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Buying guide

Toyota Highlander XU50 (2013 to 2019): buying guide, problems and NZ numbers

The Toyota Highlander XU50 was built from 2013 to 2019 as an SUV, with an automatic gearbox, front wheel drive or all wheel drive and petrol or hybrid power. Chassis codes: GSU50, GSU55, ASU50, GVU58 and AVU58. Redline has a curated guide to its 7 most reported weak points, from owner club and specialist sources.

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Key facts

Years
2013 to 2019
Chassis codes
GSU50, GSU55, ASU50, GVU58, AVU58
Body types
SUV
Gearboxes
Automatic
Drive
FWD (front wheel drive), AWD (all wheel drive)
Fuel
Petrol, Hybrid

On NZ roads

Counting every one on the NZ register. The first look can take up to 15 seconds.

Known weak points

Curated by Redline from owner club and specialist sources Commonly reported by owners and specialists for the Toyota Highlander and Kluger XU50 (2014 to 2020). Not every car has these; check this one.

  1. Recalls

    Recalls cover a possible poor weld in the fuel line, a power steering circuit board that can lose assistance, the brake booster and stability control that may not default to on.

    Where to look
    The recall record for the VIN, and any recall sticker inside the door jamb
    How to test
    Ask a Toyota dealer to check the VIN, and look for recall stickers in the door jamb.
    Cost if it needs fixing
    Low cost recall work is free at a Toyota dealer

    Sources: carsguide.com.au (opens in a new tab), caradvice.com.au (opens in a new tab)

  2. Bluetooth and head unit

    Poor Bluetooth with drop outs, poor clarity and pairing trouble is widely reported, and dealer visits often have not fixed it.

    Where to look
    The factory head unit in the centre of the dash
    How to test
    Pair your phone, make a call and stream audio, and listen for drop outs.
    Cost if it needs fixing
    Medium cost an aftermarket head unit

    Sources: carsguide.com.au (opens in a new tab), caradvice.com.au (opens in a new tab)

  3. Peeling paint

    Toyota had paint adhesion trouble on several models, with paint peeling in large sheets and white the worst affected. Most cars were fixed.

    Where to look
    The roof, bonnet and upper panels, especially on white cars
    How to test
    Look along the roof and bonnet for lifting or peeling clear coat and ask whether Toyota repainted it.
    Cost if it needs fixing
    High cost a repaint of the affected panels

    Sources: carsguide.com.au (opens in a new tab)

  4. Ex emergency service vehicles

    Ex police, ambulance and fire vehicles were often cold started and driven hard, and police duty belts wear the seat bolsters.

    Where to look
    The front seat bolsters, extra holes in the dash, aerial holes in the roof and paint shadows where decals were
    How to test
    Look for patched holes and decal shadows, and check the driver seat bolster for heavy wear.
    Cost if it needs fixing
    Medium cost driveline wear and trim repairs

    Sources: carsguide.com.au (opens in a new tab), caradvice.com.au (opens in a new tab)

  5. Towing and salt water boat launching

    A big tow hitch can mean heavy towing, and regular boat launching in salt water shows as surface rust at the rear.

    Where to look
    The tow hitch, the rear crossmember and rear suspension parts
    How to test
    Look underneath the rear with a torch for surface rust and ask what it has towed.
    Cost if it needs fixing
    Medium cost rust treatment and worn parts

    Sources: caradvice.com.au (opens in a new tab), carsguide.com.au (opens in a new tab)

  6. Underbody scrapes

    Dents and scrapes underneath point to off road use, and most Klugers should be free of them.

    Where to look
    The underbody, sump guard and sills
    How to test
    Look underneath with a torch for dents and scrapes.
    Cost if it needs fixing
    Medium cost depends on what is bent

    Sources: caradvice.com.au (opens in a new tab)

  7. Leather trim

    Neglected leather dries out and turns brittle before cracking.

    Where to look
    The leather on the seats, especially the driver seat
    How to test
    Feel the leather: it should be supple. Hard or brittle leather needs care before it cracks.
    Cost if it needs fixing
    Low cost cleaning and conditioning, or a retrim

    Sources: carsguide.com.au (opens in a new tab)

General guidance from owner and specialist sources. Check the specific car with an independent inspection. Researched 4 November 2026.

What the cost bands mean
  • Low: a small job. Typically a few hundred dollars or less at an NZ workshop, often a DIY fix.
  • Medium: a proper workshop job. Typically several hundred to a couple of thousand dollars.
  • High: a major job. Typically several thousand dollars or more, enough to change what the car is worth.

Questions to ask the seller

  • Is it a pre 2017 car with the 6 speed auto or a facelift with the 8 speed?
  • Have all the recalls been done, including the fuel line and power steering board?
  • Has it been used for towing or launching a boat?
  • Was it ever a police, ambulance or fire service vehicle?
  • Has it been repainted under the Toyota paint programme?

US recalls

Looking up US recall data.

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