MYRModel Year Report

2013 Toyota Highlander

● Typical for this model
2013 Toyota Highlander
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Toyota Highlander Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2013 highlighted. 1997: 1 complaints 1997 1998: 1 complaints 1999: 0 complaints 2000: 0 complaints 2001: 137 complaints 2001 2002: 301 complaints 2003: 258 complaints 2004: 286 complaints 2005: 224 complaints 2005 2006: 274 complaints 2007: 123 complaints 2008: 403 complaints 2009: 134 complaints 2009 2010: 216 complaints 2011: 181 complaints 2012: 181 complaints 2013: 205 complaints 2013 2014: 133 complaints 2015: 186 complaints 2016: 109 complaints 2017: 260 complaints 2017 2018: 254 complaints 2019: 463 complaints 2020: 298 complaints 2021: 471 complaints 2021 2022: 219 complaints 2023: 162 complaints 2024: 39 complaints 2025: 7 complaints 2025 2026: 1 complaints 2026
2013: 205 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19971
19981
19990
20000
2001137
2002301
2003258
2004286
2005224
2006274
2007123
2008403
2009134
2010216
2011181
2012181
2013205
2014133
2015186
2016109
2017260
2018254
2019463
2020298
2021471
2022219
2023162
202439
20257
20261

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

STEERING 22%

22% of complaints: steering — 46 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 15%

15% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 31 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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. *TR

NHTSA ODI report, 20131002

ENGINE 15%

15% of complaints: engine — 31 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

I purchased the car in 2020 with 73K miles on it. It has sporadically had incidents of unintended acceleration. I happens when I slow for a stop sign, red light, or crosswalk.

NHTSA ODI report, 20240705

The issue started when the car was over 84,000 miles. The engine burns excessive oil. I have to add oil every 2200 miles. When I press on the gas pedal to rev the car, oil come out of the tail pipe.

NHTSA ODI report, 20240103

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 12%

12% of complaints: electrical system — 25 distinct reports on file.

SERVICE BRAKES 8%

8% of complaints: service brakes — 16 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT T-BONED ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20181025

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. *TR

NHTSA ODI report, 20131002

MY WIFE WAS MANEUVERING THE SUV INTO SMALL AREA PARKING LOT ONTO A CORNER SPACE, ON THE FIRST FORWARD AND BACK MOTION TO MANEUVER THE BRAKE WAS OK, THEN ON THE SECOND MANEUVER THE BRAKE DIDN'T WORK AND THE TIRE WENT OVER THE CONCRETE PARKING BLOCK...

NHTSA ODI report, 20130605

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20130321 — air bags, 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, an

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 contac

Campaign 13V014000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20130528 — equipment

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 Toy

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 be

Campaign 13V123000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20140521 — seats

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2013 Highlander vehicles manufactured March 13, 2013, through August 6, 2013.

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.

Campaign 14V148000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20180504 — PE (closed 20181120)

Upper Steering Column Separation

I 20181116 — EA (closed 20240402)

Steering Column Separation

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2013 Toyota Highlander — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for steering issues (46 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (31 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine issues (31 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 13V014000 (air bags, seats) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 13V123000 (equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 14V148000 (seats) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2024 ▲ 2016 ▲ 2007

WORST YEARS

■ 2021 ■ 2019 ◆ 2008

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2013 Toyota Highlander reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2013 Toyota Highlander is rated "typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2013 Toyota Highlander?

The most-reported component is steering, accounting for 22% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2013 Toyota Highlander have?

3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.