Even though the 2013 Toyota Highlander can be more difficult to locate, the search might be worthwhile. According to Consumer Reports, one currently costs between $14,200 and $17,925. Owner satisfaction scored a four out of five stars, but the reliability score received a perfect five out of five.
The majority of the categories received a four-star rating or above from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The full five out of five stars were given in places like the overall side-crash ratings. The front-moderate overlap and side collision portions received a “good” grade from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
For this year, there are three active recalls. The first one has to do with the seats not correctly locking into the track. Drivers may overburden the car at the risk of a tire failure as a result of an incorrect label. The front passenger airbags are the subject of the last but most significant recall. The airbag could malfunction if the passenger seat occupant detection system is out of calibration.
You can check for unrepaired recalls by entering the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) into the Recall Look-up box.
In This Article...
What is the lifespan of a 2013 Toyota Highlander?
What Is the Toyota Highlander’s Lifespan? One of the most durable midsize SUVs on the market, the Toyota Highlander can keep going for up to 300,000 miles after you drive it off the lot.
Do Toyota Highlanders frequently experience issues?
Knowing what kind of performance to anticipate from each model year is crucial if you’re thinking about purchasing a Toyota Highlander. Although Toyota is a reliable brand and the Highlander is a well-liked and sturdy SUV, not every year for the Highlander was successful. If you want to be sure you get a dependable car that will endure through years of regular use, you must be aware of the Toyota Highlander years to stay away from.
Some buyers love experimental cars, but nobody wants to purchase one they believe won’t be a dependable daily driver.
We’ll also touch on the Highlander model years that have received the best ratings and reviews, as well as any other factors you might want to take into account before purchasing a Toyota Highlander.
In A Hurry? Here Are The Toyota Highlander Years To Avoid
Here are the primary Toyota Highlander model years to stay away from if you want a vehicle that will last.
- 2003
- 2008
- 2014
- 2015
That’s a relatively short list of trouble years for a car that has been in regular production since 2001, in all honesty. Consumers today should steer clear of those four years because they had the most serious issues.
Additionally, there was a rocky time between 2010 and 2012, and those model years nearly made this list. The 2010 and 2012 models aren’t quite as reliable or useful as the model years prior to or beyond 2015, despite the few complaints.
On the other hand, a 2010 or 2012 Highlander can still be a wise purchase if it’s priced reasonably and has a decent maintenance history. However, if you are interested in any of the models we’ve already discussed, you should probably conduct some investigation. Some of the frequent issues with the Toyota Highlander are simple to fix. If you use the car as your main mode of transportation, other problems can be far more serious and a major inconvenience.
The CoPilot app isn’t just for purchasing a car; it can also be used to keep track of recalls and receive recommendations on which regular maintenance activities are most crucial.
Engine Bolts Becoming Stripped
If you don’t identify the problem right away, it could become quite serious. Unfortunately, coolant leaks and overheated engines are the most typical first signs that your engine bolts are stripped.
When necessary, the bolts can be changed, and the bolt holes can be redrilled, but only if your engine hasn’t already suffered other harm as a result of overheating. That means that for many customers who experienced this problem, a complete engine replacement was the only option.
The 130k mile mark is the problem’s peak frequency, however once it occurs once, it may happen again.
Engine Failure
One of the more serious problems with Toyota Highlanders is often engine failure. Engine failure can be caused by a variety of factors, but those failures are likely connected to the engine bolts being stripped and contributing to overheating issues.
In light of these factors, purchasing a Toyota Highlander from one of their problematic years puts you at a significantly higher risk of needing an engine replacement.
It’s also important to think about whether you have the funds to replace your engine or if you would probably need a new car if your engine failed, as engine failure is an issue that only certain car owners are prepared to fix.
Engine failure tends to occur around 120k miles, while it can occasionally occur significantly earlier. Many Highlanders will run above 120k miles without any problems, but they could develop issues afterwards.
Using Engine Oil Faster Than Average
Unfortunately, the Toyota Highlander is one of those cars infamous for using oil. Although this issue can affect practically any model of Highlander, it tends to be more prevalent in older models.
Interestingly, despite being a good automobile overall, the 2002 model year has the worst oil burn rate. So, on a 2002 Highlander, we wouldn’t worry about this issue too much if you’re okay with spending a bit more money on oil. However, it can be a bigger issue if you’re thinking about a different model year with other documented problems.
Fuel Tank and AC Condenser Problems
Although both buyers and critics gave the 2020 Highlander redesign a generally positive review, it had a few dependability issues. There have been rumors that the gasoline tank on the 2020 model is defective.
In particular, reports stated that they were unable to fill the tank to its 17.1 gallon maximum capacity. Instead, they were only able to fill approximately 12 to 14 gallons.
Additionally, a number of complaints claimed that the Highlander’s air conditioning system might or might not work. The AC apparently ceased delivering chilly air since the condenser was prone to damage. Condenser replacement, which can cost anywhere from $60 to $150 including labor, is a straightforward remedy.
Faulty Head Gasket and Oxygen Sensor
Models of the Highlander from 2001 to 2007 frequently experience engine overheating. Owners who have experienced engine overheating have reported that a blown head gasket is to blame. A closer look reveals that the head bolts frequently pull the engine block’s threads out, which eventually results in a ruptured head gasket.
Meanwhile, it was claimed that the oxygen sensors in a number of Highlander models were defective. This flaw results in the engine misfiring and harsh idling.
These are the ideal vehicles for college students since they can transport you, your friends, and your belongings everywhere you need to go, whether you need to squeeze into a small campus parking space or transport ten loads of laundry home.
Toyota Highlander Years To Buy
Naturally, now that we’ve covered the model years to stay away from, it’s time to discuss the most reliable and cost-effective model years.
All cars run the danger of something going wrong, and parts break in all kinds of vehicles, so these models aren’t ideal. However, these cars are frequently reliable, robust, and enjoyable to drive.
The best Highlander seasons are:
- 2001
- 2005
- 2006
- 2007
- 2009
- 2013
- 2017
- 2018
- 2019
- 2020
- 2021
From 2016 on, Highlander models have all been more reliable and have received far fewer issues or complaints overall than earlier models. The 2021 model appears to be excellent so far, but it is a fairly recent model, so it’s possible that customers haven’t driven the car far enough to experience problems. However, based on Highlanders’ recent performance, we anticipate that the 2021 model will be a strong long-term performer.
You might not be particularly knowledgeable about your car’s brakes unless you’re a mechanic or a super-committed auto enthusiast. How much time do they usually last? How frequently should brakes be replaced? We have solutions.
Which Models Of Toyota Highlander Are Great To Buy Used?
The majority of the models we mentioned in the section above are good choices for secondhand purchases, but some are superior to others. We’d suggest the 2010 model if you’re searching for a decent deal and want a model that’s a little roomier and bigger than others. They have a few more problem reports than other models, but other models from 2009 to 2011 are also an excellent option.
The 2016, 2017, and 2018 versions are all excellent values and provide exceptional performance for the price if you’re searching for a more recent model and don’t mind the price. Although we haven’t had a chance to endorse the 2019 and 2020 models as used cars just yet, they are already demonstrating symptoms of being a decent alternative.
Get a Curated List of the Best Used Cars Near You
The simplest way to purchase a car is using the CoPilot auto shopping app. You may create a customized list of the top car listings in your area by telling us what you’re looking for, and we’ll search the inventories of every dealership in your area.
Just seeking for more recent models? The search engine for virtually new vehicles is CoPilot Compare. only observe recentfive years or lessautos with little mileage. The greatest place to look for off-lease, early trade-in, and CPO vehicles is CoPilot Compare.
What’s best? We have more information on each vehicle than our rivals since CoPilot was developed using the same technologies that dealerships use to acquire and sell their inventories. Since CoPilot doesn’t partner with automakers, there aren’t any sponsored posts or other dubious tacticsjust the most information about the best vehicles. To learn more about CoPilot’s operation, see our About Us page.
What is the 2013 Highlander’s price?
The 2013 Toyota Highlander costs how much? The 2013 Highlander has over 500 listings on our website, with an average price of $20,500. Prices range from nearly $15,500 to approximately $25,900 and depend on the location, amenities, mileage, and condition of the vehicle.
Which Toyota Highlander model year is best?
When to Purchase a Used Toyota Highlander (1st to 4th)
- The original Highlander (Best Years: 2006-2007)
- The second-generation Highlander (Best Years: 2009-2013)
- The third-generation Highlander (Best Years: 2017-2019)
- a Highlander from generation four (Best Years: 2020-Present)
Are Toyota Highlanders still worth anything?
The Highlander received higher ratings than other well-liked cars like the Honda Pilot and Subaru Ascent. KBB data indicates that the Highlander keeps 60.2 percent of its value 36 months after purchase. It still has 46.3 percent of its worth after 60 months. In contrast, the Ascent retains 60% after 36 months and only 46% after 60.
Do Toyota Highlanders have issues with their transmissions?
In order to enable you to drive at the correct speed, the gearbox transfers power from the motor to your wheels.
Given that the transmission must convert the exact quantity of power for the required speed,
How many miles can a Toyota Highlander travel?
The Toyota Highlander can run for up to 300,000 miles, or almost 20 years, according to statistics. Although that is a long time to own any vehicle, Highlander owners appear to be happy with their purchase. 12.4 percent of Highlander owners, or twice as many as the average SUV owner, keep their vehicles for more than 15 years, according to iSeeCars.
Cities like Jacksonville, Florida, saw percentages up to 17% higher than that. The lifespan of a 300,000-mile SUV is also longer than that of most other SUVs. Competitors like the Ford Explorer and Nissan Pathfinder typically have a 250,000-mile lifespan.
The outstanding dependability of the Toyota Highlander is supported by Consumer Reports as well. Since 2001, the Highlander has received an excellent or nearly excellent overall reliability rating. Over the years, owners have reported a few issues with their Highlanders, but the most are easily rectified. Toyota frequently paid owners back for the cost of repairs when there was a recall, for example.
Although Highlanders rarely draw criticism, certain model years are worse than others. Because of its defective brakes and engine block bolts, the 2003 model is often regarded as being the worst. The 2015 Highlander’s unpleasant seats are another reason why it isn’t a popular with buyers.
Toyotas have a 300,000 mile lifespan.
When Ford introduced the Escape Hybrid in 2005, the company was not well-known for electric drivetrains. Early success in the cab fleets in New York City altered that. The first 18 Escape Hybrids traveled more than 175,000 miles on New York streets in a year and a half. Despite the model’s phase-out in 2012, Escape Hybrids were still a sizable portion of the taxi fleet as of 2017. Every single one of them we’ve seen had almost 400,000 miles on the clock. Consider purchasing a used one if you see one for the long term.
Which year avoided by Highlander?
The Highlander has proven to be a very secure SUV over time. Additionally, it only has a few significant dependability issues.
Only the 2003 and 2004 model years for the original generation Highlander (2001-2007) should be avoided. This is due to complaints that they have issues that necessitate costly repairs like replacing the engine or transmission.
The Highlanders from model years 2005 to 2007 are among those that earned better reviews.
It’s recommended to leave the 2008 Highlander with a for-sale sign on it as that model year also had some engine issues. But the majority of the past years have shown to be extremely secure and trustworthy.
The Highlander’s reputation as one of the best SUVs available is hardly surprising. The Highlander is the only SUV you need to consider if you’re shopping around for one.
Toyota Highlander: Model Years that are Best Buys
- Fourth-generation Highlander, present
- Third-generation Highlander, 20172019
- Second-generation Highlander from 2009 to 2013.
- First-generation Highlander, 20062007