YearToAvoid

2013 Toyota Highlander Brakes Problems

Brakes account for 19 of 207 complaints (9%) on the 2013 Toyota Highlander, with 9 crashes and 2 injuries reported. Median mileage at failure was 25,000 miles. NHTSA lists no related recalls for this component.

Brakes complaints
19
9% of 207
Crashes reported
9
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
2
Median mileage
25,000 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical brake symptoms owners report

  • Owners describe pressing the brake pedal fully during low-speed parking maneuvers and having the vehicle fail to stop, sometimes rolling into curbs, trees, or structures.
  • Some drivers report the brake pedal felt fully depressed while the vehicle continued moving or even lurched forward instead of slowing.
  • Several complaints mention the ABS and check engine lights coming on together, in one case tied to a diagnostic code for an abnormal accumulator leak, followed by dealer replacement of the brake actuator.
  • One owner reported an ABS malfunction light with a manufacturer support program to replace parts, which the owner felt should have been an official recall.
  • A separate complaint described clicking, squeaking, dragging, and pulsating brakes along with a burnt odor from the heater vents shortly after purchasing the vehicle new.

When 2013 Toyota Highlander brake complaints were filed

First complaint Jun 5, 2013, latest May 4, 2026.

2013 Toyota Highlander brakes complaints: complaints filed per month2Jun 2013Jan 2014Oct 2014Mar 2018Oct 2018Oct 2022
19 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jun 2013 to May 2026; peak Dec 2015 (2).

Brakes recalls for the 2013 Toyota Highlander

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Brakes complaints by Highlander model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 200525 (11%)
  2. 2006107 (39%)
  3. 200739 (32%)
  4. 200888 (22%)
  5. 200926 (19%)
  6. 201035 (16%)
  7. 201119 (10%)
  8. 201215 (8%)
  9. 201319 (9%)
  10. 20144 (3%)
  11. 201517 (9%)
  12. 201623 (21%)
  13. 201731 (12%)
  14. 201860 (23%)
  15. 201924 (5%)
  16. 202041 (13%)
  17. 202167 (13%)
  18. 202238 (15%)
  19. 202318 (10%)
  20. 20248 (19%)
  21. 20252 (20%)

Frequently asked questions

How many brake complaints does the 2013 Toyota Highlander have?
NHTSA lists 19 brake complaints for the 2013 Highlander, which is 9% of the 207 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a brake recall for the 2013 Toyota Highlander?
No related recalls are listed in NHTSA data for the brake system on the 2013 Highlander.
At what mileage do brake problems tend to appear on the 2013 Highlander?
The median mileage at failure across reported brake complaints is 25,000 miles.
Did the 2013 Highlander's brake issues cause crashes?
Of the 19 brake complaints, 9 involved a crash and 2 involved injuries, according to NHTSA.
How does the 2013 Highlander compare to other years for brake complaints?
The 2013 model's 9% share of complaints tied to brakes is lower than the 2018 (23%) and 2016 (21%) model years but higher than 2014 (3%) and 2019 (5%).

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.