2012 Toyota Highlander vs 2013 Toyota Highlander
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2012 Toyota Highlander | 2013 Toyota Highlander |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 181 | 205 |
| Recall campaigns | 2 | 3 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 320 | 369 |
| Investigations | 2 | 2 |
| Crash reports | 16 | 26 |
| Fire reports | 3 | 0 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 19–28 | 19–28 |
| Median reported mileage | 51,000 mi | 38,000 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Toyota Highlander | Toyota Highlander |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 46 | 46 |
| Electrical System | 29 | 25 |
| Engine | 17 | 31 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 14 | 31 |
| Structure | 20 | 18 |
| Service Brakes | 11 | 16 |
| Air Bags | 10 | 17 |
| Visibility/wiper | 14 | 5 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Clunking / rattling | 15 | 25 |
| Stalling | 6 | 12 |
| Hesitation / surging | 0 | 24 |
| Vibration / shaking | 0 | 7 |
| Rust / corrosion | 0 | 5 |
2012 Toyota Highlander
2013 Toyota Highlander
Compare all Toyota Highlander vs Toyota Highlander years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.