2013 Toyota Highlander Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2013 Toyota Highlander has a complaint index of 45, ranking 12th out of 21 model years, with a Good verdict. NHTSA lists 207 complaints, 3 recalls, and 26 crashes tied to those complaints, led by engine problems (58 complaints, 28% share).
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 45/100
- #12 of 21 Highlander years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 207
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 26
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 12
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 20
- 18 city / 24 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 12 / 0
Top 2013 Toyota Highlander problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine58 (28%)
- Steering46 (22%)
- Electrical System29 (14%)
- Structure & Body28 (14%)
- Other26 (13%)
- Brakes19 (9%)
- Airbags17 (8%)
- Fuel System15 (7%)
- Transmission & Powertrain11 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires9 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report sudden unintended forward or backward lunging at low speed, such as while parking or backing up, even with the brake pedal pressed.
- Several describe the vehicle failing to slow down or stop when the brake pedal was applied, leading to curb strikes or collisions.
- Some report the parking brake staying engaged unexpectedly after startup.
- Multiple owners state airbags did not deploy during frontal or side-impact crashes despite notable vehicle damage.
- A few describe near-identical low-speed lunges into fences, trees, or support beams while maneuvering into parking spaces.
2013 Toyota Highlander recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 14V148000Mar 27, 2014Structure & Body46,757 vehicles
Seats
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 position. As such, the vehicles do not conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 207, "Seating Systems."
Risk: If the seat does not lock into the seat track, there may be an increased risk of injury to an occupant in the event of a crash.
Remedy: 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 at 1-800-331-4331.
- NHTSA 13V123000Apr 9, 2013Other7,525 vehicles
Equipment:other:labels
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 Cruiser, 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser, 2010-2013 Toyota Venza, 2010-2011 Toyota 4Runner, 2010-2013 Toyota Tacoma, 2011-2012 Toyota Sienna, 2012 Toyota Prius, 2013 Scion FR-S, 2011 Scion XD, 2011 Scion XB, and 2012 Scion TC vehicles. These vehicles were sold with labels that were outside the allowable one percent of accuracy of actual weight added. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) Number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Risk: An inaccurate label could lead to owners overloading their vehicles and tires. An overloaded vehicle can result in a tire failure which may result in a vehicle crash, personal injury, or property damage.
Remedy: 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 being developed. The recall began on May 28, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
- NHTSA 13V014000Jan 16, 2013Structure & Body3,235 vehicles
Seats
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 Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model year 2010-2012 Sequoia. During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.
Risk: If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.
Remedy: 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 contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
2013 Toyota Highlander fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 18 MPG
- Highway
- 24 MPG
- Combined
- 20 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,250
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2013 compared with other Highlander years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2013 Toyota Highlander reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2013 Highlander has a complaint index of 45 and a Good verdict, ranking 12th out of 21 model years for this model.
- What are the most common problems on the 2013 Toyota Highlander?
- Engine issues account for 28% of complaints (58 of 207), followed by steering at 22% and electrical system problems at 14%, according to NHTSA data.
- Does the 2013 Toyota Highlander have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2013 Highlander, covering a second-row seat that may not lock in place, a label correction, and occupant detection sensor recalibration. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2013 Highlander compare to other Highlander years?
- Its complaint index of 45 is better than years like 2021 (100) and 2019 (95), which are rated Avoid, but worse than 2014 and 2016, which are rated Best with indexes of 10 and 15.