Known Recalls

Model year record

2003 Toyota Highlander

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 316 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V181000

Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch

Component
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch
Manufacturer
TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
366,572
Reported to NHTSA
2004-04-15
Owners notified
2004-05-07

Defect description

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES HAVE A CHILD PROTECTION LOCK (CPL) SYSTEM ON BOTH OF THE REAR SIDE DOORS. WHEN AN OPERATOR OF THE VEHICLE CLOSES THE DOOR VERY HARD WITH THE CPL LEVER SET TO THE LOCK POSITION, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE LEVER MAY CONTACT THE BODY PANEL, CAUSING THE CPL LEVER TO MOVE INTO THE UNLOCK POSITION.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL SHORTEN THE CPL LEVER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 7, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

Recall campaignNHTSA 02V339000

Wheels

Component
Wheels
Manufacturer
SOUTHEAST TOYOTA DISTRIBUTORS
Vehicles affected
176
Reported to NHTSA
2002-12-17

Defect description

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FIVE FACTORY ALLOY WHEELS (MODEL 6934 AND 6936), WITH FACTORY LLAT, AND WITH PORT INSTALLED WR4, FOUR ALLOY WHEEL UPGRADE PROCESSED AT THE JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA PORT AND DISTRIBUTED BY SOUTHEAST TOYOTA DISTRIBUTORS IN THE STATES OF ALABAMA, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, NORTH AND SOUTH CAROLINA, WHEN THE VEHICLES WERE PROCESSED AT THE PORT, AN ALLOY TIRE/WHEEL UPGRADE WAS INSTALLED. THE UPGRADE INCLUDED 4 ALLOY WHEELS. THE ORIGINAL SPARE TIRE/ALLOY WHEEL WAS NOT CHANGED. THE SPARE TIRE REQUIRES THE USE OF A DIFFERENT STYLE OF WHEEL NUT TO ATTACH IT TO THE VEHICLE.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer remedy

OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH DIFFERENT STYLE LUG NUTS, A WARNING LABEL FOR THE SPARE RE/ALLOY WHEEL, AND AN OWNER'S MANUAL ADDENDUM.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Engine41115,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling26111,400 mi
Vehicle speed control2485,000 mi
Visibility1994,920 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic1593,500 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine1487,000 mi
Exterior lighting14124,000 mi
Electrical system13107,000 mi
Structure: body1162,000 mi
Service brakes10137,000 mi
Air bags8126,000 mi
Unknown or other810 mi
Power train765,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system684,560 mi
Steering656,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline567,810 mi
Power train: automatic transmission566,450 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls55,000 mi
Seat belts444,000 mi
Structure43,000 mi
Suspension497,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal46,000 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)397,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system385,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip3800 mi
Tires: tread/belt315,000 mi
Visibility/wiper3102,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system394,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline2160 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system248,948 mi
Structure: body: door2—
Suspension: rear292,000 mi
Tires26,700 mi
Tires: sidewall211,350 mi
Traction control system2—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: windshield: electrical heating element267,000 mi
Wheels2200,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module16,000 mi
Child seat151,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring1—
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers1—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys120,000 mi
Equipment adaptive/mobility144,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner116,500 mi
Equipment: other: owners/service/other manual151,000 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights190,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights1100,000 mi
Forward collision avoidance: adaptive cruise control1—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly1—
Fuel system, other: storage: fuel gauge system13,973 mi
Latches/locks/linkages1—
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch1—
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift118,000 mi
Power train: driveline165,000 mi
Seats158,400 mi
Service brakes, electric1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads14,529 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor158,400 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist125,000 mi
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core159,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor1—
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs1—

The 2002 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 2004 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.