Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
The most-reported problem — Engine (15.9% of complaints) — recall and investigation status for this vehicle is currently unavailable.
Engine complaints here are 2.5× the median for that category across the 2583 model-years tracked on this site.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 41 · 15.9% | not available | — |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 26 · 10.1% | not available | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 24 · 9.3% | not available | — |
| Visibility | 19 · 7.4% | not available | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 15 · 5.8% | not available | — |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:engine | 14 · 5.4% | not available | — |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Percentages are the share of the 258 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
NHTSA campaign 04V181000 · 2004 · reported 04/15/2004
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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 02V339000 · 2002 · reported 12/17/2002
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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THERE WAS A DRUMMING NOISE FROM THE REAR OF…”NHTSA complaint 10367759 — filed 11/24/2010 · SUSPENSION:REAR
“MY 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER'S TEMP GAUGE STARTED GOING TOWARD THE H WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 30 MPH. I TURNED THE HEAT ON IN THE CAR AND…”NHTSA complaint 10366566 — filed 11/17/2010 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
“2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER WITH 110,000 MILES STARTED TO OVERHEAT AND LOSE COOLANT. TOOK IT TO DEALERSHIP AND LEARNED THAT THE CYLINDER HEAD BOLTS HAD COME…”NHTSA complaint 10363818 — filed 11/03/2010 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Engine issues are the most-reported category, cited in 41 of 258 NHTSA complaints (15.9%), followed by engine and engine cooling (26), vehicle speed control (24), visibility (19). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
258 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 33 involved a crash, 1 involved a fire, and 11 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Yes — 2 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 04V181000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
