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2013 Toyota Highlander Fuel System Problems

7 owner-reported fuel system complaints from NHTSA data

7
Complaints
1
Crashes
Feb 2017Nov 2013
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Owner Complaints (7)

criticalFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Jul 2025

You notice a persistent fuel smell while driving in slow traffic and after parking your car. Upon inspection, you find that the fuel injector rail end cap is leaking fuel slowly. This same component failure was recalled in 2014 Highlanders due to a faulty weld in the end cap, and your 2013 model appears to have the same defect—creating a potential fire hazard. The fix will require replacing the entire fuel rail assembly.

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NHTSA #: 11676467
mediumFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Jul 2021

My car will stall with no warning. I have taken my car multiple times to the dealership and the problem has not been able to be repaired. There have been other years of Toyota recalled for this exact same problem however, mine has not been. This is a serious safety concern!

NHTSA #: 11424211
mediumFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Feb 2017

AT 37,500 MILES WHILE MOVING THE CHECK ENGINE AN TRACTOR OFF WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. THE DEALER CHARGED $125.00 TO REPLACE THE GAS CAP. IF THIS IS A SYSTEMIC PROBLEM WITH TOYOTA I BELIEVE IT SHOULD BE RECALLED. THANK YOU *TR

NHTSA #: 10949221
mediumFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Aug 2015

UPON ACCELERATION THE VEHICLE HESITATES FOR 3-5 SECONDS, IT HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES. WENT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAY NOTHING WRONG. VERY DANGEROUS PULLING INTO A HIGHWAY.

NHTSA #: 10759535
mediumFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,POWER TRAIN,ENGINE
Filed: Jul 2014

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 HESITATION CONTINUED, QUITE RANDOMLY, AND SEEMED TO HAPPEN IN LEFT TURN, ACCELERATING SITUATIONS. AT NEXT SERVICE AND CHECKUP (DIFFERENT DEALER) I TOLD THEM ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND IT WAS WRITTEN UP AGAIN WITH SAME RESULT, NO PROBLEM COULD BE FOUND. THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED TO DEALER AT LEAST THREE TIMES, NO RESULTS, NO ACTION TAKEN, NO PROBLEM FOUND. I CONSIDER THIS A DANGEROUS SITUATION, ESPECIALLY WHEN MERGING INTO TRAFFIC. BASED ON INFORMATION I HAVE SEEN, IT APPEARS THAT TOYOTA SHOULD ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM ASAP. *TR

NHTSA #: 10608016
mediumFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
CrashFiled: May 2014

AS I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE (MAYBE 5 MILES PER HOUR) AND PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE TO STOP, MY 2013 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER LUNGED FORWARD SO HARD THAT IT WENT OVER THE CONCRETE SPACER, A GRASS MEDIAN, THE CURB AND INTO THE STREET BEYOND THE PARKING LOT. I WAS ABLE TO BRAKE AND STOP THE ACCELERATION, BUT IT WAS SO SUDDEN, FAST AND UNEXPECTED THAT I SCRAPED THE PASSENGER SIDE ON THE VEHICLE NEXT TO ME. A BY-STANDER COMMENTED "I DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED! ALL OF A SUDDEN YOUR CAR JUST RACED AWAY!" I HAVE DRIVEN FOR OVER 45 YEARS WITHOUT AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE BEEN A LOYAL TOYOTA CUSTOMER, BUYING ONE FOR MY SON AND DAUGHTER AS WELL AS THIS VEHICLE AND I THOUGHT WHATEVER PROBLEMS TOYOTA HAD WERE TAKEN CARE OF BUT NOW I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA #: 10586279
mediumFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Filed: Nov 2013

WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT 35MPH WHEN YOU STEP ON THE GAS PEDAL THERE'S A DELAY ON ACCELERATION ESPECIALLY WHEN THE VEHICLE IS GOING UPHILL. IT STARTED WHEN THE VEHICLE MILEAGE WAS AT 1250 MILES ITS ON AND OFF. *TR

NHTSA #: 10554216

Other 2013 Toyota Highlander Issues