NHTSA model-year recall report

2003 Toyota Highlander Recalls

2 campaigns in our verified NHTSA snapshot, with source consequences, remedies, and VIN-specific next steps.

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NHTSA campaigns

Affected systems

Urgent advisories

Apr 15, 2004

Latest campaign date

At a glance

What the record says

This model year's count is below the Toyota Highlander average of 5.0 campaigns per listed year. That is context only—not proof that this year is safer or less safe.

The most frequent affected category is Latches / Locks / Linkages › Doors › Latch, appearing in 1 campaign.

1
Read
Review every campaign and urgent instruction below.
2
Verify
Check your exact VIN with NHTSA or the manufacturer.
3
Repair
Contact an authorized dealer if a campaign applies.

Source campaign records

All 2003 Toyota Highlander recall campaigns

Shown newest first. NHTSA summary, consequence, and remedy text is preserved without truncation.

NHTSA campaign 04V181000

Latches / Locks / Linkages › Doors › Latch

Manufacturer: TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Reported Apr 15, 2004

What is recalled

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES HAVE A CHILD PROTECTION LOCK (CPL) SYSTEM ON BOTH OF THE REAR SIDE DOORS. WHEN AN OPERATOR OF THE VEHICLE CLOSES THE DOOR VERY HARD WITH THE CPL LEVER SET TO THE LOCK POSITION, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE LEVER MAY CONTACT THE BODY PANEL, CAUSING THE CPL LEVER TO MOVE INTO THE UNLOCK POSITION.

Safety consequence

THIS CONDITION COULD ALLOW THE DOOR TO BE OPENED WITH THE INSIDE WHILE THE OPERATOR BELIEVES THAT THE CPL WAS ACTIVATED. IF THE DOOR WERE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, AN OCCUPANT COULD FALL OUT AND BE INJURED.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL SHORTEN THE CPL LEVER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 7, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

Campaign history does not confirm applicability or repair status for one VIN.

Campaign details

NHTSA campaign 02V339000

Wheels

Manufacturer: SOUTHEAST TOYOTA DISTRIBUTORS

Reported Dec 17, 2002

What is recalled

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FIVE FACTORY ALLOY WHEELS (MODEL 6934 AND 6936), WITH FACTORY LLAT, AND WITH PORT INSTALLED WR4, FOUR ALLOY WHEEL UPGRADE PROCESSED AT THE JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA PORT AND DISTRIBUTED BY SOUTHEAST TOYOTA DISTRIBUTORS IN THE STATES OF ALABAMA, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, NORTH AND SOUTH CAROLINA, WHEN THE VEHICLES WERE PROCESSED AT THE PORT, AN ALLOY TIRE/WHEEL UPGRADE WAS INSTALLED. THE UPGRADE INCLUDED 4 ALLOY WHEELS. THE ORIGINAL SPARE TIRE/ALLOY WHEEL WAS NOT CHANGED. THE SPARE TIRE REQUIRES THE USE OF A DIFFERENT STYLE OF WHEEL NUT TO ATTACH IT TO THE VEHICLE.

Safety consequence

IF THE SPARE TIRE/WHEEL IS INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE USING THE WHEEL NUTS PROVIDED FOR THE UPGRADE ALLOY WHEEL, DAMAGE TO THE WHEEL COULD RESULT AND COULD EVENTUALLY LEAD TO A LOOSE WHEEL.

Manufacturer remedy

OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH DIFFERENT STYLE LUG NUTS, A WARNING LABEL FOR THE SPARE RE/ALLOY WHEEL, AND AN OWNER'S MANUAL ADDENDUM.

Campaign history does not confirm applicability or repair status for one VIN.

Campaign details

Other Toyota Highlander model years

Compare campaign histories within the same model. Counts are descriptive, not a safety grade.

20253 campaigns 20247 campaigns 20239 campaigns 20225 campaigns 20214 campaigns 20204 campaigns 20193 campaigns 20185 campaigns 20174 campaigns 20163 campaigns

View all model years

Other 2003 Toyota recall reports

2003 Toyota Corolla13 campaigns 2003 Toyota Tundra10 campaigns 2003 Toyota Sequoia7 campaigns 2003 Toyota Tacoma5 campaigns 2003 Toyota 4RUNNER3 campaigns 2003 Toyota Matrix3 campaigns

2003 Toyota Highlander recall questions

How many recalls does the 2003 Toyota Highlander have?

This verified dataset contains 2 NHTSA campaigns associated with the 2003 Toyota Highlander. A campaign can apply to some, not all, vehicles of the same model year.

Does this confirm an open recall for my 2003 Toyota Highlander?

No. This page is a model-year campaign history. Use NHTSA's official lookup or an authorized dealer to confirm whether a campaign applies to your exact VIN and whether the repair remains open.

Are vehicle recall repairs free?

When a safety recall campaign applies to your VIN, the manufacturer remedy is generally provided at no charge through an authorized dealer. Confirm eligibility and scheduling with the manufacturer or dealer.

Source: NHTSA. Dataset includes campaigns through Jul 30, 2026. Last processed Aug 8, 2026. Methodology