Recalls ·2003 Toyota Highlander 4WD

2003 Toyota Highlander 4WD recalls and complaints

NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2003 Toyota Highlander 4WD; the most frequently affected component is latches/locks/linkages — latch. Owners filed 270 complaints, most often about engine. Among the 13 model years of this model in the database, 2003 ranks #12 for number of recalls.

Recalls2
Complaints270
Crashes reported9in stored complaints

Check your own vehicle by VIN at NHTSA →

Recalls (2)

Latches/locks/linkages — LatchCampaign 04V181000 · 15 Apr 2004

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

WheelsCampaign 02V339000 · 17 Dec 2002

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

What owners complain about

Share of the 39 most recent complaints stored for this model year, by component. Owners can list more than one component.

Engine8 · 21%
Air bags7 · 18%
Exterior lighting6 · 15%
Electrical system5 · 13%
Service brakes5 · 13%
Unknown or other5 · 13%
Vehicle speed control5 · 13%
Structure4 · 10%

When complaints were filed

20148
20157
20166
20176
20183
20196
20201
20232

From owner complaints

During a wreck airbags did not deploy when i hit an unmarked utility pole in the roadway of a parking lot exit.

Air bags · Dec 2016 · NHTSA complaint record

Driver side rear brake lights will not illuminate even when you depress your brakes even after you replace bulb and light socket. Right side rear is ok. I have looked online and it appears other 2003-2006 highlanders are having similar issues. Some on right side and others on left like myself. *tr

Electrical system · Nov 2014 · NHTSA complaint record

Driver side rear brakes will not illuminate after you depress your brakes. Replaced bulb and socket that houses bulb and will not work. Check online for similar issues and read reports of 2002-2006 highlanders having either left or right side rear not working. *tr

Electrical system · Nov 2014 · NHTSA complaint record

Passenger window has had to be fixed multiple times. Comes off the track and will not close. Have had interior damage because of it

Unknown or other · Nov 2020 · NHTSA complaint record

How this year compares

Recalls per model year for this model.

Related pages

Source

Recall and complaint records from the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). A recall listed here may not apply to every vehicle of this model year — always check your VIN with NHTSA or a dealer.