2003 Toyota Highlander Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 18about this part
- Share
- 7%of 258 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 36,100miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 18 complaints about the body and structure of the 2003 Toyota Highlander, 7% of the 258 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 36,100 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10775419, filed 2015-09, 47,000 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10510786, filed 2013-05, 62,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10743935, filed 2015-07, 113,000 miles“I picked up car at the dealer and the same evening rolled the rear windows down slightly and the result was a painful pulsating pressure that almost caused my wife to go off the road. This is well documented since 2001 and Toyota had an opportunity at that point to rectify the situation immediately. The dealer said it was the first he ever heard of the problem. Toyota recognizes the phenomenon and faxed me arbitration papers which I filed and was denied because it is a design issue not covered under warrant . …”
NHTSA complaint #10030400, filed 2003-07, 25 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10369764, filed 2010-12, 10 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11012744Dec 6, 2024The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic…
- 11012743Dec 6, 2024To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. The purpose of the wheel film…
- 11012742Dec 6, 2024Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. If these acidic compounds settle on an…
- 11012735Dec 5, 2024Toyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal painted surfaces. This material protects from acid rain, environmental…
- 11012727Dec 3, 2024Vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad tracks, train wheels, exposure to heavy machinery facilities, grinding…
- 11007445Jul 12, 2024The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic…
- 11007444Jul 12, 2024To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. The purpose of the wheel film…
- 11007443Jul 12, 2024Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. If these acidic compounds settle on an…
- 11006151Jul 12, 2024The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic…
- 11006150Jul 12, 2024To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. The purpose of the wheel film…
Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 4 | 9% |
| 2023 | 32 | 17% |
| 2022 | 43 | 16% |
| 2021 | 52 | 10% |
| 2020 | 30 | 9% |
| 2019 | 12 | 2% |
| 2018 | 12 | 4% |
| 2017 | 8 | 3% |
| 2016 | 4 | 4% |
| 2015 | 32 | 17% |
| 2014 | 32 | 24% |
| 2013 | 18 | 9% |
| 2012 | 20 | 11% |
| 2011 | 27 | 15% |
| 2010 | 14 | 6% |
| 2009 | 15 | 11% |
| 2008 | 11 | 3% |
| 2007 | 5 | 4% |
| 2006 | 4 | 1% |
| 2005 | 8 | 4% |
| 2004 | 8 | 3% |
| 2003 | 18 | 7% |
| 2002 | 24 | 8% |
| 2001 | 13 | 9% |
Other parts of the 2003 Toyota Highlander
46 complaintsEngine
41 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
34 complaintsBrakes
33 complaintsVehicle speed control
28 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