269
Complaints Reported

Complaints by Component

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
45 complaints
2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER (4 CYL. ENGINE) DEVELOPED A COOLANT LEAK. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP WHO ADVISED THE WATER PUMP WAS LEAKING. WATER PUMP WAS REPLACED AT A COST OF $600. VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN HOME AND IMMEDIATELY FOUND TO STILL HAVE A COOLANT LEAK. DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED AND OWNER ADVISED TO BRING THE VEHICLE BACK. DEALERSHIP CHECKED AND ADVISED THAT CYLINDER HEAD BOLTS WERE STRIPPED OUT AND THAT ENGINE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $5400. THE ENGINE NEVER LOST ENOUGH COOLANT TO OVERHEAT BUT THE ONLY REPAIR OPTION GIVEN BY THE SERVICE MANAGER WAS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE ENGINE RATHER THAN REPLACING THE HEAD GASKET AND REPAIRING THE STRIPPED OUT THREADS TO HEAD BOLTS. SERVICE MANAGER SLIPPED UP BY SAYING THIS IS A DEFECT IN THE ENGINE BUT WHEN QUESTIONED FURTHER ABOUT THE PROBLEM HE STATED HE ONLY SEES IT "ONCE IN A BLUE MOON". THIS SEEMS TO BE A CONTRADICTION TO ALL THE OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FOR THIS 4 CYLINDER ENGINE. TOYOTA ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN MARCH 2, 2011 FOR THE HIGHLANDER, RAV4, CAMRY, AND SOLARA WHICH STATES: THERE MAY BE DAMAGED CYLINDER HEAD BOLTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO STATED HE HAS SEEN THIS PROBLEM BEFORE AND KNOWS HOW TO FIX IT (AND WILL GIVE A 2 YEAR 24000 MILE WARRANTY ON THE REPAIR). WHY DOES A VEHICLE DEFECT HAVE TO KILL SOMEONE BEFORE IT PROMPTS A RECALL. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A VEHICLE DEFECT AND IS STILL HAZARDOUS TO CONSUMERS IF THEY ARE SICK, ELDERLY, OR LEFT STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE KILLED EVERY YEAR WHEN THEY ARE STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND STRUCK BY ANOTHER MOTORIST. (TOO MANY!) COME ON TOYOTA, DOES IT TAKE A LAWSUIT OVER SOMEONE'S DEATH FOR YOU TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM? *JS
Apr 30, 2012
THERE ARE TWO SPEEDS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS. IT WAS ON THE FREEWAY DRIVING BACK HOME WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AT ABOUT 65 MPH. LATER, AFTER EXITING THE FREEWAY AND DRIVING FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES, THE RADIATOR HOSE BLEW OFF FROM THE PRESSURE, SHOOTING COOLANT AND CONTENTS OF THE RADIATOR BACK ONTO THE ENGINE (4 CYLINDER). I WAS GOING 40 MPH AT THE TIME. THE THERMOSTAT MUST NOT HAVE BEEN WORKING BECAUSE I WASN'T READING ANY OVERHEATING GOING ON, THOUGH THERE OBVIOUSLY WAS. AFTER GETTING IT DIAGNOSED, APPARENTLY THE BOLTS WERE STRIPPED, THE HEAD GASKET BLEW, AND THE ENGINE GOT TOO HOT. I AM NOW ASKED TO PAY ALMOST $3,000 TO REBUILD THE ENGINE (RETHREAD, ETC.). THIS THING WITH THE HEAD GASKET AND THE BOLTS FAILING AT RELATIVELY LOW MILEAGE (114,000 IN MY CASE) SEEMS TO BE A RECURRENT PROBLEM WITH THIS PARTICULAR MAKE AND MODEL. I HAD BEEN DRIVING IT AND KEEPING IT WELL MAINTAINED FOR ABOUT FIVE YEARS WITH RELATIVELY FEW PROBLEMS UNTIL THIS HAPPENED. *TR
Apr 26, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE INDICATED THAT THE ENGINE OVERHEATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT THE HEAD GASKET. IN ADDITION, THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE ENGINE BOLTS WERE STRIPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE HEAD GASKET AND THE BOLTS THREAD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 145,000.
Apr 06, 2012
ENGINE OVERHEATED WHILE DRIVING, AND VEHICLE WAS PARKED OVERNIGHT AND COOLANT RESTORED. WHEN TAKEN TO LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER FOR REPAIR WAS INFORMED THAT BOLTS HOLDING ENGINE BLOCK HAD FAILED DUE TO THREADS INSIDE BLOCK BEING STRIPPED, AND COOLANT WAS LEAKING FROM SEAL IN ENGINE BLOCK. ASIDE FROM HITTING A DEER ONCE (MINOR VEHICLE DAMAGE IN WHICH THE HEADLIGHT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED), THIS VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. IN READING INFORMATION ON WEB, THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN REPORTED BY OTHER TOYOTA OWNERS. *TR
Jan 10, 2012
THE ENGINE ON THIS VEHICLE REQUIRED A COMPLETE REBUILD, AT A COST OF OVER $5000 DUE TO OIL LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE AND FOULING THE COMPONENTS. IN THE MONTHS LEADING UP TO THE COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE STALLED REPEATEDLY ON BOTH CITY ROADS AND HIGHWAYS, CREATING A DANGEROUS SITUATION SEVERAL TIMES. WHENEVER THE OIL WAS CHANGED, THE PROBLEM BECAME WORSE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD USE UP TO 4 QUARTS OF OIL PER WEEK FOR SEVERAL WEEKS. I CONTACTED TOYOTA'S CORPORATE OFFICE BY LETTER AND PHONE AND WAS TOLD THAT NO DEFECT EXISTED. TOYOTA IS CURRENTLY RECALLING EARLIER MODELS OF THIS VEHICLE FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS EMITTING WHITE SMOKE FROM THE TAILPIPE FOR SEVERAL MONTHS BEFORE THE ENGINE FAILED. EVENTUALLY, IT WOULD ONLY SUSTAIN A SPEED OF 30 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS CHECKED BY THREE MECHANICS WHO ALL FOUND THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS VEHICLE IS USED TO TRANSPORT A HANDICAPPED PERSON, AND WAS ALSO USED TO TRANSPORT CHILDREN FREQUENTLY. IN ORDER TO SAVE THE MONEY FOR THE REPAIRS, WHICH I HAD TO MAKE BECAUSE I AM STILL MAKING PAYMENTS ON THE LOAN FOR THIS CAR, I HAD TO PURCHASE A VERY OLD AND INEXPENSIVE CAR TO GET TO WORK. THE TOYOTA SAT PARKED FOR 9 MONTHS BEFORE IT COULD BE FIXED. HAD I NOT BEEN ABLE TO BUY THIS SECOND CAR, I WOULD HAVE LOST MY JOB. I COULD NOT PUT MY DAUGHTER'S WHEELCHAIR IN THE OTHER CAR. SHE IS ABLE TO WALK ONLY FOR SHORT DISTANCES. THIS CREATED A SEVERE HARDSHIP AND ALSO CONTRIBUTED TO HER DEVELOPING A FOOT WOUND AND INFECTION OF THE BONE IN HER FOOT. THIS MEDICAL ISSUE REQUIRED 3 SURGERIES AND 5 HOSPITALIZATIONS, PLUS OVER 6 MONTHS OF IV ANTIBIOTIC THERAPY. I NARROWLY AVOIDED SEVERAL ACCIDENTS WHEN THE CAR STALLED IN TRAFFIC. IF I WAS NOT SUCH AN EXPERIENCED DRIVER, IT IS HIGHLY LIKELY THAT A SERIOUS ACCIDENT WOULD HAVE OCCURRED. *KB
Dec 30, 2011
+ 40 more complaints for this component
ENGINE
34 complaints
2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 4 CYL. SERVICE BULLITON FROM THEM #310436. HEAD BOLTS COMING UNDONE INSIDE MOTOR CAUSING CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF MOTOR. BOLTS NOT HOLDING DOWN MFGR KNOWS ABOUT THIS. WAS A MANUFACTURING PROCESS THAT DID NOT WORK. ON CARCOMPLAINTS.COM THIS IS A RAMPANT PROBLEM REPORTED. READS ALMOST LIKE A PLAY BOOK ON HOW THE MOTOR OVERHEATS AND FAILS, TOLD HEADGASKET, AFTER OPENING UP THE MOTOR IT IS FOUND THAT THE HEAD BOLTS BACKED OUT. TOYOTA IS NORMALLY A GREAT CAR. I STILL OWE MONEY ON THIS CAR AND TOYOTA IS BASICALLY NOT TAKING CARE OF THEIR CUSTOMERS AND LEAVING US OUT TO DRY. PLEASE ISSUE A RECALL ON THIS. VEHICLE WAS DRIVING AND QUICKLY OVERHEATED. THIS HAPPENED TWICE IN A SHORT DISTANCE. EASILY CAN LEAVE ONE STRANDED. NO STEAM OUT THE TAILPIPE AND WATER GUSHED OUT SIDE OF MOTOR. DEALER LEFT MOTOR APART WHEN I WENT TO PICK IT UP AFTER BEING DRAGGED ABOUT. THEY PROMISED TO FIX IT AT FIRST AS THEY DUG INTO THE MOTOR THEY BACKED OUT OF THEIR WORD.
Oct 22, 2019
HEAD BOLTS STRIPPED IN ENGINE , 66K MILES - COOLANT LOSS - ALL MECHANICS PREFER TO SWAP ENGINE - TOYOTA SERVICE SHOP BY ME QUOTED ME 5,000 FOR AN ENGINE AND 1 YEAR WARRANTY. THE CAR IS WORTH 8,000 TOPS. HEARTBROKEN BY THIS - WILL HAVE TO FIND A WAY TO MAKE REPAIRS ON MY OWN AND HOPE TO DRIVE AGAIN.
Mar 03, 2018
THE ENGINE OVERHEATED SUDDENLY, BLOWING HOT AIR FROM THE AC AND THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WENT UP. WE MANAGED TO GET HOME AND GET TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP THE NEXT DAY. THE DEALERSHIP MECHANIC TOLD US THE ENGINE BOLTS STRIPPED DUE TO THE BLOCK BEING SOFT, AND THAT HE HAD SEEN THIS PROBLEM BEFORE. THE ISSUE OF THE SOFT BLOCK WAS CONFIRMED IN A SUBSEQUENT SEARCH OF THE INTERNET. APPARENTLY TOYOTA IS AWARE OF THIS FLAW, BUT THERE IS NO WARRANTY REMEDY. THE 2003 INLINE 4-CYLINDER ENGINE IS THE MODEL WITH THE BOLT STRIPPING PROBLEM. NEITHER THE DEALERSHIP NOR ANOTHER JAPANESE AUTO REPAIR PLACE WOULD CONSIDER TRYING TO REPLACE THE BOLTS. THEY SAID THAT BECAUSE OF THE SOFT METAL IN THE BLOCK, A NEW SET OF LARGER BORED BOLTS WOULD BE UNLIKELY TO HOLD. THE COST TO PUT IN ANOTHER ENGINE IS APPROXIMATELY THE VALUE OF THE CAR, IF THERE WERE USED ENGINES AVAILABLE. A NEW ENGINE WOULD BE IN THE $15K RANGE, MUCH MORE THAN THE CAR IS WORTH. WE WILL LIKELY SELL THE CAR FOR SCRAP. WHEN WE BOUGHT THE CAR, WE FELT WE COULD REASONABLY EXPECT A 250K MILEAGE LIFE. THE ENGINE FAILED AT 128K. JUST HALF OF ITS USEFUL LIFE.
Aug 02, 2015
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON THE MORNING OF FEBRUARY 23, 2015. WHITE SMOKE EMERGED FROM VEHICLE AS I WAS DRIVING. THEN, THE VEHICLE STARTED OVERHEATING. MECHANIC INDICATES HEAD GASKETS WERE BLOWN AND SHORT BLOCK SCREWS STRIPPED AND BENT, LEAKING COOLANT ON MY 4 CYLINDER 2003 HIGHLANDER. HE REPAIRED THE SAME MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR THE PRIOR YEAR WITH THE SAME ISSUE. $69,000 FOR A NEW ENGINE. $44,00 FOR A REBUILT ONE. I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY MECHANICAL ISSUES WITH THIS CAR SINCE I PURCHASED IT TWO YEARS OLD IN 2005. ALTHOUGH, I HAVE KEPT UP WITH THE SERVICING, THIS TYPE OF SUDDEN MALFUNCTION IS A SHOCKER. *TR
Mar 03, 2015
I'VE HAD MY TOYOTA HIGHLANDER FOR ABOUT 11 YEARS NOW. I GOT IT AS BRAND NEW CAR AND I AM THE SINGLE OWNER AND WELL MAINTAINED CAR. AT ABOUT 138,000 MILES THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE STARTED GOING UP , ALMOST TO RED. IT WOULD GO UP AND THEN DOWN TO NORMAL AND REPEAT. TURNED OUT I BLEW A HEAD GASKET. WHILE IT WAS AT THE SHOP BEING REPAIRED THEY FOUND THAT THE HEAD BOLTS WERE STRIPPED WHICH IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR ,MAKE AND TYPE OF ENGINE MY HIGHLANDER HAS. NOW THEY CAN IT WILL COST ME $4500 TO REBUILD THE ENGINE. REAL TOYOTA DESIGN PROBLEM, NEED ACTION AND SUPPORT FROM TOYOTA *JS
Apr 29, 2014
+ 29 more complaints for this component
VISIBILITY
28 complaints
THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR FLOPS DOWN, BLOCKING THE DRIVER'S VISION. IT WILL NOT STAY IN THE "UP" POSITION. WHEN IT FALLS DOWN, THIS IS A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD THAT NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED TO PREVENT SERIOUS INJURIES OR DEATHS. *TR
Mar 22, 2014
THE DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR WILL NOT STAY UP ALL OF THE WAY, IT HANGS DOWN AND AS I DRIVE IT FALLS ALL OF THE WAY DOWN. I FEEL THIS IS A HAZARD AS IT INTERFERES WITH VISION WHILE DRIVING. *TR
Jul 19, 2012
THE DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR DOES NOT STAY UP, IT HANGS DOWN INTERFERING WITH VISION AND FALLS DOWN AS I DRIVE. I FEEL THIS IS A HAZARD TO VISION WHILE DRIVING. *TR
Jul 19, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR BROKE AND BLOCKED HER VISIBILITY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE VISOR ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 68,000. UPDATED 05/24/12*LJ
Apr 24, 2012
DRIVERS SIDE SUN VISOR WON'T STAY AGAINST WINDSHIELD - IT IS BLOCKING VIEW OF THE ROAD - A SAFETY HAZARD. *TR
Oct 02, 2011
+ 23 more complaints for this component
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
23 complaints
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE UNINTENTIONALLY ACCELERATED AT HIGH SPEEDS WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A COMPLETE STOP AND TURN OFF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 185,000.
Oct 03, 2018
SATURDAY JUNE 18 2016 AT 6:40 A.M. DRIVING ON TULLY ROAD IN MY 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. MY SPEED WAS 35 MILES PER HOUR WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. I APPLIED MY BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN THE HIGHLANDER THIS HAD NO EFFECT ON SLOWING DOWN THE HIGHLANDER. THE BRAKES WENT INTO ANTI LOCKING MODE THE WHEELS STARTED TO PULSATE. WHILE THIS WAS HAPPENING MY FOOT WAS NOT ON THE ACCELERATOR , BUT ON THE BRAKES. THE HIGHLANDER WAS NOT SLOWING DOWN BUT INCREASING SPEED. I DOWN SHIFTED INTO A LOWER GEAR, THE ENGINE RACED AT A HIGH RPMS. I THEN PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL THE RPMS STILL RACING AT A HIGH RATE. I THEN APPLIED THE BRAKES AGAIN TO SLOW DOWN. THE HIGHLANDER STARTED TO SLOW DOWN I THEN TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND THEN CAME TO A STOP. I WAITED FOR A MINUTE AND STARTED THE CAR THE ENGINE RACED AT A HIGH RPMS AS IF MY FOOT WAS PUSHED ALL THE WAY DOWN ON THE ACCELERATOR, BUT MY FOOT WAS NOT ON THE GAS PEDAL. I WAITED AGAIN A FEW MINUTES TO START THE HIGHLANDER , THE SAME HIGH RPMS HAPPENING AGAIN. A FEW MINUTES LATER I TRIED AGAIN TO START THE HIGHLANDER AND THIS TIME THE HIGHLANDER IDLED NORMAL. I TURNED THE HIGHLANDER AROUND AND WENT HOME WHICH WAS HALF A MILE AWAY. THE TOTAL DISTANCE OF UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION WAS IN MY ESTIMATION OVER 1,000 YARDS. I HAD TO HIGHLANDER TOWED TO STEVENS CREEK TOYOTA WHERE IT REMAINS NOW JUNE 27 2016.
Jun 28, 2016
PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AT KAISER HOSPITAL AS I HIT THE BRAKE THE CAR UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED. THE CAR SPED FORWARD WHILE MY FOOT WAS STILL ON THE BRAKE. I HIT A TREE CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE LEFT FRONT AREA OF THE CAR (LIGHTS, FENDER, BUMPER) HAD CAR REPAIRED. AT THE TIME I THOUGHT THAT I HAD ACCIDENTALLY HIT THE GAS PEDAL;HOWEVER, ONE MONTH LATER WHILE APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION, AS I STOPPED, THE SAME THING HAPPENED. LUCKILY NO CAR OR PEDESTRIAN WAS IN THE INTERSECTION. I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR BY SHIFTING INTO PARK. TOOK THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC. HE WAS UNABLE TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. SINCE THIS UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION OCCURRED IN THE SAME WAY (COMING TO A STOP WITH FOOT ON BRAKE AND GEAR-SHIFT IN DRIVE) , IN A FIVE WEEK PERIOD, IT COULD BE A TRANSMISSION OR ACCELERATER PROBLEM. I NO LONGER FEEL CONFIDENT DRIVING THE CAR AND CONSIDER IT UNSAFE.
Jan 17, 2016
Crash: 1
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED RAPIDLY WITHOUT WARNING CAUSING A CRASH. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HER LEFT FOOT. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND DEEMED DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,082.
Jan 13, 2016
Crash: 1
Injuries: 1
2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. CONSUMER SUBMITS DOCUMENTATION RELATED TO UNINTENDED ACCELERATION ISSUES WITH VEHICLE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL AND SUBSEQUENTLY, CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE DIVIDER, STRUCK A PALM TREE AND THEN A METAL LIGHT POLE. EVEN AFTER THE VEHICLE CAME TO REST, THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO REV VERY FAST. IT FINALLY STOPPED A FEW SECONDS AFTER THE IMPACT. *JB
Feb 18, 2011
Crash: 1
Injuries: 1
+ 18 more complaints for this component
STRUCTURE
15 complaints
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.
Sep 23, 2015
Crash: 1
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.
Jul 27, 2015
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
Mar 07, 2013
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
Feb 21, 2013
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.
Feb 08, 2012
+ 10 more complaints for this component
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
15 complaints
ABS ENGAGES INTERMITTENTLY WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A COMPLETE STOP. *TR
Mar 07, 2012
2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. CONSUMER WRITES REGARDING BRAKE FLUID LEAK *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER HAD TO BE REPLACED. *JB
Feb 02, 2011
2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH BRAKES *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER HE PICKED HIS VEHICLE UP FROM THE DEALER AFTER HAVING THE 60,000 MILE SERVICE DONE, HE HEARD A CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT WHEELS WHEN DRIVING OVER UNEVEN PAVEMENT OR SPEED BUMPS AT LOW SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WITHIN DAYS. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER AND THE CLICKING NOISE FROM THE BRAKES HAD BEEN REMEDIED. IN MARCH 2010, WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE CONSUMER DETECTED A SHIMMY COMING FROM THE FRONT END AND TRANSMITTING THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED. THE SHIMMY CONTINUED WITH INCREASED INTENSITY OVER TIME DURING HIS TRIP AND THERE WAS AN ODOR OF SMOKE COMING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. A CLOSER INSPECTION REVEALED, THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL HAD EXCESSIVE BRAKE DUST AND IT SEEMED TO BE HOTTER THAN THE OTHER SIDE ALONG WITH A BURNING SMELL COMING FROM THE SAME LOCATION. THE CONSUMER RETURNED TO THE DEALER. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE RIGHT FRONT CALIPER HAD SEIZED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AS WELL. THE CONSUMER STATED ACCORDING TO THE INVOICE, THE ROTORS WERE REPLACED DUE TO EXCESSIVE HEAT, ALONG WITH THE BRAKE PADS AND CALIPER. *JB
Jun 29, 2010
CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN SLOWLY IN TRAFFIC. WHEN OTHER CARS STOPPED, THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. INSTEAD OF STOPPING, THE CAR CONTINUED FORWARD, HITTING ANOTHER CAR. IT SEEMED AS THOUGH THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY TO HAVE THE BRAKES EVALUATED. WE WERE TOLD THAT THE REPAIRMAN SAW THOSE KIND OF ACCIDENTS ALL THE TIME WITH ANTI-LOCK BRAKES. " YOU CANNOT HIT THEM HARD OR THEY WILL FAIL". *TR
Mar 02, 2010
Crash: 1
Injuries: 1
I ROUTINELY HAVE DIFFICULTY WITH MY BRAKES ON MY 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY WERE NEVER ABLE TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM. JUST RECENTLY I DISCOVERED THAT THE PROBLEM IS CUASED BY MY "BIG FEET" - I AM A SIZE 14. IF MY FOOT IS STRAIGHT UP AND DOWN THE TOP OF MY SHOE OR BOOT RESTS AGAINST THE METAL BRACKET AND I LOSE ALL THE LEVERAGE ON THE BRAKE. IN ESSENCE - I HAVE TO STAND ON THE BRAKE TO MAKE THE CAR STOP. I NOW TRY TO REMEMBER TO KEEP MY FOOT TILTED TO THE SIDE SO THAT I ONLY PUSH ON THE RUBBER PAD OF THE BRAKE PEDAL. I DON'T BELIEVE THAT I SHOULD ALTER HOW I APPLY THE BRAKES TO GET THEM TO WORK. THE BRAKE PEDAL DESIGN NEEDS TO BE CHANGED. AT LEAST TWICE I HAVE HAD NEAR ACCIDENTS WHEN I HAD TO STOP SUDDENLY AND MY REFLEX WAS TO BRAKE NORAMLLY - NOT TILT MY FOOT TO THE SIDE. I ENTERED THE LAST DATE THIS OCCURED. *TR
Feb 04, 2010
+ 10 more complaints for this component
POWER TRAIN
11 complaints
"TAKATA RECALL" TRANSMISSION SLIPS IN REVERSE SURGE IN REVERSE AFTER SLIP
May 22, 2017
I PULLED INTO A PARKING SPACE AT A SHOPPING CENTER NEAR MY HOME, THEN BACKED UP A FEW FEET IN ORDER TO STRAIGHTEN MY CAR. WHEN I PUT THE TRANSMISSION INTO DRIVE, THE CAR SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD ENTIRELY ON ITS OWN, STRIKING THE CONCRETE BARRIER A FEW FEET IN FRONT OF MY CAR. I DID NOT ACCELERATE, THERE WERE NO FLOOR MATS ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE, AND THE FORCE THREW ME AGAINST THE STEERING WHEEL. A WITNESS RAN OVER TO SEE I WAS INJURED, BUT I WAS JUST BADLY FRIGHTENED. THE FRONT FENDER WAS DENTED, BUT ACTUALLY POPPED BACK OUT AS I WAS STANDING BESIDE MY CAR WITH THE WITNESS. I HAD PREVIOUSLY COMPLAINED ABOUT THE ENGINE ALTERNATELY SLOWING AND SURGING AS I DROVE, USUALLY ONLY AT SPEEDS UP TO 40MPH, TO MY LOCAL SERVICE DEPARTMENT. WHEN I CALLED MY SERVICE DEPARTMENT, THEY GAVE ME A TOLL FREE NUMBER WHERE I SPOKE TO A TOYOTA CASE MANAGER WHO ASSIGNED ME A CASE NUMBER AND TREATED ME VERY COLDLY AND WITH SUSPICION, ASKING PERSONAL QUESTIONS ABOUT MY HEALTH, INSURANCE COMPANY AND DRIVING RECORD. I SAID I WAS JUST CONCERNED THAT MY CAR HAD BEHAVED LIKE ONE I HAD JUST HEARD ABOUT ON THE LOCAL NEWS, AND I WANTED TO KNOW WHAT TO DO AND PREVENT OTHERS FROM EXPERIENCING WHAT HAD HAPPENED TO ME OR WORSE THE CASE MGR. SAID THEY WOULD CALL ME BACK. THEY NEVER CALLED BACK. THE FOLLOWING MONTH I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR SERVICE AND ASKED THEM TO CHECK THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THEY SAID THEY FOUND NO PROBLEMS. *TR
Mar 01, 2010
Crash: 1
2003 V6 AWD TOYOTA HIGHLANDER FRONT TO REAR DRIVE SHAFT FAILURE (PROPELLER SHAFT). *TR
Feb 15, 2010
I HAVE A 2003 AWD V6 LIMITED HIGHLANDER (HL) WITH 115,000 MILES. ABOUT 200 MILES AGO, THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING DURING THE THIRD TO FOURTH GEAR SHIFT. HL GOES INTO NEUTRAL, THE REVS GO WAY UP, THEN IT SHIFTS WITH A CLUNK. I CAN MINIMIZE THE CLUNK FROM A STOP BY ACCELERATING TO 25 MPH, TAKING MY FOOT OFF THE GAS, LETTING THE REVS DROP DOWN TO 1200 RPM (AT WHICH POINT THE TRANS WILL SHIFT TO FOURTH GEAR), AND THEN STEPPING ON THE GAS. THERE ARE NO PROBLEMS IN FIRST, SECOND, THIRD OR FOURTH GEAR. THE CAR RUNS FINE IN FOURTH GEAR. IT IS ONLY A PROBLEM WITH THE THIRD GEAR TO FOURTH GEAR SHIFT. TRIED NOT USING OVERDRIVE, BUT PROBLEM PERSISTS. THIS IS MY FIRST PROBLEM WITH THE HL. I ALWAYS GET MY HL SERVICED AT TOYOTA DEALER AT 5000 MILES INTERVALS. DEALER SAYS THE TRANS NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. IN CALIFORNIA, THE PRICE IS OVER $4500 FOR THE "NEW" TRANS. DEALER WILL GIVE ME A 10% DISCOUNT ON PARTS AND LABOR. I ASKED THE SERVICE MANAGER IF THERE WAS A WAY TO REPROGRAM THE TRANSMISSION COMPUTER MODULE ON MY 2003 HIGHLANDER. HE CHECKED AND SAID THAT THERE WAS NO WAY TO RE-PROGRAM THE MODULE AND THERE WERE NO TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS ON THIS PROBLEM. I REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED WITH A "REBUILT TRANS" FROM TOYOTA. THE TRANSMISSION CASE IS A USED CASE, BUT ALL OF THE INTERNAL PARTS ARE NEW. I SENT AN E-MAIL TO THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER TO THANK THE SERVICE MANAGER FOR CUSTOMER SERVICE. I ALSO ASKED THEM TO FORWARD THE NOTE ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM TO THE REGIONAL TOYOTA SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE. OTHER HIGHLANDER OWNERS HAVE SIMILAR AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. SEE HTTP://TOWNHALL-TALK.EDMUNDS.COM/DIRECT/VIEW/.F0AABC6 NEEDLESS TO SAY, I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THE QUALITY OF THE TOYOTA TRANSMISSION, WHICH IS A MAJOR PART OF THE DRIVETRAIN, AND SHOULD LAST MORE THAN 100,000+ MILES. *TR
Jul 09, 2009
2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER V-6 WITH 66450 MILES. DRIVING HOME GOING 40 TO 45 MPH, CAR TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SKIP, ENGINE WOULD SURGE THEN BUCK AND ENGINE WOULD HESITATE. DROVE ON TO DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. *TR
Sep 13, 2008
+ 6 more complaints for this component
TIRES
7 complaints
MY 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HAS ONLY 20600 MILES ON IT. I HAVE NOTICED THAT ALL 4 BRIDGESTONE DUELLER H/ T P225 70R 16 TIRES ARE SO WORN OUT THAT I AM HAVING TROUBLE STOPPING IN THE RAIN. I AM GOING TO REPLACE ALL 4 TIRES BUT I BELIEVE THAT THIS OF CONCERN SINCE I DO MAINTAIN THE TIRES AT PROPER INFLATION AND THEY HAVE BEEN ROTATED AT LEAST TWICE. THE WEAR IS EQUAL ON ALL 4 TIRES. THIS TIRES WHERE RATED FOR AT LEAST 60,000 MILES AND TO ONLY GET A THIRD OF THAT AND THE EXPENSE IS TERRIBLE. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED THIS ON OTHER HIGHLANDERS AND EVEN RAV4S. *JB
Jul 27, 2006
I HAVE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT TOYO TRANSPATH-A11 TIRES ON MY 2003 HIGHLANDER. I HAVE 15000 MILES AND THE TIRES ARE WORN OUT. THE MAINTENANCE IS COMPLETE AND THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP INSPECTED ALIGNMENT AND SUSPENSION AND AIR PRESSURE..EVERYTHING WAS GOOD. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY SEVERAL TOYO TIRE DEALERS THAT THE EARLY WEAR IS BECAUSE THE A-11'S SHOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN ON MY TRUCK BECAUSE THEY ARE PASSENGER TIRES, NOT SUV TIRES. TOYO STATES THAT THE TOYOTA HIGHLANDER IS CLASSIFIED AS A PASSENGER CAR AND NOT A SUV, THEREFORE TOYOTA SPECS A PASSENGER TIRE FOR THE HIGHLANDER. THERE IS A LOOPHOLE HERE THAT IS ALLOWING TOYOTA TO SPEC A TIRE THAT WILL WEAR OUT QUICKLY ON THE HIGHLANDER. *NM
Dec 08, 2005
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE TIRES HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 23,000 MILES. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD HER TO CALL BRIDGESTONE, AND BRIDGESTONE SAID THEY DID NOT WARRANTED TIRES THAT CAME FROM THE DEALERSHIP. SHE HAS TO REPLACE THE TIRES TODAY. SHE REPORTED NOT NOTICING ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE TIRES PRIOR TO THIS. SHE MAINTAINED THE CAR WELL. SHE HAS THE TIRES ROTATED TO THE RECOMMEND ROTATIONS. THE RECOMMENDED PSI ON THE TIRES WAS 35. *AK
Sep 16, 2005
TIRES SLID DANGEROUSLY AT 35 MPH WHILE BRAKING, WITH 9000 MILES ON TREAD. 2 TIRE VALVES HAVE FAILED & HAD TO BE REPLACED WITH NORMAL PAVED ROAD DRIVING BY 62 YR OLD LADY. *JB
Apr 24, 2005
I PURCHASE A NEW TOYOTA HIGHLANDER AUGUST 2003. HAD A FLAT TIRE 6 SEPTEMBER 2004. WENT TO GET THE TIRE REPAIRED AND THE TIRE DEALER FOUND A PATCH ON THE INSIDE OF THE TIRE. DOT OF THE TIRE IS M65L B3DR 0603. THIS TIRE WAS INSTALLED ON A NEW VEHICLE WITH A PATCH. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT MY SAFETY, MY WIFE'S SAFETY, AND MY GRANDCHILDREN'S SAFETY USING THIS METHODOLOGY. HOW MANY OTHER TIRE THAT I HAVE, HAVE PATCHES. I DON'T THINK THIS SHOULD BE ALLOWED. I FEEL IT IS A GRAVE SAFETY CONCERN. I AM PURCHASING A TIRE WITHOUT A PATCH BUT DON'T KNOW ABOUT MY OTHER TIRES. *AK
Sep 07, 2004
+ 2 more complaints for this component
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
6 complaints
The hood latch cable inside the vehicle when pulled did not allow the hood to open now the secondary hood latch is stuck in the closed position and will not release..I have to use a strap from wheel opening to wheel opening to keep my hood secure so when I am driving my hood won't open at high speeds
Mar 22, 2023
PASSENGER WINDOW HAS HAD TO BE FIXED MULTIPLE TIMES. COMES OFF THE TRACK AND WILL NOT CLOSE. HAVE HAD INTERIOR DAMAGE BECAUSE OF IT
Nov 11, 2020
DRIVER SIDE VISOR IS LOOSE AND DROPS DOWN DURING DRIVING , OBSTRUCTING VIEW. IS NOT SAVE DURING DRIVING , VISIR CAN NOT HOLD POSITION UP
May 20, 2017
DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR FALLS FROM THE UP POSITION DOWN INTO THE SIGHT PATH DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE DRIVERS FACE BLOCKING THE VIEW OF THE ROAD THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. THIS IS DUE TO THE TENSION / RESISTANCE TO KEEP IT IN AN UP POSITION AGAINST THE HEADLINER DIMINISHING OVER TIME. OCCURS REPEATEDLY WITHOUT WARNING FROM ROAD TURBULENCE / BUMPS. SAME ISSUE IN THE TOYOTA CAMRY WHICH HAS BEEN RECALLED.
Jul 18, 2016
MY COMPLAINT CENTERS AROUND THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR ON THE TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THIS PROBLEM HAS BECOME MORE APPARENT WITHIN THE LAST YEAR ON THE 2003 MODEL THAT MY WIFE AND I OWN. *TW
Feb 07, 2010
+ 1 more complaint for this component
AIR BAGS
6 complaints
HEAD ON COLLISION AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY SPEEDS 25-40 MPH
Oct 15, 2019
Crash: 1
Injuries: 1
I WAS IN MOTION WHEN WE HIT A COW GOING 45MPH THAT JUMPED OUT AT MY HUSBAND AND I MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY THE CAR IS TOTALED WAS CITY STREET
Sep 26, 2019
Crash: 1
Injuries: 1
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT FELT LIGHTHEADED AND CRASHED INTO A LIGHT POLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT DID NOT SUSTAIN INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO AN INSURANCE LOT WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE BODY DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED FOR THE AIR BAG FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
Oct 24, 2017
Crash: 1
IN VERY COLD MAINE TEMPERATURES, AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS SET UNUSED ALL NIGHT, THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT COMES ON IN THE MORNING WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED. THIS ALSO HAPPENS IN VERY WARM TEMPERATURES AFTER VEHICLE HAS SET UNUSED ALL NIGHT. AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS RUN A SHORT WHILE AND WARMED UP OR COOLED DOWN, THE AIRBAG SIGNAL WARNING GOES OFF.
May 21, 2015
I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE IN 2003 IN CALIFORNIA. IN 2005 I MOVED TO NORTH PORT, FLORIDA. I HAVE SEEN ON THE MEDIA THAT IF I LIVE IN A HUMID AREA, MY AIR BAGS ARE UNSAFE. I WENT TO WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV AND ENTERED MY VIN# I WAS TOLD MY CAR HAS "NO RECALLS". *TR
Oct 27, 2014
+ 1 more complaint for this component
SUSPENSION
4 complaints
REAR FORWARD CONTROL ARM BROKE IN HALF UNDER NORMAL DRIVING. THIS IS A HOLLOW SHAFT, WHICH SEEMS INADEQUATE, AND CREATES A DANGER OF LOSS OF REAR AXEL AND OR WHEEL.
Jan 14, 2019
RUSTED AXEL RING. *TR
Apr 02, 2012
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THERE WAS A DRUMMING NOISE FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE VACUUM HOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. AFTER LEAVING THE DEALER, THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN. ANOTHER DEALER STATED THAT THE TIRES WERE WORN. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS AWAITING A RETURN CALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 92,000.
Nov 24, 2010
REAR LEFT STRUT SPINDLE ATTACHMENT BOLT (BOLT ADJUST WHEEL TILT) BROKE IN HALF AT CAM. *TR
Jun 05, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
4 complaints
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS REPORTING AN ISSUE AND DESPITE TAKATA RECALL - SPENDING THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS ON CODED REPAIRS, THE LIGHT COMES BACK ON. I HAVE SPENT NUMEROUS DOLLARS TO REPLACE CAT CONVERTER, 2 SETS OF INJECTORS, FUEL PUMP, ON AND ON......WITHIN 2 DAYS, THE LIGHT IS BACK ON. I SAW A SERVICE CAMPAIGN RELEASE 12/6/2006, BUT MY 4 CYLINDER HIGHLANDER VIN DOES NOT SHOW UP ON YOUR LIST. NEXT WOULD BE A CLASS ACTION SUIT FOR LOST MONIES?
May 12, 2017
MY DAUGHTER HAD PARKED HER CAR AT THE SCHOOL PARKING LOT ON 5/27/2014 AT 7:02 AM , SHE WENT TO SCHOOL STAYED THE WHOLE DAY AT SCHOOL , SHE WENT TO DANCE PRACTICE AFTER SHE GOT OUT AT ABOUT 3:30 PM SHE HEADED TO THE PARKING LOT TO GO HOME, SHE SAID AS SHE WAS APPROACHING THE VEHICLE SHE HIT THE ALARM TO OPEN THE DOOR BUT THE ALARM DID NOT GO OFF, SO SHE CONTINED TO GET CLOSER TO THE CAR AND SHE COULD SMELL SOMETHING BURNING WHEN SHE OPENED THE DOOR TO THE VEHICLE A CLOUD OF SMOKE CAME OUT , SHE STARTED COUGHING AND COULD NOT BELIEVE WHAT HAPPENED , SHE CALLED ME RIGHT AWAY HYSTERICALLY CRYING COULDNT EVEN TALK AND SHE WAS TELLING ME THAT HER CAR HAD BLOWN UP , I SAID WHAT YOUR CAR BLOW UP HOW COULD THAT BE ,I COULD NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT SHE WAS TELLING ME HOW CAN YOUR CAR BLOW UP? I WAS LIKE WHAT THE HECK !! I TOLD TO HER HANG ON AND IF SHE WAS OK I WAS ON MY WAY TO HER, I CALLED MY HUSBAND AND TOLD HIM AND HE HAD THE SAME REACTION AS ME LIKE WHAT?? . WHEN I ARRIVED TO THE SCHOOL I COULD NOT BELIEVE WHAT I SAW THE WHOLE DASHBOARD OF THE VEHICLE HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE CRACKED THE FRONT WINDOW GLASS, MELTED THE SUN VISORS AND THE WHOLE MIDDLE DASHBOARD WAS MELTED COMPLETELY. I HAD TO CALL THE POLICE AND FIRE I HAD NO CLUE IF THIS WAS GOING TO BLOW UP , WHEN THE FIREMEN CAME THEY WATERED IT DOWN AND LOOKED AT IT AND SAID THAT THERE WAS NO FOUL PLAY IT HAD LOOKED LIKE AN ELECTRICAL FIRE . WHAT COUD HAVE CAUSED THIS AND IMAGINE IF MY DAUGHTER WOULD HAVE BEEN DRIVING THE CAR WHEN THE FIRE OCCURED. *TR
May 30, 2014
Fire: 1
DT: 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE VEHICLE DIED WHILE GOING 70 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER. THE CONSUMER PULLED OUT THE FUSES AND STARTED THE VEHICLE. THEN, HE DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. CONSUMER HAD NO WARNING THAT THIS WAS GOING TO HAPPEN.*AK
Aug 10, 2005
ELECTRICAL SHORT IN HEADLINER BETWEEN SUN ROOF AND SUN VISOR. BURN MARK 5-6 INCHES LONG THROUGH HEADLINER. NO FIRE OR FLAMES BUT COULD SMELL STRONG ODOR OF SMOKE. *JB
May 05, 2003
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,SERVICE BRAKES
4 complaints
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
Nov 25, 2014
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
Nov 25, 2014
RIGHT SIDE (PASSENGER) BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT LIGHT BRIGHT WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED, DRIVER OF ANOTHER CAR ALMOST HIT OUR VEHICLE WHEN TURNING RIGHT ON TO MAIN ROAD. OUR CAR WAS STOPPING, BUT OTHER DRIVER DID NOT SEE OUR BRAKE LIGHTS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AS THEY WERE NOT WORKING... THE LEFT (DRIVERS) SIDE WORKS FINE, BUT WAS NOT VISIBLE TO THE OTHER DRIVER. THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ON GOING PROBLEM WITH 2002-2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDERS, DEALER SAID NO RECALL WAS ISSUED? THIS IS A REAL SAFETY ISSUE THAT COULD BE FATAL. NOT TO MENTION THE COST OF A TICKET FOR HAVING A DEFECTIVE BRAKE LIGHT. THERE ARE MANY OTHER TOYOTA HIGHLANDER OWNERS THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM WITH NO RECOURSE FROM TOYOTA. JUST GOOGLE "TOYOTA 2003 HIGHLANDER BRAKE LIGHT PROBLEM" TIME TO ISSUE A RECALL FOR SAFETY ISSUES. *TR
Jun 25, 2014
I HAVE A 2003 HIGHLANDER. WHEN I PRESS THE BRAKE, ONLY THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE TAIL/BRAKE LIGHT BECOMES BRIGHTER. WHEN THE LIGHTS ARE ON, THE BULBS ILLUMINATE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BUT THEY DO NOT GET BRIGHTER WHEN THE BRAKE IS PRESSED. WHEN THE LIGHTS ARE OFF, THE BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT ILLUMINATE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. I SAW THE SAME PROBLEM TODAY ON A HIGHLANDER JUST LIKE MINE. *TR
Jul 13, 2013
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
4 complaints
THE REAR RIGHT BRAKE LIGHT STOPPED BRIGHTENING UPON HITTING THE BRAKES AT FIRST. THEN A FEW MONTHS LATER, NEITHER BRAKE LIGHT IS LIGHTING UP AT ALL. I ALSO WITNESSED THE SAME ISSUE OCCUR ON ANOTHER 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER WHILE STOPPED IN TRAFFIC. *TR
Jan 13, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE BRAKE LIGHT WOULD NOT FUNCTION WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS OR REPAIRS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DRIVER SIDE BRAKE LIGHT BULBS INTERMITTENTLY FAILED. UPDATED 12/12/11
Nov 03, 2011
THE LEFT REAR BRAKE LIGHTS ARE DEFECTIVE. I'VE HEARD OF PEOPLE GETTING THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM REPLACED ONLY TO HAVE THE PROBLEM RETURN A YEAR LATER. SEE HTTP://WWW.TOPIX.COM/FORUM/AUTOS/TOYOTA-HIGHLANDER/T7H7LD934GSQLC6BE NOW MY VEHICLE IS DOING THE SAME THING AND TOYOTA SEEMS UNINTERESTED IN A RECALL. *TR
Oct 02, 2011
HEADLIGHT LENSES HAVE BECOME PROGRESSIVELY TRANSLUCENT BLOCKING SIGNIFICANT LIGHT ENERGY FROM VEHICLE TO OPERATE VEHICLE IN A TOTALLY SAFE MANNER. (INCIDENT DATE AND ODOMETER READING NOT APPLICABLE IN THIS CASE.) SOME INTERNET WEB SITES SUGGEST DRILLING HOLES IN THE HEADLAMP FIXTURE TO FIX PROBLEM. I BELIEVE IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD STAND BEHIND GETTING THE PROBLEM RESOLVED. THIS PROBLEM IS NOT EXCLUSIVE TO TOYOTAS AS I HAVE OBSERVED OTHER BRANDS OF VEHICLES WITH THE SAME SAFETY PROBLEM AND MAY BE RELATED SPECIFICALLY TO A HEADLIGHT FIXTURE MANUFACTURER SHARED BY OTHER VEHICLE MANUFACTURERS. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HEARD. *TR
Feb 23, 2010
STEERING
4 complaints
POWER STEERING LINES TO POWER STEERING PUMP AT CORRODED AND LEAKING. *TR
Jun 11, 2012
2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER-LIMITED (V6): POWER STEERING PUMP FLUID LINES CORRODING AND LEAKING FLUID; THEREBY CAUSING FAILURE OF PWR-ASSISTED STEERING AT ANY SPEED. IN JAN-FEB 2010, MY HIGHLANDER EXHIBITED SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED STEERING EASE AT INTERMITTENT PERIODS. HIGHEST SAFETY RISK OCCURRENCES WERE AT (1) HWY SPEEDS, AND (2) CITY TRAFFIC SPEEDS WHEN ACCIDENT AVOIDANCE HANDLING WAS REQUIRED. A DEALER IN FREDERICK, MD DIAGNOSED THE PROB AS THOROUGHLY CORRODED PWR STEERING PUMP LINES. THEY REPLACED THE LINES AT MY COST. THE VEHICLE HAD ONLY 56K MILES ON IT. *TR
Feb 26, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING UP AN INCLINE APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH ON WET ROAD CONDITIONS. THE VEHICLE BEGAN PULLING TO THE RIGHT WITH AN AGGRESSIVE FORCE. SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE TRAVELED INTO THE HIGHWAY MEDIAN. THE POLICE WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO RESUME OPERATION. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED DAMAGES TO THE BUMPER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE FRONT BUMPER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.
Feb 19, 2010
Crash: 1
THE VEHICLE WAS BEING OPERATED AT ABOUT 30 MPH WHEN IT SUDDENLY VEERED TO THE LEFT AND CRASHING INTO A LARGE BOULDER. THE POLICE REPORT SUGGESTED IT WAS A MECHANICAL FAILURE. I ASKED TOYOTA TO DO A FORENSIC EXAMINATION OF THE VEHICLE TO AVOID A SIMILAR OCCURRENCE ON OTHER VEHICLES AS A SIMILAR INCIDENT AT HIGHWAY SPEED MIGHT HAVE HAD VERY SERIOUS RESULTS. TOYOTA ADVISED THAT THEY INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND "DETERMINED THAT ALL DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE WAS THE RESULT OF IMPACT AND NOT THE RESULT OF ANY MANUFACTURING DEFECT." *TR
Feb 09, 2010
Crash: 1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
4 complaints
WHEN I START THE CAR IN THE MORNING (OR THE FIRST IN THAT DAY) THE CAR HAVE STRONG GAS SMELL ..I'M WORRIED OF A FIRE. *TR
Jan 27, 2011
VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE AND MOTOR RACED AND VEHICLE TRAVELED BACKWARD AT RAPID RATE OF SPEED AND COULD NOT BE STOPPED IN SPITE OF BRAKING. ATTEMPT TO STOP VEHICLE WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. VEHICLE ONLY STOPPED WHEN STRUCK TELEPHONE POLE. PROBLEM WAS ENGINE RACING WHICH COULD NOT BE STOPPED. ACCELERATOR SEEMED TO STICK DOWN OR ACCELERATE WITHOUT FOOT APPLICATION. *TR
Mar 14, 2010
Crash: 1
VEHICLE WHICH WAS OUT OF WARRANTY WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY AND WAS OBSERVED DURING EARLY MORNING HOURS TO BE LEAKING FUEL FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE FUEL TANK. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO REPORTED THAT THE ROLL-OVER BALL (SAFETY FEATURE IN A ROLL-OVER CRASH) HAD ACTIVATED AND HAD FLOATED TO THE TOP OF THE FUEL FILLER NECK FORCING FUEL INTO THE CHARCOAL CANISTER. THE FUEL TANK HAD BEEN FILLED SEVERAL DAYS PREVIOUSLY. DEALER ESTIMATED REPAIRS TO BE $1500 FOR A NEW TANK, CANISTER, AND OTHER PARTS. FORTUNATELY, THE DISTRICT REP FOR TOYOTA INTERVENED AND PAID FOR ALL PARTS AND HALF OF LABOR AT WARRANTY RATES. VEHICLE OWNER WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR ONLY $248.50. *TR
Dec 10, 2008
WHILE DRIVING. A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD AS IF THE VEHICLE HAD RAN OVER SOMETHING LARGE IN THE ROAD. THE CONSUMER NOTICED A LIQUID SPRAYING OUT FROM THE VEHICLE, ONCE HE PULLED OVER, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED A HOLE WAS IN THE GAS TANK. HOWEVER, ONE MONTH LATER THE SAME LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD AND THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THE GAS TANK HAD A DEEP INDENTATION IN IT. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE GAS TANK. *MR *TS *JB
Jul 10, 2003
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
3 complaints
PARKING LIGHT IS NOT FUNCTIONING, WILL NOT BE ABLE TO DRIVE AT NIGHT. SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
Aug 11, 2014
THE REAR LEFT BRAKE LIGHT DOES NOT WORK DESPITE HAVING REPLACED THE BULB AND FUSE. *TR
Mar 14, 2014
WE HAVE HAD UNRELIABLE OPERATION OF THE DRIVER-SIDE BRAKE LIGHT FOR SOME TIME (APPROXIMATE INCIDENT DATE ABOVE WAS FOR MOST RECENT INCIDENT). WEB SEARCH TURNS UP NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS WITH SAME SYMPTOMS - ONE EXAMPLE IS AT WWW.TOPIX.COM. SEVERAL REPORTING THIS PROBLEM REPLACED MAJOR COMPONENTS OF TAILLIGHT ASSEMBLY ONLY TO HAVE PROBLEM RECUR. A CALL TO TOYOTA ASKING ABOUT TSB OR RECALL YIELDS NOTHING. *TR
Jan 11, 2014
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
3 complaints
POWER LOCKS - BEGINNING IN 2006, THE DRIVER SIDE/REAR POWER LOCK IN MY 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY SE BEGAN TO FAIL. THE FAILURE BEGINS WITH INTERMITTENT FUNCTIONING OF THE LOCKS - THE DOORS WILL LOCK/UNLOCK UNPREDICTABLY. I CONSIDER THIS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE FOR A COUPLE OF REASONS - CHILDREN IN THE CAR AND THE RISK OF THEFT FROM A CAR THAT FAILED TO LOCK. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE PART WAS COVERED UNDER MY EXTENDED WARRANTY. (I ALSO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD). *NM
Jan 08, 2007
1. NOTICE OR RECALL RECEIVED SSC 40B HIGHLANDER CHILD PROTECTION LOCK SYSTEM SAFETY RECALL 2. CONTACTED 2 TOYOTA DEALERSHIPS TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT AND THE NATIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE AND WAS ADVISED THAT APPOINTMENTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE BUT CARS WERE TAKEN IN THE ORDER RECEIVED ON A GIVEN DAY WITH PRIOR DAYS CARS BEING SERVICED FIRST. 3. I ATTEMPTED TO SET AN APPOINTMENT AT THE CONVENIENCE OF BOTH DEALERSHIPS THIS WEEK, NEXT WEEK, NEXT MONTH OR EVEN TWO MONTHS AWAY WHEN I COULD TAKE MY VEHICLE IN AND HAVE THE 30 MINUTE (APPROXIMATELY) REPAIR COMPLETED WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME. I WAS TOLD THAT NO SUCH APPOINTMENT COULD BE MADE AND THAT I HAD THE CHOICE OF BRINGING THE CAR IN BETWEEN 7:00 A.M. AND 9:00 A.M. AND THAT IT WOULD BE DONE IN A HOUR AND A HALF TO THREE OR FOUR HOURS. TOYOTA IN THEIR RECALL NOTICE PROMISES "ANY TOYOTA DEALER WILL MODIFY THE CPL LEVER AT NO COST TO YOU IN AS CONVENIENT A MANNER AS POSSIBLE." IT FURTHER STATES "MAKE AN APPOINTMENT." *NM
Mar 16, 2006
THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS WERE INOPERATIVE.*JB
Feb 10, 2003
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY
2 complaints
CLARIFICATION FROM PREVIOUS SUBMISSION (10/21/14)....... HEATING SYSTEM BLOWS COLD AIR INTERMITTENTLY WHEN THE HEAT IS ON. THE SYSTEM WAS CLEANED, WORKED WELL TO A SHORT TIME. WITHIN TWO WEEKS THE PROBLEM RETURNED. THE MECHANIC NOTED THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE HEATING CONTROL PANELS OF THE EARLY MODEL TOYOTA'S. SAFETY FACTOR: THIS IS HAZARDOUS IN THE WINTER, AS THE WINDOWS BECOME FOGGY RESULTING IN THE LIMITED VISIBILITY ESPECIALLY WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. ? ? *TR
Oct 24, 2014
TEMP (HOT/COLD) DIAL ELECTRICAL SHORT. TEMP SETTING CONTINUOUSLY FAILS TO HOLD SET TEMP & BLOWS OPPOSITE OF SETTING. FEAR OF ELECTRICAL FIRE PLUS UNABLE TO DEFROST WINDSHIELD FOR GOOD VISIBILITY. FEEL THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL OR SOME HELP ON THIS ITEM AS AFTER INVESTIGATING I FOUND THAT ONE DEALERSHIP REPLACED 1,100 LAST YEAR AND HAS REPLACE SEVERAL ALREADY THIS YEAR. I WOULDN'T HAVE A PROBLEM EXCEPT THE FAILED SWITCH CAN NOT BE REPLACE THE WHOLE ASSEMBLY HAS TO BE REPLACED AND THAT PART COST $669.00 PLUS LABOR TO INSTALL. BEING A SINGLE MOM I DON'T HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY AND TRULY FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE DUE TO THE POSSIBILITY OF FIRE AND NOT BEING ABLE TO DEFROST PROPERLY. *TR
Jan 29, 2009
POWER TRAIN,ENGINE
2 complaints
NOTICED WHITE SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE TAILPIPE IN JUNE. THEN I NOTICED REDDISH/PINK FLUID ACCUMULATING ON GARAGE FLOOR IN JULY. TOOK IT IN ASSUMING EITHER A COOLANT OR TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK. TOYOTA TOLD ME I NEEDED A NEW ENGINE BECAUSE THE BACK HEADBOLTS WERE STRIPPED AND THE HEAD GASKET WAS BLOWN. ALL THIS WAS DETERMINED WITHOUT REMOVING VALVE COVER AND CAMS, BUT INSTEAD BECAUSE IT'S A KNOWN ISSUE. MANY OWNERS REPORT THE SAME THING ON MESSAGE BOARDS. *TR
Aug 20, 2014
I WAS BACKING MY CAR FROM ACROSS THE STREET. AFTER SHIFTING TO DRIVE, MY CAR JUMPED BACK IN REVERSED FULL SPEED CRASH IN TO MY GARAGE. I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE BUT WOULDN'T STOP TILL IT HIT MY GARAGE WALL. *TR
Jul 29, 2013
Crash: 1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING,SERVICE BRAKES
2 complaints
DRIVER SIDE REAR LIGHTS STOPS WORKING ONCE IN A WHILE. THE BULBS ARE FINE HAVE REPLACED THEM WITH THE NEW ONE AND THE PROBLEM STILL PERSIST. THERE HAS BEEN QUITE A LOT OF COMPLAINT AND NOTHING HAS BEEN ADDRESSED. *TR
Jul 21, 2014
LIKE THOUSANDS OF OTHER 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDERS ONLY THE RIGHT SIDE BRAKE LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS PRESSED. *TR
Mar 22, 2014
VISIBILITY/WIPER
2 complaints
THE SUN VISOR (DRIVER SIDE) SUDDENLY DROPPED DOWN AND OBSCURED MY VISION OF A RED TRAFFIC LIGHT AT AN INTERSECTION I WAS APPROACHING AND MY VISION WAS IMPAIRED. *TR
Apr 23, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE SUN VISOR FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE PUT THE VISOR UP BUT IT FELL SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000.
Jun 06, 2013
SEAT BELTS
2 complaints
UNUSUAL FRAYING OF DRIVERS SEAT BELT DUE TO DESIGN PROBLEM WITH STITCHING OF BELT MATERIAL. BEGAN TO UNRAVEL AND RUN ALONGSIDE APPROX 18" OF BELT LENGTH. THIS CAUSED BELT TO BIND AND SNAG ON BUCKLE FURTHER EXACERBATING PROBLEM. THIS OCCURRED DURING ROUTINE USE AND IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THIS MODEL. TOYOTA DOES NOT WARRANTY SAFETY RESTRAINT DEVICES FOR THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE LIKE OTHER SIMILAR MAJOR MANUFACTURERS (NISSAN, HONDA, MAZDA, ETC) AND DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THEIR WARRANTY WAS GOOD FOR 5 YR/60,000 MILES. THOUGH THE VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 60,000 MILES, IT IS >5 YEARS AND THEREFORE NOT COVERED. TOYOTA CORPORATE DOES NOT SEEM CONCERNED ABOUT RECENT GLARING SAFETY CONCERNS RESULTING IN CONSUMER DEATHS (STICKING WOT ACCELERATORS, FAILING BRAKES, ETC) AND IS UNWILLING TO COVER ANY PORTION OF THE ESTIMATED $450 REPAIR. I WOULD LIKE TO DOCUMENT THIS DEFECT WHICH IS EXTENSIVELY REPORTED ON THE INTERNET BY OTHER CONSUMERS IN HOPES THAT TOYOTA COULD BE FORCED TO CORRECT THIS SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE BEFORE MORE DEATHS OCCUR. *TR
Dec 08, 2011
I OWN A 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER PURCHASED NOVEMBER, 2002 WITH CURRENT MILEAGE 49,570. I JUST NOTICED THAT THE STRAP PORTION OF THE SEAT BELT ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT IS SHREDDING TO FINE THREADS PREMATURELY AND QUICKLY DETERIORATING DUE TO UNKNOWN REASON. SOON, NOTHING WILL BE LEFT OF MY SEATBELT BUT FINE THREADS (VERY UNSAFE). I HAVE SPOKEN TO TWO SERVICE ADVISORS AT MICHAEL'S TOYOTA OF BELLEVUE, WA AND TOYOTA OF KIRKLAND, WA AND REQUESTED FOR A WARRANTY REPAIR. I WAS AWARE THAT OTHER CAR MANUFACTURERS HAVE LONGER WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR SAFETY RESTRAINT SYSTEM. UNFORTUNATELY, I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE ADVISORS THAT TOYOTA DOES NOT HAVE EXTENDED SAFETY RESTRAINT COVERAGE SO IT WOULD COST ME $205-230 FOR PARTS PLUS 1-2 HOURS OF LABOR TO GET THE SEATBELT REPLACED BECAUSE THE VEHICLE'S 36,000/3 YR WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. *TR
May 29, 2008
POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
2 complaints
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE CONTACT APPLIED TO BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT TRIED SEVERAL WAYS TO STOP THE VEHICLE (SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL, USING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE) BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO REV. THE TIRES ALSO WERE SPINNING. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AGAIN AND TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF WHICH STOPPED IT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION DROPPED AND THE EXTRA FLOOR MAT CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 90,000. UPDATED 03/24/11*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE FLOOR MAT WAS NOWHERE NEAR THE GAS PEDAL. IT WAS SECURELY IN PLACE. UPDATED 11/16/11
Feb 02, 2011
CAR STALLS (GAS PEDAL DOES NOT RESPOND) WHEN TURNING INTO TRAFFIC. ALSO WHEN SLOWING TO A LOW SPEED AND THEN ACCELERATING. THIS HAS CAUSED US TO ALMOST BE HIT SEVERAL TIMES IN THE SIDE AND IN THE REAR. MOST OF THE TIME WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE CAR WITH TIRE MARKS LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL COMES ON AND FLASHES. THERE IS NO WAY TO PREDICT WHEN THIS SUDDEN LOSS OF THE ACCELERATOR WILL HAPPEN. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS. THIS HAPPENS AT LEAST ONCE ALMOST EVERY TIME WE DRIVE. ALSO SOMETIMES WHEN YOU START THE CAR AND BEGIN TO GO YOU HEAR DINGING SOUNDS AND FEEL AND HEAR BUMPS AND GRINDING NOISES. 2 LIGHTS COME ON IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHEN THIS HAPPENS. 1 READS VSC TRAC AND THE OTHER READS TRAC OFF. IF YOU STOP AND RESTART THE ENGINE IT WILL EVENTUALLY STOP DOING IT. SOMETIMES THIS IS AFTER 1 RESTART AND SOMETIMES IT HAS TAKEN 5 AND 6. ON DAY IT WOULD NOT STOP NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES YOU RESTARTED AND WE HAD TO DRIVE WITH LIGHTS ON. THIS HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 10 DIFFERENT TIMES.
Feb 15, 2003
ENGINE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
1 complaint
Automatically disengage the transmission Stopped the road Icalled my husband Myhusband came and together we got the car to a safe place.Then Icame home with my husband and he called the insurance company and had the car towed. Ifound a place to fix the car and they said the transmission was broken and it cost about 6500 dollars.Icontacted the insurance company said they couldn’t help.The car was towed home and is not available.
May 25, 2023
STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1 complaint
PAINT SEAL DELAMINATION
Oct 02, 2019
STEERING,WHEELS
1 complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH ON ICE, THE POWER STEERING SEIZED AND THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL LOCKED UP. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE SPUN OUT AND CRASHED INTO A SNOW MOUND. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
Jan 28, 2019
Crash: 1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING,VISIBILITY/WIPER
1 complaint
THE HEADLIGHT LENSES ARE COMPLETELY FOGGED AND IMPAIRS DRIVING AFTER DUSK. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED
Mar 29, 2018
EXTERIOR LIGHTING,SEAT BELTS
1 complaint
SEAT BELT ON DRIVERS SIDE IS FRAYING ON THE EDGES. SPOKE TO OTHER TOYOTA HIGHLANDER OWNERS AND THEY ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP WHERE WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND THEY SAID WE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR A NEW SEATBELT AND INSTALLATION COST. I CONTACTED A FEW OTHER MANUFACTURERS AND WAS TOLD THAT DUE TO THIS BEING A SAFETY ISSUE THEY WOULD REPLACE AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER. THE SEATBELT IS NOT MEANT TO WEAR OUT AND THEY SAID THAT IT WAS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. THE SECOND ISSUE HAS TO DO WITH THE BRAKE LIGHTS. REPLACED BULBS, FUSES AND CHECKED WIRING NO PROBLEMS YET THE BRAKE LIGHT DO NOT WORK. TOYOTA'S IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND STATES THAT THE CONSUMER CAN PAY $400 TO HAVE IT CHECKED AND IT STILL DOES NOT WORK.
Oct 10, 2017
AIR BAGS,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES
1 complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE, IT ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT FAILED TO EFFECTIVELY SLOW DOWN THE VEHICLE. THE GEAR SHIFTER BUTTON WAS PUSHED INTO DRIVE AND THE VEHICLE SPED FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE PRIOR TO THE CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. *JS
Jan 05, 2017
Crash: 1
AIR BAGS,STRUCTURE
1 complaint
DURING A WRECK AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN I HIT AN UNMARKED UTILITY POLE IN THE ROADWAY OF A PARKING LOT EXIT.
Dec 18, 2016
Crash: 1
Injuries: 1
SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE
1 complaint
I HAVE BEEN THE OWNER OF MY 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER, FOR ALMOST 8 YEARS. I GOT IT IN NOV.2008 AT AROUND THE 69,000 MARK. SINCE THEN, I HAVE MADE SURE THAT MY CAR/BABY HAS HAD THE WORKS IN CARE, TO KEEP THE QUALITY AND VALUE OF THE VEHICLE UP. THIS WOULD INCLUDE:OIL CHANGES, NEW BRAKES, NEW TIRES, REPAIRS OF BELTS/FILTERS ETC, HOSES, TUNE UPS, GREAT GAS AND CAR WASHES/BODY CARE. MOST OF THIS HAS BEEN DONE BY THE DEALERSHIP HERE IN CULVER CITY CA. I'VE DEPENDED ON THEM TO TELL ME WHAT WAS GOOD/BAD ABOUT MY CAR AND TRUSTED THEM IN DOING SO. I ALSO MADE SURE TO DO THE REPAIRS THEY SUGGESTED. SOMETIMES HOWEVER THEY SAID IT WAS FINE, BUT WOULD COME TO FIND OUT, I DID HAVE ISSUES. THIS MADE ME WONDER IF TOYOTA WAS TRUSTWORTHY/DOING THEIR JOBS RIGHT AND NOW I FEEL THE SAME LACK OF TRUST IN MY CARS PERFORMANCE /CURRENT STATE. I CAN SAY I HAVE ONLY PUT 50,000 MILES OR SO ON MY CAR IN THE LAST 8 YEARS, AND I KNOW TOYOTAS CAN/SHOULD LAST UNTIL 250,000 OR SO, WITHOUT MAJOR ISSUES. HOWEVER SINCE 2015 I HAVE DEALT, WITH ONE THING AFTER THE NEXT WITH THE CAR. MOST RECENTLY THIS PAST WEEKEND WHERE MY ENGINE COMPLETELY BLEW. HOW COULD A ENGINE BLOW OUT ON SUCH A WELL MAINTAINED CAR? WELL AFTER REVIEWING OTHER COMPLAINTS ONLINE, IT SEEMS THIS YEAR AND MODEL HAS THIS PROBLEM OFTEN, ONCE THEY REACH AROUND 110,000 MARK OR SO. WHY? IT SEEMS TO BE A FAULTY ENGINE /SOMETHING THAT SHOULD DEFINITELY BE RECALLED. WE AS CONSUMERS SHOULDN'T HAVE TO SPEND THOUSANDS ON A CAR, THOUSANDS TO KEEP IT IN GREAT CONDITION AND THEN THOUSANDS WHEN ARE ENGINES FAIL AND THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED. OTHER MAY SIMPLY THINK THERE IS NO HOPE AND DON'T BOTHER. BUT I AM BOTHERED, BECAUSE NOW I AM WITHOUT A CAR. I DON'T HAVE THE FUNDS FOR THIS REPAIR. I HAVE A YOUNG CHILD AND WHEN I BOUGHT THIS CAR, THOUGHT IT WOULD LAST. I ALSO HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH BRAKING/CARS PEDAL GOING INTO THE FLOOR! THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE!! HELP!!
Apr 25, 2016
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
1 complaint
STRONG ODOR OF GAS FUMES WHEN CAR IS PARKED
Sep 12, 2015
ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
1 complaint
NEEDED TO HAVE A TOTAL ENGINE REBUILD DUE TO FAULTY HEAD BOLTS THAT STRIPPED AND ALLOWED COOLANT TO ENTER THE ENGINE AND BURN. LUCKY-I GUESS-THAT I ACTED QUICKLY SO AS TO AVERT CATALYTIC CONVERTER ISSUES OR SENSORS GETTING DAMAGED BY BURNING COOLANT. I ALSO AVOIDED THE TOTAL LOSS OF ANTIFREEZE AND THE RESULTING DAMAGE &/OR INCONVENIENCE THAT THOUSANDS OF OTHERS HAD. STILL, A HUGE INCONVENIENCE AND HUGE $5425.82 COST DUE TO MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT: WEAK METAL THAT COULDN'T WITHSTAND THE TORQUE/PULL ON THEM... PERHAPS THE THREADING PLAYED A PART. I ONLY KNOW THAT 1000S UPON 1000S OF PEOPLE SUFFERED THE SAME ISSUE FROM TOYOTA ON THIS ENGINE IN SEVERAL YEARS/MODELS. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL. THERE SHOULD BE COMPENSATION. *TR
Apr 22, 2015
SEAT BELTS,EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
1 complaint
DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT NYLON WEBBING (ACTUAL BELT PORTION) HAS STARTED TO SEVERELY UNRAVEL IN SEVERAL DIFFERENT PLACES. I FEEL THIS IS A FACTORY DEFECT IN MATERIALS; HOWEVER, LOCAL DEALERSHIP WHERE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED INFORMS ME THAT IT WILL COST ME $270 TO REPLACE THIS BELT. COST SO HIGH BECAUSE THE WHOLE MECHANISM MUST BE REPLACED...NOT JUST WEBBING. I AM A SENIOR CITIZEN ON A FIXED INCOME & CANNOT AFFORD TO REPLACE THE BELT @ THIS COST. I FEEL MANUFACTURER SHOULD REPLACE @ NO CHARGE SINCE A DEFECTIVE SEAT BELT ON DRIVERS SIDE IS VERY DANGEROUS. I HAVE BEEN A LONG TIME TOYOTA CUSTOMER & THIS IS MY 1ST COMPLIANT EVER. *TR
Aug 14, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES
1 complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE CONTACT HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOORBOARD IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 137,000.
Jun 09, 2014
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES
1 complaint
GRANDMOTHER WAS LEAVING AND DROVE THROUGH A CLOSED WROUGHT IRON GATE THAT WAS OVER 10' TALL AND 16' WIDE. CONTINUED ACCELERATING THROUGH A PARKING LOT ACROSS THE STREET, DROVE OVER A LARGE DECORATIVE BOULDERS AND CAME TO HALT AFTER CRASHING INTO A NEIGHBORS FENCE. SHE SAID THAT SHE ATTEMPTED TO STOP IN FRONT OF HER GATE TO OPEN IT BUT THE BREAKS WOULD NOT WORK AND THE CAR KEPT ACCELERATING. THANKFULLY IT ENDED HOW IT DID LEAVING HER WITH MINOR INJURIES. IT IS ALSO DISGUSTING KNOWING THAT IT COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE AND IF A CAR DEFECT IS THE REASON NOTHING WILL BE DONE UNTIL DEATHS BEGIN TO OCCUR. *TR
Nov 18, 2013
Crash: 1
Injuries: 1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE
1 complaint
ON 7-11-13, GOING AT HIGHWAY SPEED ON ROUTE 52 IN NORTH CAROLINA, THE THROTTLE BECAME STUCK WIDE OPEN CAUSING MY CAR TO ACCELERATE BEYOND MY CONTROL. I SLOWED DOWN TO GET OFF ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY, BUT I COULD NOT STOP THE CAR, ONLY SLOW IT DOWN, TO APPROXIMATELY 10-15 MPH. GOT BACK ON THE ROAD AND TOOK THE NEXT EXIT. AGAIN I COULD NOT STOP THE CAR, AND THOUGH I SLOWED AGAIN TO ABOUT 10-15 MPH, I DRIFTED THROUGH THE INTERSECTION AT THE STOP SIGN, WITH TRAFFIC APPROACHING FROM BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT! I TURNED SHARPLY LEFT, GOT OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, AND TURNED THE KEY OFF TO STOP THE CAR. GOD WAS WATCHING, BECAUSE NO COLLISION OCCURRED. WHEN I STARTED THE ENGINE AGAIN, IT ROARED LIKE I'VE NEVER HEARD IT BEFORE. SOMEHOW, I DON'T REMEMBER HOW, I GOT THE CAR ABOUT 100 YARDS DOWN THE ROAD TO A MARATHON GAS STATION, TO GET COMPLETELY OFF THE ROAD AND OUT OF THE WAY. A MAN STOPPED AND WALKED OVER TO ME, TELLING ME THAT MY THROTTLE WAS STUCK BECAUSE OF A FAULTY TPS (THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR). HE INTRODUCED HIMSELF AS A MECHANIC, WHO FORMERLY WORKED AT A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP, AND SAID THAT WAS A ?KNOWN? PROBLEM WITH TOYOTAS. HE TOWED ME TO HIS HOUSE, REPLACED THE TPS, AND WE TESTED THE CAR, TO THE SATISFACTION OF BOTH OF US. IT RAN JUST FINE, SO I FOLLOWED HIM TO THE PNC BANK TO GET MONEY TO PAY HIM. WHILE THERE, THE LADY HELPING ME, IN RESPONSE TO MY STORY, TOLD ME THAT HER TOYOTA PARKED OUTSIDE HAD THE VERY SAME PROBLEM! EXCEPT IT COST HER A LOT MORE THAN MY TOW & REPAIR DID. MY INCIDENT WAS MOST DEFINITELY A PART FAILURE, NOT AN OPERATOR ERROR, OR A PROBLEM DUE TO FLOOR MATS, AS IS ALLEGED IN THE PENDING UNINTENDED ACCELERATION? LITIGATION AGAINST TOYOTA, AND MY 2003 HIGHLANDER IS NOT SPECIFICALLY LISTED IN THAT LITIGATION INFORMATION ON-LINE. I AM SENDING A LETTER TO TOYOTA, THE NTSB AND OUR LOCAL DEALERSHIP WHERE WE PURCHASED THE CAR.
Aug 03, 2013
POWER TRAIN,STRUCTURE
1 complaint
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
May 06, 2013
Crash: 1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
1 complaint
CAR ACCELERATED AND CHASED INTO HOUSE IN NOV 20011. CAR ACCELERATED IN PARKING LOT DEC. 2012. NO DAMAGE THIS TIME BUT IN 2011 THERE WAS 14,000 $ DAMAGE TO HOUSE AND CAR. CAR WAS CHECKED OUT AT TOYOTA TWICE ,NO PROBLEM FOUND. WIFE WILL NEVER DRIVE THE CAR AGAIN. SHE IS INFEAR OF HURTING SOMEONE. *TR
Jan 01, 2013
Crash: 1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
1 complaint
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WENT ABOVE THE HALF WAY MARK AND WITHIN 15 MINUTES OF STOPPING AND STARTING IT APPROACHED THE RED BUT NEVER ACTUALLY WENT INTO THE RED ZONE. NO DASHBOARD LIGHTS EVER WENT ON TO ALERT ME TO AN ENGINE PROBLEM. WHEN STOPPED, IT WENT ABOVE THE HALF WAY MARK AND WHEN DRIVING IT WENT DOWN TO THE HALFWAY MARK. I GOT HOME ( 20 MINUTES LATER), I PARKED THE CAR AND DROVE IT THE NEXT DAY TO THE TOYOTA DEALER ( 8 MINUTES AWAY FROM MY HOUSE). IT DID NOT GO ABOVE THE HALFWAY MARK AT THIS TIME.FYI, ALL MAINTENANCE AND CHECK UPS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN ON TIME AND DONE AT THIS DEALER. THE DEALER CALLED LATER THAT DAY AND INFORMED ME THAT THE HEAD GASKET WAS BAD AND IN ORDER TO SEE WHAT ELSE MAY BE DAMAGED, IT WOULD COST $550. JUST TO INVESTIGATE INTO TO HEAD CYLINDER AND THE ENGINE. THE $550.WOULD BE APPLIED TO ANY REPAIRS. THE NEXT BUSINESS DAY, THE DEALER CALLED TO TELL ME THAT THE BOLTS OF THE HEAD CYLINDER WERE STRIPPED AND THE THREADS WERE IN THE BLOCK. I WOULD NEED A NEW SHORT BLOCK AT THE COST OF $6,375.00 PLUS TAX. ALL DUE TO THE OVERHEATING INCIDENT, WHICH HAD NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE. *TR
Jul 17, 2012
SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE
1 complaint
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
May 30, 2012
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1 complaint
BRAKE LIGHT BULB BURNS OUT PERIODICALLY
Jul 28, 2011
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
1 complaint
THIS CAR HAS BEEN DEALER MAINTAINED FROM DAY ONE. LAST YEAR, WE BEGAN NOTICING AN ODD, LOUD DRUMMING SOUND OCCURRING ALONG WITH RESISTANCE TO ACCELERATION IN SLOW SPEED SITUATIONS. THIS INCLUDED PARKING LOTS, STOPPING FOR A LEFT TURN WITHIN AN INTERSECTION, AND EVERY OTHER SITUATION WHERE WE NEEDED TO MANEUVER AT LOW SPEED. THE VEHICLE WOULD VIBRATE, THE ENGINE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE, AND SOMETIMES THE CAR WOULD LURCH WITHIN A TURN. IT BECAME ALARMINGLY SEVERE AND THE PERIODS BETWEEN INCIDENTS BEGAN TO SHORTEN. WHILE STILL INTERMITTENT, WE BEGAN TO BE CONCERNED AND TOOK IT TO THE NY DEALER WHO HAD BEEN SERVICING THE CAR SINCE IT WAS NEW. WE REPORTED EXACTLY WHAT I HAVE WRITTEN ABOVE, INCLUDING THE COMMENT THAT THE ANTI-SKID LIGHT WOULD COME ON THE DASH WHEN THIS HAPPENED. AFTER CHARGING US OVER $900 FOR FLUID REPLACEMENT AND REATTACHING A VACUUM HOSE, WE WERE TOLD WE HAD NO PROBLEM, THAT THE NOISE WAS NORMAL. IT OCCURRED AGAIN WHEN WE LEFT THE DEALERS LOT. THE PAVEMENT WAS DRY. AFTER A FEW WEEKS OF INCREASING DIFFICULTY WE TOOK IT TO A DIFFERENT DEALER, TO BE TOLD THAT OUR TIRES WERE WORN. WE REPLACED THE TIRES, AND THE PROBLEM PERSISTED ON EITHER WET OR DRY PAVEMENT. WITH A CROSS-COUNTRY TRIP COMING UP, WE TOOK THE CAR TO AN AAMCO, WHO TEST DROVE IT AND SAID WE HAD AN ABS BRAKE PROBLEM. THEY KEPT IT FOR THREE DAYS, AND CHARGED US $400 HAVING FOUND A PIECE OF RUSTED METAL THEY BELIEVED WAS PREVENTING ONE OF THE WHEEL SENSORS FROM MAKING CONSTANT CONTACT. IT FELT BETTER, BUT THE PROBLEM BEGAN TO SHOW UP AGAIN IN A COUPLE OF DAYS. WE COULD NOT PUT THE TRIP OFF, AND DROVE THE CAR CROSS COUNTRY, HAVING THE PROBLEM RE-OCCUR IN ALMOST EVERY LOW SPEED SITUATION, WHEN WE GOT TO NEW MEXICO WE MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER WHO SOLD US THE CAR. THEY SAID IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND AFTER FOUR DAYS, TOLD US THE ABS ECU WAS MALFUNCTIONING. IT COST $2178 TO REPLACE. THE REPLACED COMPONENT IS A SEALED ELECTRONIC MODULE WITH NO MOVING PARTS. IT SHOULD HAVE LASTED. *TR
Mar 01, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,VISIBILITY
1 complaint
2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 4.0 HEATER HAS GONE OUT IN THIS VEHICLE AND ONLY THE A/C NOW WORKS THIS HAPPENED RIGHT AFTER THE PURCHASE OF THIS VEHICLE AND THE COST TO FIX THIS IS VERY HIGH AND SHOULD BE DEALT WITH PER TOYOTA SINCE IT SEEMS ALOT OF OTHERS ARE ALSO HAVING THE PROBLEM DUE TO A FAULTY KNOB BECOMING LOOSE AND BREAKING A TINY WIRE. *TR
Dec 09, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,WHEELS
1 complaint
2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 4.0 HAVE HAD SERIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES ON THIS VEHICLE SINCE I PURCHASED IT DUE TO TOYOTA ORIGINALLY INSTALLING BRAKES THAT ARE TOO SMALL FOR THE SIZE OF THIS VEHICLE. TRYING TO GET IT TO A STOP IS A PROBLEM AND THE BRAKES FAIL ALOT AS WELL AS THE FACT THAT THEY DESTROY THE OEM ROTORS AND PADS AND I HAVE REPLACED THE PADS SEVERAL TIMES AS WELL AS HAD THE ROTORS TURNED TWICE AND NOW NEED TO REPLACE ALL 4 ROTORS AND PADS DUE TO THIS SOMETHING REALLY NEEDS TO BE DONE TO FIX THIS ISSUE PER TOYOTA. *TR
Dec 09, 2010
SUSPENSION,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,EQUIPMENT,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
1 complaint
VSC (VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL, INCLUDING ABS) & CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS HAVE BEEN TURNING ON INTERMITTENTLY ALMOST FROM THE START OF OUR OWNERSHIP OF THIS 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER V6 AWD LIMITED AND AFTER COSTLY REPAIRS AT THE DEALER THEY ARE STILL ON CONTINUOUSLY. LAST TIME (MAY-JUNE 2010) DEALER REPLACED FRONT BRAKE PADS & ROTORS; REAR AXLES AND SPEED SENSORS AND NOW WANTS TO REPLACE ADDITIONAL COMPONENTS THAT DO NOT APPEAR CONNECTED. FIRST TIME CAR WAS SERVICED UNDER WARRANTY AT DEALER AND THAT TOO DID NOT LAST FOR LONG. TOYOTA CAR SATISFACTION CENTER HAS NOT BEEN HELPFULL. CASE # [XXX]. FORD HAS ISSUED A RECALL FOR SIMILAR ISSUE RECENTLY: 10S13 FOR REAR AXLE BREAKAGE IN THE SNOW BELT! TOYOTA REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE ISSUE AND INTERNET HAS MANY DISCUSSIONS ON TOPIC. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Sep 12, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
1 complaint
TOYOTA HIGHLANDERS SUV BRAKE LIGHTS FOR YEARS 2002-2003 HAS A SERIOUS ISSUE WITH EITHER THE LEFT OR RIGHT BRAKE LIGHTING. MY WIFE'S 2003 TOYOTA LIMITED EDITION HIGHLANDER RIGHT REAR BRAKE LIGHT STOP WORKING ON 25 JUNE 2010. AFTER READING AND LEARNING MANY OTHER TOYOTA HIGHLANDERS OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE, I HAD TO SUBMIT THIS, SINCE TOYOTA HAS NOT ANNOUNCED A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR OTHER COMMENTS FROM TOYOTA HIGHLANDER'S OWNER: HTTP://WWW.TOPIX.COM/FORUM/AUTOS/TOYOTA-HIGHLANDER/T7H7LD934GSQLC6BE. I WORRY ABOUT THIS ISSUE SINCE SO MANY OWNERS HAVE PAID A GREAT DEAL OF MONEY TRYING TO HAVE THIS IS RESOLVED, AND THE ONLY REPLY/RESPOND THEY RECEIVE FROM THE DEALERSHIP TECH'S ARE MORE MONEY AND A STATEMENT INFORMING THEM THAT THERE IS NOT A RECALL. I ALSO WORRY ABOUT THIS BECAUSE WHAT WOULD MY WIFE SAY TO A POLICE OFFICER IF SHE IS CITED REPEATEDLY? PLEASE ASSIST IN SERIOUS MATTER. *TR
Jun 26, 2010
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM
1 complaint
VSC SKID CONTROL/ECU FAILURE IN 2003 HIGHLANDER. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS: MY CAR LIGHTLY SKIDDED ON ICE OR WATER AND THE CHECK ENGINE/VSC AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS CAME ON. EVERY TIME THE CAR SKIDS, THE LIGHTS COME ON AND THE SKID CONTROL APPEARS TO BE DISABLED. *TR
Mar 01, 2010
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
1 complaint
)N THE MORNING OF 12-05-09, AS I'M PULLING INTO MY GARAGE, THE CAR SUDDENLY LURCHED FORWARD WITH AN UNEXPECTED INCREASE IN SPEED. BEFORE I COULD BRAKE, THE CAR SLAMMED INTO A STEEL SHELVING UNIT ON THE BACK WALL WHICH RESULTED IN EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE WALL ( BOTH INTERIOR & EXTERIOR) AND WHAT APPEARED TO BE MINIMAL DAMAGE TO THE AUTO. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MY TOYOTA SERVICE ON THAT SAME DAY BECAUSE I/WE FELT THAT THIS COULD CONSTITUTE AN UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITION. TOTAL COSTS FROM THIS INCIDENT WERE AS FOLLOWS: COVERED BY INSURANCE- $3607.81 (PLUS 703.31 PD. DIRECTLY TO THE DEALER?) AND $916.27 ( 500.00 INSURANCE DEDUCTIBLE AND AN ADDITIONAL MECHANICAL CHARGE FOR A FUEL/AIR SENSOR THAT FAILED ON 12-26-09). I HAVE NOT PREVIOUSLY EXPERIENCED "SUDDEN ACCELERATION" WITH THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE NOTIFIED BOTH MY LOCAL DEALER, SOUTHEAST TOYOTA DISTRIBUTORS AND TOYOTA CUSTOMER RELATIONS REGARDING THE PROBLEM STATING THAT THERE MAY BE OTHER VEHICLES BEYOND THE SCOPE OF THEIR CURRENT RECALL THAT SHOULD ALSO BE CONSIDERED AS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS. *TR UPDATED 05/03.10 TOYOTA DENIED THE CONSUMER CLAIM, STATING THE VEHICLE EXAMINATION REVEALED NO APPARENT REASON FOR THE ACCELERATION. HOWEVER, THE DEALER THAT PERFORMED THE INSPECTION STATED THE THROTTLE WAS BECAME STUCK DUE TO GUMMY DEPOSITS CASED BY ETHANOL IN THE GASOLINE. UPDATED 08/210/10*JB
Feb 04, 2010
Crash: 1
POWER TRAIN,TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM
1 complaint
GENTLEMEN: I AM WRITING YOU THIS E-MAIL BECAUSE THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH MY CAR THAT IS NOT ONLY IRRITATING, BUT IS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS TO ALL WHO OWN A FULL TIME FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. MY HIGHLANDER IS A 2003, AND ALTHOUGH WE WERE PROMISED FULL TIME FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE WHEN WE BOUGHT IT, WE FOUND OUT LATER TO OUR HORROR THAT IT IS NOT. WHEN DRIVING DOWN A PAVED HIGHWAY, ALL FOUR WHEELS ARE DRIVING. THIS IS A TIME WHEN FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE IS NOT NEEDED. HOWEVER, A FEW MONTHS AGO, WE DROVE OFF THE PAVEMENT INTO SAND ON A PICNIC TRIP, BUT DID NOT WORRY BECAUSE THE 'FULL TIME' FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE WOULD PULL US OUT. IT DID NOT! ONE OF THE FRONT WHEELS BEGAN TO SPIN IN THE SAND AND THE OTHER THREE IMMEDIATELY STOPPED DRIVING. WE WERE STUCK! THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE DIFFERENTIAL BETWEEN THE FRONT AND REAR WHEELS IS NOT ANTI-SLIP, BUT THE STANDARD DIFFERENTIAL THAT WILL STOP ALL WHEELS FROM DRIVING WHEN ONE LOOSES TRACTION. THIS IS HARDLY FULL-TIME FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE NO MATTER HOW YOU DEFINE IT. WE WERE SOLD A CAR WE PAID FOR BUT DID NOT GET, AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE TO RECTIFY THIS SITUATION. WHO KNOWS HOW MANY CUSTOMERS HAVE BEEN BILKED BY TOYOTA WITH THIS CAR, AND WILL GET THEM INTO TROUBLE THINKING THEY HAD A CAR THAT WOULD PULL THEM OUT. I WOULD LIKE TO START A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT TO GET OUR MONEY BACK OR GET A FREE CAR THAT IS INDEED THE FULL TIME FOUR WHEEL DRIVE WE PAID FOR AND DESERVE. *TR
Apr 21, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
1 complaint
REPLACEMENT OF A CHARCOAL CANISTER ON A 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. NO ACCIDENTS OCCURRED AS A RESULT OF THE REPLACEMENT OF THIS PART; HOWEVER, I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE NUMBER OF REPORTS OF HAVING TO REPLACE THIS VERY EXPENSIVE PART. ALSO IF THE PART IS A SAFETY HAZARD (MAY CAUSE AN ENGINE FIRE) IT SHOULD NOT BE AT THE EXPENSE OF THE OWNER. THE PART IS AN EMISSION CONTROL DEVICE THAT IS SURELY REQUIRED BY THE GOVERNMENT. THIS ACTION IS TAKEN BECAUSE I NOTICED, WHILE RESEARCHING CHARCOAL CANISTERS THAT TOYOTAS COME UP FREQUENTLY AS HAVING TO HAVE THIS TYPE REPAIR. AT THIS WRITING I AM UNABLE TO CONFIRM THE PART IS DEFECTIVE AS IT IS THE ORIGINAL PART THAT CAME WITH THE VEHICLE WHEN I PURCHASED IT BRAND NEW. THIS IS NOT A PRE-OWNED VEHICLE. *TR
Jul 23, 2008
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,SEATS
1 complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT TOYOTA IS PLACING NEW BRAKE PADS ON VEHICLES WHICH LAST LONGER, BUT GET SO HOT THAT THEY WARP THE VEHICLE'S ROTORS. SHE STATED THAT FORMERLY IT WOULD COST $60 TO REPLACE THE BRAKE PADS, BUT NOW IT COSTS $300, NOT INCLUDING THE REPLACEMENT OF THE WARPED ROTORS. THE WARPED ROTORS CAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL TO SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES AT 60 MPH OR GREATER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 58,400. ON SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, DURING AN OIL CHANGE,THE DEALER CHECKED THE TIRE TREAD AND BRAKE PADS AND THE BRAKE PADS ARE OPERATING NORMALLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE IS STILL SHAKING AT 50MPH BECAUSE THE ROTORS ARE DAMAGED DUE TO THE FRONT BRAKE PADS. THE DEALER AND MECHANIC STATED THAT THE NEWLY DESIGNED BRAKE PADS DON'T WEAR AS FAST; HOWEVER, IT CAUSES FRICTION AND THE ROTORS TO WARP. THE FRONT BRAKES WERE REPLACED IN APRIL. THE DEALER STATED ON THE INVOICE THAT THE REAR BRAKES ARE OPERATING NORMALLY. THE CONTACT IS AWARE OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. UPDATED 02-01-08. *KB THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THERE IS A SEVER ISSUE CONCERNING THE SEATS. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE HAS EXPERIENCED EXTREME HIP AND BACK PAIN FROM THE SEATS. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE CAN'T ADJUST THE SEAT ANYMORE, BECAUSE THEN SHE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO REACH THE STEERING WHEEL.
Jul 26, 2007
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,AIR BAGS
1 complaint
DT*: THE CONSUMER HIT A PATCH OF BLACK ICE TRAVELING AT 45 MPH WHEN APPROACHING A STOP SIGN; THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED THROUGH A STOP SIGN STRIKING ANOTHER VEHICLE IN THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE PRE-BRAKING WAS MINIMAL DUE TO THE ICY ROAD CONDITIONS. BOTH OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE WERE WEARING SEAT BELTS AND SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. POLICE WERE ON THE SCENE AND A REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE, BUT WAS NOT TOTALED DUE TO ASSESSMENT OF THE INSURANCE ADJUSTOR AND THE LACK OF AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED IN COLD TEMPERATURES, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SEEN BY A DEALER FOR THIS PROBLEM. *JB PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, THE REAR BRAKES AND ROTORS WERE REPLACED. UPDATED 03/03/06. *JB UPDATED
Jan 19, 2006
Crash: 1
Injuries: 2
WHEELS
1 complaint
THE LOCKING LUG NUTS ON THE TOYOTA HIGHLANDER WHEELS BREAK AND FRAGMENT WITH SHARP METAL SHARDS WHEN THEY ARE REMOVED WITH THE MATCHING LOCK LUG SOCKET AND 1 FOOT WRENCH WITHOUT ANY ABNORMAL TORSION. THE EQUIPPED LUG WRENCH IS EXACTLY 12 INCHES LONG (LEVER LENGTH). THE LUG NUTS WHEN BROKEN CANNOT BE REMOVED TO CHANGE THE TIRES. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE: ONCE ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE SECOND TIME WITH A NEW MATCHING SOCKET AND THE 12" WRENCH. THE ORIGINAL LOCKING LUG NUT HAD TO BE DRILLED OFF BY THE DEALER. THE PERSON APPLYING THE TORQUE WEIGHS 153 LBS. PATRICK VANSCHOYCK, M.D.*AK
Aug 17, 2005
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
1 complaint
GAS GAUGE BROKE, 2/12/04, 4/20/04 AND 6/11/04. WHEN YOU PUT GAS IN THE CAR THE NEEDLE WOULD NOT REGISTER. SERVICE CLAIMS THAT THEY KEPT FIXING IT FROM 2/12/04. *JB
Jun 17, 2004
STEERING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1 complaint
1) VIBRATION WITH ONE OR MORE WINDOWS DOWN. 2) FRONT END PULLING TO ONE SIDE WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED. TAKEN TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS ON SEVERAL OCCASSIONS FOR SERVICING. TOLD AT THE DEALERSHIP OF PURCHASE NOTHING WAS WRONG. THEY REFUSED TO DRIVE IT ON THE FREEWAY AT FREEWAY SPEED TO DETERMINE IF THERE WAS A PROBLEM. BECAUSE THE SERVICE MANAGER ONLY DROVE THE VEHICLE ON CITY STREETS, PULLING DID NOT OCCUR. SECOND DEALERSHIP DROVE VEHICLE ON FREEWAY AND DETERMINED THERE WAS NO PROBLEM, STEERING, ALIGNMENT, TIRES AND BALANCE ARE ALL OK. DROVE VEHICLE HOME FROM SECOND DEALERSHIP, EXPERIENCED THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM OF PULLING. I MUST HOLD THE STEERING WHEEL TIGHT OTHERWISE THE VEHICLE WILL VEER OUT OF LANE. SPEEDS DRIVING RANGE FROM 50 TO 70 MPH. TOYOTA CORPORATE STATED THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO SINCE TOYOTA SERVICE CENTERS DETERMINED THERE WAS NO PROBLEM-USELESS COMPLAINT PROCESS WHICH ONLY PROTECTS THE DEALERSHIPS. I'M TRADING THE VEHICLE IN FOR SOMETHING ELSE. I INTEND TO TEST DRIVE ANY VEHICLE ON THE FREEWAY PRIOR TO PURCHASING.
Apr 27, 2004
EQUIPMENT
1 complaint
I HAVE NOW HAD MY AIR CONDITIONER'S BLOWER UNIT GO BAD TWICE IN THE PAST 6 MONTHS. IN OCTOBER OF 2003, THE AIR CONDITIONER BEGAN MAKING A RATTLING NOISE AND WITHIN A DAY OR SO, THE BLOWER COMPLETELY DIED. THE TOYOTA DEALER LOOKED AT IT AND HAD TO ORDER A PART. A WEEK LATER, THEY REPLACED THE BLOWER UNIT.... NOW, THE EXACT SAME THING HAS HAPPENED AGAIN. THE RATTLING NOISE STARTED YESTERDAY AND TODAY, THE BLOWER IS COMPLETELY DEAD. I HAVE TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALER AGAIN! *AK
Apr 16, 2004
EQUIPMENT,CHILD SEAT
1 complaint
OWNERS MANUAL INSTRUCTIONS STATE THAT CONSUMER CAN PLACE A CHILD INTO THE CONVERTIBLE CHILD SEAT, FACING FORWARD FROM 20-30 LBS, UNDER A YEAR OLD. THROUGHOUT THE REMAINDER OF THE INSTRUCTIONS THE INFORMATION IS CORRECT. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN INFORMED OF THE MIS PRINT.*AK *PH
Dec 02, 2003
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
1 complaint
CONSUMER FEELS THAT THE LOCATION OF THE BRAKE/GAS PEDAL ARE TOO CLOSE. THIS RESULTED IN ACCIDENTAL ACCELERATION WHILE REVERSING.*AK
Jul 16, 2003
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL
1 complaint
2003 TOYOTA MR2 SPYDER - COMPLETE LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE, BOTH STEERING AND BRAKING CONTROL, WITHOUT WARNING OR UNUSUAL CAUSE UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS AT SPEEDS LESS THAN 25 MPH. TOYOTA DEALER EXAMINED VEHICLE AND STATES THAT VEHICLE IS DRIVABLE AND MEETS DESIGN INTENT. TOYOTA DEALER STATES THAT PROBLEM CAN NOT BE REPAIRED AND RECOMMENDS SNOW TIRES. SNOW TIRES THAT MEET TOYOTA SPECS ARE NOT COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE.*JB
Feb 27, 2003
4.6/5.0
89 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

How many problems does the 2003 TOYOTA Highlander have?

The 2003 TOYOTA Highlander currently has 269 owner-reported complaints according to NHTSA database. These complaints are organized by component to help identify common issues.

What are the most common problems with 2003 TOYOTA Highlander?

The most common problems reported for the 2003 TOYOTA Highlander are organized by component above. Each component section shows owner-reported issues, crash reports, and fire incidents to help identify patterns and problem areas.

Where does this 2003 TOYOTA Highlander problem data come from?

All problem and complaint data for the 2003 TOYOTA Highlander comes directly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) database. These are real complaints submitted by actual vehicle owners.

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