2003 Toyota Highlander complaints

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 FOO

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEAD BOLT DETACHED FROM THE ENGINE BLOCK WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH. THE VEHICLE BEGAN RUNNING HOT AND WATER WAS LEAKING FROM THE BACK OF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND ADVISED THAT THE HEAD BOLT WAS STRIPPED FROM THE ENGINE BLOCK. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 189,000.

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

DRIVERS SIDE SUN VISOR WON'T STAY AGAINST WINDSHIELD - IT IS BLOCKING VIEW OF THE ROAD - A SAFETY HAZARD. *TR

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

TOYOTA HIGHLANDER VISOR DEFECT. FALLS DOWN WHILE DRIVING AND BLOCKS VIEW, REPLACEMENT COST IS $700. SHOULD BE RECALLED DUE TO DANGEROUS VISION OBSTRUCTION. *TR

BRAKE LIGHT BULB BURNS OUT PERIODICALLY

2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR DROOPS AND WILL NOT STAY UP. BLOCKS VISION AND IS A SAFETY HAZARD. SYSTEMIC PROBLEM ON ALL HIGHLANDERS. HAS BEEN A PROBLEM ON MY CAR SINCE ABOUT 2007. REPLACEMENT COST OF $750 IS RIDICULOUS AND PROHIBITORY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH THE VEHICLE STARTED TO OVERHEAT. SHE DROVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND WAITED FOR THE VEHICLE TO COOL OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN INSPECTED BY A INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ADVISED HER THAT THE ENGINE BOLT WAS STRIPPED AND CAUSED THE COOLANT TO LEAK ONTO THE ENGINE. THE MECHANIC ALSO STATED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 111,400.

RIGHT PASSENGER WINDOW AUTOMATICALLY ROLLED ALL THE WAY DOWN AND THE ELECTRONIC CONTROLS FOR THE WINDOW FAILED TO WORK. WE WERE UNABLE TO CLOSE THE WINDOW. THIS OCCURRED DURING A WIND AND RAIN STORM RESULTING IN RAIN GETTING IN THE CAR AND A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE FOR PASSENGERS IN THE CAR. LUCKILY, THE CAR WAS NOT MOVING AT THE TIME OF THE OCCURRENCE. A MECHANIC DETERMINED THERE WAS A COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE WINDOW REGULATOR MOTOR AND REPLACED IT. *TR

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

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

I HAVE A 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 2.4L THAT HAD ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO 3 HEADBOLTS ON THE INTAKE SIDE OF THE HEAD BECOME LOOSE AS OTHER NUMEROUS FOLKS HAVE EXPERIENCED. THE ENGINE BLEW THE HEADGASKET AND LOST COMPRESSION/POWER AND DIED. THE SEEMS TO BE A VERY WELL KNOWN ISSUE BY TOYOTA, REPAIR SHOPS, AND SALVAGE YARDS. SEEMS SOMEONE SHOULD HOLD TOYOTA RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIR COST - I.E NEW ENGINE SINCE THIS IS AN OBVIOUS MANUFACTURING/ENGINEERING DESIGN FLAW. BEWARE OF HIGHLANDERS, CAMRYS AND RAVS SINCE THEY ALL HAVE THIS 2.4L ENGINE. *TR

2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. CONSUMER WRITES REGARDING BRAKE FLUID LEAK *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER HAD TO BE REPLACED. *JB

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

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

TOYOTA HIGHLANDER VISOR DEFECT. FALLS DOWN WHILE DRIVING AND BLOCKS VIEW. REPLACED ONCE, BUT REPLACEMENT IS DEFECTIVE AS WELL. REPLACEMENT COST IS $700. SHOULD BE RECALLED DUE TO DANGEROUS VISION OBSTRUCTION. *TR

CAR TEMP GAGE WENT UP PAST H AND THERE WAS NO HEAT IN CAR. I STOPPED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AT A MALL PARKING LOT AND CALLED SERVICE. HAD CAR TOWED TO GARAGE. PER OWNER OF GARAGE, THE HEAD GASKET LEAKED DUE TO BOLTS STRIPPING IN THE ENGINE. HE THEN FIXED THE PROBLEM AND THEN UPON TEST DRIVE THE TENSIONER FAILED AND CHAIN JUMPED CAUSING FURTHER REPAIRS TO NOT BE COST EFFECTIVE. THROUGH RESEARCH HE INFORMED ME THAT THIS IS A WELL DOCUMENTED PROBLEM WITH THE 2003 HIGHLANDER ENGINES AND THAT TOYOTA IS NOT BACKING THE PROBLEM. I CALLED TOYOTA AND SINCE RECALL HAS NOT BEEN ISSUED THEY STATED THEY CANNOT HELP ME. I FEEL THE HIGHLANDER SHOULD HAVE LASTED MORE THAN 8 YEARS AS I HAD KEPT UP WITH REQUIRED MAINTENANCE.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH THE CHECK ENGINE, ASC, AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS BEGAN ILLUMINATING ON THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOSE CONTROL AND THE WHEELS WOULD SPIN UNCONTROLLABLY WHILE ACCELERATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE BECAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS NO LONGER ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE OXYGEN SENSORS FAILED. THE OXYGEN SENSORS WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO RECUR INTERMITTENTLY. AFTER EACH FAILURE THE OXYGEN SENSORS WERE REPLACED AGAIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 4.0 SUN VISOR ON DRIVERS SIDE FALLS DOWN ON ITS OWN AND WILL NOT STAY WHERE YOU PUT IT, WHEN I ATTEMPT TO PUSH IS MORE TOWARDS THE WINDSHIELD IT FALLS BACK DOWN WHEN I ATTEMPT TO PUT IT UP IN ITS NORMAL POSITION IT FALLS BACK DOWN AND HAS A TENDENCY TO OBSCURE ONES VISION WHILE DRIVING AND THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS ISSUE ALTHOUGH IT SEEMS MANY HERE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THIS AND ALL THE THINGS I AM HAVING ISSUES WITH. *TR

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

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

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

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE VEHICLE HAD A HEAD GASKET WATER LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE HEAD GASKET WAS BLOWN AND IT WOULD COST $2500 TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE 126,000.

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.

MY 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER'S TEMP GAUGE STARTED GOING TOWARD THE H WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 30 MPH. I TURNED THE HEAT ON IN THE CAR AND THAT MADE THE GAUGE GO BACK DOWN TO NORMAL. I TOOK THE CAR TO A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WHERE I WAS TOLD MY HEAD GASKET WAS BLOWN AND I NEEDED A NEW ENGINE FOR ABOUT $8000! I TOOK THE CAR TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC THAT TOLD ME THE ENGINE ITSELF WAS FINE BUT 3 BOLTS ON THE HEAD GASKET WERE STRIPPED. THE REPAIR IS COSTING AN APPROXIMATE $2500 TO RETAP THE HOLES AND USE DIFFERENT BOLTS. I HAD DONE SOME RESEARCH AND I FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE 2003 HIGHLANDERS AND TOYOTA IS NOT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT (I HAVE THE WEBSITE INFO AND COMPLAINTS IF NEEDED). MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE PURCHASED THIS YEAR/MAKE/MODEL HAVE SPENT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS REPAIRING THIS DEFECT THAT TOYOTA KNOWS ABOUT BUT WILL NOT TAKE CARE OF. I CALLED TOYOTA NATIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY GAVE ME THIS WEBSITE INFORMATION TO FILE A COMPLAINT (I HAVE A CLAIM NUMBER IF YOU NEED IT). I AM VERY UPSET, ACTUALLY OUTRAGED, THAT HERE WE ARE AGAIN FINDING OUT THAT TOYOTA HAS MORE ISSUES WITH THEIR VEHICLES AND WON'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I BOUGHT THIS CAR BECAUSE I THOUGHT TOYOTAS WERE RELIABLE. PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS AND HELP ALL OF US WHO BOUGHT THE 2003 HIGHLANDERS RECOVER THE MONEY WE HAVE SPENT ON REPAIRS TO AN OBVIOUS MANUFACTURER'S DEFECTIVE PART USAGE. THANK YOU! *TR

2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER WITH 110,000 MILES STARTED TO OVERHEAT AND LOSE COOLANT. TOOK IT TO DEALERSHIP AND LEARNED THAT THE CYLINDER HEAD BOLTS HAD COME LOOSE DUE TO THE HOLES IN THE BLOCK BEING STRIPPED. TOYOTA ESTIMATED $3000 TO TAKE THE BLOCK OUT TO A MACHINIST TO BORE NEW HOLES, BUT IF THAT DIDN'T WORK IT WOULD COST $6000 TO REPLACE THE BLOCK. I THEN TOOK THE CAR TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO SAID IT WOULD COST $9600 TO TAKE OUT THE BLOCK AND SEND TO MACHINIST OR BUY A RE-MANUFACTURED ENGINE FOR $8200. THE PRIVATE MECHANIC STATED THIS PROBLEM IS DUE TO FAULTY MANUFACTURING OF THE ENGINE AND ALSO STATED THAT HE SEES THIS PROBLEM ALL THE TIME IN THESE TYPES OF VEHICLES. ON THE INTERNET I HAVE FOUND CONSUMERS SHARING THE SAME STORIES ABOUT SIMILAR VEHICLES BY TOYOTA WITH SIMILAR ENGINES THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM; SOME ONLY LASTING 70,000 MILES. I PUT IN A CALL WITH TOYOTA HEADQUARTERS AND THEY GAVE ME A REFERENCE NUMBER IN CASE ANY RECALLS SHOULD ARISE. TOYOTA SAID THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO OUT OF "GOOD FAITH" SINCE IT IS PASSED THE WARRANTY MILEAGE AND SINCE I DID NOT DO ALL MY SERVICING AT TOYOTA. I CHANGED THE OIL EVERY 3,000 MILES AND TOOK VERY GOOD CARE OF THIS VEHICLE AS IT WAS MY FIRST PURCHASE OF A NEW VEHICLE AND I THOUGHT IT WOULD LAST ME A LONG TIME. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER ON SHE NOTICED HOT AIR BEGAN TO FLOW FROM THE VENTS. SHE ALSO NOTICED THAT THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND SHUT OFF WHILE SHE ADDED COOLANT TO THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS AN ENGINE LEAK AND SOME OF THE BOLTS WERE LOOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,171. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

AUTO WAS STOPPED THREE FEET FROM ANOTHER AUTO. SUDDEN NON INITIATED ACCELERATION (FULL THROTTLE) WITH DAMAGE TO OTHER VEHICLE SEVERE, MINIMAL TO HIGHLANDER. *TR

THE COOLANT KEPT LEAKING ON MY HIGHLANDER 2003 4 CYLINDER FOR LAST FEW MONTHS. THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE ONE DAY SHOWED HEATING OF ENGINE. TOOK IT TO TOYOTA , THEY SAID IT IS BLOWN HEAD GASKET. DEMANDED $3500. *TR

2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 2.4L 4-CYLINDER ENGINE, 108,000 MILES, DEVELOPED COOLANT LEAK ON THE BACK SIDE OF THE TOP OF THE ENGINE, ADJACENT TO AN INSULATOR PAD AT THE BACK OF THE ENGINE BLOCK. THE BACK 3 HEAD BOLTS WERE STRIPPED, ALLOWING COOLANT TO ALSO LEAK INTO THE ENGINE. THE TOYOTA DEALER SAYS THAT THE SHORT BLOCK OR ENTIRE ENGINE MUST BE REPLACED, WITH NO OTHER OPTION. THE HEAD HAD NEVER BEEN OFF SINCE ORIGINAL FACTORY MANUFACTURE/ASSEMBLY. BASED ON THE FREQUENCY OF IDENTICAL ENGINE FAILURES, FAULTY ASSEMBLY AND/OR DESIGN ASSURES EVENTUAL FAILURE OF THE ENGINE. *TR

2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HAS HEAD BOLTS STRIPPED FROM BLOCK, CAUSING FLUID TO SLOWLY LEAK FROM ENGINE AND OVERHEAT. FIRST SYMPTOM IS AC BLOWS HOT AIR. MOST FOLKS WHO EXPERIENCE THIS BURN UP THE ENGINE, BUT I WAS FORTUNATE AND WAS ABLE TO HAVE IT REPAIRED AT A COST OF $2750.00 !!!!! THIS IS A CLEAR DEFECT, HEAD BOLTS DO NOT SIMPLY GET STRIPPED FROM A BLOCK. *TR

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

TL-* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE TRAVELING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WAS INDICATING THAT THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING HOT. AFTER EXAMINING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED COOLANT LEAKING FROM THE REAR OF THE CYLINDER BLOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE Z TAPS WERE INSTALLED INSIDE OF THE ENGINE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000.

2003 4 CYLINDER TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. COOLANT LEAK AND SUBSEQUENT NEED FOR A NEW REPLACEMENT ENGINE DUE TO THE DEFECT OF 3 REAR ENGINE SHORT BLOCK SCREWS/THREADS. HAD LESS THAN 85K MILES ON VEHICLE, WHEN FOUND A COOLANT LEAK UNDERNEATH ENGINE BLOCK OF VEHICLE IN GARAGE AFTER HAVING NO ISSUES PRIOR WITH ENGINE, RADIATOR OR ANY ASSOCIATED ACCESSORIES TO THE COOLANT SYSTEM/ENGINE SYSTEM OF VEHICLE. TOOK TO A TOYOTA DEALER PRIOR TO ANY OVERHEATING OR VEHICLE OPERATION FAILURES OR RADIATOR FAILURE. TOYOTA DEALER PULLED ENGINE MANIFOLD AND COVER OFF TO INVESTIGATE AND FOUND THAT WHEN THEY PULLED THE THREE SCREWS THAT CONNECT THE ENGINE COVER THAT COVER THE HEADS/CYLINDERS, THE THREADS ASSOCIATED WITH THE SCREWS CAME WITH THEM. THE ONLY FIX PER DEALERSHIP DETERMINED TO BE A BRAND NEW SHORT ENGINE BLOCK AND ACCESSORY REPLACEMENT FOR $6,470. DATE ON THIS IS AUGUST/2010. HAVE ALL PAST SERVICE HISTORY OIL CHANGES/TRANSMISSION CHANGES, RADIATOR CHANGES, WATER PUMP SERVICE, ETC FROM 0 MILES TO CURRENT. TOLD THAT THE SCREWS WERE NEVER SPRAYED AND SEALED CORRECTLY, THUS CORRODED INTO THE THREADS AND CAUSED FAILURE WITH BOTH ITEMS. VERY UNHAPPY THAT AN ENGINE IS GOING TO BE PAID FOR AND REPLACED BY CONSUMER ON AN OBVIOUS MANUFACTURER ERROR. MORE AND MORE OF THESE SPECIFIC ISSUES WILL ARISE WITH TIME ON THESE 4 CYLINDER EARLY 2000 TOYOTA HIGHLANDERS. THEY WILL NEED TO RELIEVE THE CONSUMER OF A FULL PAYMENT OF A NEW ENGINE OR BURDEN THEMSELVES ON LOSING EVEN MORE LOYAL TOYOTA CONSUMERS. ----TOYOT

SUNDAY 8/1/10 THE DRIVERS' SIDE VISOR IN OUR 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER WAS FINE. MONDAY 8/2/10 WHEN ATTEMPTING TO POSITION THE VISOR IT WOULD FLOP DOWN AND HANG IN A VERTICAL POSITION OBSTRUCTING THE DRIVERS VIEW OF THE ROAD, YOU COULD NOT BEND IT BACK AGAINST THE WINDSHIELD. IT BLOCKS THE DRIVER'S VIEW MAKING IT UNUSABLE AND UNSAFE. I WENT TO THE TOYOTA DEALER TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. THE DEALER CLAIMED THAT IT COULD NOT BE REPAIRED AND THAT A REPLACEMENT WOULD COST OVER $700 DOLLARS. THE ATTACHMENT IS WHERE THE PROBLEM IS. THEY CLAIMED THEY COULDN'T FIX IT. THIS IS A CLEAR SAFETY ISSUE AND I FEEL THAT TOYOTA SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ITS REPAIR. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE ATTEMPTING A RIGHT TURN AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 95,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK TO THE FLOORBOARD IN THE OPEN THROTTLE POSITION. THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT DRIVER INTENT. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY TURNING IT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 86,000.

I HAVE A 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER WITH ONLY 97,000 MILES THAT KEEPS "OVER HEATING". I HAVE REPLACED EVERYTHING UNDER THE HOOD EXCEPT THE ENGINE. THIS PROBLEM STARTED AROUND NOV. 2009. I HAVE READ OTHER BLOGS THAT HAVE THE SAME COMPLAINT AND IT APPEARS TO BE THE "BOLTS ON THE ENGINE ARE STRIPPED/DEFECTED" AND ALLOWS THE COOLANT TO LEAK OUT CAUSING OVERHEATING. ONE BLOG I READ STATED HE HAD THE "BLOTS" REPLACED AND THE NEW BOLTS ARE EXPANDING AND DOING THE SAME THING (OVER HEATING) AGAIN! I HAVE CALLED SEVERAL DEALERS AND SO FAR NO RECALL FROM TOYOTA TO FIX THIS PROBLEM, ALTHOUGH ONE DEALER SAID THERE IS A MEMO FROM TOYOTA REGARDING THIS PROBLEM, BUT NO RECALL! PLEASE HELP, I AM A SENIOR ON A FIX INCOME AND CAN NOT AFFORD THE COST OF A NEW ENGINE. I HOPE YOU CAN HELP ALL OF US WITH THIS PROBLEM.....THANK YOU. *TR

HAVE AN 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER THAT I BOUGHT NEW. HAVE USED SUN VISORS ON A REGULAR BASIS, AS THEY WERE INTENDED TO BE USED. THE DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR KEEPS FALLING DOWN AND BLOCKING MY VIEW. THIS PARTICULARLY HAPPENS WHEN ANY BUMP IN THE ROAD IS RUN OVER. THIS CREATES A HAZARD DUE TO LIMITING MY SIGHT. I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO FIX BY TIGHTENING THE BOLTS THAT HOLD THE VISOR TO THE CEILING AND BY USING VELCRO TO HOLD THE VISOR TO THE ROOF. NEITHER OF THESE WORKED...THE VELCRO WILL NOT STICK TO THE CEILING ROOF. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN HIS GARAGE WHEN HE NOTICED COOLANT LEAKING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO A DEFECTIVE ENGINE BLOCK. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RELATED COMPLAINTS PERTAINING TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000. UPDATED 01/24/11 *CN UPDATED 04/18/11

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

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

MY WIFE'S TRUCK BEGAN LEAKING COOLANT. I WAS TOLD THE HEAD GASKET WAS BLOWN. I PAID NEARLY $1600 FOR THE REPAIRS. A YEAR LATER, THE COOLANT IS LEAKING. WHEN THE HEAD WAS PULLED, THE THREAD STRIPPED OUT ON 3 BOLTS. I FOUND THE SAME COMPLAINT NUMEROUS TIMES ON THIS WEBSITE AND ON OTHERS. AT THIS POINT, THE OPTIONS ARE THREAD INSERTS THAT MAY WORK OR A NEW ENGINE! AT THIS POINT, I HAVE BEEN ATTEMPTING TO GET HELP FROM TOYOTA. THERE HAS BEEN NOTHING TO DATE. *TR

TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 2003 2.4 LITER, BLOWN HEAD GASKET DUE TO STRIPPED THREADS ON THE SHORT BLOCK ENGINE. *TR

MY 2003 HIGHLANDER HEAT GAGE INDICATED THE ENGINE WAS STARTING TO GET HOT. I PULL INTO SERVICE STATION TO CHECK COOLANT LEVEL AND NOTICED COOLANT LEAKING ON THE GROUND. I WAITED FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES TO ASSURE MYSELF IT WAS SAFE TO TAKE OFF THE RADIATOR CAP. I COULD NOT SEE ANY COOLANT SO, I PURCHASED A GALLON OF PRE-MIXED COOLANT AND POURED IN ABOUT 1/2 TO 3/4 GALLON TO BRING IT UP TO FULL. I MADE THE TRIP HOME WITHOUT THE CAR GETTING HOT, BUT NOTICED THE LEAK WAS STILL THERE. I HAD THE VEHICLE LOOKED AT BY A LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE CAR NEEDED MAJOR REPAIRS. THERE IS A TECHNICAL SUPPORT BULLITIN ON THE ENGINE IN QUESTION. A 2.4 LITRE (4 CYLINDER) ENGINE COMMON ON CAMARYS AND HIGHLANDERS. I FEEL TOYOTA SHOULD HAVE TO REPAIR THIS VEHICLE IN LIGHT OF THE FACT TOYOTA HAS KNOWN OF THE DESIGN DEFECT ON OTHER MODELS (CAMARY AND HIGHLANDERS). WHEN I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR REPAIRS THE SERVICE SCHEDULER KNEW EXACTLY WHAT PROBLEM I WAS DESCRIBING TO HIM ABOUT MY CAR. THIS INDICATED TO ME, TOYOTA HAS INFORMED THEIR DEALERS OF THE PROBLEM OR, THEY WOULDN'T HAVE SENT A SERVICE BULLITIN ON THE VERY FIX TO MY CARS PROBLEM. THE SERVICE BULLITIN DESCRIBED (3) HEAD BOLTS AROUND THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WOULD STRETCH AND FAIL TO SEAL THE HEAD THUS, LEAK COOLANT. THE BULLITIN EVEN DESCRIBES INSTALLING HELI-COILS IN THE (3) AFFECTED BOLTS TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THIS APPEARS TO BE ANOTHER FAILURE OF TOYOTA TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR KNOWN DEFECTS IN THEIR AUTOMOBILES. I BOUGHT AND PAID FOR THIS

DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR WILL NOT STAY IN PLACE. FLOPS DOWN TO OBSCURE VISION.

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING AT 75 MPH UTILIZING THE CRUISE CONTROL MECHANISM, HE ATTEMPTED TO SHUT OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL WHEN THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED UP TO 90 MPH. HE IMMEDIATLEY PUT THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL AND DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL ALMOST TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE FINALLY CAME TO A STOP WHEN HE NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE FLOOR MAT WAS LYING OVER THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. HE IMMEDIATELY REMOVED ALL FLOOR MATS FROM THE VEHICLE AND HAD NOT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE SINCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000 AND THE CURRENT WAS 96,000.