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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

What owners actually said

480 reports
Mileage unknown · May 11, 2024
Power Train

The vehicle has developed a whining noise from the transmission on acceleration. It is the same symptoms included in a customer support bulletin for 2017, 2018 models with the same transmission. I’ve been unable to locate a bulletin covering the 2019 that I own even though it is the same issue.

NHTSA ODI #11588271

Mileage unknown · Apr 26, 2024
Unknown Or Other

Occasionally upon starting the vehicle an EXTREMELY high pitched screech is emitted - probably through the speakers for a few seconds. The sound is ear splitting. This occurs ~5 of the times when starting.

NHTSA ODI #11585506

10,000 miles · Apr 26, 2024
Vehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

The contact owns a 2019 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated while attempting to make a turn in a parking a lot, the accelerator pedal became stuck on the mat, and the vehicle accelerated unintendedly. The contact stated that she depressed the brake pedal, but the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that as she was ap…

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The contact owns a 2019 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated while attempting to make a turn in a parking a lot, the accelerator pedal became stuck on the mat, and the vehicle accelerated unintendedly. The contact stated that she depressed the brake pedal, but the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that as she was approaching a guard rail, she turned off the vehicle. The vehicle jerked and the front end of the vehicle crashed into the guard rail. The air bags did not deploy. The contact stated that she sustained pain on the right foot and underwent surgery later. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer collision center, where the vehicle was repaired. The contact related the failure to an unknown recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 10,000.

NHTSA ODI #11585505

Mileage unknown · Apr 2, 2024
Power Train

My Highlander currently has 91,700 miles. Over the last 60 days, it has developed a high-pitched whine during acceleration under power. The sound starts at about 20 MPH and continues. I presented it to the dealer 30 days ago and they suggested new tires, front and rear brakes and an alignment. Those repairs have all been complet…

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My Highlander currently has 91,700 miles. Over the last 60 days, it has developed a high-pitched whine during acceleration under power. The sound starts at about 20 MPH and continues. I presented it to the dealer 30 days ago and they suggested new tires, front and rear brakes and an alignment. Those repairs have all been completed and the noise continues and may have gotten worse. A second diagnostic visit revealed the need for a new transmission at a cost of $11,005. The part number involved is T030510-48601-84. Safe operation of the vehicle is at risk as I could be stranded or worse as I wait for a part that is on back-order. There are no warning lights or check engine lights.

NHTSA ODI #11580767

Mileage unknown · Mar 23, 2024
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

I have a sporadic high pitch screeching beep when I start my car. It started about 3 months ago. It is so LOUD and glad I don’t have little kids or older adults I have to transport. I have noticed my SOS consistently blinks green and red.

NHTSA ODI #11579038

Mileage unknown · Mar 19, 2024
Tires

Goodyear Reliant All-Season 245/60R18 105V All-Season Tire [XXX] going to Orlando, FL on [XXX]. Speed about 72MPH. A bunch of motorcycles were passing us and thought sudden sound was their engines. Car begin to shake hard to control. Pulled over side and saw side wall had separated from main body of tire. INFORMATION REDACTED P…

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Goodyear Reliant All-Season 245/60R18 105V All-Season Tire [XXX] going to Orlando, FL on [XXX]. Speed about 72MPH. A bunch of motorcycles were passing us and thought sudden sound was their engines. Car begin to shake hard to control. Pulled over side and saw side wall had separated from main body of tire. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #11578204

Mileage unknown · Mar 17, 2024
Unknown Or Other

There is a painful ear screech sound from speakers when starting car. Sometimes it happens multiple times a day and sometimes I can go a few days without it happening when I start my car.

NHTSA ODI #11577866

Mileage unknown · Mar 1, 2024
Power Train

In driving my vehicle the RPM stayed high I took it into the Toyota dealer in Albany Ga and was told that the transmission was stuck in 3rd gear and the transmission needed to be replaced. My vehicle currently has 66k mikes on it so it is not covered by a warranty. I read where the 2018 Highlander had reported issues with their …

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In driving my vehicle the RPM stayed high I took it into the Toyota dealer in Albany Ga and was told that the transmission was stuck in 3rd gear and the transmission needed to be replaced. My vehicle currently has 66k mikes on it so it is not covered by a warranty. I read where the 2018 Highlander had reported issues with their transmissions. I checked to see if one of the 2018 transmissions were put in my 2019 model and all I was told was there was not a recall on my vehicle. Yet if I were to order a new transmission through Toyota they told me they are on back order for anywhere of two weeks to two months. Sounds like they are having issues if they have none in stock.

NHTSA ODI #11574933

Mileage unknown · Feb 22, 2024
Electrical System

There is a loud, ear splitting sound that occurs at start up. It doesn’t happen every time but has happened multiple times since I’ve owned the car for 1 year. It is very loud—like a shrill feedback noise from a microphone.

NHTSA ODI #11573489

Mileage unknown · Feb 22, 2024
Unknown Or Other

A reoccurring noise comes from the passenger side of the vehicle every time I drive. It sounds like a short in a wire or maybe a loose wire. I can’t decide if it’s coming from the passenger door or the passenger seat. It is not affected by turning the radio volume up or down or even off. I do think though that I have noticed t…

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A reoccurring noise comes from the passenger side of the vehicle every time I drive. It sounds like a short in a wire or maybe a loose wire. I can’t decide if it’s coming from the passenger door or the passenger seat. It is not affected by turning the radio volume up or down or even off. I do think though that I have noticed that the noise does NOT occur if a passenger is sitting in the passenger seat. I don’t have a passenger often enough for me to say the noise NEVER happens if a passenger is in the passenger seat. I have a video of the noise but this website doesn’t allow the video to upload.

NHTSA ODI #11573488

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.