Used 2003 Toyota Highlander Consumer Reviews
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New Owner-Wierd Issues
mjc333, 11/09/2011
2003 Toyota Highlander Limited AWD 4dr SUV (3.0L 6cyl 4A)
32 of 32 people found this review helpful
I just purchased the Toyota Highlander 2003 and upon purchasing the vehicle I was very happy. The check engine light came on shortly after purchase and apparently the cause is a bad "ECM" board in the SUV. I am not sure if this is common but I have experienced this problem. I love the vehicle otherwise and plan on driving it for a while. Currently at 82K hope it lasts to 200K without major repairs.
Former Toyota...stripped head bolts
bizmin, 10/06/2010
2003 Toyota Highlander Fwd 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 4A)
37 of 39 people found this review helpful
2003 Toyota Highlander 2.4 L 4-cylinder engine, 108,000 miles, perfect service, until it developed coolant leak on the back side of the top of the engine, adjacent to an insulator pad at the back of the engine block. The back 3 head bolts were completely stripped, allowing coolant to leak into the engine. Toyota dealer says the short block or entire engine must be replaced, with no other option [$5200- $7400+.] Based on the frequency of identical engine failures, faulty factory assembly and/or design assures eventual failure of the engine. 25-year Toyota fan, probably lost forever.
425k miles still going strong
razcob, 04/02/2018
updated 10/11/2022
2003 Toyota Highlander Limited AWD 4dr SUV (3.0L 6cyl 4A)
15 of 15 people found this review helpful
This has been a very reliable car, and we have only replaced two oxygen sensors, other than normal wear items like brakes, etc. The only negative to this vehicle is the gas mileage. We are getting 18 mpg overall. The interior is holding up well, with a slight tear in the drivers seat. My daughter was in a rear end accident, and the bumper was ripped but the rear structure remained intact. The other car's front end was totaled, so we rate the safety in this type of crash as excellent. Update- 295k and it’s still going. This thing has been in a couple of accidents, including a head on collision with a deer. No need to call the insurance on that one. A ball-peen hammer fixed her right up, and a visit to the junkyard for a new light should do it! Yeah, it just keeps running with no mechanical problems. We just drove it loaded from Virginia to Tennessee and it ran great. 320k. I want a new car, but this thing isn’t giving me any reasons or problems to sell it. Oct 2021- 400k mile. engine burns oil but it keeps running strong.
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Bought used and loved it for 150000 miles!
D Fig, 04/28/2017
2003 Toyota Highlander Limited AWD 4dr SUV (3.0L 6cyl 4A)
21 of 22 people found this review helpful
It's a great car!! It doesn't have the bells and whistles of today's cars but if you're looking for something reliable with little maintenance that drives like a dream this is the car for you.
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Disappointed
herbertspoof, 05/10/2012
2003 Toyota Highlander AWD 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 4A)
34 of 37 people found this review helpful
Purchased used 5 years ago with 86,000. Didn't flinch at the mileage due to Toyota's reputation for reliability; car drove well, at first. Sold at 109,000 due to expensive repair and maintainence costs including: All 4 wheel bearings, $500 a pop. Breaks completely replaced, some more than once. $2,000 spent on breaks in just 2 years. Evaporator sensor went bad; $400 just for the part. Muffler developed a small hole; $400 for a new one. Straw that broke the camel's back: drive shaft developed a wobble and needed complete replacement $1,200. Cut my losses and unloaded the hunk of junk. Other car was a 20 year old Subaru Legacy that had fewer problems and was cheaper to maintain.
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