TSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most 1979 ? 2023 model year vehicles may be available provided the requests meet the criteria listed in this Service Bulletin. Follow the Procurement Procedure in this bulletin to request a replacement certification label or VIN plate.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 Toyota Highlander cruise control problems
severe Owners of the 2013 Toyota Highlander have filed 20 NHTSA complaints about the cruise control, typically surfacing around 11,000 miles at roughly $600 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See cruise control across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
20
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$600
| Model year | cruise control complaints |
|---|---|
| 2009 Highlander | 10 |
| 2010 Highlander | 19 |
| 2011 Highlander | 10 |
| 2012 Highlander | 11 |
| 2013 Highlander (this page) | 20 |
| 2014 Highlander | 4 |
| 2015 Highlander | 9 |
| 2017 Highlander | 5 |
4crashes
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 20 cruise control complaints filed for the 2013 Toyota Highlander, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA cruise control complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 10 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering cruise control on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
TOYOTA: ACCELERATOR PEDAL SENSOR ASSEMBLY INFORMATION REGARDING THE INSPECTION, REMOVAL, AND INSTALLATION, IF LUBRICATION OR OIL, IS APPLIED.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report three distinct acceleration malfunctions in the 2013 Highlander, starting as early as 1300 miles and appearing intermittently across 3000–14,000 miles with no clear pattern.
Unintended high-RPM acceleration occurs without accelerator input: engine suddenly revs to 3500–5000 RPM, vehicle lurches forward against applied brakes, and power cannot be controlled by pedal position. One owner experienced this at 5 MPH in reverse, crashing into a parked car and fence. Another had the vehicle accelerate 5 MPH at a gas station, continuing at 4000 RPM even in neutral with brake firmly applied until the engine was shut off. A third, a 45-year-mechanic fleet owner, logged multiple incidents: acceleration without input, RPM spike from 1725 to 2225, and vehicle accelerating 60–65 MPH on flat road with cruise on.
Acceleration hesitation and loss of response is more common: pedal produces no reaction for 3–10 seconds, then vehicle suddenly surges. It happens at stops, during left turns, during merges, and on highway. One owner reported the car "almost like not running" at stop lights and when passing. Another lost all power on I-95 at 70 MPH. Fuel economy drops correlate with onset in at least one case.
Dealers cannot reproduce either issue during test drives and find no trouble codes. One service technician told an owner the computer now controls acceleration instead of direct pedal linkage, and another concluded the vehicle was "operating as designed." One owner's floor mat was found unattached; otherwise, root cause remains unidentified across complaints.
Same Toyota Highlander cruise control reports on nearby years: 2010 · 2011 · 2012
Failure modes owners describe
Unintended acceleration—engine revving
Engine suddenly revs to high RPM (3500–5000) without accelerator input, often while stopped or at low speed. Vehicle may move forward against brake pressure or lurch unexpectedly. Occurs both with cruise control engaged and disengaged.
When: 3000–33,000 miles; unpredictable timing
Symptoms owners cite: Engine revs to 4000–5000 RPM with no foot on gas pedal; Vehicle lurches forward against brake pressure; Sudden acceleration in reverse at low speed (under 5 MPH); Engine racing as if accelerator floored; RPM spike from 1725 to 2225; vehicle accelerates 60–65 MPH then returns; Happens both with and without cruise control on
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle towed in one case; no repairs completed. One narrative mentions unattached floor mat as potential cause.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers unable to reproduce; no diagnostic codes present. Toyota told one owner issue was 'everything from slight hesitation to my imagination.' No recalls or TSBs cited.
Acceleration hesitation and loss of response
Vehicle hesitates or fails to respond to accelerator pedal for 3–10 seconds, then suddenly accelerates. Occurs at stops, during turns, when merging, and on highway at speed. Does not correlate with engine temperature, weather, or driving duration.
When: 1300–14,000 miles; random, unpredictable
Symptoms owners cite: 3–4 second delay when depressing gas pedal before any response; No acceleration response for 5–10 seconds when turning left from stop; Delay hesitation when switching quickly from brake to accelerator; Loss of power as if about to stall, then sudden rapid acceleration; Loss of speed and gas pedal response while driving uphill; Almost stalls at stop signs and lights; Vehicle does not respond to accelerator position, then jerks and takes off
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs completed by dealers. One owner reports fuel economy dropped from 18 to 15 mpg after onset.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealerships unable to reproduce; no trouble codes found. Dealers claim vehicle is 'operating as designed.' One dealer explained computer now controls acceleration rather than direct pedal link.
Excessive vibration when stationary
Vehicle vibrates severely when engine is running and vehicle is stopped, causing ear pain to driver. Reported once alongside unintended acceleration.
When: 11,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Excessive vibration with engine on and vehicle stationary; Vibration causes ear pain
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified; no solution offered.
Synthesized from 20 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Periodically hesitates when accelerating - doesn't move, doesn't accelerate - nothing - almost like car not running. Does it from stopped position or while moving. Happened twice yesterday, after being stopped at red light and when turning across lane of traffic (city street). Has done it when passing on interstate - never know when it will happen. It's scary and by the time it kicks in, traffic…
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Toyota highlander. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced unintended acceleration while starting the vehicle. The failure occurred without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure occurred approximately three times. The failure mileage was approximately 33,000.…
Had cruise control trouble with your 2013 Toyota Highlander?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the cruise control problem on the 2013 Toyota Highlander?
It's a meaningful issue. 20 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $600.
At what mileage does the cruise control typically fail?
Across the 14 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most cruise control failures cluster between 5,600 and 33,000 miles, with the median around 11,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 5,600; a quarter make it past 33,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $600 for cruise control repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to cruise control?
No active recalls currently cover cruise control issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/Toyota/Highlander.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.