2013 Toyota Highlander problems and recalls

Owners have filed 211 complaints on the 2013 Toyota Highlander, and NHTSA has issued 3 recalls. The most cited component is the Steering (46 complaints).

211
Complaints
3
Recalls
26
Crash reports
0
Fire reports
12
Injuries
83.9
Severity index

Severity index 83.9 High. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 83.9p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Ranked 36 of 145 by severity index among 2013 vehicles with at least 40 complaints, highest first. 75% of those vehicles scored lower. Full 2013 ranking.

Components cited in complaints

SteeringSteering: 46 complaints (21.8%)46 22%EngineEngine: 31 complaints (14.7%)31 15%Vehicle Speed ControlVehicle Speed Control: 31 complaints (14.7%)31 15%Electrical SystemElectrical System: 26 complaints (12.3%)26 12%Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 24 complaints (11.4%)24 11%StructureStructure: 19 complaints (9.0%)19 9%Service BrakesService Brakes: 18 complaints (8.5%)18 9%Air BagsAir Bags: 18 complaints (8.5%)18 9%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
STEERING4621.8%
ENGINE3114.7%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL3114.7%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2612.3%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER2411.4%
STRUCTURE199.0%
SERVICE BRAKES188.5%
AIR BAGS188.5%

Complaints filed per year

018362013: 162014: 362015: 292016: 152017: 142018: 282019: 302020: 132021: 92022: 62023: 22024: 42025: 62026: 3 (partial year)131436151617181920212223242526
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
201316
201436
201529
201615
201714
201828
201930
202013
20219
20226
20232
20244
20256
2026 (year to date)3
Filings in 2023 to 2025 ran 0.4x those in 2020 to 2022 (12 against 28).

Recall campaigns

CampaignReportedComponentSummary
14V14800027/03/2014SEATSToyota 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 veh
13V12300009/04/2013EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELSSoutheast 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 L
13V01400016/01/2013AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVESoutheast 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 ye

Other Toyota Highlander model years

Severity index for every other model year on file. Compare all 13 years side by side.

Source. NHTSA public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-09-05. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.