---
title: "2012 Toyota Highlander Parts and Specs"
description: "Everything for the 2012 Toyota Highlander: oil type and capacity, battery group size, tire sizes, wiper blades, filters, service schedule, and common problems, verified, sourced, and in one place."
url: "https://whichcarparts.com/cars/toyota/highlander/2012"
updated: "2026-08-20"
---

# 2012 Toyota Highlander parts and specs

Everything you need to own and maintain this exact model year. Verified specifications, part numbers, and the problems that recur, in one place. XU40 (2nd generation, final years), 2012-2013, Mid-size 3-row crossover SUV.

## Quick facts

| Quick fact | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Engine oil | 0W-20, 4.6 qt (base engine) |
| Battery | Group 24F, 582 CCA |
| Tire size | 245/65R17 (base trim) |
| Wiper blades | 26" / 20" / 12" rear |
| Max towing | 5,000 lbs |
| Cabin filter | Toyota 87139-07010 (or 87139-YZZ08 economy) |

## Specifications for the 2012-2013 Highlander

### Oil & filter

Viscosity, capacity, filter part numbers, change interval [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/toyota/highlander/2012-2013/oil).

### Battery

BCI group size, cold cranking amps, AGM or flooded [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/toyota/highlander/2012-2013/battery).

### Tires & wheels

Factory sizes by trim, pressures, bolt pattern, lug torque [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/toyota/highlander/2012-2013/tires).

### Wiper blades

Driver, passenger and rear blade lengths [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/toyota/highlander/2012-2013/wipers).

### Air & cabin filters

Cabin and engine air filter part numbers, locations, intervals [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/toyota/highlander/2012-2013/filters).

### Bulbs

Headlight, fog and marker bulb types [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/toyota/highlander/2012-2013/bulbs).

### Brakes

Rotor diameters, pad references, service notes [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/toyota/highlander/2012-2013/brakes).

### Fluids

Transmission fluid, coolant, brake fluid and capacities [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/toyota/highlander/2012-2013/fluids).

### Service schedule

What's actually due at every mileage interval [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/toyota/highlander/2012-2013/service-schedule).

### Problems & reliability

Documented failures, recalls, and which years to avoid [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/toyota/highlander/2012-2013/common-problems).

### Oil light reset

Step-by-step maintenance light reset, no tools [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/toyota/highlander/2012-2013/oil-reset).

### Key fob battery

Which coin cell the remote takes [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/toyota/highlander/2012-2013/key-fob-battery).

### Specs

Towing, weight, fuel tank, fuel economy [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/toyota/highlander/2012-2013/specs).

These specifications are shared across every Highlander of the XU40 (2nd generation, final years) generation. See the [2012-2013 Toyota Highlander overview](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/toyota/highlander/2012-2013) for the full picture, or the [Toyota Highlander guide](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/toyota/highlander) to compare every generation.

## What changed for the 2012 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 |

## Known problems with the 2012 Toyota Highlander

3 of the 4 issues we track for the 2012-2013 generation are documented against the 2012 model year.

### 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.

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.

Typical cost: $60-$150 DIY (struts); $300-$700 if the power lift arm needs work.

### 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.

NHTSA 13V-014. Typical cost: Free under recall.

1 more issue is reported in other 2012-2013 years: Second-row seat may not lock in place (recall) (2013).

Full detail, costs and sources on the [Toyota Highlander problems and years to avoid](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/toyota/highlander/common-problems) guide.

## Which engines were offered in the 2012 Highlander?

| Engine | Trims | Oil | Oil capacity |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2.7L 4-cylinder (1AR-FE) | Base/Plus (FWD only) | 0W-20 | 4.6 qt |
| 3.5L V6 (2GR-FE) | Base, SE, Limited (FWD or 4WD) | 0W-20 | 6.4 qt |
| 3.5L Hybrid (2GR-FXE, AWD e-Four) | Hybrid, Hybrid Limited (AWD only) | 0W-20 | 6.4 qt |

## About the Toyota Highlander

The Toyota Highlander is Toyota's three-row family crossover, and the 2012-2025 span covers three generations with very different powertrains but the same low-drama ownership reputation. 5L 2GR-FE V6 (plus an AWD-only hybrid) with simple port injection, 0W-20 oil, and a Group 24F battery. Its documented weak spots are 2GR-FE water pump leaks and failing power-liftgate struts.

7 and the 2GR-FE, then switched in 2017 to the direct+port-injected 2GR-FKS with an 8-speed automatic and stop-start; that 8-speed drew shudder/whine complaints (TSB T-SB-0160-18), and 2017-2019 models sit inside Toyota's huge Denso fuel-pump recall. 5L hybrid (0W-16 oil) became the volume seller. 3, lug torque is 76 ft-lbs, the key fob takes a CR2032, and gas V6/turbo models tow up to 5,000 lbs with the factory tow package (hybrids 3,500 lbs).

Maintenance is interval-driven Toyota fare: 10,000-mile synthetic oil changes, 30,000-mile air and cabin filters, coolant at 100k then every 50k, and iridium plugs at 120k.

For how the specifications changed across every generation, see the [full Toyota Highlander guide](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/toyota/highlander).

## Other Toyota Highlander years

- [2025](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/toyota/highlander/2025)
- [2024](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/toyota/highlander/2024)
- [2023](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/toyota/highlander/2023)
- [2022](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/toyota/highlander/2022)
- [2021](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/toyota/highlander/2021)
- [2020](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/toyota/highlander/2020)
- [2019](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/toyota/highlander/2019)
- [2018](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/toyota/highlander/2018)
- [2017](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/toyota/highlander/2017)
- [2016](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/toyota/highlander/2016)
- [2015](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/toyota/highlander/2015)
- [2014](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/toyota/highlander/2014)
- [2013](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/toyota/highlander/2013)

Data confidence for this generation: Verified.

## 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)

Specifications vary with engine option, production date, and market.