2003 Toyota Highlander Suspension Problems
6 owner-reported suspension complaints from NHTSA data
Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.
Owner Complaints (6)
Your rear forward control arm broke in half while driving normally. The manufacturer used a hollow shaft design for this part, which may be inadequate. This creates a potential safety risk where your rear axle or wheel could be lost while driving.
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2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER - 109, 032 MILES I WAS TOLD THAT THE ENGINE SUB-FRAME WAS ROTTED/RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED FOR SAFETY REASONS. I WAS TOLD THE COST TO REPLACE IT WOULD BE $1,865.00. I HAVE CONTACTED THE LOCAL TOYOTA SERVICE MANAGER TO SEE IF TOYOTA WOULD HELP OR COVER THE COST OF THE REPLACEMENT. I'M WAITING TO HEAR FROM THEM. *TR
RUSTED AXEL RING. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THERE WAS A DRUMMING NOISE FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE VACUUM HOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. AFTER LEAVING THE DEALER, THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN. ANOTHER DEALER STATED THAT THE TIRES WERE WORN. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS AWAITING A RETURN CALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 92,000.
VSC (VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL, INCLUDING ABS) & CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS HAVE BEEN TURNING ON INTERMITTENTLY ALMOST FROM THE START OF OUR OWNERSHIP OF THIS 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER V6 AWD LIMITED AND AFTER COSTLY REPAIRS AT THE DEALER THEY ARE STILL ON CONTINUOUSLY. LAST TIME (MAY-JUNE 2010) DEALER REPLACED FRONT BRAKE PADS & ROTORS; REAR AXLES AND SPEED SENSORS AND NOW WANTS TO REPLACE ADDITIONAL COMPONENTS THAT DO NOT APPEAR CONNECTED. FIRST TIME CAR WAS SERVICED UNDER WARRANTY AT DEALER AND THAT TOO DID NOT LAST FOR LONG. TOYOTA CAR SATISFACTION CENTER HAS NOT BEEN HELPFULL. CASE # [XXX]. FORD HAS ISSUED A RECALL FOR SIMILAR ISSUE RECENTLY: 10S13 FOR REAR AXLE BREAKAGE IN THE SNOW BELT! TOYOTA REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE ISSUE AND INTERNET HAS MANY DISCUSSIONS ON TOPIC. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
REAR LEFT STRUT SPINDLE ATTACHMENT BOLT (BOLT ADJUST WHEEL TILT) BROKE IN HALF AT CAM. *TR