2013 Toyota Highlander: check engine light

7 of the 207 complaints about the 2013 Toyota Highlander describe check engine light.

owner complaints: 7
of this car's complaints: 3%
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 33 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Check engine light by model year

2024
1
2023
5
2022
5
2021
16
2020
12
2019
50
2018
23
2017
30
2016
3
2015
6
2014
1
2013
7
2011
4
2010
2
2009
2
2008
9
2007
1
2006
11
2004
7
2003
11
2002
3
2001
4

What owners say

Filed May 4, 2026 · Brakes · TX

After a hard braking session because of a car that pulled quickly in front of me the ABS light and check engine light came on with a code of C1391 - Abnormal leak in Accumulator. A warning message came on the info center saying I needed to take it to the dealer to have the brake system checked for a serious issue. Went to the dealership and they replaced the Brake Actuator and Brake Booster Pump and bled the system. This all happened in Febuary of 2025. This put everyone at risk because it could have resulted in a total brake system failure. There were no issues or lights before this incident.

Filed Aug 28, 2023 · Engine · TX

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.

Filed Jun 28, 2022 · Engine · IL

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.

Filed Feb 3, 2017 · Fuel system · 371,500 miles · CO

At 37,500 miles while moving the check engine an tractor off warning light came on. The dealer charged $125.00 to replace the gas cap. If this is a systemic problem with toyota I believe it should be recalled. Thank you

Filed Apr 1, 2015 · Brakes, Steering · 30,500 miles · TX · crash

I turned on my car, put it on drive when I tried to press the gas and turn the wheel to get out of the parking lot the steering wheel locked so hard I could not turn it. I pressed on the brakes but the brakes were not functioning at all as I was pressing on the brake pad the check engine light came on and so did the brake light on the dash board, on the big screen where it shows my info and other fancy gadgets showed "brake malfunction park car in safe zone" as the car drove forward by itself and the brakes were not working the car hit an empty parking space to come to a complete stop. I was at a school parking lot with kids everywhere around me!

Filed Oct 29, 2014 · Electrical, Steering · 15,000 miles · OH

The 2013 highlander was serviced in florida monday 10/27 for 15000 miles service, today my sister was driving since service, the traction light came on ,the engine light was flashing , the highlander was not stable driving straight on the road and seemed like it needs a tune up.I called the dealer and it was taken their ,first response was gas put in, yes . Was told possible the cap was not put on right and with newer cars it could be a malfunction the computer.. Turned out that the ignition coil switch was bad on this 2013 highlander. Which is why I'm reporting this due to recent issue with another car manufacture knowing the ignition switch was bad on their automobiles.

Filed Apr 9, 2014 · Engine · 10,000 miles · OH

The vehicle did not alert to any engine and/or vehicle problem (no caution light, no engine light, etc.) the driver happened to look down at the fuel tank and noticed that the temperature gauge exceed the measuring mark (over the red zone) and was still running. The driver immediately went to a safe place. Towed to the dealership. Dealership informs that a "small rock or road debris" traveled through the front grill and punctured the radiator. After researching why the radiator is not covered under the warranty on brand new vehicle under this road debris, I read over 30 reported cases in not only the toyota highlander, toyota tundra, and toyota corolla as their is no protection to the front portion of the radiator and/or condenser. Would have caused engine fire, do not understand why there were no safety lights and or indicators something was wrong with vehicle.