2013 Toyota Highlander: problems, recalls and what it’s worth

Known problems on the 2013 Toyota Highlander

No generation-wide weak spot is flagged in GarageIntel’s research for this year and model. A specific car can still have its own problems, so get it inspected.

2013 Toyota Highlander recalls

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2013 Toyota Highlander. Repairs are free at a dealer for the brand, and a dealer can confirm by VIN which were already done.

• Seats

  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.

  Details 14V148000

  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."

  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.

• Airbags

  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.

  Details 13V014000

  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.

  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.

• Equipment

  An inaccurate label could lead to owners overloading their vehicles and tires.

  Details 13V123000

  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."

  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.

2013 Toyota Highlander safety investigations and free repairs

No open safety investigations.

Free repairs to ask about (warranty extensions):

• Doors and locks: Region Email: Toyota is announcing a Warranty Enhancement Program to extend the warranty coverage for the Power Back Door on certain 2008 - 2013 model year Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles.
• Warranty extension: DL: In our continuing efforts to help ensure the best in customer satisfaction, Toyota is announcing a Warranty Enhancement Program to extend the warranty coverage for Sun Visor Assemblies on Certain 2010 to 2013 Model Year Highlander vehicles.
• Warranty extension: RL: In our continuing efforts to help ensure the best in customer satisfaction, Toyota is announcing a Warranty Enhancement Program to extend the warranty coverage for Sun Visor Assemblies on Certain 2010 to 2013 Model Year Highlander vehicles.

A dealer for the brand can check these by VIN.

Source: NHTSA, Sep 24, 2026.

2013 Toyota Highlander safety and fuel

From NHTSA’s crash tests and the EPA’s fueleconomy.gov.

What owners complain about

212 complaints filed with NHTSA for this year and model, which is a lot.

Other Toyota Highlander years

2010 2011 2012 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024