2013 Toyota Highlander
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Steering is the leading concern among 212 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 14th highest complaint count among 25 Highlander model years with reports.
Of the 2013 reports, 26 involved a crash. 12 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
SeatsMar 27, 2014
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."
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.
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.
Campaign 14V148000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, other, labelsApr 9, 2013
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."
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.
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.
Campaign 13V123000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, sensor/control module-inactiveJan 16, 2013
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 13V014000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: steering
46 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Nov 9, 2018
CLUNKING NOISE WITHIN THE STEERING WHEN I TURN, ESPECIALLY AT LOWER SPEEDS. TOOK IT TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THEY INDICATED IT WAS THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT. 48,000 MILES AT THE TIME.
Steering, Nov 8, 2018
I STARTED HEARING A POPPING NOISE IN THE STEERING COLUMN UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL. THE NOISE BECAME LOUDER AS TIME WENT ON ESPECIALLY WHEN I MADE TURNS. ON 11/07/18 TOYOTA RECENTLY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS AN INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT AND I MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO GET IT FIXED AT THE DEALER FOR $584.92. THERE'S 57,665 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. I CAN VISIBLY SEE THERE'S SLACK IN THE STEERING SHAFT WHERE IT CONNECTS TO THE RACK AND PINION. II AM A 65 YEAR OLD WOMAN WHO BOUGHT THE VEHICLE NEW AND DROVE IT VERY GENTLY. I UNDERSTAND THE NEW SHAFT MAY HAVE AN IMPROVED DESIGN I HOPE SO IT DOES NOT OCCUR AGAIN. IT'S VERY CONCERNING IF I LOST CONTROL WHILE DRIVING. I WOULD THINK THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE GET'S HURT.
Steering, Nov 5, 2018
STARTED HEARING A LOUD POPPING NOISE UNDERNEATH THE STEERING WHEEL OR PEDALS. NOISE BECAME LOUDER AS TIME WENT ON ESPECIALLY WHEN I MADE TURNS. TOYOTA RECENT DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS AN INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT. WAS ORIGINALL TOLD IT MIGHT BE A RACK AND PINION PROBLEM. HOPEFULLY THAT THIS DOESN'T NOW TURN INTO SOMETHING ELSE. THIS IS NOT COVERED UNDER MY POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. VERY UPSET.
Steering, Oct 29, 2018
KNOCK IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN TURNING.
Steering, Oct 23, 2018
VEHICLE HAD A KNOCKING NOISE HEARD AND FELT FROM STEERING WHEEL WHEN TURNING. SEEMED TO BE MORE PROMINENT AT LOWER SPEEDS, OCCURRED WHEN TURNING RIGHT AND LEFT. TOOK VEHICLE TO TOYOTA DEALER AND DIAGNOSED AS A FAILED INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT. VEHICLE WAS OUTSIDE WARRANTY AT 54,853 MILES. RESEARCH INDICATES THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS YEAR HIGHLANDER AND TOYOTA HAS ISSUED A TSB, BUT HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL TO DATE. COST OF REPAIR WAS $463.34.
Steering, Sep 8, 2018
THERE IS A CLUCKING NOISE IN THE STEERING WHEN TURNING. IT SEEMS LIKE THE STEERING WHEEL MECHANISM IS FALLING APPART.
Steering, Apr 6, 2018
WHILE TRAVELLING IN HIGH SPEED LANE ON I80 NEAR SACRAMENTO CA. I ATTEMPTED TO ADJUST TELESCOPIC STEERING WHEEL AND THE STEERING WHEEL CAME OFF IN MY HANDS AND BY GRACE OF GOD WAS ABLE TO SLOW AND GET OFF ROAD ON THE HAND HIGH SPEED BREAKDOWN LANE AND SOMEHOW REMOUNT THE STEERING WHEEL. VEHICLE CURRENTLY AT DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE STEERING AND MOUNT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AND WILL COST IN EXCESS OF $2000.00. I HAVE CONTACTED TOYOTA, STARTED A CASE FILE WITH THEM AND WAITING ON THEIR REPLY.
Steering, Seats, Mar 14, 2018
WHILE TURNING THE STEERING I FEEL A KLUNK THIS IS HAPPENS ALWAYS WHEN TURN THE WHEEL. FRUSTRATED REALLY NEED YOUR HELP. REGARDS..
Steering, Mar 5, 2018
THIS VEHICLE HAS A KNOCKING OR CLUNKING SOUND WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS IS A COMMON COMPLAINT ON TOYOTA HIGHLANDERS BUT TOYOTA IS NOT OFFERING TO FIX THESE VEHICLES WHEN OUT OF WARRANTY. THIS IS A DEFECT IN THESE VEHICLES AND SHOULD BE FIXED BY TOYOTA FREE OF CHARGE.
Steering, Feb 26, 2018
THE VEHICLE HAS AROUND 37K MILES AND STARTED TO GET A BUMP OR THUD SOUND WHEN TURNING TO RIGHT AND TURNING OVER ALL BEGIN TO GET SLUGGISH. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALSHIP FRED HAAS IN HOUSTON AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A DRIVE SHAFT PROBLEM AND REQUIRED A EXPENSIVE REPAIR AND FRONT END ALIGNMENT. I QUESTIONED THE SERVICE REP AS IT SEEMED TO BE VERY LOW MILEAGE FOR A ISSUE WITH THE DRIVE SHAFT. HE ADVISED THAT IT WAS NOT COVERED AS MY 36K 3 YEAR STANDARD WARRANTY HAD RUN OUT. AFTER RESEARCHING IT SEEMS THAT THIS IS A HIGHLANDER DEFECT AND SHOULD BE COVERED BY A RECALL. IF THIS CAR HAD 80K OR MORE MILES I MIGHT BE OF A DIFFERENT OPINION BUT THIS CAR IS WAY TOO NEW TO HAVE AN ISSUE LIKE THIS ESPECIALLY ON SUCH AN IMPORTANT ELEMENT LIKE STEERING. THIS IS AN OBVIOUS ENGINEERING AND MANUFACTURING PROBLEM AND A REPLACEMENT PART THAT WILL ONLY HAVE A 1 YEAR WARRANTY IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH.
Steering, Feb 12, 2018
THERE IS A CLUNKING NOISE WHEN TURNING AT LOW SPEEDS. MY MECHANIC SAYS THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE DESIGN OF THE STEERING SHAFT. HE SAID THIS COMMONLY OCCURS WITH THIS MODEL HIGHLANDER, SOMETHING SUPPORTED BY NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE. TOYOTA DENIES RESPONSIBILITY AND WON'T ISSUE A RECALL, THOUGH IT IS A SAFETY RISK.
Steering, Sep 15, 2017
WHEN TURNING RIGHT THE STEERING WAS MAKING A CLICKING/KNOCKING SOUND. I ONLY HAVE 30000 MILES ON THE CAR, WHICH I HAVE HAD 100000 PLUS MILES ON CARS AND NEVER HAD THIS ISSUE. APPARENTLY TOYOTA HAS DIAGNOSED THIS WITH A BAD U-JOINT IN THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT WITH A HEFTY PRICE TAG TO FIX. THIS SEEMS LIKE A COMPLAINT FROM MULTIPLE PEOPLE AND ON MULTIPLE SITES. I THINK THIS SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO BY TOYOTA AND CONSIDERED A RECALL ITEM. VERY DISAPPOINTED IN MY TOYOTA RIGHT NOW.
Steering, Aug 1, 2017
STEERING MAKES NOCKING SOUND (AND STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES) WHEN TURNING RIGHT WHILE IN MOTION
Steering, Aug 1, 2017
KNOCKING SOUND AND VIBRATION FELT ON STEERING WHEEL WHEN TURNING RIGHT. IT ONLY OCCURS IN MOTION.
Steering, Mar 11, 2017, crash
OUR 2013 HIGHLANDER DEVELOPED A LIGHT CLUNKING NOISE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AFTER A ACCIDENT IN OCTOBER OF 2013. WE THOUGHT NOTHING OF IT UNTIL DECEMBER 2017 WHEN THE CLUNKING INCREASED IN LOUDNESS AND FREQUENCY. WE HAVE THE PROBLEM CHECKED OUT BY GULLO TOYOTA OF CONROE, TEXAS. THEY FOUND THE MID STEERING COLUMN SHAFT THAT WAS FAILING AND CAUSING THE CLUNKING NOISE AND RECOMMENDED REPLACING THIS PART FOR SAFETY REASONS. WE CONCURRED AND HAD THE WORK COMPLETED. I DISCUSSED THIS SITUATION WITH THE SERVICE REP AT GULLO TO SEE IF THEY COULD DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THIS PART FAILURE. THEY COULD NOT SUGGEST ANY CAUSE SO I SUGGESTED THAT THE ACCIDENT THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN IN OCTOBER OF 2013 MIGHT BE THE CULPRIT. GULLO WOULD NOT CONFIRM THE POSSIBILITY BY WOULD WORK WITH MY INSURANCE COMPANY, USAA. USAA HAS REJECTED THIS THEORY AND WILL NOT PAY FOR THE REPAIR OF THE STEERING COLUMN'S MID SHAFT. THIS PART SHOULD NOT BE FAILING.
Steering, Nov 15, 2016
THE STEERING COLUMN IS MAKING A THUNKING-TYPE OF NOISE WHEN TURNING, USUALLY AT LOW SPEEDS, AROUND CORNERS (NOT SLIGHT TURNS, SUCH AS WHEN THE ROAD CHANGES ON THE FREEWAY). IT'S BEEN DOCUMENTED IN MY RECORDS AT LEAST SINCE 30,000 MILES, JUST OUT OF TOYOTA'S WARRANTY PERIOD. THE CAR DEALER REPORTED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE ISSUE AT THE 30,000 SERVICE, AS DOCUMENTED. IT WASN'T HAPPENING AS FREQUENTLY THEN, BUT NOW AT 60,000 MILES, IT'S CONSTANT. IT SEEMS TO BE RELATED TO THE STEERING SHAFT/INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT. THERE APPEARS TO BE A SERVICE BULLETIN FROM THE MANUFACTURER, BUT NO FURTHER INVESTIGATION/RESEARCH PRESENTED. SINCE I AM AWARE OF WHAT PART IS FAILING, I WANT TO GET IT FIXED, AS I'VE READ THAT THIS PART, IF IT FAILS, COULD CAUSE THE CAR TO FAIL, BUT DON'T WANT TO PAY MONEY FOR A PART THAT IS CONSIDERED DEFECTIVE.
Steering, Sep 7, 2016
STEERING TSB BY TOYOTA: WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE AND TURNING CORNERS, I FELT POPING CLUNKING NOISE IN STEERING WHEEL. SOMETIMES MADE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATE. INSTEAD OF JUST A SERVICE BULLETIN, THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL SINCE TOYOTA HAS RE-DESIGNED THE FAILING COMPONENT. TOOK VEHICLE INTO DEALER TO HAVE FIXED. WOULD HAVE PAID FULL REPAIR PRICE BUT WAS ABLE TO NEGOTIATE A DISCOUNTED PRICE FOR VEHICLE WITH ONLY 52,000 MILES. COMPONENT SHOULD HAVE EASILY LASTED OVER 125,000 MILES. MAY BE THE SAME AS YOUR 10075792 RECORD.
Steering, Feb 15, 2016
TOYOTA 2013 HIGHLANDER WITH 31237 MILES HAD TO REPLACE THE STEERING SHAFT DUE TO THUD-THUD NOISE WHEN TURNING RIGHT OR LEFT. I BOUGHT CAR NEW FROM DEALERSHIP. CAR STILL UNDER WARRANTY BUT WAS TOLD IT WILL PROBABLY HAPPEN AGAIN. PARTS AND LABOR ESTIMATED TO BE $500+ EACH TIME IN THE FUTURE. ACCORDING TO INFORMATION ON INTERNET THIS IS NOT A RANDOM ISSUE WITH HIGHLANDERS AND HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR SOME TIME. THIS APPEARS TO BE A DESIGN FLAW THAT IS BEING IGNORED WITH THE OWNER BEING REQUIRED TO FOOT THE BILL. NEVER HAD A STEERING SHAFT ISSUE IN THE CARS I HAVE PREVIOUSLY OWNED SOME FOR OVER 100,000 MILES, U.S. MADE OR NON-U.S. MADE MODELS. THE NEW PART IS GUARANTEED FOR ONE YEAR...THAT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE FOR A KNOWN REOCCURRING ISSUE OF WHICH TOYOTA IS AWARE . I CALLED TOYOTA NATIONAL CUSTOMER RELATIONS IN TORRANCE, CA AND SPOKE WITH REPRESENTATIVE WHO WAS VERY POLITE BUT OFFERED NO RECOURSE FOR THIS ISSUE. VERY DISAPPOINTED.
Steering, Electrical system, Sep 2, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DISPLAYED THAT THE POWER STEERING NEEDED ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC COMPUTER THAT MANAGED THE STEERING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,500.....UPDATED 10-27-15 *BF *CN
Steering, Service brakes, Apr 1, 2015, crash
I TURNED ON MY CAR, PUT IT ON DRIVE WHEN I TRIED TO PRESS THE GAS AND TURN THE WHEEL TO GET OUT OF THE PARKING LOT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED SO HARD I COULD NOT TURN IT. I PRESSED ON THE BRAKES BUT THE BRAKES WERE NOT FUNCTIONING AT ALL AS I WAS PRESSING ON THE BRAKE PAD THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND SO DID THE BRAKE LIGHT ON THE DASH BOARD, ON THE BIG SCREEN WHERE IT SHOWS MY INFO AND OTHER FANCY GADGETS SHOWED "BRAKE MALFUNCTION PARK CAR IN SAFE ZONE" AS THE CAR DROVE FORWARD BY ITSELF AND THE BRAKES WERE NOT WORKING THE CAR HIT AN EMPTY PARKING SPACE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. I WAS AT A SCHOOL PARKING LOT WITH KIDS EVERYWHERE AROUND ME! *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Oct 29, 2014
THE 2013 HIGHLANDER WAS SERVICED IN FLORIDA MONDAY 10/27 FOR 15000 MILES SERVICE, TODAY MY SISTER WAS DRIVING SINCE SERVICE, THE TRACTION LIGHT CAME ON ,THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS FLASHING , THE HIGHLANDER WAS NOT STABLE DRIVING STRAIGHT ON THE ROAD AND SEEMED LIKE IT NEEDS A TUNE UP.I CALLED THE DEALER AND IT WAS TAKEN THEIR ,FIRST RESPONSE WAS GAS PUT IN, YES . WAS TOLD POSSIBLE THE CAP WAS NOT PUT ON RIGHT AND WITH NEWER CARS IT COULD BE A MALFUNCTION THE COMPUTER.. TURNED OUT THAT THE IGNITION COIL SWITCH WAS BAD ON THIS 2013 HIGHLANDER. WHICH IS WHY I'M REPORTING THIS DUE TO RECENT ISSUE WITH ANOTHER CAR MANUFACTURE KNOWING THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS BAD ON THEIR AUTOMOBILES. *TR