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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
6 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
5 / 0
Average Mileage:
94,327 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2003 Toyota Highlander seat belts / air bags problems

seat belts / air bags problem

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2003 Toyota Highlander Owner Comments

problem #8

Sep 302019

Highlander

  • 126,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Head on collision air bags did not deploy speeds 25-40 mph

- Fort Pierce, FL, USA

problem #7

Sep 172019

Highlander

  • 216,616 miles
I was in motion when we hit a cow going 45mph that jumped out at my husband and I my air bags did not deploy the car is totaled was city street

- Franklin, GA, USA

problem #6

May 282007

Highlander

  • 40,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Highlander. While driving various speeds, the contact felt lightheaded and crashed into a light pole. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact did not sustain injuries. A police report was filed. The vehicle was driven to the contact's residence. The vehicle was later taken to an insurance lot where the vehicle was repaired for the body damage. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired for the air bag failure. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000.

- Copiague, NY, USA

problem #5

Dec 292016

Highlander 6-cyl

  • 150,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

problem #4

Nov 212016

Highlander

  • 148,000 miles
During a wreck airbags did not deploy when I hit an unmarked utility pole in the roadway of a parking lot exit.

- White Pine, TN, USA

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problem #3

Jan 011994

Highlander

  • 7,000 miles
In very cold Maine temperatures, after the vehicle has set unused all night, the airbag warning light comes on in the morning when the vehicle is started. This also happens in very warm temperatures after vehicle has set unused all night. After the vehicle has run a short while and warmed up or cooled down, the airbag signal warning goes off.

- Waterville, ME, USA

problem #2

Oct 272014

Highlander 6-cyl

  • miles
I purchased my vehicle in 2003 in California. In 2005 I moved to North port, Florida. I have seen on the media that if I live in a humid area, my air bags are unsafe. I went to www.safercar.gov and entered my VIN# I was told my car has "no recalls".

- North Port, FL, USA

problem #1

Nov 272005

Highlander 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 67,000 miles
: 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

- Schuyler Falls, NY, USA

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