2003 Toyota Highlander Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 13about this part
- Share
- 5%of 258 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 65,725miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2003 Toyota Highlander, 5% of the 258 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 65,725 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
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.
“Noticed white smoke coming out of the tailpipe in june. Then I noticed reddish/pink fluid accumulating on garage floor in july. Took it in assuming either a coolant or transmission fluid leak. Toyota told me I needed a new engine because the back headbolts were stripped and the head gasket was blown. All this was determined without removing valve cover and cams, but instead because it's a known issue. Many owners report the same thing on message boards.”
NHTSA complaint #10626722, filed 2014-08, 78,000 miles“I was backing my car from across the street. After shifting to drive, my car jumped back in reversed full speed crash in to my garage. I had my foot on the brake but wouldn't stop till it hit my garage wall.”
NHTSA complaint #10532286, filed 2013-07, 77,867 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“I have a 2003 awd v6 limited Highlander (hl) with 115,000 miles. About 200 miles ago, the transmission started slipping during the third to fourth gear shift. Hl goes into neutral, the revs go way up, then it shifts with a clunk. I can minimize the clunk from a stop by accelerating to 25 MPH, taking my foot off the gas, letting the revs drop down to 1200 RPM (at which point the trans will shift to fourth gear), and then stepping on the gas. There are no problems in first, second, third or fourth gear. The car runs fine in fourth gear. …”
NHTSA complaint #10276276, filed 2009-07, 115,000 miles“After only 64,000 miles, the transmission on my 2003 Toyota Highlander started skipping. When I accelerated, the car would jump/skip. This could have easily caused a wreck.”
NHTSA complaint #10209817, filed 2007-11, 64,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10164330Jul 1, 2019TSB: REVISION NOTICE July 01, 2019 Rev2: ? Applicability has been updated to 2019 ? 2020 model year Toyota vehicles. ? The Techstream Preparation and Process Overview sections…
- 10109404Oct 16, 2014TSB: The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide information regarding the installation of the correct torque converter bolts during automatic transmission/transaxle…
- 10109492Sep 30, 2014TSB: The purpose of this bulletin is to provide precautions to follow when installing an automatic transmission/transaxle assembly to avoid MIL "ON" shifting issues and/or…
- 10132084Oct 1, 2013The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide precautions to follow when installing an automatic transmission/transaxle assembly to avoid MIL ?ON,? shifting issues, and/or…
- 10133836Feb 20, 2013This bulletin contains general vehicle pulling diagnosis and repair procedures along with specific information to help correct pulling complaints.
- 10016636Aug 1, 2005U140f transmission solenoid identification.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 3 | 7% |
| 2023 | 20 | 11% |
| 2022 | 55 | 21% |
| 2021 | 228 | 43% |
| 2020 | 126 | 39% |
| 2019 | 214 | 42% |
| 2018 | 72 | 26% |
| 2017 | 77 | 28% |
| 2016 | 1 | 1% |
| 2015 | 7 | 4% |
| 2014 | 9 | 7% |
| 2013 | 11 | 5% |
| 2012 | 7 | 4% |
| 2011 | 16 | 9% |
| 2010 | 6 | 3% |
| 2009 | 7 | 5% |
| 2008 | 18 | 4% |
| 2007 | 8 | 6% |
| 2006 | 22 | 8% |
| 2005 | 51 | 23% |
| 2004 | 58 | 20% |
| 2003 | 13 | 5% |
| 2002 | 14 | 5% |
| 2001 | 13 | 9% |
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 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 30, 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