ToyotaHighlander2013Overview/toyota/highlander/2013/base/

2013 Toyota Highlander

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2013 Highlander.

Body SUV

The 2013 Toyota Highlander SUV carries a 4.7-quart oil capacity spec accepting 5W-30, 5W-20, or 0W-20 API grades, and its reliability record shows 210 owner complaints with steering as the leading concern alongside three recalls. Across the model's 1997–2026 complaint history, the 2013 tally sits well below the 475-peak seen in 2021 but far above the single-complaint baseline of 1997, placing this generation in the middle of the Highlander's long-term reliability arc.

Model year202520242023202220212020201920182013

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.7 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 / 5W-20 / 0W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque97 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 24F · 585 CCA battery, OE oil filter 9672335028. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 24F · 585 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnDCTYOEM · verified
Tire sizeP245-65R17OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7.5-J inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter9672335028 alt 9030179006
Engine air filter1780131141 alt 17801YZZ01
Fuel filter233000A020 alt 770240E060
Spark plug9091901247 alt 9091901233
Battery2880031293
Front wiper blades852220E040 alt 8521253081
Serpentine belt99367K0810 alt 90916A2020
Thermostat1632562010 alt 90916A3002
Cabin air filter8713950100 alt 8713902090

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length188.6 in
Overall width75.2 in
Overall height69.3 in
Wheelbase109.8 in
Curb weight3847 lb
Track (front / rear)64.2 / 64.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)55/45

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Highlander of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.0–7.3 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.00 sec — 2008 Limited
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2011Limited 3.5L V67.10 sec15.60 sec270 hpAWD
2011Limited 3.5L V67.20 sec15.60 sec270 hpAWD
2011Hybrid Limited 3.5L V6 + Elec7.30 sec15.60 sec280 hpAWD
2008Limited 3.5L V67.00 sec15.50 sec270 hpFWD
2008Sport 3.5L V67.00 sec15.60 sec270 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.7 qt of 5W-30 / 5W-20 / 0W-20 API engine oil, 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 97 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 10.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity6.9
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.9 Pints
Engine Oil5W-30 · API · 5W-20 · 0W-20
Engine Oil Capacity4.7 qt
Engine Oil5W-30 · API

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts192 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts184 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts61 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine BoltsLower: 15 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts15 ft-lbs
Main Bearings16
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug10.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug10.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts97 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug36.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug36.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub217 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub217 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)650 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)1300 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerDenso
Spark Plug Gap0.039

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.50-1.95 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity4.57 oz
Standard BCI Group Number24F
Standard BCI Cranking Performance585 cca
Standard BCI Group NumberS55D23L

Service checks

Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum44.1 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum49.7 psi
Residual Pressure21.0 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum55.0 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum61.0 psi
Residual Pressure21.0 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum55.0 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum61.0 psi

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket25 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle76 ft-lbs / 57 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.039; Rear: 0.039 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in / 0.0059 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.102 in / 0.39 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.102 in / 0.39 in
Rotor Discard at or Under0.983 in / 0.334 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
17 ft. lbs., Step 2: 127 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
118 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9018 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
127 ft. lbs.27 ft. lbs
290 degrees.90 degrees
390 degrees.; Bolts 9-10: 22 ft. lbs.; Lightly lubricate new cylinder head bolt, threads and flanges with engine oil.90 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Coat new bolts with the specified engine oil.

127.0 ft. lbs.27 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390 degrees90 degrees
4Bolts 9-10 22 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 5,000 mi; spark plugs at 120,000 mi; coolant every 50,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 50,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 5,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Floor Mat (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate) · Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect all fluid levels)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Air Conditioning Condenser (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Driveshaft (inspect)
Every 30,000 miBrake System (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Fuel Tank (inspect)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
At 100,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 100,000 miTransmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
At 120,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 miHybrid Inverter (drain, flush & refill coolant)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2013 Toyota Highlander falls within a period of moderate complaint volume compared to the significant peaks seen in 2008 and 2021. With 210 complaints, the 2013 model saw a slight increase over the 190 reported in 2012, while remaining lower than the 238 complaints recorded in 2010. This year is notable for its 382 Technical Service Bulletins, continuing an upward trend in TSBs that peaked the following year in 2014. The most frequent complaints for 2013 were related to steering, though the data does not specify the root cause for these or other reported electrical and speed control issues. Safety records for the year include 3 recalls and 26 crash complaints, with zero reports of fire complaints. Given its stable complaint numbers and low recall count relative to the broader record, 2013 is a good year to buy.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
382
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
3
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
210
Owner complaints
26 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 210 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Steering40
Unknown Or Other16
Electrical System13
Vehicle Speed Control13
Service Brakes11
Engine10
Structure9
Air Bags7

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

14V148000SeatsReported 27/03/2014

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2013 Highlander vehicles manufactured March 13, 2013, through August 6, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the second row left hand seat may not lock in place when positioned in the… Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will modify the second row left hand seat so that it will lock into the seat track, free of charge. The recall began on May 21, 2014. Owners…

13V123000Equipment:Other:LabelsReported 09/04/2013

Southeast Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 and 2010-2013 Toyota Tundra, 2010-2012 Rav4, 2012 Toyota Sequoia, 2010-2011 Toyota Corolla, 2010-2011 Toyota Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota Highlander and… Remedy: Southeast Toyota will notify owners and provide a corrected label with instructions concerning its installation. A small group of the affected vehicles will need additonal…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 382 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
T-SB-0119-15 Rev22026-02-13EngineOBSOLETE NOTICE February 13, 2026: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0009-26.
T-SB-0009-262026-02-13EngineThis bulletin includes basic procedures for performing a rescue charge on Ni-MH high…
T-SB-0055-24 Rev22026-01-07Unknown Or OtherSome 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a…
T-SB-0058-23 Rev12025-06-13Electrical SystemThe air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the…
T-SB-0035-24 Rev22024-12-06StructureAcid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Highlander. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2013 Highlander take?

4.7 qt of 5W-30 API, 5W-20 API 0W-20 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2013 Highlander have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.