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2019 Toyota Highlander

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Highlander years

Owner complaints for the 2019 Toyota Highlander are substantially higher than the model-year median of 186.5.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

140 reports with mileage · 340 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 194 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 86 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 69 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

22 crash reports1 fire reports12 injury reports

Electronic Stability Control (esc) complaints

5 reports
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14,000 miles · Jun 26, 2020
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED WITH A MESSAGE REFERRING THE CONTACT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TAKEN TO THE NEAREST DEALER TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KINGS TOYOTA (4700 FIELDS ERTEL RD, CINCINNATI, OH 45249) TO BE DIAG…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED WITH A MESSAGE REFERRING THE CONTACT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TAKEN TO THE NEAREST DEALER TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KINGS TOYOTA (4700 FIELDS ERTEL RD, CINCINNATI, OH 45249) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DIFFERENT FROM THE PREVIOUS FAILURE THE VEHICLE HAD EXPERIENCED IN WHICH THE SPARK PLUGS WERE REPLACED. THE TECHNICIAN REMOVED THE SPARK PLUGS AND THE COIL PACKS AND RELOCATED ANOTHER CYLINDER. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES AND WAS TAKEN TO THE SAME DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT 20 PERCENT OF ALCOHOL WAS FOUND IN THE FUEL INSTEAD OF THE RECOMMENDED 10 PERCENT IN THE FUEL MIXTURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V012000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 14,000.

NHTSA ODI #11331034

18,000 miles · Jan 24, 2020
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineFuel/propulsion System

FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED IN DEC 2019 AND THEN AGAIN IN JAN 2020. WHILE DRIVING ENGINE LOST POWER AND VEHICLE BEGAN LURCHING FORWARD AND BACK UNCONTROLLABLY. AFTER PULLING OVER ENGINE SHUT DOWN. THANKFULLY WE DID NOT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, ALSO SAID REDUCED ENGINE POWER AND TRACTION CONTROL OFF. FIRST TIME …

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FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED IN DEC 2019 AND THEN AGAIN IN JAN 2020. WHILE DRIVING ENGINE LOST POWER AND VEHICLE BEGAN LURCHING FORWARD AND BACK UNCONTROLLABLY. AFTER PULLING OVER ENGINE SHUT DOWN. THANKFULLY WE DID NOT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, ALSO SAID REDUCED ENGINE POWER AND TRACTION CONTROL OFF. FIRST TIME DEALER SAID IT WAS BAD GAS. SECOND TIME THEY TESTED FUEL PUMP AND IT WAS PRODUCING 5 PSI. WAY BELOW 50-60 PSI NORM. NOW OUR VEHICLE IS PARKED WAITING FOR TOYOTA TO DEVELOP A FIX FOR THEIR FUEL PUMP. NO IDEA HOW LONG THAT WILL TAKE. OUR CAR IS PART OF THE ALMOST 700,000 TOYOTA RECALLED. TOYOTA USED TO MEAN QUALITY, NOT SURE ANY MORE.

NHTSA ODI #11301691

9,444 miles · Nov 22, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)

I USED THE HANDS FREE DEVICE WHEN TALKING ON THE PHONE WHILE DRIVING, VIEW INCOMING EMAIL MAIL, THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM ON THE HIGHWAY. I INCURRED THIS PROBLEM FOR SEVERAL MONTHS SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE IN FEBRUARY 2019.ON THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2019 I HAD ANOTHER APPOINTMENT WITH DICK DYER TOYOTA IN COLUMBIA, SC DUE TO MY AU…

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I USED THE HANDS FREE DEVICE WHEN TALKING ON THE PHONE WHILE DRIVING, VIEW INCOMING EMAIL MAIL, THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM ON THE HIGHWAY. I INCURRED THIS PROBLEM FOR SEVERAL MONTHS SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE IN FEBRUARY 2019.ON THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2019 I HAD ANOTHER APPOINTMENT WITH DICK DYER TOYOTA IN COLUMBIA, SC DUE TO MY AUDIO SEEMS TO HAVE A SHORTAGE IN IT. THE AUDIO SYSTEM KEEPS TURNING OFF. AN EMPLOYEE AT DICK DYER TOYOTA SAID THAT MY APPLE XS MAX CELLULAR PHONE IS THE PROBLEM. THE MALE COULD NOT TELL ME WHEN TOYOTA COMPANY UPDATED THEIR ELECTRIC SOFTWARE. HE ALSO MENTIONED THAT NUMEROUS HIGHLANDER OWNERS HAVE INCURRED THE SOME PROBLEMS. LATER THAT AFTERNOON, I CALLED TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE IN CALIFORNIA AND EXPLAINED TO A FEMALE CUSTOMER REPRESENTATION ABOUT THE AUDIO ELECTRIC SHORTAGE IN A 2019 VEHICLE. VERONICA SAID THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THEIR SOFTWARE WHICH IS A 12.1 VERSION WHICH IS NOT COMPATIBLE TO APPLE CURRENT SOFTWARE VERSION 13.2.3. I EXPLAINED TO HER ABOUT HAND FREE STATES AND THEIR LAWS. SHE MENTIONED THAT THEY WERE WORKING TO FIX THE PROBLEM BUT HAVE NOT TIME FRAME WHEN THE PROBLEM WILL BE FIX. I HAVE COMPLAINED THREE PREVIOUS TIMES ABOUT THE AUDIO. CASE NUMBER - 1911212727

NHTSA ODI #11281860

7,000 miles · Sep 30, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service BrakesUnknown Or OtherCrashInjury

ME AND MY FAMILY WERE LEAVING A HOTEL IN TARRYTOWN NY. I PARKED THE CAR: TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 2019 OUTSIDE, HELPED MY WIFE AND 21-MONTH BABY INTO THE BACK SEAT AND HAD TO PUT SOMETHING IN THE TRUNK BUT IT WAS LOCKED. IN THAT MOMENT THE CAR WAS IN PARK WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING; THE GROUND WAS NOT STEEP AT ALL: 5-10 DEGREES THE MOST. …

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ME AND MY FAMILY WERE LEAVING A HOTEL IN TARRYTOWN NY. I PARKED THE CAR: TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 2019 OUTSIDE, HELPED MY WIFE AND 21-MONTH BABY INTO THE BACK SEAT AND HAD TO PUT SOMETHING IN THE TRUNK BUT IT WAS LOCKED. IN THAT MOMENT THE CAR WAS IN PARK WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING; THE GROUND WAS NOT STEEP AT ALL: 5-10 DEGREES THE MOST. I TOOK OUT THE KEY FROM IGNITION TO GO OPEN THE TRUNK WITH THE BUTTON FROM THE REMOTE. SUDDENLY THE CAR STARTED ROLLING BACKWARDS WITH MY WIFE AND KID IN THE BACK SEAT. THERE WAS A SLOPE FEW FEET AWAY FROM WHERE I PARKED AND THE ANGLE BECAME ABOUT 40 DEGREES AND IT PICKED UP SPEED QUICKLY. I RUSHED IN (DRIVERS DOOR WAS LUCKY OPEN AND FLAPPING AROUND), AT THE LAST MOMENT WAS ABLE TO PRESS THE BREAK BUT WE STILL HIT ANOTHER CAR WITH PEOPLE INSIDE. I AM THE ONLY ONE WITH VISUAL SCARS AND BRUISES ON MY LEFT LEG FROM TRYING TO CLIMB IN THE CAR, BUT MY WIFE FELT PAIN IN HER LOWER BACK THE DAY AFTER THE CRASH. THERE WERE WITNESSES AND MOST LIKELY A CAMERA, SINCE IT WAS BY THE FRONT ENTRANCE OF A MAJOR HOTEL. FROM READING AND RESEARCHING ON THIS MATTER I SUSPECT IT IS A DEFECT IN THE PARKING PAWL (THE PIECE INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION THAT HOLDS THE CAR IN PARK). THIS IS AN ABSOLUTE MANUFACTURERS DEFECT. I SAW HERE ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE THAT A PERSON FROM NJ FILED A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE EXACT SAME MATTER WITH THE SAME CAR: TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 2019 (NHTSA ID NUMBER: 11245263), JUST A MONTH AGO SO THIS IS DEFINITELY NOT AN ISOLATED CASE. PLEASE TAKE ACTION. THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE RECALLED ASAP BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY INJURED OR WORSE!

NHTSA ODI #11258968

5,000 miles · Aug 20, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineStructureCrashInjury

MAY 31 I WAS PICKING MY PASSENGERS AS DIVING TO UBER DRIVER. I PARKED MY VEHICLE STEP OUT TO OPEN BACK DOOR TO OPEN MY 3RD ROW SEAT BUT DOOR DIDN'T ABLE TO OPEN AND SAME MINUTES I HEARD VOICE BEEP COMING OUT FROM FRONT STEERING WHEEL. I TURNED AROUND WENT TO SEE WHAT THIS VOICE IS ABOUT.. BEFORE I TOUCHED ANYTHING MY VEHICLE STA…

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MAY 31 I WAS PICKING MY PASSENGERS AS DIVING TO UBER DRIVER. I PARKED MY VEHICLE STEP OUT TO OPEN BACK DOOR TO OPEN MY 3RD ROW SEAT BUT DOOR DIDN'T ABLE TO OPEN AND SAME MINUTES I HEARD VOICE BEEP COMING OUT FROM FRONT STEERING WHEEL. I TURNED AROUND WENT TO SEE WHAT THIS VOICE IS ABOUT.. BEFORE I TOUCHED ANYTHING MY VEHICLE START TO ROLLED BACKWARDS AND I GOT SO SCARED AND I TRIED TO HOLD THE STEERING WHEELS FROM OUTSIDE TO STOP VEHICLE SOMEHOW BUT IT WENT SO FAST DRAGGED ME OVER 100 FEETS THROWS ME ON THE STREET AND WENT OUT ON 2 HOMES PROPERTY OVER THE BUSHES AND HIT THE RAILING GUARDS ON ONE HOME . I CALLED POLICE ON THE SPOT WHERE THEY ASKED MY PASSENGERS AS WELL WHAT WAS HAPPENED AND THEY STATED WHAT I JUST WROTE HERE. AMBULANCE CAME PUT BANDAGES ON MY RIPPED LEFT KNEE AND TOLD ME TO CALL THEM IF I NEEDED THEM LATER ON. I HAD CALLED TOYOTA COMPANY AND THEY CAME TOOK MY VEHICLE TO HACKENSACK TOYOTA TO TOOK SOME INFORMATION AND AFTER 4 WEEKS SENT ME LETTER SAYING NOTHING WRONG WITH THIS VEHICLE AT ALL .... I'M SHOCKED AFTER HEARD THE VEHICLE HAD NO PROBLEM SO WHY IT ROLLED IN PARKING POSITION RIPPED MY KNEES PUT ME INTO STRESS AND POLICE REPORT MY 4 WITNESSES ALL WAS A LIE OR TOYOTAS PLAYING SOME BIG GAMES AROUND ME SO THEY DONT HAVE TO DO BIGGEST RECALL ON BRAND NEW VEHICLES ? I'M TRYING TO LET YOU GUYS KNOW THIS IS SOMETHING BIG GOING ON SO PLEASE HELP ME OUT WITH THIS SITUATION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

NHTSA ODI #11245263

Official recalls

3

20V682000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

Nov 4, 2020

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

20V012000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

Jan 13, 2020

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

19V244000 · Equipment:other:labels

Mar 27, 2019

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."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.