general problems of the 2013 Toyota Highlander

I purchased the car in 2020 with 73k miles on it. It has sporadically had incidents of unintended acceleration. I happens when I slow for a stop sign, red light, or crosswalk. My foot is on the brake when this occurs, the engine then goes into high gear and no amount of pressure on the brake will stop it. I put the car in park and turn the key off. There are no warning lights. It has happened more frequently in 2024. On [xxx], I tried to come to a stop at a crosswalk in Plymouth MA. The ua occurred, putting the folks in the crosswalk and myself in danger. The next day I contacted the dealer and Toyota. The upshot - they said the car is fine, it must be my mats or shoes or something that is not their fault. I've been driving Toyotas for 40 years, I've never had a mat or shoe problem. There is something faulty with the acceleration/braking system. The last occurrence was [xxx] in plympton MA. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

The issue started when the car was over 84,000 miles. The engine burns excessive oil. I have to add oil every 2200 miles. When I press on the gas pedal to rev the car, oil come out of the tail pipe. When I went to the dealer that they are aware of the issue but they did not make any recommendations. Online several owner of this model have changed the engine or replaced pistons. I have never gotten the check light on even when no oil is on the dip stick. I have to check the oil every time I fill up my gas tank as a precaution. My concern is that I could be stranded or the car overheat and cause a fire.

I am known by Toyota experts and my local mechanics as someone who takes excellent care of my vehicle, but unfortunately I am completely blown away when I was driving my car and suddenly it stopped and couldn’t start, after I tolled it to my mechanic, he told me the engine seized and it needs replacement. The cost is about $4000. I don’t have that kind of money and it has been seating in my driveway. I don’t understand how a very well maintained engine will just give out without any warning signs.

Engine is burning/consuming oil excessively; no leaks or any other unusual symptoms found. I was on an interstate highway and all of a sudden engine sound changed and excessive knocking started. No oil low level or check engine light turned on. Yes the problem is persistent now and was verified by an independent (ase certified) service provider. No waning lamps or messages displayed.

As I begin driving and come to stop it tends to rev up and then drops back to normal. It feels like vehicle revs up a little while you are trying to stop it by pressing the brake pedal. It feels like vehicle does not want to stop and you have the feelings to press the brake even harder.

Oil consumption/oil pressure issue. Started suddenly maybe in 2020. My oil pressure light would come on “turn off car immediately”. Took it to dealer, told me I have no oil. Then it kept happening. No notice of low oil, and well within 3 months/3000 miles. Toyota did an oil consumption test at 1500miles, no issue. Then, took my car in shortly after because oil pressure light came on. They told me to get a new engine. Possible see the pvc valve, but once in there likely a new engine is needed. No wear/tear, or obvious age of use. Engine just started consuming oil. I googled it. It seems to be an issue with Highlanders. But I’ve never seen a recall on it. Pretty much living on oil changes every 2 months to keep my engine running. And this whole time, my engine light has never turned on.

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 components are interconnected. Rep will not put in writing, but is saying major hazard. Toyota will give only $2500 towards cost. Not driving car at this time.

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 local dealer and service people, at Toyota of seattle, about this several times and have been told, albeit with inconstant reasoning, that the car was designed to have this capability. We have two small children and to us this seem extremely dangerous, as the only way to be alerted to the fact that you've left the car in "drive", other than the vehicle rolling, is a beep sound. However, this beep is the exact same sound alert you get when your lights are on, or a door is open, or you're running out of gas -- making it a common sound that does not signify a dangerous situation. Also, often this sound does not register in the brain until you are out of the vehicle, because the same sound is used to alert that a door has been opened before the car was turned off. In which case, the noise goes away after you get out and close the door. We have had several occasions where our children have gotten out of the parked vehicle while we're trying to determine the source of the beep and then the car will start rolling. I am a careful person, so given my innumerable close calls with this issue I encourage you to investigate this issue before someone is killed. Thank you of your time. Sincerely, leanne corcoran.

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 intermittently.

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.

Tl-the contact owns a 2013 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that 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 problem. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 8,000. The VIN was unavailable. Js.

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.

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 on this website, no errors on the diagnostic machine and no posting from Toyota. They advised me to put in premium fuel and I did but that did not make a difference. Very disappointing from a Toyota with a v6 engine. The dealer also tries to say it is due to cvt transmission. However, I have a Subaru with cvt as well and that car can accelerate uphill when needed. I have had a Toyota celica, tercel, and a Toyota truck in my life and none had this type of problems.

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.

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 could describe other times but the same thing (the hesitation and then the extremely rapid acceleration) I have taken it do the dealer but they said that they could not find anything.

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 couse vehicle ran fine, tech. Checked for any trouble codes and none were found. Also since this started to happen my gas mileage has dropped from 18 miles a gallon to 15 miles a gallon.

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 the interstate yesterday, 08/28/2013. I would estimate that the problem has occurred at least 10 times since we purchased the vehicle in July. This is a safety issue. Thank you in advance for your help on this concern. Also, the dealership is going to give us a loaner today and possibly just let us return the vehicle. They have been great, palmierro Toyota.

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 trouble codes and none were found. This problem seems like an accident waiting to happen. Have gotten nothing but the run-around and denial from the national Toyota "case manager". (at first I thought this hesitation occurred because the vehicle was new, but after 5,000 miles, I am still experiencing the same issue at random times. ).

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.

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 rear-end accident waiting to happen. For ten days we have gotten nothing but the run-around from the national Toyota "case manager". (at first we thought this hesitation occurred because the vehicle was new, but after 8,000 miles, we are still experiencing the same issue. ).