2003 Toyota Highlander Engine Problems
- 40
- 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 40 stored complaint records:
- 1 indicate a crash
- 0 indicate injury
- 0 indicate fire
What owners report
- head gasket · 17 records
- head bolts · 15 records
- bolts stripped · 11 records
- temperature gauge · 8 records
- coolant leak · 8 records
- engine block · 7 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 100–150k mi | 26 |
| 60–100k mi | 11 |
| 150–400k mi | 2 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota highlander. The contact stated that while driving 45 mph, the temperature gauge increased suddenly. The vehicle was towed to a mechanic where the contact was advised that the motor bolt was stripped, causing the radiator to leak fluids and the engine to overheat. The contact was advised that the motor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made…
ODI 10512940
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota highlander. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 mph, the temperature gauge fluctuated then increased to max. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The mechanic stated that the engine had to be replaced because the bolts were stripped. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.
ODI 10496588
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota highlander. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 mph, the vehicle temperature increased. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis. The mechanic stated that the engine block bolts had stripped. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000. *tr
ODI 10504154
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota highlander. The contact stated that while driving 50 mph, the vehicle began to overheat. The temperature gauge increased however, the contact did not see any smoke or steam coming from under the hood. The contact allowed the vehicle to cool before resuming operation. The vehicle was towed to a mechanic for inspection where they advised that the engine bolts were stripped. The…
ODI 10490347
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota highlander. The contact stated that the vehicle overheated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for inspection and they stated that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 140,000. Updated 4/24/13 *cn the consumer stated a mechanic advised that 3 bolts were stripped out of the…
ODI 10499231
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota highlander. The contact stated while driving 25 mph, the vehicle began to overheat and coolant abnormally leaked from the engine. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis and the contact was informed that the engine would need replacing due to the head gasket not being able to be removed. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure and current mileages were…
ODI 10478739
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota highlander. The contact stated that she noticed red fluid leaking from the bottom of the vehicle. The vehicle was able to be driven to a private mechanic where it was confirmed that the head bolt on the engine failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been contacted. The failure and current mileages were 105,000. The vin was not available.
ODI 10475951
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota highlander. The contact was traveling between 65 and 70 mph when the air conditioner stopped emitting cool air and started emitting hot air. The vehicle was taken to a local repair shop. The repair shop stated that the engine needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 115,000. Updated 08/16/12*lj…
ODI 10467108
Engine
I was taking a short drive on the freeway and first my a/c started blowing hot air and then the engine overheated. My toddler was in the car and i had to get over to the side of the road quickly and was stranded. It was dangerous and scary. The mechanic said the head gasket blew and that i have to get a new engine because there is a defect in the materials in 2003 toyotas that means the screws won't stay in the…
ODI 10467261
Electrical System · Engine
While driving on the highway, the temperature gauge went above the half way mark and within 15 minutes of stopping and starting it approached the red but never actually went into the red zone. No dashboard lights ever went on to alert me to an engine problem. When stopped, it went above the half way mark and when driving it went down to the halfway mark. I got home ( 20 minutes later), i parked the car and drove it…
ODI 10465975
Engine
The incident occurred on a family road trip from chicago, il to hamilton, on, canada. After driving about 7 hours into the 8.5 hour trip, i noticed the check engine light appear and the temperature gauge rise to the very top. I immediately pulled over and assumed that there was not enough coolant to keep the engine cool, as it was a hot day. After several minutes, i restarted the car and noticed the temperature…
ODI 10465968
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota highlander. The contact stated that there was coolant was leaking from the fire wall. The contact attempted to contact the dealer to schedule a diagnostic test but the contact could not get a response. The contact then called the manufacturer regarding the failure and the manufacturer advised that the vehicle was no longer under warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure…
ODI 10482009
Engine
2003 highlander , 2.4 engine started leaking antifreeze on driveway. Pressure tested ok. Head gasket leaking due to stripped head bolts. Mechanic stated this is a common problem with the 2.4 engine. Usually between 80,000 & 120,000 miles. *tr repair estimated at $2000.
ODI 10460441
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota highlander. While traveling 55 mph, the contact noticed that the vehicle had began to overheat. After examining the vehicle, the contact noticed that the radiator was leaking from the bottom of the lower block. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle has not been repaired. The current and failure mileages…
ODI 10458337
Engine
I saw a small pool of a red-brown liquid on the garage floor, under the engine. I drove it to my mechanic and he thought it was a head gasket problem. The mechanic called the next day to say the head bolts in the engine block were stripped and the car was undriveable. This required an engine replacement. My mechanic stated that this never should have happened. The mechanic had checked online and called his engine…
ODI 10462842