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Exterior lightingPart report

2013 Toyota Highlander Exterior lighting Problems

Complaints
5about this part
Share
2%of 207 total for the year
Median mileage
16,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2013 Toyota Highlander, 2% of the 207 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 16,000 miles.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“The door open alert and alert beeping came on as well as all of the interior lighting as I was driving. It shows glass door on the display. I checked all doors and none of the doors are open. It was very distracting and dangerous to be driving at night on the highway with all interior lights on. They keep going on and off and the alert keeps beeping. As far as I can find out, there is no way to turn off the interior lights. My car is out of warranty by 300 miles. I just had it in for the 35,000 mile service. I find numerous accounts of this known issue on several websites/discussion forums. …”

NHTSA complaint #10668185, filed 2014-12, 36,300 miles

“I purchased the Toyota Highlander in december of 2012. Immediately we knew something was wrong with the headlights. They are focused down toward the road and have a line of shade above. The Highlander lights are so dim, we don't know if they are working. We are overdriving our visibility at night and we cannot see any road signs because the lights are focused to far down they do not illuminate signs on the side of the road. …”

NHTSA complaint #10548358, filed 2013-10

“When I turn the signal left both flashers blinks. When I turn the signal right both flashers blinks. I checked hazards light button and it is not pressed. Both signals flashers are blinking at same time.”

NHTSA complaint #10995882, filed 2017-06

“The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle suddenly stalled. Also, the contact mentioned that the headlights and instrument panel light intermittently failed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician was unable to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 16,000.”

NHTSA complaint #10583053, filed 2014-04, 16,000 miles

Exterior lighting: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2022125%
202182%
201941%
201852%
201741%
201698%
2015105%
201421%
201352%
201221%
201153%
2010126%
200921%
200831%
200673%
200594%
2004145%
2003156%
2002124%
200121%

Other parts of the 2013 Toyota Highlander

Steering
46 complaints
Engine
32 complaints
Vehicle speed control
31 complaints
Electrical system
26 complaints
Other or unknown
23 complaints
Body and structure
18 complaints
Air bags
17 complaints
Brakes
17 complaints
Fuel system
15 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
11 complaints
Seats
10 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
8 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2013 Toyota Highlander

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology