2013 Toyota Highlander Engine Problems
NHTSA lists 58 Engine-related complaints for the 2013 Toyota Highlander, 28% of its 207 total complaints for the year, the highest engine share of any Highlander model year in this data. No related recall is listed. Median mileage at failure is 7,600.
- Engine complaints
- 58
- 28% of 207
- Crashes reported
- 8
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 2
- Median mileage
- 7,600 mi
- Related recalls
- 0
Typical engine symptoms owners report
- Owners describe sudden unintended forward or backward lunging when shifting into gear or braking at low speed, sometimes ending in a collision.
- Some report the vehicle hesitating or losing power for a few seconds when accelerating from a stop or entering a freeway.
- One owner reported a sudden loss of throttle response while driving uphill at highway speed that resolved on its own.
- Multiple owners reported excessive engine oil consumption with the low oil pressure warning light illuminating, in one case after the odometer passed 97,000 miles.
- One owner noted a moldy odor from the AC system that a dealer could not resolve, described alongside other engine-area complaints.
When 2013 Toyota Highlander engine complaints were filed
First complaint Jul 23, 2013, latest Sep 18, 2026.
Engine recalls for the 2013 Toyota Highlander
No safety recalls on record for this model year.
Engine complaints by Highlander model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many engine complaints does NHTSA have for the 2013 Toyota Highlander?
- NHTSA lists 58 Engine-related complaints for the 2013 Highlander, which is 28% of the 207 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a recall for the 2013 Toyota Highlander engine?
- No related recall is listed in this data for the Engine component on the 2013 Highlander.
- At what mileage do engine problems show up on the 2013 Highlander?
- The median mileage at failure for Engine complaints on the 2013 Highlander is 7,600 miles.
- How does the 2013 Highlander compare to other years for engine complaints?
- The 2013 Highlander's 28% engine complaint share is higher than 2010 (17%), 2011 (18%), 2012 (17%), 2014 (6%), and most other model years listed, though 2025 shows a 40% share on a much smaller complaint count.
- Did the 2013 Highlander engine complaints involve crashes?
- Yes, NHTSA data shows 8 crashes and 2 injuries associated with the 58 Engine complaints for the 2013 Highlander, with no fires reported.