Does the 2013 Toyota Highlander have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2013 Toyota Highlander, the most recent reported on March 27, 2014 (Seats). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

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

Owners have filed 207 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is steering (46 complaints), followed by engine (32).

How many 2013 Toyota Highlander complaints mention a crash or fire?

26 of 207 complaints report a crash and 0 a fire; 12 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

2013 Toyota Highlander recalls and problems

3 recalls and 207 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2013 Toyota Highlander.

recalls

207

owner complaints

complaints mentioning a crash

mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2013 Toyota Highlander recalls

Seats

NHTSA campaign 14V148000 · reported March 27, 2014 · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing · 46,757 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: 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."
The 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.
The 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.

Equipment: other, labels

NHTSA campaign 13V123000 · reported April 9, 2013 · Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC · 7,525 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: 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."
The 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.
The 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.

Seats · Air bags: frontal, sensor/control module-inactive

NHTSA campaign 13V014000 · reported January 16, 2013 · Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC · 3,235 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: 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.
The 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.
The 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.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

Steering46
Engine32
Vehicle speed control31
Electrical system26
Unknown or other23
Structure18
Air bags17
Service brakes16
Fuel/propulsion system12
Power train11

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Sep 18, 2026 · Engine
I purchased a 2013 Toyota Highlander in 2018 or.2019 with 64,000 miles. I was told to go 5000 miles before changes. My oil was gone many times when I did this. I reported this to Toyota dealership.I eventually stopped using them because they were hearing my problem. The complaints of lack of power and changing to 3000…

Sep 3, 2026 · Electrical system
The factory Blizzard Pearl paint on this vehicle is experiencing severe chemical delamination down to the bare primer and sheet metal on multiple body panels. This structural failure aligns exactly with Toyota Customer Support Program ZKG. Large sheets of brittle paint regularly flake and peel off while driving at…

Jul 2, 2026 · Unknown or other
This is related to the Faulty Spiral Cable Assembly (HORN) that on line evidence suggests should have been a Toyota Recall item for this year and model. In 2014, Toyota issued a recall for 97,000 Hylanders for this very thing however it only covered 2008-2010 at that time. In review of safety recalls for faulty Spiral…

May 4, 2026 · Service brakes
After a hard braking session because of a car that pulled quickly in front of me the ABS light and check engine light came on with a code of C1391 - Abnormal leak in Accumulator. A warning message came on the info center saying I needed to take it to the dealer to have the brake system checked for a serious issue…

Sep 24, 2025 · Unknown or other
2013 Toyota Highlander Limited sunroof drains continue to back up and dump water into the front and rear cabin, causing electrical issues and mold if not addressed immediately. Also the factory-installed roof rack mounting holes allow water to enter the cabin, causing damage to the headliner, which could fall down…

Highlander model years compared

Year	Recalls	Complaints	Crashes	Fires
2010	10	216	18	2
2011	5	181	14	0
2012	2	182	16	3
2013	3	207	26	0
2014	4	136	5	1
2015	1	192	17	6
2016	2	111	14	1

Across all years, the 2021 Highlander has the most complaints (533). All Toyota Highlander years →

Questions

Does the 2013 Toyota Highlander have any recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2013 Toyota Highlander, the most recent reported on March 27, 2014 (Seats). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Toyota Highlander?: Owners have filed 207 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is steering (46 complaints), followed by engine (32).
How many 2013 Toyota Highlander complaints mention a crash or fire?: 26 of 207 complaints report a crash and 0 a fire; 12 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received September 18, 2026.