Overview & Reviews

There are no changes for the Highlander this year.

• Roomy cabin, carlike ride and handling, clean styling.

• Gets expensive quickly, limited towing and off-road ability.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 305.00

• 

  Mechanically reliable, no frills vehicle. - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By j_ash - June 29 - 6:06 am

  I bought my 03 about two years ago with about 70k miles. I had to replace the HVAC blower motor (approx $250) because of an annoying rattle. Aside from that issue Ive had no other machanical problems at 115k. I will say that the front seat is uncomfortable and is ill suited to long drives. The cabin materials in general are cheaper than other cars Ive owned in the past. The carpet is super thin and the leather is of substandard quality in my opinion. A good car if you dont care about the ugly, cheap interior.nion. Not a bad car if you dont care about the interior.

• 

  Lemon. Well almost. - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By javax - December 8 - 2:00 am

  At 13000 miles, cheap interior started making noise. Globe compartment rattles, the clicking noise from passenger door, anoying rattle from the drivers side rear door, and ticking noise from under the hood (plastic trims that holds the windshield). They are all snap-on plastic pieces. Futhermore, the engine light and VSC light come on and stay on. Also, a few times, as I start the vehicle, the engine stalled. We I had a Ford Explore before this vehicle and I regret that I traded it in with this one at 70000 mi. What an expensive mistake I made... Sorry Ford, I will buy yours next again.

• 

  Blown Head Gasket Engine 4cyl Bad News - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By toml1958 - June 1 - 5:26 am

  Beware of the dreaded code stating leakage in exhaust system, for this is an idication of the head gasket going and leaking coolant. Upon further review it is found thatrear head bolts are stripped due to excessive heat most like caused by foam insulator pad between plastic intake manifold and engine. Some say engine is toast, but the fix rec. is a time sert insert kit (approx $500 helicoil) with drill guide. Mine is to be currently repaired at about a total cost of $2,900.00 as long as the helicoil kit holds the head bolt torque, we will see? It is a design flaw in my opinion as it seems to be a regular issue with the four cylinder Highlanders approx.2001-2005? Failure was at 160,000 mi.

• 

  Stripped Head-Bolts - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By lsthkr - February 5 - 3:42 pm

  Never had a problem with this vehicle until Jan 25 2011 as I was driving across town. Coolant leak brought me to a dead stop. I discovered a common problem with this engine (2.4L 4cyl). Just Google Highlander stripped head-bolts to see how many of these engines are dying and how expensive the fix is. Mine had only 126,000 miles on it. I am the original owner. The dealer will not help with repair costs even though this is a manufacturing and or design issue.

• 

  Vanilla - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By DV - May 27 - 3:56 pm

  Ive owned the Highlander for five years now and have never gotten used to the exterior styling. Its about as vanilla (plain) as they come. The interior is well done, however, and the car provides a very comfortable ride, although its a bit noisy at highway speed. Reliability and quality are good - just as one might expect from Toyota. However, if youre looking for good styling and a powerful, fun car to drive this is not it - nor is any Toyota for that matter. The car lacks style and horsepower and has no towing capacity. Most importantly, it lacks rear interior space and can only carry four to five adults. (Only small children can fit in the optional rear seat.)

• 

  Brakes are too soft - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By silverbox - November 12 - 2:00 am

  I am still trying to figure out why the brakes are so soft... This is not an offroad vehicle that needs this type of feature. Am I the only one with this problem b/c the dealer will hear about this. I do feel safe stopping at a light with the possibility that i may hit the car in front unless i stop much further back than a reasonable distance...

• 

  Pretty Good - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By Pilotboy03 - June 3 - 2:00 am

  The highlander is a wonderful viecle with a very nice ride, toyota build quality and reliability and good fuel economy for its class. Although I was dissapointed that the car is extreamely boreing to drive, bland and although toyota is known for its great looks on its SUVs this one is a dissapointment. Although its interior design is great the exterior design looks weak and to soft. A good alternate for this viecle is the Honda Pilot More room, a lil more power and much more rugged exterior looks with the same level of refinement.

• 

  2003 highlander Engine Failure 147,000 miles Coolant leak - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By anderswl - February 18 - 12:02 pm

  Just like others I have read on this site, my 2003 run hot and after having it towed for service and repair I was told the engine needs to be replaced. The cost for the re-built engine was $6,400 - $8,500 depending on who you called. Very disappointed in the built strong organization I put so much trust in.