The Lemon Index

All cars · Toyota Highlander · 2013

2013 Toyota Highlander. Advanced data.

The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.

Lemon Index62100 = average car
Complaints96NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold127,572U.S. model year
Per 100K sold75complaints
Year rank#10 of 22#1 = fewest complaints

Engines and drivetrains 4

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
2.7L 4-cylAuto (S6)FWD20 / 25 / 22Regular$2,850
3.5L 6-cylAuto (S5)FWD18 / 24 / 20Regular$3,100
3.5L 6-cylAuto (S5)AWD17 / 22 / 19Regular$3,300
3.5L 6-cyl hybridAuto (variable gear ratios)AWD28 / 28 / 28Regular$2,200

EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.

Failure mileage by system

Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 6,800 and 60,000 miles. Median 35,000, from 162 complaints with a mileage.

SystemMedianMiddle halfComplaints
Steering54,40038,500–62,20040
Engine6,3001,200–26,50024
Speed control9,0001,100–18,80030
Electrical38,20015,200–50,50020
Body structure44,70027,400–98,20016

Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.

Complaints by system

SystemShare of complaints
Speed control29%
Engine20%
Electrical12%
Airbags10%
Brakes9%

One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
2122601204

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 3

  • 14V148000 Mar 2014 Seats

    Defect. 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."

    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.

    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.

  • 13V123000 Apr 2013 Equipment / Other / Labels

    Defect. 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 ad

    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.

    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 being developed. The recall began on May 28, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.

  • 13V014000 Jan 2013 Air Bags / Frontal / Sensor/Control Module-Inactive

    Defect. 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 se

    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.

    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 contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.

NHTSA investigations

StatusSubjectOpenedClosed
ClosedSteering column separation20182024
ClosedUpper steering column separation20182018

Manufacturer communications 369

Toyota filed 369 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • Accelerator pedal sensor assembly information regarding the inspection, removal, and…
  • There is a knocking or rattling noise coming from engine compartment, for a short period of time
  • On certain vehicles, a knock or rattle noise, coming from engine compartment, is heard during…

Crash ratings by version

VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Toyota Highlander SUV AWD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆
Toyota Highlander SUV FWD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆
Toyota Highlander HV SUV AWD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆

Safety equipment

Electronic stabilityForward collision warningLane departure warning
StandardNoNo

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
2010717292,121Speed control
20116475101,252Wipers & visibility
20124964121,055Speed control
20136296127,572Speed control
20143352146,127Body structure
201565101158,915Electrical
20163771191,379Brakes

Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.

Updated

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