2003 Toyota Highlander Engine And Engine Cooling Problems
NHTSA component category: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
How engine and engine cooling ranks on this vehicle
Share of the 258 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2003 Toyota Highlander overview page.
What owners report
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER ON SHE NOTICED HOT AIR BEGAN TO FLOW FROM…”NHTSA complaint 10363877 — filed 11/03/2010
“2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 2.4L 4-CYLINDER ENGINE, 108,000 MILES, DEVELOPED COOLANT LEAK ON THE BACK SIDE OF THE TOP OF THE ENGINE, ADJACENT TO AN INSULATOR…”NHTSA complaint 10359418 — filed 10/06/2010
“VSC (VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL, INCLUDING ABS) & CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS HAVE BEEN TURNING ON INTERMITTENTLY ALMOST FROM THE START OF OUR OWNERSHIP OF THIS 2003…”NHTSA complaint 10355107 — filed 09/12/2010
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints by year filed
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2003 Toyota Highlander have engine and engine cooling problems?
Engine And Engine Cooling is the #2 most-reported problem area on the 2003 Toyota Highlander: 26 of 258 complaints on file (10.1%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.
How many complaints does the 2003 Toyota Highlander have in total?
258 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 33 involved a crash, 1 involved a fire, 11 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.
What does NHTSA's engine and engine cooling category include?
NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.
