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Toyota Highlander 2003
The 2003 Toyota Highlander came with 2 engines: 2.4 L 4-cylinder, 3.0 L 6-cylinder. It gets 18 to 22 MPG combined depending on the engine, per the EPA. 2 recall campaigns and 40 owner complaints are on record.
Specs
| Cylinders | 4 |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic · 4 speeds |
| Drivetrain | AWD |
| Dimensions (L × W × H) | 4,690 × 1,830 × 1,745 mm (184.6 × 72.0 × 68.7 in) |
| Wheelbase | 2,720 mm (107.1 in) |
| Curb weight | 1,670 kg (3,682 lb) |
| Body style | Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD |
Dimensions and weight: median of the 2 versions in Canada's official specifications (NHTSA vPIC). Each version differs slightly.
For sale in United States
Safety
Crash-test results across markets. They can vary by version and equipment.
Fuel economy (MPG)
🇺🇸 Local dataBy version
| Engine | Transmission | Drivetrain | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4 L 4-cylinder | Automatic · 4 speeds | AWD | 17 MPG | 22 MPG | 19 MPG |
| 2.4 L 4-cylinder | Automatic · 4 speeds | Front-wheel (FWD) | 19 MPG | 25 MPG | 22 MPG |
| 3.0 L 6-cylinder | Automatic · 4 speeds | AWD | 16 MPG | 21 MPG | 18 MPG |
| 3.0 L 6-cylinder | Automatic · 4 speeds | Front-wheel (FWD) | 17 MPG | 21 MPG | 18 MPG |
EPA figures for each version sold in the U.S.
Recalls
Consequence · Remedy
THIS CONDITION COULD ALLOW THE DOOR TO BE OPENED WITH THE INSIDE WHILE THE OPERATOR BELIEVES THAT THE CPL WAS ACTIVATED. IF THE DOOR WERE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, AN OCCUPANT COULD FALL OUT AND BE INJURED.
DEALERS WILL SHORTEN THE CPL LEVER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 7, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
Consequence · Remedy
IF THE SPARE TIRE/WHEEL IS INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE USING THE WHEEL NUTS PROVIDED FOR THE UPGRADE ALLOY WHEEL, DAMAGE TO THE WHEEL COULD RESULT AND COULD EVENTUALLY LEAD TO A LOOSE WHEEL.
OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH DIFFERENT STYLE LUG NUTS, A WARNING LABEL FOR THE SPARE RE/ALLOY WHEEL, AND AN OWNER'S MANUAL ADDENDUM.
It may not apply to vehicles sold in your country. Check with your VIN at the source.
Details
On certain vehicles, if the rear side doors are closed very hard with the Child Protection Lock (CPL) lever in the lock position, there is a possibility that the lock lever may contact the body panel due to insufficient clearance, causing the CPL lever to move into the unlock position. This condition could allow the doors to be opened with the inside door handles while the operator believes that the child protection lock was activated. Correction: Dealer will shorten the CPL levers.
Common problems
40 reports🇺🇸 Local dataReported by owners to the source below. It is not a verdict on this car: it is what people wrote.
Many things are happening to my truck that’s why I am contacting you people to see if I got any callback thank you so much
Automatically disengage the transmission Stopped the road Icalled my husband Myhusband came and together we got the car to a safe place.Then Icame home with my husband and he called the insurance company and had the car towed. Ifound a place to fix the car and they said the transmission was broken and it cost about…
The hood latch cable inside the vehicle when pulled did not allow the hood to open now the secondary hood latch is stuck in the closed position and will not release..I have to use a strap from wheel opening to wheel opening to keep my hood secure so when I am driving my hood won't open at high speeds
PASSENGER WINDOW HAS HAD TO BE FIXED MULTIPLE TIMES. COMES OFF THE TRACK AND WILL NOT CLOSE. HAVE HAD INTERIOR DAMAGE BECAUSE OF IT
2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 4 CYL. SERVICE BULLITON FROM THEM #310436. HEAD BOLTS COMING UNDONE INSIDE MOTOR CAUSING CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF MOTOR. BOLTS NOT HOLDING DOWN MFGR KNOWS ABOUT THIS. WAS A MANUFACTURING PROCESS THAT DID NOT WORK. ON CARCOMPLAINTS.COM THIS IS A RAMPANT PROBLEM REPORTED. READS ALMOST LIKE A PLAY…
HEAD ON COLLISION AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY SPEEDS 25-40 MPH
PAINT SEAL DELAMINATION
I WAS IN MOTION WHEN WE HIT A COW GOING 45MPH THAT JUMPED OUT AT MY HUSBAND AND I MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY THE CAR IS TOTALED WAS CITY STREET
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH ON ICE, THE POWER STEERING SEIZED AND THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL LOCKED UP. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE SPUN OUT AND CRASHED INTO A SNOW MOUND. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE…
REAR FORWARD CONTROL ARM BROKE IN HALF UNDER NORMAL DRIVING. THIS IS A HOLLOW SHAFT, WHICH SEEMS INADEQUATE, AND CREATES A DANGER OF LOSS OF REAR AXEL AND OR WHEEL.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE UNINTENTIONALLY ACCELERATED AT HIGH SPEEDS WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A COMPLETE STOP AND TURN OFF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPA…
THE HEADLIGHT LENSES ARE COMPLETELY FOGGED AND IMPAIRS DRIVING AFTER DUSK. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED
Questions
- What engine does the 2003 Toyota Highlander have?
- The 2003 Toyota Highlander came with 2 engines: 2.4 L 4-cylinder, 3.0 L 6-cylinder.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2003 Toyota Highlander?
- It gets 18 to 22 MPG combined depending on the engine, per the EPA.
- Does the 2003 Toyota Highlander have recalls?
- 2 recall campaigns are on record. The latest concerns Latches/Locks/Linkages (2004-04-15).
- What are the common problems of the 2003 Toyota Highlander?
- 40 owners have filed complaints, most often about Air Bags.
Other years
Other models by Toyota
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