1. Toyota Highlander
  2. Problems
  3. 2003
  4. Power Train

2003 Toyota Highlander Power Train Problems

7
Owner complaint records in our dataset

Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.

Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.

Among these 7 stored complaint records:

  • 3 indicate a crash
  • 0 indicate injury
  • 0 indicate fire

Mileage in stored records

BandRecords
60–100k mi4
1–30k mi1
150–400k mi1

Complaint records

Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.

  • May 2, 2017 · 175,000 miles

    Power Train

    Takata recall transmission slips in reverse surge in reverse after slip

    ODI 10991076

  • June 15, 2014 · 78,000 miles

    Engine · Power Train

    Noticed white smoke coming out of the tailpipe in june. Then i noticed reddish/pink fluid accumulating on garage floor in july. Took it in assuming either a coolant or transmission fluid leak. Toyota told me i needed a new engine because the back headbolts were stripped and the head gasket was blown. All this was determined without removing valve cover and cams, but instead because it's a known issue. Many owners…

    ODI 10626722

  • July 19, 2013 · 77,867 miles

    Engine · Power Train

    I was backing my car from across the street. After shifting to drive, my car jumped back in reversed full speed crash in to my garage. I had my foot on the brake but wouldn't stop till it hit my garage wall. *tr

    Crash reported

    ODI 10532286

  • May 15, 2012 · 62,000 miles

    Body · Power Train

    On april 15, 2013 while parking my 2003 toyota highlander all of a sudden my car accelerated while shifting from reverse to drive while i was parking. Suddenly my car took off with the engine full speed to red line on the tachometer in a space of four feet it jumped the parking block and smashed into the center block wall with my foot on the brake. The damage to my car was $2000.00. This was the second time this has…

    Crash reported

    ODI 10510786

  • January 1, 2010 · 65,000 miles

    Driveline · Power Train

    2003 v6 awd toyota highlander front to rear drive shaft failure (propeller shaft). *tr

    ODI 10310487

  • October 16, 2009 · 23,270 miles

    Power Train

    I pulled into a parking space at a shopping center near my home, then backed up a few feet in order to straighten my car. When i put the transmission into drive, the car suddenly surged forward entirely on its own, striking the concrete barrier a few feet in front of my car. I did not accelerate, there were no floor mats on the driver's side, and the force threw me against the steering wheel. A witness ran over to…

    Crash reported

    ODI 10315318

  • July 6, 2007

    Power Train · Traction Control System

    Gentlemen: i am writing you this e-mail because there is a problem with my car that is not only irritating, but is potentially dangerous to all who own a full time four-wheel drive toyota highlander. My highlander is a 2003, and although we were promised full time four-wheel drive when we bought it, we found out later to our horror that it is not. When driving down a paved highway, all four wheels are driving. This…

    ODI 10266309