general problems of the 2003 Toyota Highlander

Check engine light keeps reporting an issue and despite takata recall - spending thousands of dollars on coded repairs, the light comes back on. I have spent numerous dollars to replace cat converter, 2 sets of injectors, fuel pump, on and on. . . . . . Within 2 days, the light is back on. I saw a service campaign release 12/6/2006, but my 4 cylinder Highlander VIN does not show up on your list. Next would be a class action suit for lost monies?.

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.

Driver side rear brakes will not illuminate after you depress your brakes. Replaced bulb and socket that houses bulb and will not work. Check online for similar issues and read reports of 2002-2006 Highlanders having either left or right side rear not working.

Parking light is not functioning, will not be able to drive at night. Safety issue.

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.

Clarification from previous submission (10/21/14). . . . . . . Heating system blows cold air intermittently when the heat is on. The system was cleaned, worked well to a short time. Within two weeks the problem returned. The mechanic noted this was a common problem with the heating control panels of the early model Toyota's. Safety factor: this is hazardous in the winter, as the windows become foggy resulting in the limited visibility especially while the vehicle is in motion. ¿ ¿.

We have had unreliable operation of the driver-side brake light for some time (approximate incident date above was for most recent incident). . Read more...

The rear left brake light does not work despite having replaced the bulb and fuse.

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.

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 the next day to the Toyota dealer ( 8 minutes away from my house). It did not go above the halfway mark at this time. Fyi, all maintenance and check ups have always been on time and done at this dealer. The dealer called later that day and informed me that the head gasket was bad and in order to see what else may be damaged, it would cost $550. Just to investigate into to head cylinder and the engine. The $550. Would be applied to any repairs. The next business day, the dealer called to tell me that the bolts of the head cylinder were stripped and the threads were in the block. I would need a new short block at the cost of $6,375. 00 plus tax. All due to the overheating incident, which had never happened before.

Brake light bulb burns out periodically.

Temp (hot/cold) dial electrical short. Temp setting continuously fails to hold set temp & blows opposite of setting. Fear of electrical fire plus unable to defrost windshield for good visibility. Feel there should be a recall or some help on this item as after investigating I found that one dealership replaced 1,100 last year and has replace several already this year. I wouldn't have a problem except the failed switch can not be replace the whole assembly has to be replaced and that part cost $669. 00 plus labor to install. Being a single mom I don't have that kind of money and truly feel this is a safety issue due to the possibility of fire and not being able to defrost properly.