2013 Toyota HighlanderService bulletins
2013 Toyota Highlander Technical Service Bulletins
369 technical service bulletins (TSBs) are on record for the 2013 Toyota Highlander. TSBs are notes manufacturers send to dealers about repair procedures for issues seen in the field. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault.
- 10133741Mar 26, 2014Engine cooling. Prior to installing remanufactured U660 and U760 transaxles, it is necessary to remove the lower oil cooler tube union from the original transaxle case and install it into the reman unit. A NEW O-ring and printed installation instructions are supplied in separate bag with the reman unit. An instruction tag is also affixed to the unit.
- 10133740Mar 26, 2014Electrical system. The vehicle will not start or ready0on and the steering wheel lock is engaged so that the steering wheel may only be turned very little from side-to-side. If the operator attempts to ready-on or start the vehicle while there is tension on the steering lock actuator, it will not be able to fully disengage when the "ENGINE START STOP" or "POWER" switch is depressed.
- 10060799Mar 26, 2014Transmission and drivetrain. Summary to be provided on a future date.
- 10131933Feb 28, 2014Equipment. Customer complains of Bluetooth connectivity concerns such as: Difficulty to pair phone, Intermittent Bluetooth failure to connect to the vehicle when first turning on the vehicle. These concerns can be caused by changes made on the customer's phone. Make sure to inquire with the customer if the connectivity concerns occurred after receiving an operating system update on their phone or they have restored their…
- 10131930Feb 11, 2014Equipment. Since MY 2011, several different update or upgrade USB SSTs have been issued for Toyota audio and navigation systems. Refer to the chart below for a comprehensive list of all current and previously issued USB SSTs and their applicability.
- 10131927Feb 4, 2014Engine. Starting with the 2010 Model Year, Toyota began a gradual transition to the use of synthetic 0w-20 viscosity engine oil. There are multiple benefits of this oil. Due to the improved performance and durability of 0w-20 synthetic oil, Toyota has extended the oil change intervals to 10,000 miles for most vehicle that require this oil.
- 10131902Feb 4, 2014Equipment. Toyota models equipped with the Display Audio Navigation System require a Special Service Tool (SST) USB drive to update the map, points of interest, Gracenote, and system software. The SST is used with all vehicles to deliver the update, however a unique Activation Number is required for each vehicle. Activation Numbers are provided in an Activation Card Number (ACN) pamphlet available through the normal parts…
- 10131952Jan 27, 2014Equipment. Some 2012 model year vehicles equipped with a Display Audio Navigation System and Entune? (version less than 2.1.0) may exhibit one or more of the following conditions:
- 10131951Jan 23, 2014Tires. Toyota vehicles are equipped with either conventional or run-flat tires. Sometimes punctures may occur as a result of contact with road debris or other hazards. If a puncture occurs, it may be possible to repair the tire and return it to service. With a conventional tire it is not possible to drive for an extended amount of time with the tire at low pressures as damage to the tire may occur.
- 10131961Jan 14, 2014Air bags. Toyota vehicles are equipped with Supplemental Restraint Systems (SRS), including various airbags and in some models, seat belt pre-tensioners, to help reduce the risk of injury in a collision. If a customer expresses any concerns that the SRS airbags or pre-tensioner devices did not perform as expected (including an unintended deployment event), please follow the steps in the recommendations section below.
- 10131993Dec 19, 2013Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors). This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0185-13.
- 10131988Dec 19, 2013Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors). The following procedures are recommended during routine maintenance or in the event of a customer concern for wiper performance.
- 10131944Dec 17, 2013Equipment. Some 2012 ? 2013 model year Highlander and Highlander HV vehicles may exhibit a condition where the overhead console sunglass holder is difficult to open or close, and/or the sunglass holder door will not stay closed. The sunglass holder latch (Retainer, Roof Console Box Hinge) has been updated to address this condition.
- 10061643Dec 17, 2013Equipment. Summary to be provided on a future date.
- 10132064Nov 18, 2013Other or unknown. This bulletin is no longer applicable and is now obsolete.
- 10132058Nov 6, 2013Equipment. Use the following procedures to check and/or update the software version of Entune/Navigation for Non-HDD Type units.
- 10132057Nov 6, 2013Equipment. Applicability has been updated to include 2014 model year Avalon, Avalon HV, Camry, Camry HV, Prius, Prius C, Prius PHV, Prius V, Venza vehicles. Vehicle equipped with a Display Audio Navigation System and Entune (version less than 2.1.0) may exhibit one or more of the following conditions. Vehicle orientation slow to update after vehicle start up. Five Bing results are not all displayed on the map.
- 10132056Nov 6, 2013Equipment. This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0163-13 .
- 10061636Nov 6, 2013Equipment. Summary to be provided on a future date.
- 10132055Nov 4, 2013Seats, Air bags, Equipment. Beginning in 1998, Toyota introduced side airbags as optional equipment. Toyota does NOT recommend replacement of original seat covers with non-Toyota leather or other seat cover materials on vehicles due to the following: Seat covers NOT recommended by Toyota may affect side airbag performance, in general or in part, during an accident. Modifications that negatively affect side airbag performance can result in…
- 10132135Oct 24, 2013Equipment, Electrical system. These concerns can be caused by changes made on the customer?s phone. Make sure to inquire with the customer if the connectivity concerns occurred after receiving an operating system update on their phone or they have restored their phone data/settings recently.
- 10132100Oct 24, 2013Engine. Immediately following a cold soak startup, some 2009 ? 2013 model year vehicles equipped with 1AR-FE or 2AR-FE engines may exhibit a brief knock/rattle noise from the engine compartment for approximately one second. Follow the repair procedure below to address this condition.
- 10062070Oct 24, 2013Equipment. Summary to be provided on a future date.
- 10132136Oct 23, 2013Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors). The appearance of spots in tempered glass (when viewed at certain angles) is the result of the heat treating and quick quenching process during manufacturing.
- 10132134Oct 23, 2013Equipment. Some vehicles equipped with Display Audio may exhibit a condition where the touch screen is inoperative.
- 10062069Oct 23, 2013Equipment. Summary to be provided on a future date.
- 10132137Oct 2, 2013Equipment, Engine cooling. If a customer states there is an unpleasant odor in the vehicle from the HVAC system, there are various factors that may be involved.
- 10132131Oct 2, 2013Engine. Due to the improved performance and durability of 0w-20 synthetic oil, Toyota has extended the oil change intervals to 10,000 miles for most vehicles that require this oil. With this change, the following should be noted
- 10132130Oct 2, 2013Equipment. Customer?s experiencing this condition can use a 3rd party podcast application on their iPhone (such as Pocket Casts or Instances) instead of the native Apple Podcast application.
- 10132087Oct 2, 2013Engine cooling. Some vehicles may exhibit a condition where there is a lack of cooling from the A/C system. An A/C Line Retainer (Piping Clamp) may have become unlatched and caused a refrigerant leak. Follow the procedure in this bulletin to address this condition.
- 10062066Oct 2, 2013Equipment. Summary to be provided on a future date.
- 10062065Oct 2, 2013Equipment. Summary to be provided on a future date.
- 10061628Oct 2, 2013Equipment. Summary to be provided on a future date.
- 10132084Oct 1, 2013Transmission and drivetrain. The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide precautions to follow when installing an automatic transmission/transaxle assembly to avoid MIL ?ON,? shifting issues, and/or transmission damage. Use the information in this bulletin when installing an automatic transmission/transaxle assembly
- 10132163Sep 27, 2013Equipment. iTunes Radio is a new feature for iPhone 4, 4S, 5, 5S, and 5C running iOS 7 or later. This feature does work with the in-vehicle audio system either via Bluetooth or by USB cable. Details on how to access this feature are described below.
- 10062063Sep 27, 2013Equipment. Summary to be provided on a future date.
- 10132161Sep 26, 2013Equipment. Customers using iPhone 4, 4S, 5, 5S, or 5C running iOS 7.0 or later now have the ability to make Facetime Audio calls (no video). When a customer is paired by Bluetooth Hands Free and they make a Facetime Audio call the vehicle radio will treat it as a typical Bluetooth phone call. Because Facetime works differently than a typical phone call, the in-vehicle experience may not meet the customer?s expectations.
- 10062062Sep 26, 2013Equipment. Summary to be provided on a future date.
- 10132157Sep 13, 2013Equipment. To receive satellite radio functions after the initial trial period has expired, the customer must enter into a contract with XM Satellite Radio Inc. After entering into a contract, registration of an 8-digit XM Radio ID is required. This 8-digit XM Radio ID is found by turning to channel ?0? of the satellite radio.
- 10132156Sep 13, 2013Equipment. If a customer states there is an unpleasant odor in the vehicle from the HVAC system, there are various factors that may be involved.
- 10062013Sep 13, 2013Equipment. Summary to be provided on a future date.
- 10131985Sep 12, 2013Equipment. Some 2004 ? 2014 model year Toyota vehicles may exhibit odors naturally occurring from the HVAC system and/or related environmental factors. Although there is no way to eliminate these odors, follow the General Procedure in this bulletin to minimize the odors experienced.
- 10131984Sep 9, 2013Equipment, Brakes. A new Special Service Tool (SST 09709-00002) has been introduced to aid in the inspection procedure for certain vehicles equipped with a floor pedal-type parking brake system. This bulletin references the correct method for installing the Brake Pedal Force Gauge. Refer to the appropriate Repair Manual for parking brake pedal travel inspection and adjustment specification.
- 10061620Sep 9, 2013Brakes. Summary to be provided on a future date.
- 10062057Aug 27, 2013Equipment. Summary to be provided on a future date.
- 10132203Aug 9, 2013Transmission and drivetrain, Back-over prevention (rear camera). Some 2008 ? 2013 model year Highlander vehicles equipped with the 5-speed automatic transaxle may exhibit a whine noise from the final drive gear assembly. This noise is noticeable above 35 mph. Please refer to the repair procedure to address this condition.
- 10054855Aug 9, 2013Transmission and drivetrain, Steering. Toyota: there is a whining noise when vehicle is driven above 35 mph, from final drive gear assembly and a repair procedure has available to address this issue. Model 2008-2013 highlander.
- 10062047Aug 5, 2013Equipment. Summary to be provided on a future date.
- 10062009Aug 2, 2013Equipment. Summary to be provided on a future date.
- 10132269Jul 25, 2013Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors). Tips for writing a DPR (Dealer Product Report) on manufacturing issues for windows and windshields.
← All problems reported for the 2013 Toyota Highlander
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.