Skip to content
Electrical systemPart report

2003 Toyota Highlander Electrical system Problems

Complaints
15about this part
Share
6%of 258 total for the year
Median mileage
113,500miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 15 complaints about the electrical system of the 2003 Toyota Highlander, 6% of the 258 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 113,500 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“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.”

NHTSA complaint #10524625, filed 2013-07, 124,000 miles

“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). …”

NHTSA complaint #10465975, filed 2012-07, 107,000 miles

“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…”

NHTSA complaint #10595013, filed 2014-05, 100,000 miles

“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. …”

NHTSA complaint #10256854, filed 2009-01, 120,000 miles

“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.”

NHTSA complaint #10661001, filed 2014-11, 215,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2025110%
2024614%
2023126%
2022239%
2021285%
2020186%
20195611%
2018249%
20174617%
20161413%
20155227%
20143526%
20132613%
20122916%
20112313%
20105325%
20092015%
20084411%
20072319%
2006269%
20052511%
2004186%
2003156%
2002134%
200154%

Other parts of the 2003 Toyota Highlander

Engine cooling
46 complaintsEngine
41 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
34 complaintsBrakes
33 complaintsVehicle speed control
28 complaintsBody and structure
18 complaintsExterior lighting
15 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
13 complaintsOther or unknown
11 complaintsFuel system
10 complaintsAir bags
9 complaintsTires
7 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2003 Toyota Highlander

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology