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2003 Toyota Highlander

US · SUV · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

The 2003 Toyota Highlander is listed in the US market as a suv with gasoline power. Every figure below carries the source it came from, and anything our sources do not publish is left out rather than estimated.

Engine
Varies by configuration: 2.4L 4-cylinder, 3.0L 6-cylinder
Transmission
4-speed automatic
Drivetrain
Varies by configuration: FWD, AWD
Fuel
Gasoline
Economy
18 mpg (13.1 L/100 km) to 22 mpg (10.7 L/100 km) combined
Generic outline for this body type. An illustration, not a photograph.
Specifications at a Glance

Key Figures

Units:
Engine / Powertrain
2.4L 4-cylinder, 3.0L 6-cylinder
Combined Economy
18 mpg (13.1 L/100 km) to 22 mpg (10.7 L/100 km) combined
Drivetrain
FWD, AWD
Transmission
4-speed automatic
Market: US·Switch units to convert the figures shown.
Compare 2003 Toyota Highlander ↗

Engine

Engine
SpecificationValueSource
EngineVaries by configuration: 2.4L 4-cylinder, 3.0L 6-cylinder
Displacement2.4 L to 3.0 L
Cylinders4 to 6
Fuel typeGasoline

Transmission and drivetrain

Transmission and drivetrain
SpecificationValueSource
TransmissionAutomatic
Gears4
DrivetrainVaries by configuration: FWD, AWD

Fuel economy and range

Fuel economy and range
SpecificationValueSource
Combined18 mpg (13.1 L/100 km) to 22 mpg (10.7 L/100 km)
City16 mpg (14.7 L/100 km) to 19 mpg (12.4 L/100 km)
Highway21 mpg (11.2 L/100 km) to 25 mpg (9.4 L/100 km)

Our sources do not publish these for this vehicle: Aspiration, Power, Torque, Electric range, Battery capacity. We leave them out instead of estimating.

Trims and configurations

4 configurations listed by our sources. Engines, drivetrains and fuel economy can differ between them.

Recalls

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. Last checked November 4, 2026.

  • 04V181000: 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.

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

    Reported April 15, 2004. View on NHTSA

  • 02V339000: 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…

    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.

    Reported December 17, 2002. View on NHTSA

Data sources

  • EPA fueleconomy.gov · retrieved November 9, 2026 · US Government public data
  • NHTSA vPIC · retrieved October 18, 2026 · US Government public data

Source checked: November 9, 2026

Data verified: November 9, 2026

Specifications can vary by market, trim, configuration and production date. Confirm with the manufacturer before buying parts or making safety decisions. Report an error.

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Frequently asked questions

What engine does the 2003 Toyota Highlander have?

Varies by configuration: 2.4L 4-cylinder, 3.0L 6-cylinder. Engines can differ by trim, so check the trim list below.

What is the fuel economy of the 2003 Toyota Highlander?

Combined fuel economy is 18 mpg (13.1 L/100 km) to 22 mpg (10.7 L/100 km), as published by the source shown in the specification table.

Is the 2003 Toyota Highlander front-wheel, rear-wheel or all-wheel drive?

Drivetrain: Varies by configuration: FWD, AWD.

Are there recalls for the 2003 Toyota Highlander?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year (last checked November 4, 2026). Details are in the Recalls section.