2013 Toyota Highlander Engine Problems
- 23
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
Among these 23 stored complaint records:
- 1 indicate a crash
- 1 indicate injury
- 0 indicate fire
What owners report
- hesitates accelerating · 4 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 1–30k mi | 19 |
| 30–60k mi | 2 |
| 60–100k mi | 1 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Engine · Power Train
Head gasket leaked car less than 100k miles and less than 5 years. Google search showed similar problems with other highlanders.
ODI 11119316
Electrical System · Electronic Stability Control · Engine
Bought vehicle 'certified' on 04/20/17 and first oil change 06/30/17 corrosion on battery terminal notated. New battery purchased. 05/25/17, corrosion is again notated. Vehicle has been through 2 separate oil changes and no corrosion notated. Now dealer is stating verbally $5800 to fix terminals and cable due to battery acid and corrosion leading to electrical damage. Harness damage. Flaw of this vehicle is all…
ODI 11101098
Engine · Power Train
I am asking that the nhtsa investigate the 2013 highlander limited for the ability to turn off the car while in "drive" after parking. We purchased our car new form the dealer, and ever since we have been able to turn the car off the vehicle after parking but in "drive" which has led to the car unintentionally rolling downhill on several times. On two occasions it has led to the car not restarting. We have asked our…
ODI 11090274
Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System
Upon entering into car after it had been parked i smelled gasoline. Wife said she had just filled up before coming home and perhaps spilled some. I got out of vehicle and checked and saw small puddle of gasoline where car had been parked. Moved car away from house and raised hood to vent engine compartment. I removed front skid plate/panel to find leak and allow further air circulation. I power cycled key and saw…
ODI 10945482
Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System · Unknown Or Other
Vehicle hesitates when accelerating, usually when making a turn from a stop or moving slowly. It is especially hazardous when trying to make a left turn in front of oncoming traffic. Has happened multiple times, not just the date below. The dealer can not duplicate the problem. We bought the car in early 2014 new, and noticed this problem before 5,000 miles. The car now has 22,000 miles and it still does this…
ODI 10897242
Air Bags · Body · Engine
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. *tr
Crash reported
ODI 10673101
Engine · Vehicle Speed Control
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 toyota highlander. While driving approximately 65 mph, the cruise control was engaged and the rpms increased rapidly to 5,000 for a brief moment and then resumed normally. The failure occurred when driving up an incline and also without the cruise control activated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the…
ODI 10795131
Electrical System · Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System
I purchased the 2013 highlander new from a dealer in vienna, va in july 2013. The auto started a string of engine hesitancy to accelerate problems at around 5,000 miles which was reported to the dealer at the 5,000 mile check-up and again at the 7,500 mile checkup. The service department could not duplicate the problem and gave the engine a clean bill of health. We moved to mn in may 2014 and the hesitancy of the…
ODI 10744308
Engine
The vehicle did not alert to any engine and/or vehicle problem (no caution light, no engine light, etc.) the driver happened to look down at the fuel tank and noticed that the temperature gauge exceed the measuring mark (over the red zone) and was still running. The driver immediately went to a safe place. Towed to the dealership. Dealership informs that a "small rock or road debris" traveled through the front grill…
ODI 10578536
Engine · Vehicle Speed Control
On thursday, april 3, 2013. I stopped at an intersection and when i tried to accelerate there was no response. I thought the engine had died. There were no lights on instrument panel. I pressed accelerator again and it jerked and took off. I have experienced hesitations several times (10-12). I bought the highlander 2013 in july 2013. *tr
ODI 10578436
Engine · Power Train · Vehicle Speed Control
I bought a 2013 toyota highlander in october 2012 and never noticed any problem until early in 2014. When i try to accelerate on a small incline, the accelerator would not respond. It acted as if i am not pressing the gas pedal. I am not talking about going to the mountains but just a small incline when i drive home from work everyday. I took it into the dealer in march 2014 and they responded same as other people…
ODI 10576486
Engine · Service Brakes
I bought a new 2013 highlander december 28, 2013 from tom wood toyota dealership. When i was driving home december 28-31, 2013 click, click, squeaking noise, brakes slipping, dragging, vibrating and a tremendous pulsating against my foot when i stop. When i tried to stop the highlander the vehicle jumped forward. January 2, 2014 a burnt odor coming through the heater vents, rattling in the right front door, gush…
ODI 10558553
Engine · Fuel System, Gasoline · Power Train
I purchased a new 2013 toyota highlander limited in november 2013. A few days later, upon accelerating from a stop into a left turn, the engine cut off for a few seconds while entering traffic. This happened a couple more times before the first checkup, at which time i informed the service technician, problem was noted on service sheet, but when service was completed, they said they could find no problem. The…
ODI 10608016
Engine
While attempting to turn from a side road onto a main road, i needed to accelerate to blend into the faster moving traffic. While attempting to accelerate the engine acted like the gas pedal had not been pressed but maintained the previous slow engine speed despite the gas pedal being finally pressed to the floor. While maintaining the full gas pedal position the engine finally revved up and the suv lurched forward.…
ODI 10747701
Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System
Occasional throttle no response when trying to accelerate moderately from a stop, or from a very low speed (i.e.-coasting around a 90 degree turn with the engine at idle speed.) i then push heavily on the accelerator pedal, and it revs up, downshifts, and races ahead. It is dangerous, in traffic. I have brought it to the dealer twice, and they cannot reproduce the problem. Two so called factory reps rode around with…
ODI 10551534
Engine
When turning left out of my neighborhood i slowed down and then tried to return to speed but the vehicle hesitated then suddenly jerked up to the desired speed. One other time on an interstate i had to slow down behind a truck and then when i tried to accelerate back to speed in the passing lane the car hesitated for several seconds and again accelerated rapidly (cars in the passing lane had to brake quickly. I…
ODI 10544226
Engine · Vehicle Speed Control
Vehicle hesitates when accelerating. Does not happen all the time, when trying to get vehicle up to highway speed will depress gas pedal and nothing will happen for 3-4 seconds, then all of a sudden vehicle will speed up. This only started to happen after 1300 miles . Took vehicle to toyota dealership and of course vehicle ran fine, tech. Checked for any trouble codes and none were found. Also since this started to…
ODI 10526292
Engine
The vehicle has a hesitation or lack of acceleration problem. It occurs from a stopped position or a moving state. I have had it to the local toyota dealer 5 times and they have not been able to find the problem. They were able to duplicate the problem. They have been in touch with toyota but they say no problems exist, which is what i have come to expect from toyota corporate. My wife was almost in an accident on…
ODI 10537848
Electrical System · Engine · Headlights
Tl* 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…
ODI 10583053
Engine
The car has burned 1 qt of oil every 1500 milles or so since day1... Toyota will do nothing to repair the internal engine problem as they say it is acceptable per them to burn 1 qt every 1200??
ODI 10862580
Engine · Vehicle Speed Control
At totally random times, after a few miles of driving or from a slow speed, vehicle hesitates when accelerating. Most annoying and dangerous is the way it doesn't respond to the accelerator for a few seconds after stopping at a stop sign or stop light or when going slowly as in entering the freeway. Took vehicle to toyota dealership and of course vehicle ran fine for the time they drove it. Tech checked for any…
ODI 10550635
Engine · Vehicle Speed Control
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 toyota highlander. The contact stated that on several occasions, the vehicle exhibited unintended acceleration. Additionally, the vehicle would vibrate excessively when stationary with the engine on. The vibrations would cause ear pain to the contact. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified and no solution was offered. The failure mileage was 11,000.
1 injury
ODI 10582957
Electrical System · Engine · Vehicle Speed Control
At totally random times, after a few miles of driving or 100 miles, vehicle hesitates when accelerating. Most annoying and dangerous is the way it doesn't respond to the accelerator for a few seconds after stopping at a stop sign or stop light. Took vehicle to toyota dealership and of course vehicle ran fine for the 4 miles they drove it. Tech checked for any trouble codes and none were found. This seems like a…
ODI 10533705