Six problems related to brake light on have been reported for the 2003 Toyota Highlander. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2003 Toyota Highlander based on all problems reported for the 2003 Highlander.
Driver side rear brake lights will not illuminate even when you depress your brakes even after you replace bulb and light socket. Right side rear is ok. I have looked online and it appears other 2003-2006 Highlanders are having similar issues. Some on right side and others on left like myself.
Right side (passenger) brake lights do not light bright when brakes are applied, driver of another car almost hit our vehicle when turning right on to main road. Our car was stopping, but other driver did not see our brake lights on the passenger side as they were not working. . . The left (drivers) side works fine, but was not visable to the other driver. This seems to be an on going problem with 2002-2007 Toyota Highlanders, dealer said no recall was issued? this is a real safety issue that could be fatal. Not to mention the cost of a ticket for having a defective brake light. There are many other Toyota Highlander owners that have experienced the same problem with no recourse from Toyota. Just google "Toyota 2003 Highlander brake light problem" time to issue a recall for safety issues.
Like thousands of other 2003 Toyota Highlanders only the right side brake light will illuminate when the brake pedal is pressed.
I have a 2003 Highlander. When I press the brake, only the driver side of the tail/brake light becomes brighter. When the lights are on, the bulbs illuminate on the passenger side but they do not get brighter when the brake is pressed. When the lights are off, the brake lights do not illuminate on the passenger side. I saw the same problem today on a Highlander just like mine.
Brake light bulb burns out periodically.
Toyota Highlanders SUV brake lights for years 2002-2003 has a serious issue with either the left or right brake lighting. My wife's 2003 Toyota limited edition Highlander right rear brake light stop working on 25 June 2010. After reading and learning many other Toyota Highlanders owners are having the same issue, I had to submit this, since Toyota has not announced a recall for this problem. . Read more...