Sell your 2003 Toyota Highlander for cash

The 2003 Toyota Highlander is a SUV that came with a choice of 2.4L 4-cyl and 3.0L 6-cyl engines. At 23 years old, many are reaching the point where repairs cost more than the car is worth. Running or not, we'll make you an offer and tow it away for free.

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2003 Toyota Highlander at a glance

Body styleSport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines2.4L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl
TransmissionsAutomatic 4-spd
DriveFront-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
FuelRegular Gasoline
Fuel economy16–19 city / 21–25 highway / 18–22 combined MPG
EPA annual fuel cost$3,050–$3,700 a year (EPA estimate at current fuel prices, 15,000 miles)
Tailpipe CO₂404–494 grams per mile
Versions tested by EPA4 configurations: Highlander 2WD, Highlander 4WD
Age23 years

Specs, fuel cost and emissions from the EPA's fueleconomy.gov data. Your car's exact equipment may differ.

What affects its junk value

  • Age: at 23 years old, most of a 2003 Highlander's value comes from reusable parts and scrap metal, not resale.
  • Weight: as a SUV, it's heavier than a typical car, and scrap weight is a big part of any junk offer. See how scrap prices by weight work.
  • Catalytic converter: like all gas and diesel cars, it has a catalytic converter containing precious metals, one of the most valuable parts on a junk car. An offer assumes it's still in place. More on catalytic converters.
  • Recalls: NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2003 Highlander. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking it.
  • Known problems: owners reported the most issues with the engine, typically around 115,000 miles. If that's what failed on yours, it can still be sold as-is.

How junk car offers are calculated

2003 Toyota Highlander recalls

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls covering the 2003 Toyota Highlander. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking the car, but check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which apply to yours.

Latches/Locks/LinkagesApr 2004 · NHTSA campaign 04V181000

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.

Risk: 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.

WheelsDec 2002 · NHTSA campaign 02V339000

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…

Risk: 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.

Common 2003 Highlander problems

Owners have filed 258 complaints about the 2003 Toyota Highlander with NHTSA. 33 reports involved a crash and 1 report involved a fire. Owners reported 11 injuries.

Complaints are reports from owners and aren't verified by NHTSA. One complaint can list several components. Mileage is the median odometer reading owners reported for that component.

Most-reported components

  • Engine41
  • Engine and Engine Cooling26
  • Vehicle Speed Control24
  • Visibility19
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic15
  • Engine and Engine Cooling14

Typical mileage when problems were reported

  • Engine115,000 mi
  • Engine and Engine Cooling114,000 mi
  • Vehicle Speed Control85,000 mi
  • Visibility95,000 mi
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic94,000 mi
  • Engine and Engine Cooling96,000 mi

2003 Toyota Highlander crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2003 Toyota Highlander.

VersionOverallFrontal crashSide crashRolloverRollover risk
4 Dr, FWD/AWDNot rated——★★★☆☆—

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP). Ratings from different model years or rating systems aren't directly comparable.

2003 Toyota Highlander service bulletins

Manufacturers have filed 113 technical service bulletins and communications with NHTSA covering the 2003 Toyota Highlander. These are repair instructions for known issues, not recalls.

Most common bulletin topics

  • Structure18
  • Equipment14
  • Equipment10
  • Electrical System6
  • Engine and Engine Cooling6
  • Air Bags5

Recent bulletins

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsDec 2024 · T-SB-0035-24 Rev2

    Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. If these acidic compounds settle o

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsDec 2024 · T-SB-0038-24 Rev2

    To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. The purpose of the whe

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsDec 2024 · T-SB-0039-24 Rev2

    The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsDec 2024 · T-SB-0061-23 Rev2

    Toyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal painted surfaces. This material protects from acid rain, environ

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins).

Other Toyota Highlander years

‹ Sell a 2002 Highlander · Sell a 2004 Highlander › · All Toyota Highlander years

Other 2003 Toyota models

Selling a 2003 Highlander: questions

How much is a 2003 Toyota Highlander worth for junk?

It depends on its condition, whether major parts like the engine, transmission and catalytic converter are still there, and current scrap and parts prices where you live. As a heavier vehicle, its scrap weight adds to the offer. Enter your ZIP code above for a free offer on your specific car.

Can I junk a 2003 Highlander that doesn't run?

Yes. We buy 2003 Highlanders that don't start, were in an accident, failed inspection or have a blown engine or transmission. Towing is always free.

Can I sell a 2003 Highlander with open recalls?

Yes. Open recalls don't prevent a junk sale. NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2003 Toyota Highlander; you can check whether any are still open on yours with the VIN lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What paperwork do I need to sell my 2003 Highlander?

Usually the title and a photo ID. Rules differ by state, including what to do with your plates and whether to file a notice of sale. Check our state-by-state car title guides for the official forms.

Before you sell

Sources

Data retrieved October 2026.

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