTING ABNORMALLY WHEN DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 110,000.
2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 4.0 LOUD VIBRATING NOISE WHEN EITHER BACK WINDOW IS ROLLED DOWN ROLLING DOWN FRONT WINDOW SLIGHTLY HELPS ALLEVIATE THE NOISE BUT IT IS STILL DEAFENING TO EVERYONE IN THE VEHICLE. DESIGN FLAW. *TR
Official recalls
204V181000 · Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
Apr 15, 2004
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 & remedy
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.
02V339000 · Wheels
Dec 17, 2002
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 & remedy
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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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