U.S. vehicle reference
2003 Toyota Highlander MPG, Fuel Cost and Recalls
2003 Toyota Highlander MPG and annual fuel cost by engine, with EPA ratings and NHTSA recall records below.
At a glance
2003 Toyota Highlander reference
Use the summary to orient yourself, then open the exact engine, drivetrain and source record below.
2003 Toyota Highlander MPG by engine and drivetrain
EPA combined ratings run from 18 to 22 mpg across 4 configurations. Match the engine, transmission and drivetrain in the table before comparing fuel costs.
| Engine / transmission | City | Highway | Combined | Annual fuel | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4-cylinderAutomatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · Regular Gasoline | 19 mpg | 25 mpg | 22 mpg | $2,800 | 403.95454545454544 g/mi |
| 3.0L 6-cylinderAutomatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · Regular Gasoline | 17 mpg | 21 mpg | 18 mpg | $3,400 | 493.72222222222223 g/mi |
| 2.4L 4-cylinderAutomatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · Regular Gasoline | 17 mpg | 22 mpg | 19 mpg | $3,250 | 467.7368421052632 g/mi |
| 3.0L 6-cylinderAutomatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · Regular Gasoline | 16 mpg | 21 mpg | 18 mpg | $3,400 | 493.72222222222223 g/mi |
Annual fuel figures are the EPA snapshot at the source date. The calculator below uses the separately dated fuel-price record and your inputs, so the estimates may differ.
2003 Toyota Highlander annual fuel cost calculator
Start with the combined MPG for 2.4L 4-cylinder, Automatic 4-spd, Front-Wheel Drive. Replace it with your measured gas mileage and local pump price for a personal budget.
Formula annual miles ÷ MPG × gasoline price
Fuel cost per mile equals gasoline price divided by MPG. Multiply by your annual mileage for a yearly fuel budget. Add maintenance to estimate cost per mile.
2003 Toyota Highlander recall campaigns
NHTSA returned 2 model-level campaign records as of 2026-09-04. A campaign record does not establish whether your vehicle is affected or whether a repair is outstanding. Check your VIN through NHTSA.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH · 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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL SHORTEN THE CPL LEVER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 7, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
WHEELS · 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, 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.
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.
2003 Toyota Highlander NHTSA safety ratings
| Vehicle | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 Toyota Highlander 4-DR. | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated | 3/5 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the 2003 Toyota Highlander gas mileage?
EPA combined ratings run from 18 to 22 mpg across 4 configurations. Match the engine, transmission and drivetrain in the table before comparing fuel costs.
Are these real-world MPG figures for the Highlander?
These are EPA ratings, not owner-reported mileage. Use your measured MPG in the calculator to estimate your own fuel budget. The configuration table keeps city, highway and combined ratings separate.
Does the 2003 Toyota Highlander have recalls?
NHTSA returned 2 model-level campaign records as of 2026-09-04. A campaign record does not establish whether your vehicle is affected or whether a repair is outstanding. Check your VIN through NHTSA.
Does annual fuel cost include servicing or insurance?
No. The EPA cost and the calculator cover fuel only. Use the cost-per-mile calculator to add a maintenance allowance. Insurance, depreciation, finance costs and registration are separate ownership expenses.
Compare similar vehicles
Sources and record dates
U.S. EPA FuelEconomy.gov vehicle dataset Accessed 2026-09-05U.S. EIA public gasoline price table Accessed 2026-09-05NHTSA Recalls API Accessed 2026-09-04NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings API Accessed 2026-09-05Last updated