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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.

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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

Unknown Or Other complaints

79 reports
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Mileage unknown · Sep 11, 2026
Unknown Or Other

About two weeks ago I was driving and the car made a whinny noise and felt like it was shaking and slipping out of no where so I stop in a complex to check it out when I went to reverse the car wouldn’t move forward or backwards I had to turn off and on only to have the car not go pass 20 miles havnt been able to drive it since…

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About two weeks ago I was driving and the car made a whinny noise and felt like it was shaking and slipping out of no where so I stop in a complex to check it out when I went to reverse the car wouldn’t move forward or backwards I had to turn off and on only to have the car not go pass 20 miles havnt been able to drive it since I got two different check where they say it’s the transmission that the UA80E has that same issue but since there no recall Toyota says it’s not their problem

NHTSA ODI #11763526

Mileage unknown · Aug 11, 2026
Unknown Or Other

UA8OF transmission went. Vehicle was making whining noise when purchased and was told was normal. Driving the car as normal when traveling through intersection when car would not drive.

NHTSA ODI #11756369

Mileage unknown · Aug 8, 2026
Unknown Or Other

The back passenger door (passenger side) will not unlock when using the remote or the button on the front door panels. The only way to open the door is to push the button manually on the car door. The child lock is NOT ON!!! I called the Toyota dealer in my town and they said there are no recalls and it would be $200 to do a dia…

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The back passenger door (passenger side) will not unlock when using the remote or the button on the front door panels. The only way to open the door is to push the button manually on the car door. The child lock is NOT ON!!! I called the Toyota dealer in my town and they said there are no recalls and it would be $200 to do a diagnostic test on it. This is not ok. To not be able to unlock the door from the remote or the front door panel is not acceptable.

NHTSA ODI #11755612

Mileage unknown · Jun 28, 2026
Unknown Or Other

Since October 2025 I have had intermittent issues where the car battery suddenly loses power when driving. I have had to pull over on highway medians and shoulders. A few seconds before it loses power, multiple dash alerts go off: pre-collision malfunction, hybrid system malfunction, check engine. It has been seen now by multipl…

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Since October 2025 I have had intermittent issues where the car battery suddenly loses power when driving. I have had to pull over on highway medians and shoulders. A few seconds before it loses power, multiple dash alerts go off: pre-collision malfunction, hybrid system malfunction, check engine. It has been seen now by multiple mechanics including Toyota dealership. It is now on its third battery. Replaced yesterday and lost power on highway today. Please investigate this issue.

NHTSA ODI #11747050

Mileage unknown · Jun 19, 2026
Unknown Or Other

The dealership recommended transmission fluid exchange services for my 2019 Highlander SE after the recommended mileage for this service. I wasn’t able to get this service completed because of timing, however later on the service was completed and after three weeks the vehicle started jerking upon acceleration. Took the Benchley…

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The dealership recommended transmission fluid exchange services for my 2019 Highlander SE after the recommended mileage for this service. I wasn’t able to get this service completed because of timing, however later on the service was completed and after three weeks the vehicle started jerking upon acceleration. Took the Benchley back to the mechanic to diagnose the problem. Per the diagnostic test the issue was determined by this code transmission P0745-7F | Pressure Control Solenoid "A" Actuator Stuck Off - Pending DTC.

NHTSA ODI #11745180

Mileage unknown · Jun 11, 2026
Unknown Or Other

The rear air conditioning refrigerant lines on a 2019 Toyota Highlander SE failed due to excessive rust/corrosion, causing the A/C system to leak refrigerant and stop holding a charge. The failure affected the rear A/C lines that run to the rear of the vehicle. The problem was first diagnosed by an independent repair shop and t…

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The rear air conditioning refrigerant lines on a 2019 Toyota Highlander SE failed due to excessive rust/corrosion, causing the A/C system to leak refrigerant and stop holding a charge. The failure affected the rear A/C lines that run to the rear of the vehicle. The problem was first diagnosed by an independent repair shop and then confirmed by a Toyota dealer. The Toyota dealer documented that the rear A/C lines were leaking due to excessive rust/corrosion. The dealer recommended replacing the rear A/C lines/cooling lines as a set, evacuating and recharging the A/C system, adding dye, and checking system operation. The repair was completed by the Toyota dealer but not covered or reimbursed. The vehicle/component was inspected by an independent service center and by a Toyota dealer. Toyota corporate customer support was also informed of the dealer diagnosis. The failed component may no longer be available for inspection because the repair has been completed, but repair records, dealer diagnosis, invoice, and related documentation are available. Safety concern: The A/C system failure can affect occupant safety and visibility because air conditioning is used for windshield defogging/defrosting and cabin humidity control. Loss of A/C can reduce the ability to clear the windshield in humid or rainy conditions. It can also create a risk to rear passengers, including children, during hot weather because the rear A/C system is no longer functioning as designed. The failure also involved leaking refrigerant from corroded lines. Toyota will not accept that this is a premature and dangerous parts failure. There were no warning lamps or dashboard messages before the failure. The symptom was that the A/C stopped cooling and would not hold refrigerant. The cause was later confirmed, by Toyota, as leaking rear A/C lines due to excessive rust/corrosion. Toyota has refused goodwill repair even after NUMEROUS persons have reported the same issue online.

NHTSA ODI #11743516

Mileage unknown · May 22, 2026
Unknown Or Other

My 2019 Toyota Highlander has taken on water from a leaking Panoramic Sunroof. Both times the dealership ran it through a car wash and it did not leak after cleaning the sun roof drains. Took my car in on 5/4/2026 after a thunderstorm and they cleaned (Tom O’Brien Toyota) the roof drains. Then on the evening of [XXX], we had …

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My 2019 Toyota Highlander has taken on water from a leaking Panoramic Sunroof. Both times the dealership ran it through a car wash and it did not leak after cleaning the sun roof drains. Took my car in on 5/4/2026 after a thunderstorm and they cleaned (Tom O’Brien Toyota) the roof drains. Then on the evening of [XXX], we had a heavy thunderstorm which resulted in 3 quarts of water that my husband cleaned off the liner. It was also dripping inside on the armrest. Now I have a sagging liner with water stains. We took the car in again on 5/22/2026 and they cleaned the drains again.We are expected to have rain for the next 3 days. If I leave the liner back it could result in water pouring in the cabin, shorting out the electrical heat warmers on my console. What about MOLD and discoloration? Talk about safety concerns.!! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #11739522

Mileage unknown · May 20, 2026
Unknown Or Other

When accelerating, started hearing a whining noise. Took to mechanic, said it was the transmission. Called Toyota and they had us bring it in for diagnostics. Also said we needed a new transmission. Quoted at over 13K - could fail at any time. This should not be happening in a 2019 vehicle and seems to be a known issue that Toyo…

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When accelerating, started hearing a whining noise. Took to mechanic, said it was the transmission. Called Toyota and they had us bring it in for diagnostics. Also said we needed a new transmission. Quoted at over 13K - could fail at any time. This should not be happening in a 2019 vehicle and seems to be a known issue that Toyota is not doing anything to address.

NHTSA ODI #11739004

Mileage unknown · Apr 9, 2026
Unknown Or Other

Hi Dear My car doesn’t report crash.

NHTSA ODI #11730288

Mileage unknown · Mar 22, 2026
Unknown Or Other

Transmission whining sound

NHTSA ODI #11726165

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.