2013 Toyota Highlander electrical problems

Filed Sep 3, 2026 · Electrical · TX

The factory Blizzard Pearl paint on this vehicle is experiencing severe chemical delamination down to the bare primer and sheet metal on multiple body panels. This structural failure aligns exactly with Toyota Customer Support Program ZKG. Large sheets of brittle paint regularly flake and peel off while driving at highway speeds, creating a projectile and visibility hazard for following motorists. Despite this being a known manufacturing defect, the vehicle falls outside of Toyota's arbitrary 10-year secondary extension window, leaving a recognized factory flaw unremedied.

Filed Jun 24, 2020 · Electrical · HI

The front passenger door and driver door lock/actuator does not work. The passenger door first happened 1 to 1.5 years ago. I have not fixed it because of the outrageous cost. Now, the driver door actuator/door lock is exhibiting the same symptoms and will soon cease to work. Toyota has no warranty program or recall on this even though it is a known issue with this year and model. I think having your door locks not work is a safety issue and request that this be found to be an issue toyota must cover as soon as possible.

Filed Jun 17, 2020 · Electrical · HI

Front passenger side door lock actuator does not work, making lock ineffective and not workable. Toyota claims this is not a safety issue. Unsure how ineffective locks are not a safety issue, especially on a car that is not that old.

Filed Dec 11, 2019 · Electrical · CA

The vehicle was parked in our driveway and has twice had rats chewing on the coolant temperature censor wiring. These are the only wires they've chewed on so far. I feel the soy based wiring that toyota uses is to blame since my neighbors are not having problems with their vehicles that are parked outdoors. A claim with usaa has been filed.

Filed Aug 11, 2019 · Acceleration, Electrical · 43,000 miles · CA

The door locks stopped working and I was forced to pay to repair them after owning car for less than 6 months. The power windows fail to operate at random times. There was a similar problem with the 2010 toyota yaris window panel. The car jumps or skips while accelerating.

Filed Aug 3, 2019 · Airbags, Electrical · 100,000 miles · AK

Maintenance light is on at all times for the forward passenger seat, making airbags useless. Read it can potentially be a wire. It has been reported on other vehicles. Please investigate and recall as passengers will be unsafe and could have great bodily harm with this defect.

Filed May 6, 2019 · Electrical · 45,449 miles · NJ

Our 2013 toyota highlander has had 3 of the 4 door actuators fail in a 26 month period. The first actuator failed in in march 2017 (car was only 3 years, 8 months old), the second actuator failed in february 2018 (car was 4 years, 7 months old) and the third actuator failed in may 2019 (car was only 5 years 10 months old). Because the door actuator failed, the door did not lock when placing the car in drive which increased the chances the door would open in the event of a crash; thereby, reducing the structural integrity of the vehicle in a crash. Since the actuators also failed to automatically unlock when the car was placed in park, the actuators would not automatically unlock the doors in the event of an airbag deployment; thereby, possibly impeding the ability to enter/exit the car in an emergency situation. A complaint was lodged with toyota and a case number was established. However, toyota indicated that there is not a recall related to door actuators at this time and there is nothing the could do about the problem.

Filed Oct 11, 2018 · Electrical · CA

Door actuators have gone out for both doors. I contacted toyota several times and they refused to fixed them.

Filed Jun 11, 2018 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 51,125 miles · CA

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.

Filed Jun 6, 2018 · Electrical · LA

Door locks replaced on passenger front door at toyota dealership (yokem toyota) less than 6 months later doing the same thing . Now passenger rear door doing the same thing. Very expensive repairs