--- title: "2012-2013 Toyota Highlander Problems and Years to Avoid" description: "4 documented problems with the 2012-2013 Toyota Highlander, with symptoms, affected years, and typical repair costs. 2 carry a recall or TSB number." url: "https://whichcarparts.com/cars/toyota/highlander/2012-2013/common-problems" updated: "2026-08-20" --- # 2012-2013 Toyota Highlander Common Problems and Years to Avoid 4 documented problems with the 2012-2013 Toyota Highlander, with symptoms, affected years, and typical repair costs. 2 carry a recall or TSB number. **Quick answer**: We have 4 documented problems on record for the 2012-2013 Toyota Highlander, none of them rated serious and 2 carry a recall or service bulletin. ## 2012-2013 Toyota Highlander recalls and service bulletins | Recall / TSB | Issue | Severity | | --- | --- | --- | | NHTSA 14V-148 | Second-row seat may not lock in place (recall) | moderate | | NHTSA 13V-014 | Front passenger occupant-sensing calibration (recall) | moderate | Recall work is free at a franchised dealer regardless of the vehicle's age, mileage, or how many owners it has had. Check your VIN against the NHTSA database to see what is still outstanding. ## 2GR-FE water pump leak / bearing noise (moderate) The mechanical water pump on the 3.5L V6 commonly weeps coolant from its seal or develops a growling bearing, leaving pink crust below the pump or a whine at idle. Failure is gradual. Watch the reservoir. Access is tight on the transverse Highlander installation, so labor is a bigger share of the bill than on a Camry. Most affected: 2012-2013 (all 2GR-FE years). Typical cost: $500-$1,200 parts and labor. ## Power liftgate strut failure (minor) The gas struts and power lift arm on the rear hatch weaken with age; the gate falls, won't stay open, or the power mechanism strains and stops. Widely reported on 2008-2013 Highlanders. Replacing the struts is a cheap DIY; power-arm hardware costs more. Most affected: 2012-2013. Typical cost: $60-$150 DIY (struts); $300-$700 if the power lift arm needs work. ## Second-row seat may not lock in place (recall) (moderate) On 2013 Highlanders the second-row left-side seat can fail to lock into position after adjustment, which increases injury risk in a crash. Toyota recalled affected vehicles and repairs the seat lock free of charge. Most affected: 2013. Typical cost: Free under recall. Recall/TSB: NHTSA 14V-148. ## Front passenger occupant-sensing calibration (recall) (moderate) The passenger airbag occupant classification system could be knocked out of calibration when dealer or accessory work was done, affecting whether the airbag deploys correctly. Dealers recalibrate the system free under a multi-model Toyota campaign. Most affected: 2012-2013. Typical cost: Free under recall. Recall/TSB: NHTSA 13V-014. Problems listed here are compiled from NHTSA complaints, recalls, technical service bulletins, and widely documented owner reports for the 2012-2013 Toyota Highlander. Not every vehicle will experience these issues. ## Which Toyota Highlander model years does this cover? These problems and recalls specifications apply to every Toyota Highlander built from 2012 through 2013, the XU40 (2nd generation, final years), mid-size 3-row crossover suv. Nothing in this specification changes between those model years. - [2012 Highlander](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/toyota/highlander/2012) - [2013 Highlander](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/toyota/highlander/2013) ## What changed during the 2012-2013 Toyota Highlander | Years | What changed | | --- | --- | | 2012 | Carryover of the 2011 facelift (revised fascia, PSX26W fog lamps). Towing: 5,000 lbs V6 with factory tow prep (3,500 without), 1,500 lbs 2.7L, 3,500 lbs hybrid | | 2013 | Final XU40 year; subject of the 14V-148 second-row seat recall | ## 2012-2013 Toyota Highlander problems and recalls: common questions ### What are the most common problems with the 2012-2013 Toyota Highlander? The recurring ones are: 2gr-fe water pump leak / bearing noise; power liftgate strut failure; second-row seat may not lock in place (recall); front passenger occupant-sensing calibration (recall). Each is detailed above with symptoms, affected years, and typical cost. ### Are there recalls on the 2012-2013 Toyota Highlander? 2 of the issues listed carry a recall or technical service bulletin: NHTSA 14V-148 (second-row seat may not lock in place (recall)), NHTSA 13V-014 (front passenger occupant-sensing calibration (recall)). Recall work is free at a franchised dealer regardless of age or mileage. Check your VIN on the NHTSA site to see what is outstanding. ### How much do 2012-2013 Toyota Highlander repairs typically cost? Typical figures for the issues above: 2gr-fe water pump leak / bearing noise, $500-$1,200 parts and labor; power liftgate strut failure, $60-$150 DIY (struts); $300-$700 if the power lift arm needs work; second-row seat may not lock in place (recall), Free under recall; front passenger occupant-sensing calibration (recall), Free under recall. ## Sources - [Toyota technical data, Highlander XU40 fluids & capacities (toyota-club.net)](https://toyota-club.net/files/techdata/ttx/highlander_40u.htm) - [Toyota TrueStart battery application chart (toyotapartsandservice.com)](https://www.toyotapartsandservice.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/03_Batteries2022_hi.pdf) - [Toyota Genuine spark plug application chart (toyotapartsandservice.com)](https://www.toyotapartsandservice.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/09_SparkPlugs2022_hi.pdf) - [NHTSA recall 14V-148, second row seat lock](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=14V148000) - [TirePressure.org, 2013 Toyota Highlander placard pressures](https://tirepressure.org/toyota/highlander/2013) - [fueleconomy.gov, 2013 Highlander EPA ratings](https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/bymodel/2013_Toyota_Highlander.shtml) - [XenonPro, 2011-2013 Highlander bulb size chart](https://www.xenonpro.com/blogs/home/2011-to-2013-toyota-highlander-headlight-bulb-sizes) - [AutoZone, 2013 Highlander wiper blade fitment (26/20)](https://www.autozone.com/ignition-tune-up-and-routine-maintenance/wiper-blade-windshield/toyota/highlander/2013) ## Other Toyota Highlander generations - [2020-2025 Toyota Highlander problems and recalls](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/toyota/highlander/2020-2025/common-problems) - [2014-2019 Toyota Highlander problems and recalls](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/toyota/highlander/2014-2019/common-problems) Or [compare all generations](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/toyota/highlander/common-problems). ## More for the 2012-2013 Toyota Highlander - [Oil & filter](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/toyota/highlander/2012-2013/oil) - [Battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/toyota/highlander/2012-2013/battery) - [Tires & wheels](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/toyota/highlander/2012-2013/tires) - [Wiper blades](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/toyota/highlander/2012-2013/wipers) - [Air & cabin filters](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/toyota/highlander/2012-2013/filters) - [Bulbs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/toyota/highlander/2012-2013/bulbs) - [Brakes](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/toyota/highlander/2012-2013/brakes) - [Fluids](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/toyota/highlander/2012-2013/fluids) - [Service schedule](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/toyota/highlander/2012-2013/service-schedule) - [Oil light reset](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/toyota/highlander/2012-2013/oil-reset) - [Key fob battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/toyota/highlander/2012-2013/key-fob-battery) - [Specs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/toyota/highlander/2012-2013/specs) Specifications vary with engine option, production date, and market.