2013 Toyota Highlander Problems, Recalls & Reliability
281 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2013 Toyota Highlander, alongside 3 recall campaigns and 2 defect investigations. It scores 56/100 on the trouble index — a below-average year for this model. Steering leads the reports, typically around 54,853 miles.
Below average
Where 2013 sits among all Highlander years
What owners report
“Steering makes nocking sound (and steering wheel vibrates) when turning right while in motion”— owner report to NHTSA, 2013 Highlander
“The car has burned 1 qt of oil every 1500 milles or so since day1... Toyota will do nothing to repair the internal engine problem as they say it is acceptable per them to burn 1 qt every 1200??”— owner report to NHTSA, 2013 Highlander
“As i begin driving and come to stop it tends to rev up and then drops back to normal. It feels like vehicle revs up a little while you are trying to stop it by pressing the brake pedal.it feels like vehicle does not want to stop and you have the feelings to press the brake even harder.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2013 Highlander
“Door actuators have gone out for both doors. I contacted toyota several times and they refused to fixed them.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2013 Highlander
“The power back door hinge on the left side broke. The hinge is no longer attached to the door. The keyless entry will not work.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2013 Highlander
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 203 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 36,000 miles. Half of those reports fall between 12,030 and 63,000 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (3)
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2013 Highlander vehicles manufactured March 13, 2013, through August 6, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the second row left hand seat may not lock in place when positioned in the forward front or second adjusting…
Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will modify the second row left hand seat so that it will lock into the seat track, free of charge. The recall began on May 21, 2014. Owners may contact Toyota…
Southeast Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 and 2010-2013 Toyota Tundra, 2010-2012 Rav4, 2012 Toyota Sequoia, 2010-2011 Toyota Corolla, 2010-2011 Toyota Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota FJ…
Fix: Southeast Toyota will notify owners and provide a corrected label with instructions concerning its installation. A small group of the affected vehicles will need additonal remedies which are still…
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and…
Fix: Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013. Owners may…
Federal defect investigations
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 2013 Toyota Highlander reliable?
The 2013 Toyota Highlander drew 281 complaints in federal safety records — a below-average year for this model. Its trouble index is 56/100, scored against the model's worst year (2008).
What are the most common 2013 Toyota Highlander problems?
The top reported problems for the 2013 Toyota Highlander are steering (46 complaints), engine (34), and speed control (31).
At what mileage do 2013 Toyota Highlander problems show up?
Owners most often report 2013 Toyota Highlander problems around 36,000 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 12,030 and 63,000 miles.
Does the 2013 Toyota Highlander have recalls?
3 recall campaigns apply to the 2013 Toyota Highlander. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.