Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 Toyota Highlander owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owned a 2003 Toyota Highlander. While the vehicle was in reverse, it accelerated independently. The contact stated that the brake pedal was depressed, but failed to effectively slow down the vehicle. The gear shifter button was pushed into drive and the vehicle sped forward and crashed into a tree. The air bags failed to deploy. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The failure recurred twice prior to the crash. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000. The vehicle was destroyed.
Dt*: the consumer hit a patch of black ice traveling at 45 MPH when approaching a stop sign; the vehicle proceeded through a stop sign striking another vehicle in the passenger side. The airbags did not deploy. The pre-braking was minimal due to the icy road conditions. Both occupants of the vehicle were wearing seat belts and sustained minor injuries. Police were on the scene and a report was taken. The vehicle sustained extensive damage, but was not totaled due to assessment of the insurance adjustor and the lack of airbag deployment. Prior to the accident, the airbag warning light illuminated in cold temperatures, but the vehicle was not seen by a dealer for this problem. Prior to the accident, the rear brakes and rotors were replaced. Updated 03/03/06. Updated
I have replaced the brakes in my 2003 Highlander in feb and aug 2008 complaining of squealing and occasional grinding. I returned in oct, nov and dec only to be told they hear no noise. I e-mailed the service mgr in jan 2009 and they picked up serviced & delivered the car to me. Within 24 hours I had grinding again. I was wondering if these are the same brakes they used on the 2004 Lexus. My husband was unable to stop last week and did tap the bumper of the car in front of us, fortunately their bumper was not a Toyota so it did not scratch like ours does.
Car was being driven slowly in traffic. When other cars stopped, the brakes were applied. Instead of stopping, the car continued forward, hitting another car. It seemed as though the brakes did not work. The car was taken to the dealer the next day to have the brakes evaluated. We were told that the repairman saw those kind of accidents all the time with anti-lock brakes. " you cannot hit them hard or they will fail".
I have an '03 Toyota Highlander. Brakes failed while parking causing me to crash into cement retaining wall. The brake pedal went all the way to the floor and the brakes failed to slow and stop. There is body damage and leaking fluids as a result. The car has been towed to a Toyota dealer. Brakes have yet to be evaluated. This has not happened before. Although the car was moving slowly I was injured upon impact.
Pulling into parking space the brakes did not stop the car even a that slow rate. My car hit the parked car in front of me causing substantial damage to that car and only moderate bumper damage to my vehicle. At other times the engine seems to power up while driving and this May have happened while trying to park when the accident happened.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that Toyota is placing new brake pads on vehicles which last longer, but get so hot that they warp the vehicle's rotors. She stated that formerly it would cost $60 to replace the brake pads, but now it costs $300, not including the replacement of the warped rotors. The warped rotors cause the steering wheel to shake uncontrollably when applying the brakes at 60 MPH or greater. The current and failure mileages were 58,400. On September 14, 2007, during an oil change,the dealer checked the tire tread and brake pads and the brake pads are operating normally. The contact stated that the vehicle is still shaking at 50mph because the rotors are damaged due to the front brake pads. The dealer and mechanic stated that the newly designed brake pads don't wear as fast; however, it causes friction and the rotors to warp. …
I have been the owner of my 2003 Toyota Highlander, for almost 8 years. I got it in nov.2008 at around the 69,000 mark. Since then, I have made sure that my car/baby has had the works in care, to keep the quality and value of the vehicle up. This would include:oil changes, new brakes, new tires, repairs of belts/filters etc, hoses, tune ups, great gas and car washes/body care. Most of this has been done by the dealership here in culver city ca. I've depended on them to tell me what was good/bad about my car and trusted them in doing so. I also made sure to do the repairs they suggested. Sometimes however they said it was fine, but would come to find out, I did have issues. This made me wonder if Toyota was trustworthy/doing their jobs right and now I feel the same lack of trust in my cars performance /current state. …
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 # [redacted]. 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.
I routinely have difficulty with my brakes on my 2003 Toyota Highlander. I brought the car to the dealer several times and they were never able to reproduce the problem. Just recently I discovered that the problem is cuased by my "big feet" - I am a size 14. If my foot is straight up and down the top of my shoe or boot rests against the metal bracket and I lose all the leverage on the brake. In essence - I have to stand on the brake to make the car stop. I now try to remember to keep my foot tilted to the side so that I only push on the rubber pad of the brake pedal. I don't believe that I should alter how I apply the brakes to get them to work. The brake pedal design needs to be changed. At least twice I have had near accidents when I had to stop suddenly and my reflex was to brake noramlly - not tilt my foot to the side. I entered the last date this occured.
Brake complaints in other Highlander years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2003 Toyota Highlander?
NHTSA has 33 complaints about the brakes of the 2003 Toyota Highlander, 13% of the model year's 258 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Toyota Highlander brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2003 Toyota Highlander, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2003 Toyota Highlander brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 94,000 miles, and 17% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 7 crashes, 0 fires and 5 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.