2019 Toyota Highlander problems, complaints & recalls

2019 Toyota Highlander recalls (3)

• Recall 20V682000Nov 4, 20201,525,742 vehicles
  FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

  Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 4Runner, 2019-2020 Avalon, 2019 Corolla Hatchback, 2017-2019 Highlander, 2018-2020 Camry, 2020 Corolla, 2018-2019 Land Cruiser, 2017-2020 Tacoma, 2019-2020 RAV4, 2019-2020 Sequoia, 2017-2020 Sienna, 2019-2020 Tundra, 2018-2020 Lexus ES350, 2017 Lexus GS200t, 2017-2019 Lexus GS350, 2019 Lexus GS300, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500h, 2019-2020 Lexus LS500, 2018-2019 Lexus GX460, 2017 Lexus IS200t, 2019 Lexus IS300, 2019 Lexus IS350, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500, 2018 Lexus LS500, 2019 Lexus LS500h, 2018-2019 Lexus LX570, 2017 Lexus RC200t, 2019 Lexus RC300, RC350, 2017 and 2019-2020 Lexus RX350, 2018-2020 RX350L, 2019 Lexus UX200, 2018-2019 Lexus NX300 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

  Risk: If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly with an improved one, free of charge. Owners of specific models were notified that remedy parts were available starting January 21, 2021. Owners of other models will be notified as remedy parts become available. Remedy parts should be available for all affected vehicles by late March 2021. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-012. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TA02. Lexus' number for this recall is 20LA01.

• Recall 20V012000Jan 13, 20201,830,752 vehicles
  FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

  Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) recalled certain 2018-2019 4Runner, Highlander, Camry, Land Cruiser, Sequoia, Sienna, Tacoma and Tundra, and Lexus RC 300, RC 350, GS 350, GX 460, IS 300, LC 500, LS 500, LX 570, RX 350L, and 2019 Toyota Avalon and Corolla, and certain Lexus NX 300, and ES 350 vehicles on January 13, 2020. On March 4, 2020, Toyota expanded the recall to include certain 2014-2015 Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser, 2018 Avalon, Corolla, 2014 FJ Cruiser, 2017 Sienna and Lexus 2018 ES 350, 2018-2019 GS 300, 2013-2014 GS350, 2014-2015 GX 460, IS 350 and LX 570, 2014 IS F, 2018-2019 IS 350, LC 500H and LS 500H, 2013-2015 LS 460, 2015 NX 200T and RC350, 2017 RC 200T and RX 350. Toyota also removed the 2018-2019 Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser and 2018-2019 Lexus GX 460 and LX 570 and 2019 NX300 from inclusion in this recall. On March 19, 2020, Toyota expanded the recall to include 2015 Lexus GS350 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

  Risk: If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began May 4, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 20TB02 and 20TA02 for Toyota vehicles and 20LB01 and 20LA01 for Lexus vehicles.

• Recall 19V244000Mar 27, 20193,634 vehicles
  EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

  Gulf States Toyota (GST) is recalling certain 2019 C-HR, 4Runner, Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Highlander, Land Cruiser, Prius, RAV4, Sequoia, Tacoma, Sienna, Tundra and Yaris vehicles. The text on the load capacity label may become illegible. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."

  Risk: If the driver cannot read the label, they may unknowingly overload the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: GST will notify owners, and dealers will provide corrected load carrying capacity modification labels, free of charge. The recall began May 24, 2019. Owners may contact GST customer service at 1-800-444-1074. GST's number for this recall is 19R1.

NHTSA 5-Star safety ratings

Recent 2019 Toyota Highlander complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

1. Filed Oct 7, 202674,000 miNJTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2019 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that driving the vehicle lost power and failed to properly accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was an abnormal whining sound coming from the transmission and the vehicle lunged forward and unintendedly accelerated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet…

   NHTSA complaint #11769592 · source
2. Filed Oct 7, 2026PATransmission & Drivetrain

   While driving along, the car suddenly begun not too shift in the middle of an intersection. Fortunately for me, this occurred in the middle of the night when there were not many cars around, otherwise serious injury would likely have occurred since it was in a busy area. I had the car towed to an independent shop first who indicated that the problem was likely a transmission failure. I subsequently had it towed to the Toyota Dealership in Wilkes-Barre PA (Motor World), who…

   NHTSA complaint #11769486 · source
3. Filed Oct 2, 2026NCTransmission & Drivetrain

   The vehicle has a loud whining noise coming from the front of the car. The noise is only heard when I am pressing the accelerator but once I let off it goes away. I took the car into the dealership for inspection and was told it was the transmission that needs to be replaced. Toyota is refusing to assist with the repair because it is out of warranty. Even though they know this is a known issue.

   NHTSA complaint #11768514 · source
4. Filed Oct 1, 2026OHTransmission & Drivetrain

   Catastrophic mechanical transmission failure in 2019 Toyota Highlander. Diagnosed by Toyota dealership. Said to be the same issue as the recalls submitted for 2018 and 2021 Highlanders due to them having the same transmission

   NHTSA complaint #11768407 · source
5. Filed Oct 1, 2026LAFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   Vehicle engine is running rough and threatened to stall in traffic due to a failed low-pressure fuel pump. This model year is under a major fuel pump recall, but my VIN was excluded. The gauge isn't reading correctly either

   NHTSA complaint #11768396 · source
6. Filed Oct 1, 2026TXTransmission & Drivetrain

   I was driving on the highway and the car stopped allowing me to accelerate which almost caused major issues with an accident. I was luckily able to pull off and coast to a safe area to stop. No warning lights ever came on. It appears to be a transmission failure. I’m very lucky it didn’t occur 5 minutes prior. Currently at dealership for inspection.

   NHTSA complaint #11768266 · source
7. Filed Sep 29, 2026NHTransmission & Drivetrain

   2019 Toyota Highlander XLE, 137K miles. Always maintained, never any issues whatsoever, family loved our 'forever' car, UNTIL the dreaded whining noise began underneath the front floorboard. No warning, no indication, just started while driving on the highway and increasingly became louder over the two additional months I drove it. Quick online search indicates this is a very common issue. Brought to a local dealership in Southern NH, where it was quickly diagnosed as a…

   NHTSA complaint #11767910 · source
8. Filed Sep 29, 2026WITransmission & Drivetrain

   The transmission developed a faint whining noise, first noticed September 2026 around 84,000 miles, along with some hesitation during operation. A Toyota dealer diagnosed internal bearing failure inside the transmission and recommended full replacement. An independent shop also quoted full replacement. Estimates ranged $8,500–$10,000. Vehicle not yet repaired; available for inspection. Safety risk: the noise is faint enough that a driver could reasonably dismiss it as…

   NHTSA complaint #11767679 · source

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 11, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology