2003 Toyota Highlander Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 46about this part
- Share
- 18%of 258 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 106,500miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 46 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2003 Toyota Highlander, 18% of the 258 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 106,500 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“While driving on the highway, my engine temp in my 4 cyl, 4wd 2003 Highlander suddenly spiked high. I had to pull of the road. Towed to dealer. Dealer said bolts on short block of engine were stripped and allowed coolant to leak out and engine overheated. I was at 68,000 miles, so over the warranty period. I took it to my local dealer and they said I had a bad water pump...I paid to have that fixed, but the car still overheated. …”
NHTSA complaint #10268801, filed 2009-05, 68,000 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10334135, filed 2010-06, 135,599 miles“I noticed that the engine noise changed. Took the SUV to the dealer to check it out, dealer stated that the noise was ok and returned the vehicle to me. After driving the vehicle less than 10 miles returned it to the dealer and the engine was blown.”
NHTSA complaint #10273804, filed 2009-06, 68,500 miles“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! …”
NHTSA complaint #10342039, filed 2010-07, 80,000 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10382682, filed 2011-02, 204,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10253223Mar 4, 2024This is to advise of various price adjustments that will affect Toyota Genuine Motor Oil and Long Life Coolant, effective March 1, 2024. These products are ordered through the…
- 10037592Mar 2, 2011Toyota: there may be damaged cylinder head bolts threads.
- 10034284Feb 4, 2010Toyota: techstream ecu flash reprogramming procedure. Flash reprogramming allows the ecu software to be updated without replacing the ecu. Flash calibration updates for specific…
- 10021263Mar 26, 2007Reprogram the engine control module (ecm).
- 10020868Sep 7, 2005Ecm calibration update. Mil on dtc p0420 and/or p0430.
- 10015494Mar 24, 2005Fuel injector ticking noise. Update. *tt original.
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 10% |
| 2019 | 3 | 1% |
| 2017 | 3 | 1% |
| 2016 | 1 | 1% |
| 2015 | 2 | 1% |
| 2013 | 3 | 1% |
| 2012 | 2 | 1% |
| 2011 | 5 | 3% |
| 2010 | 2 | 1% |
| 2009 | 5 | 4% |
| 2008 | 18 | 4% |
| 2007 | 2 | 2% |
| 2006 | 21 | 8% |
| 2005 | 8 | 4% |
| 2004 | 20 | 7% |
| 2003 | 46 | 18% |
| 2002 | 23 | 8% |
| 2001 | 17 | 12% |
Other parts of the 2003 Toyota Highlander
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 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