Used 2003 Toyota Highlander AWD 4dr SUV (3.0L 6cyl 4A) Consumer Reviews
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High Mileage pitfalls
shaggs, 04/21/2011
Toyota Highlander AWD 4dr SUV (3.0L 6cyl 4A)
10 of 12 people found this review helpful
I bought this SUV new in 2003 and have it maintined regularly at the dealer. I now have 216,000 km on it and am starting to experience some high mileage wear items that have become prohibatively expensive. The oil cooler developed a leak and cost $1,000.00 to replace. The rear hanger bearing on the drive shaft (the shaft that connects the front transfer case with the rear) is noisy. For a worn bearing or universal joint the whole drive shaft must be replaced at a cost of $1,700.00 just for the part. I am looking for a good used one but am finding it impossible. There are no after market shafts, only ones available from the dealer. Highlanders will last many years, but at what cost!!!
It's a Toyota, 161,000 no issues, just keep going
Nancy, Monroe, LA, 12/27/2016
updated 06/27/2018
Toyota Highlander AWD 4dr SUV (3.0L 6cyl 4A)
9 of 12 people found this review helpful
Update, now has 187000 mi. Purchased a 2017 RAV4, but kept the 2003 Highlander. The 14yr old Highlander is yet a better car than the new RAV. More comfort, drives as well, better visibility. We should have taken a better look at the new Highlander. Downside to the 2013 and newer Highlander is it's size. Thought a RAV would be a bit smaller, but turns out the new RAV is a tiny bit larger than the 2003 Highlander. Should have looked at the completion for better comfort that the RAV does not have. This is a great car even for my short wife. Easy to maneuver, good visibility, plenty of room, decent MPG. Note that the 2003 had only a 4 sp transmission. There has been two remakes of the Highlander since each one larger than the last. We are about to upgrade and will go to a RAV 4. The current RAV 4, 2013 > are now about the same size as this earlier 2003 Highlander. In 161000 miles we have only had to have both rear wheel bearings replaced. No other repair. Update, we now are at 183000 miles in Dec 2017 and still only the one issue with the wheel bearings. This SUV just keeps going. We have purchased a 2017 RAV4 and it is not a Highlander! My personal take is that the 2003 Highlander still is my choice over the 2017 RAV. The wife likes the RAV because of the safety features which is a plus. But the seats in the older SUV are better than the newer car. Mind you nether are great, just adequate. The power of the RAV 4cyl is better than the V6 of the Highlander. I am sure this is due to the improved transmission. The visibility over the hood of the RAV is impaired by the ridge over the fenders. the Highlander had a nice smooth taper to the hood which gave better visibility. If your are short this is an issue. And since the driver seat only goes up about 2" plus it tilts forward ejecting you out of the seat. I would look at the other competitors in the RAV4 class next time. But it was the wife's car and in the correct color.
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Best of the best
laurag, 06/16/2010
Toyota Highlander AWD 4dr SUV (3.0L 6cyl 4A)
4 of 5 people found this review helpful
I purchased this used for a new sales position. I call it my office on wheels. I'm have over 140,000 miles on it and have had no repairs. Other than the oil and tires, it's been problem free. Runs and drives like brand new.
Me and My Highlander
Judy Heck, 10/22/2003
Toyota Highlander AWD 4dr SUV (3.0L 6cyl 4A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
My experience over the past year has been excellent. One of the first snow storms I was in happened in NY State where I found myself in 3 feet of snow. The car handled flawlessly. I had just traded in my Lexus LS400 two months before and am sure glad I was in the Highlander!
Love the Highlander
lioney111, 01/07/2003
Toyota Highlander AWD 4dr SUV (3.0L 6cyl 4A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Excellent handling, drives more like a car than a truck. Interior is spacious and airy, with plenty of backseat legroom when passenger side front seat is pulled back. Cargo area and ability to create cargo space a big plus; no hump in the center back seat floor so even tall items can be fit inside. The safety features work! Experienced a T- bone collision with full front hit from speeding 45 mph Honda sedan. Air bags deployed, engine dropped down as described in Toyota literature. No windows broke, we were able to walk away with minimal injury from the impact and seat belt/air bags working properly. Although totalled, I plan to get another Highlander.
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