2013 Toyota Highlander Reliability
The 2013 Toyota Highlander has 212 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about steering and engine. Compared with other Highlander model years, it rates as a solid year: complaints are in line with the Highlander's typical year.
By CarWhere Research · Updated 2026-11-04 · Source: NHTSA
212
NHTSA owner complaints
3
Recall campaigns
26
Complaints citing a crash
0
Complaints citing a fire
2013 Toyota Highlander complaints by component
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2013 model year, filed between 2013 and 2026. A complaint can name more than one component.
| Component | Complaints | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 46 | 22% |
| Engine | 32 | 15% |
| Speed control / throttle | 31 | 15% |
| Electrical system | 26 | 12% |
| Unknown or other | 24 | 11% |
| Body structure | 19 | 9% |
| Service brakes | 18 | 8% |
| Air bags | 18 | 8% |
2013 Toyota Highlander recalls
3 recall campaigns on NHTSA record for the 2013 model year, by the date NHTSA received the manufacturer's report. Recall repairs are free at a dealer.
| NHTSA campaign | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13V014000 | Jan 16, 2013 | Air bags — frontal / sensor/control module-inactive | 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… |
| 13V123000 | Apr 9, 2013 | Equipment — other / labels | 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… |
| 14V148000 | Mar 27, 2014 | Seats | 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… |
How the 2013 compares with nearby Highlander years
Verdicts come from CarWhere's year-by-year Highlander analysis where it covers the year, otherwise from the years shown here.
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 186 | 5 | Visibility / wipers | Caution |
| 2012 | 191 | 2 | Steering | Solid |
| 2013 (this page) | 212 | 3 | Steering | Solid |
| 2014 | 138 | 5 | Electrical system | Solid |
| 2015 | 197 | 2 | Electrical system | Solid |
Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA and are not adjusted for how many of each year were sold, so they compare years of the same model rather than different models.
The 2013 Toyota Highlander on the used market
- 91 of 648 2013 Toyota Highlander listings in CarWhere's lifespan study showed 200,000 miles or more.
What to check on a used 2013 Toyota Highlander
- Steering: check for a steering warning light, heavy or notchy steering and clunks over bumps; power-steering faults show up at low speed.
- Engine: cold-start it yourself, listen for ticking or knocking, check for oil leaks and oil consumption, and ask for oil-change records.
- Throttle and speed control: check for surging, hesitation or a reduced-power warning, and test cruise control.
- Electrical: test every light, window, lock, the infotainment screen and the charging system; scan for stored fault codes.
- Recalls: confirm each of the 3 campaigns above was completed on this VIN; open recalls are repaired free at a dealer.
- History: run the VIN for salvage, theft and odometer records, and have an independent mechanic inspect the car before you pay.
Check this exact car
Any 2013 Toyota Highlander can be better or worse than its model year. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015. Free preview first; the full report is $12.99, one time.
2013 Toyota Highlander reliability FAQ
Is the 2013 Toyota Highlander reliable?
The 2013 Toyota Highlander has 212 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about steering and engine. Compared with other Highlander model years, it rates as a solid year: complaints are in line with the Highlander's typical year.
What are the most common 2013 Toyota Highlander problems?
The most-reported problem areas in NHTSA owner complaints for the 2013 Toyota Highlander are steering (46), engine (32), speed control / throttle (31), electrical system (26). One complaint can name more than one component.
Does the 2013 Toyota Highlander have recalls?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2013 Toyota Highlander, including 13V014000 (air bags — frontal / sensor/control module-inactive) and 13V123000 (equipment — other / labels). Recall repairs are free at a dealer, and whether one was done is tracked by VIN.
How does the 2013 Toyota Highlander compare with the 2012 and 2014 models?
By NHTSA records, the 2012 has 191 complaints and 2 recalls (solid); the 2014 has 138 complaints and 5 recalls (solid). The 2013 has 212 complaints and 3 recalls.
How do I check a specific used 2013 Toyota Highlander?
Run its VIN. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015, with a free preview first and the full report at $12.99, one time. Pair it with an independent pre-purchase inspection.
More Toyota Highlander research
Other Toyota Highlander model years:
Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation owner complaints (all body-style listings for the 2013 Highlander, de-duplicated by complaint number) and NHTSA recall campaigns, retrieved 2026-11-04.