Model Year Problem Record

Toyota Highlander 2003 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 2003 Toyota Highlander: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

258Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints

2Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls

0Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations

44Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Engine92 complaints

92 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility34 complaints

34 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Brakes33 complaints

33 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control28 complaints

28 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure18 complaints

18 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting16 complaints

16 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Electrical System15 complaints

15 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train14 complaints

14 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System10 complaints

10 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Air Bags9 complaints

9 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other8 complaints

8 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires7 complaints

7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Driver Assistance and Stability Systems6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels3 complaints

3 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 02V339000.

Equipment3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages2 complaints

2 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 04V181000.

Seats2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

02V339000Reported December 17, 2002 - 176 vehicles potentially affected

Wheels. Recall covering the wheels system, reported to NHTSA on December 17, 2002. The campaign covers an estimated 176 vehicles across all affected models.

04V181000Reported April 15, 2004 - 366,572 vehicles potentially affected

Latches, Locks and Linkages. Recall covering the latches, locks and linkages system, reported to NHTSA on April 15, 2004. The campaign covers an estimated 366,572 vehicles across all affected models.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

200322

200416

20059

20064

20078

20089

200919

201052

201119

201223

201326

201420

20157

20166

20176

20183

20196

20201

20232

How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.