2013 Toyota Highlander problems, recalls, safety rating, MPG & value

Q: Does the 2013 Toyota Highlander have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls for the 2013 Toyota Highlander. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

Q: What gas mileage does the 2013 Toyota Highlander get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2013 Toyota Highlander at about 22 mpg combined (21 city / 25 highway).

Q: How much is a 2013 Toyota Highlander worth?

Comparable 2013 Toyota Highlander listings run roughly $17,999–$31,200, typically around $24,157 (from 277 vehicles).

2013 Toyota Highlander at a glance

Safety recalls3

Owner complaints209

Combined22 mpg

Typical price$24,157

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2013 Toyota Highlander recalls 3

Seats NHTSA Campaign #14V148000 · 27/03/2014

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."

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 · 09/04/2013

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 Sc…

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…

Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control Module-inactive NHTSA Campaign #13V014000 · 16/01/2013

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…

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.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2013 Toyota Highlander common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 209 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Engine

Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.

Service Brakes

Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.

Fuel/propulsion System

Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.

Air Bags

Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.

Structure

Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.

Seat Belts

Check that every belt latches, retracts and locks under a sharp tug, and that none are frayed.

2013 Toyota Highlander MPG & running costs

Combined22 mpg

City21 mpg

Highway25 mpg

Est. annual fuel cost$2,838

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2013 Toyota Highlander worth?

Low

$17,999

Typical price

$24,157

High

$31,200

From 277 comparable 2013 Toyota Highlander listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2013 Toyota Highlander costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$14,190

Depreciation (5 yrs)$11,450

Total$25,640

Per mile$0.34

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($24,157) with the same model 5 model-years older ($12,709), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2013 Toyota Highlander trims & engines on record

Trims

Base · Limited · SE · Base/Hybrid · Plus

Engines

3.5L 6-cyl 231 hp · 2.7L 4-cyl 185 hp

2013 Toyota Highlander vehicles on record

2013 Toyota Highlander Base/Hybrid5TDDK3EH0DS175377

2013 Toyota Highlander Base/Hybrid5TDBK3EH3DS263895

2013 Toyota Highlander Limited5TDYK3EH7DS099402 2013 Toyota Highlander Base5TDZA3EHXDS041131

2013 Toyota Highlander Base5TDBK3EH9DS182531

2013 Toyota Highlander Limited5TDDK3EH1DS177302

2013 Toyota Highlander Base5TDBK3EH8DS232867

2013 Toyota Highlander Limited5TDDK3EH9DS189861 2013 Toyota Highlander Plus5TDBK3EH3DS185697 2013 Toyota Highlander Base5TDBK3EH6DS203254 2013 Toyota Highlander Base5TDBK3EH1DS208264 2013 Toyota Highlander SE5TDBK3EH5DS187676

2013 Toyota Highlander Base5TDZA3EH9DS035708 2013 Toyota Highlander Plus5TDZA3EH2DS045500

2013 Toyota Highlander Plus5TDBK3EH7DS223920 2013 Toyota Highlander Limited5TDDK3EH3DS205942

2013 Toyota Highlander Limited5TDDK3EH5DS239963

2013 Toyota Highlander SE5TDBK3EH8DS177224 2013 Toyota Highlander Plus5TDBK3EH2DS214655

2013 Toyota Highlander Limited5TDYK3EH0DS099001

2013 Toyota Highlander Base5TDZA3EH6DS046360

2013 Toyota Highlander Base5TDZA3EH8DS042407

2013 Toyota Highlander SE5TDBK3EH3DS212770

2013 Toyota Highlander Plus5TDBK3EH4DS182940

Other Toyota Highlander model years

2013 Toyota Highlander — frequently asked questions

Does the 2013 Toyota Highlander have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls for the 2013 Toyota Highlander. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

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

Based on 209 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are engine, service brakes, fuel/propulsion system.

What gas mileage does the 2013 Toyota Highlander get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2013 Toyota Highlander at about 22 mpg combined (21 city / 25 highway).

How much is a 2013 Toyota Highlander worth?

Comparable 2013 Toyota Highlander listings run roughly $17,999–$31,200, typically around $24,157 (from 277 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.