2003 Toyota Highlander Engine Problems
- 14
- 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.
What owners report
- head gasket · 7 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 60–100k mi | 6 |
| 100–150k mi | 4 |
| 150–400k mi | 2 |
| 1–30k mi | 1 |
| 30–60k mi | 1 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Engine
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 toyota highlander. The vehicle had a head gasket water leak. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that the head gasket was blown and it would cost $2500 to be repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage 126,000.
ODI 10368468
Engine
My 2003 toyota highlander's temp gauge started going toward the h while driving about 30 mph. I turned the heat on in the car and that made the gauge go back down to normal. I took the car to a toyota dealership where i was told my head gasket was blown and i needed a new engine for about $8000! I took the car to an independent mechanic that told me the engine itself was fine but 3 bolts on the head gasket were…
ODI 10366566
Engine
2003 toyota highlander with 110,000 miles started to overheat and lose coolant. Took it to dealership and learned that the cylinder head bolts had come loose due to the holes in the block being stripped. Toyota estimated $3000 to take the block out to a machinist to bore new holes, but if that didn't work it would cost $6000 to replace the block. I then took the car to a private mechanic who said it would cost $9600…
ODI 10363818
Engine
Tl-* the contact owns a 2003 toyota highlander. While traveling 55 mph, the contact noticed that the temperature gauge was indicating that the vehicle was running hot. After examining the vehicle, the contact discovered coolant leaking from the rear of the cylinder block. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic where z taps were installed inside of the engine. The current and failure mileage was 155,000.
ODI 10350019
Engine · Engine And Engine Cooling
My wife's truck began leaking coolant. I was told the head gasket was blown. I paid nearly $1600 for the repairs. A year later, the coolant is leaking. When the head was pulled, the thread stripped out on 3 bolts. I found the same complaint numerous times on this website and on others. At this point, the options are thread inserts that may work or a new engine! At this point, i have been attempting to get help from…
ODI 10334135
Engine
Toyota highlander 2003 2.4 liter, blown head gasket due to stripped threads on the short block engine. *tr
ODI 10327995
Engine
I have a 2003 toyota highlander with only 97,000 miles that keeps "over heating". I have replaced everything under the hood except the engine. This problem started around nov. 2009. I have read other blogs that have the same complaint and it appears to be the "bolts on the engine are stripped/defected" and allows the coolant to leak out causing overheating. One blog i read stated he had the "blots" replaced and the…
ODI 10342039
Engine
This pertains to my wife's 2003 toyota highlander suv, 4 cylinder engine. On friday, august 28, 2009, while driving she noticed the temperature gage on the dashboard was high. She drove the car home and checked the coolant level. It was extremely low. She refilled the coolant and didn't drive the suv until she went to her appointment on wednesday, september 9, 2009 with the hawaii toyota dealer servco's motor…
ODI 10284920
Engine
Engine overheated. Service dept diagnosed bad head gasket. Discovered stripped threads in the block for two rear head bolts. Service dept attempted repair with rethreaded helicoil but would not hold. Engine replacement is required. *tr
ODI 10276375
Cooling System · Engine
The suv was out of coolant & water and my husband take the car to the dealer to check this problem and for regular maintenance (the car only has received service at the dealer, except for tires). The diagnostic was that the shock block has it threads separated from the screws (or bolts). The engine has to be removed in order to change the shock block. The repair has cost $4701.31, because it was also recommended to…
ODI 10267447
Engine
Engine head bolts on 2003 toyota highlander became loose; threads had worn off on 2 or 3 bolts that hold the top of the engine to the main engine block. Vehicle has been well-maintained; 87,000 miles. Repair requires new engine block at cost of $6,400. Appears to be manufacturing defect - engine bolts should not come loose. Toyota refuses to provide any assistance in repair. Vehicle overheated and was towed to…
ODI 10264159
Cooling System · Engine · Engine And Engine Cooling
While driving on the highway, my engine temp in my 4 cyl, 4wd 2003 highlander suddenly spiked high. I had to pull of the road. Towed to dealer. Dealer said bolts on short block of engine were stripped and allowed coolant to leak out and engine overheated. I was at 68,000 miles, so over the warranty period. I took it to my local dealer and they said i had a bad water pump...i paid to have that fixed, but the car…
ODI 10268801
Engine
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 toyota highlander. While driving at an unknown speed, the check engine light illuminated. Two to three months later, the contact received a recall notice regarding the engine. Toyota repaired the vehicle. The current mileage was 50,000 and failure mileage was 40,000.
ODI 10207905
Engine
A few months after the purchase of my new 2003 toyota highlander, it has developed a pronounced "ticking" sound within the engine. I am concerned that this could mean that a problem is developing, and it is also an annoying sound in an otherwise quiet vehicle. I am going to report this to toyota via their web site. This vehicle cost me almost $35k and i do not feel that this problem is insignificant nor should be…
ODI 10064456