Toyota Highlander Complaints (2003)

258 consumer complaints on file.

#10341659July 6, 2010
VISIBILITY
HAVE AN 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER THAT I BOUGHT NEW. HAVE USED SUN VISORS ON A REGULAR BASIS, AS THEY WERE INTENDED TO BE USED. THE DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR KEEPS FALLING DOWN AND BLOCKING MY VIEW. THIS PARTICULARLY HAPPENS WHEN ANY BUMP IN THE ROAD IS RUN OVER. THIS CREATES A HAZARD DUE TO LIMITING MY SIGHT. I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO FIX BY TIGHTENING THE BOLTS THAT HOLD THE VISOR TO THE CEILING AND BY USING VELCRO TO HOLD THE VISOR TO THE ROOF. NEITHER OF THESE WORKED...THE VELCRO WILL NOT STICK TO THE CEILING ROOF. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10341251July 2, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN HIS GARAGE WHEN HE NOTICED COOLANT LEAKING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO A DEFECTIVE ENGINE BLOCK. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RELATED COMPLAINTS PERTAINING TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000. UPDATED 01/24/11 *CN UPDATED 04/18/11
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10340110June 29, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH BRAKES *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER HE PICKED HIS VEHICLE UP FROM THE DEALER AFTER HAVING THE 60,000 MILE SERVICE DONE, HE HEARD A CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT WHEELS WHEN DRIVING OVER UNEVEN PAVEMENT OR SPEED BUMPS AT LOW SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WITHIN DAYS. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER AND THE CLICKING NOISE FROM THE BRAKES HAD BEEN REMEDIED. IN MARCH 2010, WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE CONSUMER DETECTED A SHIMMY COMING FROM THE FRONT END AND TRANSMITTING THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED. THE SHIMMY CONTINUED WITH INCREASED INTENSITY OVER TIME DURING HIS TRIP AND THERE WAS AN ODOR OF SMOKE COMING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. A CLOSER INSPECTION REVEALED, THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL HAD EXCESSIVE BRAKE DUST AND IT SEEMED TO BE HOTTER THAN THE OTHER SIDE ALONG WITH A BURNING SMELL COMING FROM THE SAME LOCATION. THE CONSUMER RETURNED TO THE DEALER. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE RIGHT FRONT CALIPER HAD SEIZED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AS WELL. THE CONSUMER STATED ACCORDING TO THE INVOICE, THE ROTORS WERE REPLACED DUE TO EXCESSIVE HEAT, ALONG WITH THE BRAKE PADS AND CALIPER. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10340237June 26, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
TOYOTA HIGHLANDERS SUV BRAKE LIGHTS FOR YEARS 2002-2003 HAS A SERIOUS ISSUE WITH EITHER THE LEFT OR RIGHT BRAKE LIGHTING. MY WIFE'S 2003 TOYOTA LIMITED EDITION HIGHLANDER RIGHT REAR BRAKE LIGHT STOP WORKING ON 25 JUNE 2010. AFTER READING AND LEARNING MANY OTHER TOYOTA HIGHLANDERS OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE, I HAD TO SUBMIT THIS, SINCE TOYOTA HAS NOT ANNOUNCED A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR OTHER COMMENTS FROM TOYOTA HIGHLANDER'S OWNER: HTTP://WWW.TOPIX.COM/FORUM/AUTOS/TOYOTA-HIGHLANDER/T7H7LD934GSQLC6BE. I WORRY ABOUT THIS ISSUE SINCE SO MANY OWNERS HAVE PAID A GREAT DEAL OF MONEY TRYING TO HAVE THIS IS RESOLVED, AND THE ONLY REPLY/RESPOND THEY RECEIVE FROM THE DEALERSHIP TECH'S ARE MORE MONEY AND A STATEMENT INFORMING THEM THAT THERE IS NOT A RECALL. I ALSO WORRY ABOUT THIS BECAUSE WHAT WOULD MY WIFE SAY TO A POLICE OFFICER IF SHE IS CITED REPEATEDLY? PLEASE ASSIST IN SERIOUS MATTER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10334135June 1, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
MY WIFE'S TRUCK BEGAN LEAKING COOLANT. I WAS TOLD THE HEAD GASKET WAS BLOWN. I PAID NEARLY $1600 FOR THE REPAIRS. A YEAR LATER, THE COOLANT IS LEAKING. WHEN THE HEAD WAS PULLED, THE THREAD STRIPPED OUT ON 3 BOLTS. I FOUND THE SAME COMPLAINT NUMEROUS TIMES ON THIS WEBSITE AND ON OTHERS. AT THIS POINT, THE OPTIONS ARE THREAD INSERTS THAT MAY WORK OR A NEW ENGINE! AT THIS POINT, I HAVE BEEN ATTEMPTING TO GET HELP FROM TOYOTA. THERE HAS BEEN NOTHING TO DATE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10327995April 28, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 2003 2.4 LITER, BLOWN HEAD GASKET DUE TO STRIPPED THREADS ON THE SHORT BLOCK ENGINE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10323409April 1, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
MY 2003 HIGHLANDER HEAT GAGE INDICATED THE ENGINE WAS STARTING TO GET HOT. I PULL INTO SERVICE STATION TO CHECK COOLANT LEVEL AND NOTICED COOLANT LEAKING ON THE GROUND. I WAITED FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES TO ASSURE MYSELF IT WAS SAFE TO TAKE OFF THE RADIATOR CAP. I COULD NOT SEE ANY COOLANT SO, I PURCHASED A GALLON OF PRE-MIXED COOLANT AND POURED IN ABOUT 1/2 TO 3/4 GALLON TO BRING IT UP TO FULL. I MADE THE TRIP HOME WITHOUT THE CAR GETTING HOT, BUT NOTICED THE LEAK WAS STILL THERE. I HAD THE VEHICLE LOOKED AT BY A LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE CAR NEEDED MAJOR REPAIRS. THERE IS A TECHNICAL SUPPORT BULLITIN ON THE ENGINE IN QUESTION. A 2.4 LITRE (4 CYLINDER) ENGINE COMMON ON CAMARYS AND HIGHLANDERS. I FEEL TOYOTA SHOULD HAVE TO REPAIR THIS VEHICLE IN LIGHT OF THE FACT TOYOTA HAS KNOWN OF THE DESIGN DEFECT ON OTHER MODELS (CAMARY AND HIGHLANDERS). WHEN I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR REPAIRS THE SERVICE SCHEDULER KNEW EXACTLY WHAT PROBLEM I WAS DESCRIBING TO HIM ABOUT MY CAR. THIS INDICATED TO ME, TOYOTA HAS INFORMED THEIR DEALERS OF THE PROBLEM OR, THEY WOULDN'T HAVE SENT A SERVICE BULLITIN ON THE VERY FIX TO MY CARS PROBLEM. THE SERVICE BULLITIN DESCRIBED (3) HEAD BOLTS AROUND THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WOULD STRETCH AND FAIL TO SEAL THE HEAD THUS, LEAK COOLANT. THE BULLITIN EVEN DESCRIBES INSTALLING HELI-COILS IN THE (3) AFFECTED BOLTS TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THIS APPEARS TO BE ANOTHER FAILURE OF TOYOTA TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR KNOWN DEFECTS IN THEIR AUTOMOBILES. I BOUGHT AND PAID FOR THIS VEHICLE IN GOOD FAITH ON THE RELIABILITY RECORD OF THE TOYOTA COMPANY'S PAST RECORD. I NOW FEEL I HAVE BEEN TREATED UNFAIRLY BY THIS COMPANY. I WOULD UNDERSTAND IF THIS WAS AN ISOLATED OCCURANCE, BUT IT IS NOT AND TOYOTA KNOWS THIS FULL WELL. SERVICE BULLITINS DON'T GET SENT TO ALL DEALERS FOR A SINGLE OCCURANCE. PLEASE HELP !
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10322882March 30, 2010
VISIBILITY
DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR WILL NOT STAY IN PLACE. FLOPS DOWN TO OBSCURE VISION.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10319521March 14, 2010
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE AND MOTOR RACED AND VEHICLE TRAVELED BACKWARD AT RAPID RATE OF SPEED AND COULD NOT BE STOPPED IN SPITE OF BRAKING. ATTEMPT TO STOP VEHICLE WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. VEHICLE ONLY STOPPED WHEN STRUCK TELEPHONE POLE. PROBLEM WAS ENGINE RACING WHICH COULD NOT BE STOPPED. ACCELERATOR SEEMED TO STICK DOWN OR ACCELERATE WITHOUT FOOT APPLICATION. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10318919March 11, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING AT 75 MPH UTILIZING THE CRUISE CONTROL MECHANISM, HE ATTEMPTED TO SHUT OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL WHEN THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED UP TO 90 MPH. HE IMMEDIATLEY PUT THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL AND DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL ALMOST TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE FINALLY CAME TO A STOP WHEN HE NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE FLOOR MAT WAS LYING OVER THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. HE IMMEDIATELY REMOVED ALL FLOOR MATS FROM THE VEHICLE AND HAD NOT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE SINCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000 AND THE CURRENT WAS 96,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10315949March 2, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN SLOWLY IN TRAFFIC. WHEN OTHER CARS STOPPED, THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. INSTEAD OF STOPPING, THE CAR CONTINUED FORWARD, HITTING ANOTHER CAR. IT SEEMED AS THOUGH THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY TO HAVE THE BRAKES EVALUATED. WE WERE TOLD THAT THE REPAIRMAN SAW THOSE KIND OF ACCIDENTS ALL THE TIME WITH ANTI-LOCK BRAKES. " YOU CANNOT HIT THEM HARD OR THEY WILL FAIL". *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10315318March 1, 2010
POWER TRAIN
I PULLED INTO A PARKING SPACE AT A SHOPPING CENTER NEAR MY HOME, THEN BACKED UP A FEW FEET IN ORDER TO STRAIGHTEN MY CAR. WHEN I PUT THE TRANSMISSION INTO DRIVE, THE CAR SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD ENTIRELY ON ITS OWN, STRIKING THE CONCRETE BARRIER A FEW FEET IN FRONT OF MY CAR. I DID NOT ACCELERATE, THERE WERE NO FLOOR MATS ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE, AND THE FORCE THREW ME AGAINST THE STEERING WHEEL. A WITNESS RAN OVER TO SEE I WAS INJURED, BUT I WAS JUST BADLY FRIGHTENED. THE FRONT FENDER WAS DENTED, BUT ACTUALLY POPPED BACK OUT AS I WAS STANDING BESIDE MY CAR WITH THE WITNESS. I HAD PREVIOUSLY COMPLAINED ABOUT THE ENGINE ALTERNATELY SLOWING AND SURGING AS I DROVE, USUALLY ONLY AT SPEEDS UP TO 40MPH, TO MY LOCAL SERVICE DEPARTMENT. WHEN I CALLED MY SERVICE DEPARTMENT, THEY GAVE ME A TOLL FREE NUMBER WHERE I SPOKE TO A TOYOTA CASE MANAGER WHO ASSIGNED ME A CASE NUMBER AND TREATED ME VERY COLDLY AND WITH SUSPICION, ASKING PERSONAL QUESTIONS ABOUT MY HEALTH, INSURANCE COMPANY AND DRIVING RECORD. I SAID I WAS JUST CONCERNED THAT MY CAR HAD BEHAVED LIKE ONE I HAD JUST HEARD ABOUT ON THE LOCAL NEWS, AND I WANTED TO KNOW WHAT TO DO AND PREVENT OTHERS FROM EXPERIENCING WHAT HAD HAPPENED TO ME OR WORSE THE CASE MGR. SAID THEY WOULD CALL ME BACK. THEY NEVER CALLED BACK. THE FOLLOWING MONTH I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR SERVICE AND ASKED THEM TO CHECK THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THEY SAID THEY FOUND NO PROBLEMS. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10315068March 1, 2010
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
VSC SKID CONTROL/ECU FAILURE IN 2003 HIGHLANDER. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS: MY CAR LIGHTLY SKIDDED ON ICE OR WATER AND THE CHECK ENGINE/VSC AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS CAME ON. EVERY TIME THE CAR SKIDS, THE LIGHTS COME ON AND THE SKID CONTROL APPEARS TO BE DISABLED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10314858February 27, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
VEHICLE SUDDENLY LEAKS ENGINE COOLANT TO THE OUTSIDE OF VEHICLE WITHOUT ANY WARNING OF OVERHEATING. LEAK IS COMING FROM A DEFECTIVE HEAD BOLT AND CANNOT BE FIXED. ENTIRE ENGINE BLOCK NEEDS REPLACEMENT. A VERY COMMON ISSUE AMONG 4 CYLINDER 2001-2006 TOYOTA ENGINES IN THE CAMRY,HIGHLANDER AND RAV 4 LEAKING HARMFUL COOLANT TO THE OUTSIDE OF VEHICLES THAT IS DEADLY TO HUMANS AND ANIMALS IF CONSUMED. NOT TO MENTION OVERHEATING OF ENGINE THAT CAN RESULT IN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AND VACUUM THAT SUPPLIES POWER TO STEERING AND BRAKES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10314528February 26, 2010
STEERING
2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER-LIMITED (V6): POWER STEERING PUMP FLUID LINES CORRODING AND LEAKING FLUID; THEREBY CAUSING FAILURE OF PWR-ASSISTED STEERING AT ANY SPEED. IN JAN-FEB 2010, MY HIGHLANDER EXHIBITED SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED STEERING EASE AT INTERMITTENT PERIODS. HIGHEST SAFETY RISK OCCURRENCES WERE AT (1) HWY SPEEDS, AND (2) CITY TRAFFIC SPEEDS WHEN ACCIDENT AVOIDANCE HANDLING WAS REQUIRED. A DEALER IN FREDERICK, MD DIAGNOSED THE PROB AS THOROUGHLY CORRODED PWR STEERING PUMP LINES. THEY REPLACED THE LINES AT MY COST. THE VEHICLE HAD ONLY 56K MILES ON IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10313911February 24, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. HE STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH WITH HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, IT ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN WITHOUT A WARNING AND CRASHED INTO A BUILDING . THERE WERE FRONT END DAMAGES TO THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. A POLICE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST. THERE WERE REPAIRS MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 62,300.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10313341February 23, 2010
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
HEADLIGHT LENSES HAVE BECOME PROGRESSIVELY TRANSLUCENT BLOCKING SIGNIFICANT LIGHT ENERGY FROM VEHICLE TO OPERATE VEHICLE IN A TOTALLY SAFE MANNER. (INCIDENT DATE AND ODOMETER READING NOT APPLICABLE IN THIS CASE.) SOME INTERNET WEB SITES SUGGEST DRILLING HOLES IN THE HEADLAMP FIXTURE TO FIX PROBLEM. I BELIEVE IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD STAND BEHIND GETTING THE PROBLEM RESOLVED. THIS PROBLEM IS NOT EXCLUSIVE TO TOYOTAS AS I HAVE OBSERVED OTHER BRANDS OF VEHICLES WITH THE SAME SAFETY PROBLEM AND MAY BE RELATED SPECIFICALLY TO A HEADLIGHT FIXTURE MANUFACTURER SHARED BY OTHER VEHICLE MANUFACTURERS. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HEARD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10312794February 22, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 5 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO 90 MPH. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKE WHICH DID NOT WORK. THE CONTACT THEN PUT THE GEAR NEUTRAL WHICH SLOWED THE VEHICLE DOWN AND SHE WAS ABLE TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A COMPLETE STOP, HOWEVER THE ENGINE WAS STILL RACING. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER BUT NO ACTION WAS TAKEN. FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,752. UPDATED 04/09/10. *LJ UPDATED EVOQ 06/08/10.*JB UPDATED 06/15/10.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10312205February 19, 2010
STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING UP AN INCLINE APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH ON WET ROAD CONDITIONS. THE VEHICLE BEGAN PULLING TO THE RIGHT WITH AN AGGRESSIVE FORCE. SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE TRAVELED INTO THE HIGHWAY MEDIAN. THE POLICE WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO RESUME OPERATION. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED DAMAGES TO THE BUMPER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE FRONT BUMPER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10311327February 17, 2010
VISIBILITY
FOR THE LAST YEAR, THE DRIVER'S SUN VISOR ON MY 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER LIMITED HAS BEEN LOOSE AND DOES NOT STAY UP - IT IS ESPECIALLY LOOSE DURING WARMER WEATHER. THE VISOR WILL FALL DOWN IN FRONT OF THE DRIVER'S FACE, ESPECIALLY WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS OR ROUGH ROADS. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND A SAFETY HAZARD WHICH COULD LEASE TO A SERIOUS INCIDENT. I HAVE MENTIONED THIS TWICE WHILE BRINGING MY VEHICLE FOR MAINTENANCE AND HAVE BEEN TOLD IT CANNOT BE REPAIRED AND I WOULD HAVE TO BUY A NEW VISOR. LAST WEEK I SPOKE WITH THE PARTS DEPARTMENT AND WAS TOLD THIS IS COMMON AND A NEW VISOR COST MORE THAN $700 BECAUSE IT HAS THE HOMELINK. IT WAS SUGGESTED I GET A VISOR WITHOUT HOMELINK FOR AROUND $70. WHILE THIS IS AFFORDABLE, I WOULD THEN LOSE THE HOMELINK FEATURE, WHICH WAS PART OF MY DECISION-MAKING TO BUY THE HIGHLANDER. MY GUESS IS THE DRIVER'S SUN VISOR IS HAVING THE PROBLEM DUE TO THE ADDITIONAL WEIGHT CAUSED BY THE HOMELINK. I CANNOT AFFORD TO REPLACE THE VISOR, AND BELIEVE TOYOTA SHOULD REPLACE OR REPAIR AT THEIR COST. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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