Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
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).
For the last year, the driver's sun visor on my 2003 Toyota Highlander limited has been loose and does not stay up - it is especially loose during warmer weather. The visor will fall down in front of the driver's face, especially when going over bumps or rough roads. This is extremely dangerous and a safety hazard which could lease to a serious incident. I have mentioned this twice while bringing my vehicle for maintenance and have been told it cannot be repaired and I would have to buy a new visor. Last week I spoke with the parts department and was told this is common and a new visor cost more than $700 because it has the homelink. It was suggested I get a visor without homelink for around $70. While this is affordable, I would then lose the homelink feature, which was part of my decision-making to buy the Highlander. …
On the way home from the dealer we opened the rear windows slightly. The result was a pulsating pressure painful to the ears of all occupants. Increasing speed increased the painful effect we later learned was something experienced by all highlanders from 2001. The dealer said it was the "first" he heard of this phenomenon. Toyota customer relations said they were aware this happens when you open rear window(s) in a Highlander and agrees that it should have been disclosed to us giving us an opportunity to purchase another model instead. At this point this condition is totally unacceptable and the dealer is giving us no indication they are going to do anything but hope I give up. To purchase a car for $30,000+ and be told not to open the windows is absurd. It is unfortunate I am being forced to go to arbitration when the car has such low mileage. …
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.
Sunday 8/1/10 the drivers' side visor in our 2003 Toyota Highlander was fine. Monday 8/2/10 when attempting to position the visor it would flop down and hang in a vertical position obstructing the drivers view of the road, you could not bend it back against the windshield. It blocks the driver's view making it unusable and unsafe. I went to the Toyota dealer to have it repaired. The dealer claimed that it could not be repaired and that a replacement would cost over $700 dollars. The attachment is where the problem is. They claimed they couldn't fix it. This is a clear safety issue and I feel that Toyota should be responsible for its repair.
On the Toyota Highlander from at least 2002 through current models the driver's side sun visor fails to stay in the forward detent position. When the failure occurs, the visor falls to the vertical position, blocking the driver's view of the road unexpectedly. This causes confusion and distraction which potentially could cause loss of control of the vehicle with damage and injury or death resulting. This has been reported to Toyota by me and according to google searches by numerous persons. Toyota denies any problem exists.
Have an 2003 Toyota Highlander that I bought new. Have used sun visors on a regular basis, as they were intended to be used. The driver side sun visor keeps falling down and blocking my view. This particularly happens when any bump in the road is run over. This creates a hazard due to limiting my sight. I have attempted to fix by tightening the bolts that hold the visor to the ceiling and by using velcro to hold the visor to the roof. Neither of these worked...the velcro will not stick to the ceiling roof.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that the driver's side sun visor broke and blocked her visibility. The contact also stated that the failure occurred several times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the visor assembly needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 42,000 and the current mileage was 68,000. Updated 05/24/12
The driver's sun visor of my 2003 Highlander does not stay in its proper place. In internet forums this seems to be a prevailing safety issue. Some say the visor flaps down when the Highlander hits a bump. This can be a potential safety issue. It has startled some drivers and is disconcerting to others. A new visor would cost over $625 to replace, which some have done only to find that in 3 to 4 months, the same thing occurs. Toyota does not warrant the visor.
Right passenger window automatically rolled all the way down and the electronic controls for the window failed to work. We were unable to close the window. This occurred during a wind and rain storm resulting in rain getting in the car and a serious safety issue for passengers in the car. Luckily, the car was not moving at the time of the occurrence. A mechanic determined there was a complete failure of the window regulator motor and replaced it.
Toyota Highlander 2003 sun visor safety issue. The sun visor of my vehicle has a safety hazard. I had it replaced for a new one, and the problem came back again. The sun visor on the driver side with homelinked/lighted on it. It does not stay up and it blocks my view when I am driving. I noticed on the internet that many people had the same issues with this sun visor. The Toyota refused to replace it. Andy nguyen
Window & Wiper complaints in other Highlander years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 2003 Toyota Highlander?
NHTSA has 28 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 2003 Toyota Highlander, 11% of the model year's 258 complaints. The component named most often is power window devices and controls (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Toyota Highlander window & wiper problems?
No. NHTSA lists no windows, wipers & sunroof 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 window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 95,000 miles, and 14% before 25,000 miles.
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.