2003 Toyota Highlander Electronic stability control Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 1%of 258 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 97,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the electronic stability control of the 2003 Toyota Highlander, 1% of the 258 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 97,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10315068, filed 2010-03, 105,850 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10386017, filed 2011-03, 93,500 milesElectronic stability control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2 | 1% |
| 2019 | 5 | 1% |
| 2018 | 3 | 1% |
| 2017 | 3 | 1% |
| 2016 | 4 | 4% |
| 2015 | 4 | 2% |
| 2014 | 1 | 1% |
| 2013 | 2 | 1% |
| 2012 | 1 | 1% |
| 2011 | 2 | 1% |
| 2010 | 5 | 2% |
| 2009 | 3 | 2% |
| 2008 | 15 | 4% |
| 2007 | 4 | 3% |
| 2006 | 12 | 4% |
| 2005 | 2 | 1% |
| 2004 | 17 | 6% |
| 2003 | 3 | 1% |
| 2002 | 2 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2003 Toyota Highlander
46 complaintsEngine
41 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
34 complaintsBrakes
33 complaintsVehicle speed control
28 complaintsBody and structure
18 complaintsElectrical system
15 complaintsExterior lighting
15 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
13 complaintsOther or unknown
11 complaintsFuel system
10 complaintsAir bags
9 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Toyota Highlander
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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