KnownCarProblemsHome › Toyota › Highlander › 2013
2013 Toyota Highlander Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 207 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Toyota Highlander, most often about the steering (22% of complaints, typically around 54,500 miles). It is 14th of 26 Highlander model years by number of complaints and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2013 Toyota Highlander problems
Steering
46 complaints · 22%Half of these problems showed up before 54,500 miles.
'thunk'/popping noise when turning the steering wheel left or right. Was told to replace the intermediate steering shaft, and learned that a new one was developed to fix this problem in 2013 but no recall or safety notice was sent to owners.
Vehicle had a knocking noise heard and felt from steering wheel when turning. Seemed to be more prominent at lower speeds, occurred when turning right and left. Took vehicle to Toyota dealer and diagnosed as a failed intermediate steering shaft. Vehicle was outside warranty at 54,853 miles. Research indicates this is…
Engine
35 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 7,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine.
The AC unit does not function properly, it is not draining, resulting in a foul moldy mildew smell due to the built up condensation. Toyota offered to change the air filter as a solution to the issue, unfortunately it did not solve the problem. Within days, the odor was still very apparent. We have been told that…
The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Highlander. While driving approximately 65 MPH, the cruise control was engaged and the rpms increased rapidly to 5,000 for a brief moment and then resumed normally. The failure occurred when driving up an incline and also without the cruise control activated. The vehicle was taken to the…
Speed control
31 complaints · 15%Half of these problems showed up before 9,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Highlander. While at a stop, the accelerator pedal was depressed and the vehicle hesitated before accelerating. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, who was unable to diagnose or repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the…
The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Highlander. While driving approximately 65 MPH, the cruise control was engaged and the rpms increased rapidly to 5,000 for a brief moment and then resumed normally. The failure occurred when driving up an incline and also without the cruise control activated. The vehicle was taken to the…
Electrical
26 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 38,000 miles. Parts named most often: body control module/bcm.
The door open alert and alert beeping came on as well as all of the interior lighting as I was driving. It shows glass door on the display. I checked all doors and none of the doors are open. It was very distracting and dangerous to be driving at night on the highway with all interior lights on. They keep going on and…
The door locks are failing one by one. It seems to be bad actuators. First, one door wasn't locking automatically when pressing lock on the key fob. Now, I have 2 doors not locking automatically when I hit lock on the key fob. I feel this poses a safety hazard for myself and my belongings because if I ever needed to…
Other or unspecified
23 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 55,000 miles.
After pressing the ignition button to turn off the engin when in park, I came back to the car to find it running. This happened several times. I reported it to the dealer who said thay had no information nor were there any builtins fro totota. Parked the car at the phl airport for 5 days, came back to find no gas. Car…
The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Highlander. The contact heard an abnormal clunking noise inside the vehicle. The noise was a constant distraction, which made driving difficult. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact planned on taking the vehicle to conicelli Toyota (550 ridge pike, conshocken, pa…
Body and structure
18 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 41,500 miles. Parts named most often: body.
When the lift gate of my Toyota Highlander was closing I heard a clunk and saw the lift arm detach from the body of the vehicle. I took it to the dealer and was told no warranty or extended warranty would cover the damage. I have 41,000 miles on the vehicle and the platinum extended warranty. I searched the internet…
The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Highlander. While the vehicle was being reversed, the hatchback open warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the gear shift lever was placed in park before exiting the vehicle. While attempting to close the hatch, the vehicle started to roll backwards and knocked the contact…
Brakes
17 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 24,000 miles.
Pulling into parking space - brakes applied - car lurched forward (unintended acceleration) - brakes did not engage - car jumped the curb, crossed the sidewalk and hit a tree - airbag did not deploy.
I pulled into my parking spot art home. I pressed the brakes but the car did not stop, it actually accelerated slightly. I know I pressed the brake and not the gas because I looked down and saw the brake fully depressed and my leg was fully extended. Also if I would have accidentally hit the accelerator, it would have…
Air bags
17 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 63,500 miles. Parts named most often: passenger side frontal, frontal.
Vehicle was proceeding through an intersection under a green light. A vehicle traveling the cross road proceeded through their red light and impacted my vehicle at full speed. The result was a "t-bone" accident into the driver's side door. The force of the collision was such that my vehicle was turned 90 degrees. The…
I rear ended a car in front of me. Damage minimal to his car. My Highlander sustained over 10 thousand dollar front damage. My air bags did not deploy.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2013 Toyota Highlander recalls
Seats
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.
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 at 1-800-331-4331.
Full defect summary
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."
Equipment: labels
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.
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 being developed. The recall began on may 28, 2013. Owners may contact southeast toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
Full defect summary
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."
Seats
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.
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 contact southeast toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Steering column separation
Summary
On november 16, 2018, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened an engineering analysis (ea18-006) as an upgrade to a preliminary evaluation (pe18-005).â the investigation focused on allegations of steering wheel separation from the lower steering column after using the tilt and/or telescoping mechanism. Given the separation occurring when operating the tilt and/or telescoping function and failure of both shear capsules to maintain the lower steering column mounting position, potential for shear capsule damage in the known failures due to collisions, the overall low rate of occurrence, and the updated manufacturer documentation, this investigation is closed.â the closing of this inves
Upper steering column separation
Summary
On may 4, 2018, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened preliminary evaluation pe18-005 to investigate three allegations of steering column separation for model year (my) 2008 through 2013 toyota highlander vehicles. Two (2) of the 3 complaints were received by odi in april 2018 and occurred while the vehicle was in motion. Since opening pe18-005, one (1) additional voq involving steering column separation has been received. This incident occurred while the vehicle was stationary.as part of pe18-005, odi examined the field data, warranty data, and relevant technical information submitted by toyota in response to the pe18-005 information request letter. Ten (10) additional incidents
Questions about the 2013 Toyota Highlander
- What are the most common problems with the 2013 Toyota Highlander?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: steering (46 complaints, typically around 54,500 miles); engine (35 complaints, typically around 7,000 miles); speed control (31 complaints, typically around 9,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2013 Toyota Highlander have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from March 27, 2014 (seats). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2013 a bad year for the Toyota Highlander?
- It is 14th of 26 Highlander model years by number of complaints, with 207 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.