Toyota Highlander Complaints (2003)

258 consumer complaints on file.

#10441759December 30, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE ENGINE ON THIS VEHICLE REQUIRED A COMPLETE REBUILD, AT A COST OF OVER $5000 DUE TO OIL LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE AND FOULING THE COMPONENTS. IN THE MONTHS LEADING UP TO THE COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE STALLED REPEATEDLY ON BOTH CITY ROADS AND HIGHWAYS, CREATING A DANGEROUS SITUATION SEVERAL TIMES. WHENEVER THE OIL WAS CHANGED, THE PROBLEM BECAME WORSE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD USE UP TO 4 QUARTS OF OIL PER WEEK FOR SEVERAL WEEKS. I CONTACTED TOYOTA'S CORPORATE OFFICE BY LETTER AND PHONE AND WAS TOLD THAT NO DEFECT EXISTED. TOYOTA IS CURRENTLY RECALLING EARLIER MODELS OF THIS VEHICLE FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS EMITTING WHITE SMOKE FROM THE TAILPIPE FOR SEVERAL MONTHS BEFORE THE ENGINE FAILED. EVENTUALLY, IT WOULD ONLY SUSTAIN A SPEED OF 30 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS CHECKED BY THREE MECHANICS WHO ALL FOUND THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS VEHICLE IS USED TO TRANSPORT A HANDICAPPED PERSON, AND WAS ALSO USED TO TRANSPORT CHILDREN FREQUENTLY. IN ORDER TO SAVE THE MONEY FOR THE REPAIRS, WHICH I HAD TO MAKE BECAUSE I AM STILL MAKING PAYMENTS ON THE LOAN FOR THIS CAR, I HAD TO PURCHASE A VERY OLD AND INEXPENSIVE CAR TO GET TO WORK. THE TOYOTA SAT PARKED FOR 9 MONTHS BEFORE IT COULD BE FIXED. HAD I NOT BEEN ABLE TO BUY THIS SECOND CAR, I WOULD HAVE LOST MY JOB. I COULD NOT PUT MY DAUGHTER'S WHEELCHAIR IN THE OTHER CAR. SHE IS ABLE TO WALK ONLY FOR SHORT DISTANCES. THIS CREATED A SEVERE HARDSHIP AND ALSO CONTRIBUTED TO HER DEVELOPING A FOOT WOUND AND INFECTION OF THE BONE IN HER FOOT. THIS MEDICAL ISSUE REQUIRED 3 SURGERIES AND 5 HOSPITALIZATIONS, PLUS OVER 6 MONTHS OF IV ANTIBIOTIC THERAPY. I NARROWLY AVOIDED SEVERAL ACCIDENTS WHEN THE CAR STALLED IN TRAFFIC. IF I WAS NOT SUCH AN EXPERIENCED DRIVER, IT IS HIGHLY LIKELY THAT A SERIOUS ACCIDENT WOULD HAVE OCCURRED. *KB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10439029December 8, 2011
SEAT BELTS
UNUSUAL FRAYING OF DRIVERS SEAT BELT DUE TO DESIGN PROBLEM WITH STITCHING OF BELT MATERIAL. BEGAN TO UNRAVEL AND RUN ALONGSIDE APPROX 18" OF BELT LENGTH. THIS CAUSED BELT TO BIND AND SNAG ON BUCKLE FURTHER EXACERBATING PROBLEM. THIS OCCURRED DURING ROUTINE USE AND IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THIS MODEL. TOYOTA DOES NOT WARRANTY SAFETY RESTRAINT DEVICES FOR THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE LIKE OTHER SIMILAR MAJOR MANUFACTURERS (NISSAN, HONDA, MAZDA, ETC) AND DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THEIR WARRANTY WAS GOOD FOR 5 YR/60,000 MILES. THOUGH THE VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 60,000 MILES, IT IS >5 YEARS AND THEREFORE NOT COVERED. TOYOTA CORPORATE DOES NOT SEEM CONCERNED ABOUT RECENT GLARING SAFETY CONCERNS RESULTING IN CONSUMER DEATHS (STICKING WOT ACCELERATORS, FAILING BRAKES, ETC) AND IS UNWILLING TO COVER ANY PORTION OF THE ESTIMATED $450 REPAIR. I WOULD LIKE TO DOCUMENT THIS DEFECT WHICH IS EXTENSIVELY REPORTED ON THE INTERNET BY OTHER CONSUMERS IN HOPES THAT TOYOTA COULD BE FORCED TO CORRECT THIS SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE BEFORE MORE DEATHS OCCUR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10434831November 8, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEAD BOLT DETACHED FROM THE ENGINE BLOCK WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH. THE VEHICLE BEGAN RUNNING HOT AND WATER WAS LEAKING FROM THE BACK OF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND ADVISED THAT THE HEAD BOLT WAS STRIPPED FROM THE ENGINE BLOCK. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 189,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10434101November 3, 2011
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE BRAKE LIGHT WOULD NOT FUNCTION WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS OR REPAIRS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DRIVER SIDE BRAKE LIGHT BULBS INTERMITTENTLY FAILED. UPDATED 12/12/11
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10428184October 2, 2011
VISIBILITY
DRIVERS SIDE SUN VISOR WON'T STAY AGAINST WINDSHIELD - IT IS BLOCKING VIEW OF THE ROAD - A SAFETY HAZARD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10428192October 2, 2011
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE LEFT REAR BRAKE LIGHTS ARE DEFECTIVE. I'VE HEARD OF PEOPLE GETTING THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM REPLACED ONLY TO HAVE THE PROBLEM RETURN A YEAR LATER. SEE HTTP://WWW.TOPIX.COM/FORUM/AUTOS/TOYOTA-HIGHLANDER/T7H7LD934GSQLC6BE NOW MY VEHICLE IS DOING THE SAME THING AND TOYOTA SEEMS UNINTERESTED IN A RECALL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10420140August 19, 2011
VISIBILITY
TOYOTA HIGHLANDER VISOR DEFECT. FALLS DOWN WHILE DRIVING AND BLOCKS VIEW, REPLACEMENT COST IS $700. SHOULD BE RECALLED DUE TO DANGEROUS VISION OBSTRUCTION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10416132July 28, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
BRAKE LIGHT BULB BURNS OUT PERIODICALLY
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10404116June 1, 2011
VISIBILITY
2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR DROOPS AND WILL NOT STAY UP. BLOCKS VISION AND IS A SAFETY HAZARD. SYSTEMIC PROBLEM ON ALL HIGHLANDERS. HAS BEEN A PROBLEM ON MY CAR SINCE ABOUT 2007. REPLACEMENT COST OF $750 IS RIDICULOUS AND PROHIBITORY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10399801May 10, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH THE VEHICLE STARTED TO OVERHEAT. SHE DROVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND WAITED FOR THE VEHICLE TO COOL OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN INSPECTED BY A INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ADVISED HER THAT THE ENGINE BOLT WAS STRIPPED AND CAUSED THE COOLANT TO LEAK ONTO THE ENGINE. THE MECHANIC ALSO STATED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 111,400.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10392933March 25, 2011
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
RIGHT PASSENGER WINDOW AUTOMATICALLY ROLLED ALL THE WAY DOWN AND THE ELECTRONIC CONTROLS FOR THE WINDOW FAILED TO WORK. WE WERE UNABLE TO CLOSE THE WINDOW. THIS OCCURRED DURING A WIND AND RAIN STORM RESULTING IN RAIN GETTING IN THE CAR AND A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE FOR PASSENGERS IN THE CAR. LUCKILY, THE CAR WAS NOT MOVING AT THE TIME OF THE OCCURRENCE. A MECHANIC DETERMINED THERE WAS A COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE WINDOW REGULATOR MOTOR AND REPLACED IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10386017March 1, 2011
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
THIS CAR HAS BEEN DEALER MAINTAINED FROM DAY ONE. LAST YEAR, WE BEGAN NOTICING AN ODD, LOUD DRUMMING SOUND OCCURRING ALONG WITH RESISTANCE TO ACCELERATION IN SLOW SPEED SITUATIONS. THIS INCLUDED PARKING LOTS, STOPPING FOR A LEFT TURN WITHIN AN INTERSECTION, AND EVERY OTHER SITUATION WHERE WE NEEDED TO MANEUVER AT LOW SPEED. THE VEHICLE WOULD VIBRATE, THE ENGINE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE, AND SOMETIMES THE CAR WOULD LURCH WITHIN A TURN. IT BECAME ALARMINGLY SEVERE AND THE PERIODS BETWEEN INCIDENTS BEGAN TO SHORTEN. WHILE STILL INTERMITTENT, WE BEGAN TO BE CONCERNED AND TOOK IT TO THE NY DEALER WHO HAD BEEN SERVICING THE CAR SINCE IT WAS NEW. WE REPORTED EXACTLY WHAT I HAVE WRITTEN ABOVE, INCLUDING THE COMMENT THAT THE ANTI-SKID LIGHT WOULD COME ON THE DASH WHEN THIS HAPPENED. AFTER CHARGING US OVER $900 FOR FLUID REPLACEMENT AND REATTACHING A VACUUM HOSE, WE WERE TOLD WE HAD NO PROBLEM, THAT THE NOISE WAS NORMAL. IT OCCURRED AGAIN WHEN WE LEFT THE DEALERS LOT. THE PAVEMENT WAS DRY. AFTER A FEW WEEKS OF INCREASING DIFFICULTY WE TOOK IT TO A DIFFERENT DEALER, TO BE TOLD THAT OUR TIRES WERE WORN. WE REPLACED THE TIRES, AND THE PROBLEM PERSISTED ON EITHER WET OR DRY PAVEMENT. WITH A CROSS-COUNTRY TRIP COMING UP, WE TOOK THE CAR TO AN AAMCO, WHO TEST DROVE IT AND SAID WE HAD AN ABS BRAKE PROBLEM. THEY KEPT IT FOR THREE DAYS, AND CHARGED US $400 HAVING FOUND A PIECE OF RUSTED METAL THEY BELIEVED WAS PREVENTING ONE OF THE WHEEL SENSORS FROM MAKING CONSTANT CONTACT. IT FELT BETTER, BUT THE PROBLEM BEGAN TO SHOW UP AGAIN IN A COUPLE OF DAYS. WE COULD NOT PUT THE TRIP OFF, AND DROVE THE CAR CROSS COUNTRY, HAVING THE PROBLEM RE-OCCUR IN ALMOST EVERY LOW SPEED SITUATION, WHEN WE GOT TO NEW MEXICO WE MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER WHO SOLD US THE CAR. THEY SAID IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND AFTER FOUR DAYS, TOLD US THE ABS ECU WAS MALFUNCTIONING. IT COST $2178 TO REPLACE. THE REPLACED COMPONENT IS A SEALED ELECTRONIC MODULE WITH NO MOVING PARTS. IT SHOULD HAVE LASTED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10382321February 18, 2011
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. CONSUMER SUBMITS DOCUMENTATION RELATED TO UNINTENDED ACCELERATION ISSUES WITH VEHICLE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL AND SUBSEQUENTLY, CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE DIVIDER, STRUCK A PALM TREE AND THEN A METAL LIGHT POLE. EVEN AFTER THE VEHICLE CAME TO REST, THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO REV VERY FAST. IT FINALLY STOPPED A FEW SECONDS AFTER THE IMPACT. *JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10382682February 14, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I HAVE A 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 2.4L THAT HAD ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO 3 HEADBOLTS ON THE INTAKE SIDE OF THE HEAD BECOME LOOSE AS OTHER NUMEROUS FOLKS HAVE EXPERIENCED. THE ENGINE BLEW THE HEADGASKET AND LOST COMPRESSION/POWER AND DIED. THE SEEMS TO BE A VERY WELL KNOWN ISSUE BY TOYOTA, REPAIR SHOPS, AND SALVAGE YARDS. SEEMS SOMEONE SHOULD HOLD TOYOTA RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIR COST - I.E NEW ENGINE SINCE THIS IS AN OBVIOUS MANUFACTURING/ENGINEERING DESIGN FLAW. BEWARE OF HIGHLANDERS, CAMRYS AND RAVS SINCE THEY ALL HAVE THIS 2.4L ENGINE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10380485February 2, 2011
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. CONSUMER WRITES REGARDING BRAKE FLUID LEAK *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER HAD TO BE REPLACED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10379973February 2, 2011
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE CONTACT APPLIED TO BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT TRIED SEVERAL WAYS TO STOP THE VEHICLE (SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL, USING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE) BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO REV. THE TIRES ALSO WERE SPINNING. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AGAIN AND TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF WHICH STOPPED IT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION DROPPED AND THE EXTRA FLOOR MAT CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 90,000. UPDATED 03/24/11*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE FLOOR MAT WAS NOWHERE NEAR THE GAS PEDAL. IT WAS SECURELY IN PLACE. UPDATED 11/16/11
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10379245January 27, 2011
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
WHEN I START THE CAR IN THE MORNING (OR THE FIRST IN THAT DAY) THE CAR HAVE STRONG GAS SMELL ..I'M WORRIED OF A FIRE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10378252January 22, 2011
VISIBILITY
TOYOTA HIGHLANDER VISOR DEFECT. FALLS DOWN WHILE DRIVING AND BLOCKS VIEW. REPLACED ONCE, BUT REPLACEMENT IS DEFECTIVE AS WELL. REPLACEMENT COST IS $700. SHOULD BE RECALLED DUE TO DANGEROUS VISION OBSTRUCTION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10377488January 15, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
CAR TEMP GAGE WENT UP PAST H AND THERE WAS NO HEAT IN CAR. I STOPPED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AT A MALL PARKING LOT AND CALLED SERVICE. HAD CAR TOWED TO GARAGE. PER OWNER OF GARAGE, THE HEAD GASKET LEAKED DUE TO BOLTS STRIPPING IN THE ENGINE. HE THEN FIXED THE PROBLEM AND THEN UPON TEST DRIVE THE TENSIONER FAILED AND CHAIN JUMPED CAUSING FURTHER REPAIRS TO NOT BE COST EFFECTIVE. THROUGH RESEARCH HE INFORMED ME THAT THIS IS A WELL DOCUMENTED PROBLEM WITH THE 2003 HIGHLANDER ENGINES AND THAT TOYOTA IS NOT BACKING THE PROBLEM. I CALLED TOYOTA AND SINCE RECALL HAS NOT BEEN ISSUED THEY STATED THEY CANNOT HELP ME. I FEEL THE HIGHLANDER SHOULD HAVE LASTED MORE THAN 8 YEARS AS I HAD KEPT UP WITH REQUIRED MAINTENANCE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10373481December 30, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH THE CHECK ENGINE, ASC, AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS BEGAN ILLUMINATING ON THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOSE CONTROL AND THE WHEELS WOULD SPIN UNCONTROLLABLY WHILE ACCELERATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE BECAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS NO LONGER ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE OXYGEN SENSORS FAILED. THE OXYGEN SENSORS WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO RECUR INTERMITTENTLY. AFTER EACH FAILURE THE OXYGEN SENSORS WERE REPLACED AGAIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Toyota Highlander