2013 Toyota Highlander Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 18about this part
- Share
- 9%of 207 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 41,490miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 18 complaints about the body and structure of the 2013 Toyota Highlander, 9% of the 207 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 41,490 miles. 6 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I got hit by a drunk driver while I was at an intersection stationary. I was waiting to make a left turn and an oncoming car going 35 MPH crossed lanes and crashed into me. It was a bad accident, both cars involved totalled.I had 4 other passengers in the car, and no airbags went off. I received head injuries (a lot of dizziness), neck and back injuries.”
NHTSA complaint #11187259, filed 2019-03, 96,000 miles“Similar to other complaints I have read via this site, water has collected beneath my floormats from the drainage tubes running from sunroof. The dealership has stated that they have been clogged with dirt and they have unclogged them 3 times in 10 months. Following the third visit, they are now saying there's nothing more they can do, this is a flaw in the design of the drainage system. My car now smells of mold to which I am allergic, and Toyota refuses to correct this issue. …”
NHTSA complaint #11219356, filed 2019-06, 49,000 miles“When the lift gate of my Toyota Highlander was closing I heard a clunk and saw the lift arm detach from the body of the vehicle. I took it to the dealer and was told no warranty or extended warranty would cover the damage. I have 41,000 miles on the vehicle and the platinum extended warranty. I searched the internet and was shocked to see so many lawsuits and complaints against Toyota for this design flaw. I have spoken to the regional Toyota office and the most they are willing to do is 50% of the bill which would leave me to pay $1700.00. …”
NHTSA complaint #10876184, filed 2016-06, 41,490 miles“I rear ended a car in front of me. Damage minimal to his car. My Highlander sustained over 10 thousand dollar front damage. My air bags did not deploy.”
NHTSA complaint #10673101, filed 2015-01, 30,000 miles“On 2/20/2015 my parked Toyota was hit in the front bumper causing damage. The party that hit me carried state farm insurance. They admitted fault and sent me to one of their preferred shops. The shop informed me that stae farm would not allow them to install a new bumper since my vehicle has 10,753 miles on it. State farm forced them to source a used bumper, even though this is part of the Toyota safety system. I would not allow the used part to be installed. Senator richard blumenthal last week ask the attorney general and doj to investigate this practice over safety concerns. …”
NHTSA complaint #10690855, filed 2015-02, 10,753 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11012744Dec 6, 2024The 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…
- 11012743Dec 6, 2024To 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…
- 11012742Dec 6, 2024Acid 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…
- 11012735Dec 5, 2024Toyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal painted surfaces. This material protects from acid rain, environmental…
- 11012727Dec 3, 2024Vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad tracks, train wheels, exposure to heavy machinery facilities, grinding…
- 11007455Jul 29, 2024Some 2005 – 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…
- 11006161Jul 29, 2024Some 2005 – 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…
- 11007445Jul 12, 2024The 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…
- 11007444Jul 12, 2024To 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…
- 11007443Jul 12, 2024Acid 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…
Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 4 | 9% |
| 2023 | 32 | 17% |
| 2022 | 43 | 16% |
| 2021 | 52 | 10% |
| 2020 | 30 | 9% |
| 2019 | 12 | 2% |
| 2018 | 12 | 4% |
| 2017 | 8 | 3% |
| 2016 | 4 | 4% |
| 2015 | 32 | 17% |
| 2014 | 32 | 24% |
| 2013 | 18 | 9% |
| 2012 | 20 | 11% |
| 2011 | 27 | 15% |
| 2010 | 14 | 6% |
| 2009 | 15 | 11% |
| 2008 | 11 | 3% |
| 2007 | 5 | 4% |
| 2006 | 4 | 1% |
| 2005 | 8 | 4% |
| 2004 | 8 | 3% |
| 2003 | 18 | 7% |
| 2002 | 24 | 8% |
| 2001 | 13 | 9% |
Other parts of the 2013 Toyota Highlander
46 complaintsEngine
32 complaintsVehicle speed control
31 complaintsElectrical system
26 complaintsOther or unknown
23 complaintsAir bags
17 complaintsBrakes
17 complaintsFuel system
15 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
11 complaintsSeats
10 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
8 complaintsExterior lighting
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2013 Toyota Highlander
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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