2003 Toyota Highlander I4 FWD
All photo credits
- Photo: 2004 Toyota Highlander Limited in Black Onyx, Front Left, 05-06-2023 by Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 2006 Toyota Highlander Limited Hybrid, Rear Left, 02-19-2021 by SsmIntrigue, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid in Sonora Gold Metallic, rear left, 07-04-2026 by Cutlass, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
The 2003 Toyota Highlander I4 FWD is a 155-hp 2.4-liter inline-4 SUV with a 4-speed ect automatic and front-wheel drive. It starts at $23,880 MSRP and is rated at 22 mpg combined.
It makes 155 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 163 lb-ft of torque at 4000 rpm. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 19 mpg city and 25 mpg highway (22 mpg combined).
The Highlander measures 184.4 inches long on a 106.9-inch wheelbase.
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Vehicle | |
| Body Type | SUV |
| Powertrain | Gas |
| Price | |
| MSRP | $23,880 ($42,179 *) |
| MSRP with Destination | $24,390 ($43,080 *) |
| Destination Charge | $510 |
| Engine | |
| Engine Type | 2AZ-FE 2.4L DOHC 16-valve VVT-i inline-4 |
| Displacement | 2.4 L |
| Horsepower | 155 hp @ 5,600 rpm |
| Torque | 163 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm |
| Valvetrain | DOHC 16-valve VVT-i |
| Bore and Stroke | 88.5 x 96 |
| Compression Ratio | 9.6:1 |
| Injection Type | Sequential multi-port EFI |
| Drivetrain | |
| Drive Type | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Transmission | |
| Transmission | 4-speed ECT automatic |
| Fuel Economy | |
| City | 19 MPG |
| Highway | 25 MPG |
| Combined | 22 MPG |
| Recommended Fuel | Regular Unleaded |
| Suspension | |
| Front Suspension | Independent MacPherson strut with stabilizer bar |
| Rear Suspension | Independent MacPherson strut with stabilizer bar |
| Brakes | |
| Front Brake Disc | Ventilated disc |
| Rear Brake Disc | Solid disc |
| Tires & Wheels | |
| Wheels Front | 16 in. |
| Wheels Rear | 16 in. |
| Tires Front | P225/70R16 |
| Tires Rear | P225/70R16 |
| Dimensions & Weight | |
| Length | 184.4 in |
| Width | 71.9 in |
| Height | 66.1 in |
| Wheelbase | 106.9 in |
| Ground Clearance | 6.9 in |
| Cargo Volume | 38.5 ft³ |
| Interior | |
| Headroom Front | 40 in |
| Headroom Rear | 39.8 in |
| Legroom Front | 40.7 in |
| Legroom Rear | 36.4 in |
| Shoulder Room Front | 57.9 in |
| Shoulder Room Rear | 57 in |
| Hip Room Front | 55.1 in |
| Hip Room Rear | 54.9 in |
Similar cars
Rivals to the 2003 Toyota Highlander I4 FWD with similar size, power and price from around the same years.
Safety & Recalls
NCAP safety ratings
| Overall | Not rated |
| Frontal crash | Not rated |
| Frontal – driver | ★★★★★ |
| Frontal – passenger | ★★★★★ |
| Side crash | Not rated |
| Rollover | ★★★★★ |
Recalls
2 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2003 Toyota HIGHLANDER. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Apr 15, 2004 · LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
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.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL SHORTEN THE CPL LEVER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 7, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
NHTSA campaign 04V181000
Dec 17, 2002 · WHEELS
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.
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.
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.
NHTSA campaign 02V339000
270 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 2003 Toyota HIGHLANDER
Owner Complaints
270 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2003 Toyota HIGHLANDER (34 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 11 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 48 |
| Engine | 42 |
| Service Brakes | 34 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 31 |
| Visibility | 31 |
| Hydraulic | 22 |
Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.
Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.