NHTSA lists 212 complaints for the 2013 Toyota Highlander, 26 of them mention a crash and 0 mention a fire. 12 complaints mention an injury, with 12 injuries and 0 deaths reported.
Data build 2026-10-09.
NHTSA lists this vehicle as TOYOTA HIGHLANDER.
Model-generated complaint tags
These labels are model-generated, not NHTSA data.
Failure modes| Label | Count | Share of tagged | Mean confidence |
|---|
| loss of control | 57 | 26.9% | 0.86 |
|---|
| mechanical failure | 48 | 22.6% | 0.74 |
|---|
| noise or comfort | 32 | 15.1% | 0.74 |
|---|
| electrical electronic | 27 | 12.7% | 0.74 |
|---|
| restraint or airbag | 21 | 9.9% | 0.86 |
|---|
| fluid or fuel leak | 10 | 4.7% | 0.73 |
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| structural or corrosion | 8 | 3.8% | 0.77 |
|---|
| visibility or lighting | 6 | 2.8% | 0.92 |
|---|
| fire or overheating | 3 | 1.4% | 0.74 |
|---|
Severities| Label | Count | Share of tagged | Mean confidence |
|---|
| moderate | 114 | 53.8% | 0.79 |
|---|
| low | 70 | 33.0% | 0.69 |
|---|
| high | 27 | 12.7% | 0.91 |
|---|
| none | 1 | 0.5% | 0.77 |
|---|
Model: typesafe/jev-1.13-20260917; schema version: tag-v1. 212 tagged complaints of 212 complaints (100.0%).
Confidence is the model's own probability for the label it chose (0 to 1), not accuracy.
Model-generated labels on tagged complaints only. Model years 2013 and newer are tagged in full; 2012 in part (see tagged_share); earlier model years have no tags. NHTSA's own flags remain separate in the complaints block.
Recalls
See new recalls and investigations this week.
3 recalls.
Date: 2014-03-27. Systems: 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."
Consequence: 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.
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2013-04-09. Systems: EQUIPMENT.
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 To (excerpt)
Consequence: 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. (excerpt)
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. (excerpt)
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2013-01-16. Systems: AIR BAGS, SEATS.
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; (excerpt)
Consequence: 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. (excerpt)
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. (excerpt)
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Investigations
3 investigations; 0 open.
DP22005
Opened: 2023-01-27. Closed: 2023-08-07.
Pedestrian alert sounds
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and ele
Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Linked campaign numbers: 22V063000.
EA18006
Opened: 2018-11-16. Closed: 2024-04-02.
Steering Column Separation
On November 16, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened an Engineering Analysis (EA18-006) as an upgrade to a Preliminary Evaluation (PE18-005).A The investigation focused on allegations of steering wheel separation from the lower steering column after using the tilt and/or telescoping mechanism. Given the separation occurring when operating the tilt and/or telescoping function and
Systems: STEERING.
Linked campaign numbers: None listed.
PE18005
Opened: 2018-05-04. Closed: 2018-11-20.
Upper Steering Column Separation
On May 4, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE18-005 to investigate three allegations of steering column separation for Model Year (MY) 2008 through 2013 Toyota Highlander vehicles. Two (2) of the 3 complaints were received by ODI in April 2018 and occurred while the vehicle was in motion. Since opening PE18-005, one (1) additional VOQ involving steering
Systems: STEERING.
Linked campaign numbers: None listed.
Manufacturer communications
382 manufacturer communications.
Communications by system| System | Count |
|---|
| EQUIPMENT | 181 |
|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 77 |
|---|
| STRUCTURE | 60 |
|---|
| ENGINE | 25 |
|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 15 |
|---|
| POWER TRAIN | 13 |
|---|
| EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY | 12 |
|---|
| TIRES | 9 |
|---|
11029892
Date: 2026-02-13. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE.
OBSOLETE NOTICE February 13, 2026: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0009-26.
11029893
Date: 2026-02-13. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE.
This bulletin includes basic procedures for performing a rescue charge on Ni-MH high voltage (HV) batteries. This bulletin should be used in conjunction with the applicable model and model year Repair Manual while performing a rescue charge. The GRX-5100 should be used wherever the Repair Manual ref
11028712
Date: 2026-01-07. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
Some 2005 a 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this Service Bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedur
11020657
Date: 2025-06-13. Type: Service Campaign. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
The air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the location of air conditioning refrigerant leaks. The procedures outlined in this Service Bulletin aid in locating, inspecting, and repairing refrigerant leaks.
11012742
Date: 2024-12-06. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: STRUCTURE.
Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. If these acidic compounds settle on an exposed vehicle, especially the horizontal areas such as the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage to the painted surfa
11012743
Date: 2024-12-06. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: STRUCTURE.
To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. The purpose of the wheel film is to shield the disc brake rotor from weather elements and initial rust before the vehicle is delivered to the customer.
11012744
Date: 2024-12-06. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: STRUCTURE.
The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. If these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicle surface, especially the horizonal areas of the hood, roof,
11012735
Date: 2024-12-05. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: STRUCTURE.
Toyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal painted surfaces. This material protects from acid rain, environmental fallout, and rail contamination. Follow the Removal Procedure in this bulletin to remove the RapgardTM protective film wi
11012727
Date: 2024-12-03. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: STRUCTURE.
Vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad tracks, train wheels, exposure to heavy machinery facilities, grinding, welding, etc. This type of contamination can be identified by the presence of small, red or brown particles on the paint surfa
11007455
Date: 2024-07-29. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: STRUCTURE.
Some 2005 a 2024 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this Service Bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedur