FUEL PUMP STOPS WORKING WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT HIGH SPEEDS, VEHICLE RIDES ROUGH INTERMITTENTLY THEN SHUTS DOWN. VEHICLE WILL NOT START UP AGAIN.
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Highlander years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
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.
What owners actually said
480 reportsAFTER STOPPING AT A RED LIGHT, WHEN LIGHT TURNED GREEN, I MADE A RIGHT TURN, MY 2019 HIGHLANDER STARTED TO SPUTTER, CHOPPY LIKE MOVEMENT AND ACTED LIKE IT WAS GOING TO STALL. I PRESSED ON THE ACCELERATOR SOMEWHAT MORE FIRMLY AND IT FINALLY STARTED TO MOVE MORE NORMAL. I WAS ON A BUSY CITY STREET TURNING ONTO ANOTHER BUSY CITY ST…
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AFTER STOPPING AT A RED LIGHT, WHEN LIGHT TURNED GREEN, I MADE A RIGHT TURN, MY 2019 HIGHLANDER STARTED TO SPUTTER, CHOPPY LIKE MOVEMENT AND ACTED LIKE IT WAS GOING TO STALL. I PRESSED ON THE ACCELERATOR SOMEWHAT MORE FIRMLY AND IT FINALLY STARTED TO MOVE MORE NORMAL. I WAS ON A BUSY CITY STREET TURNING ONTO ANOTHER BUSY CITY STREET.
LOUD WIN NOISE WHILE DRIVING ON A FREEWAY, I MADE SURE ALL THE WINDOWS AND SUN ROOF ARE PROPERLY CLOSE, IT IS VERY BOTHERING.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK UNCONTROLLABLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HAMER TOYOTA (11041 SEPULVEDA BLVD, MISSION HILLS, CA 91345), BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DET…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK UNCONTROLLABLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HAMER TOYOTA (11041 SEPULVEDA BLVD, MISSION HILLS, CA 91345), BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.
WE STARTED THE VEHICLE THAT IS PARKED IN FRONT OF OUR HOUSE AT AROUND 8AM TO GET SOME GROCERIES. THE VEHICLE STARTED AND EVERYTHING SEEMED NORMAL. SHIFTED TO D AND STARTED MOVING AND AS I WAS LEAVING THE SPOT, I PUSHED THE BREAK TO MAKE A LEFT TURN AND IT WON'T STOP. PUSHED THE BREAK PAD SEVERAL TIMES AND THE CAR WON'T STOP. …
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WE STARTED THE VEHICLE THAT IS PARKED IN FRONT OF OUR HOUSE AT AROUND 8AM TO GET SOME GROCERIES. THE VEHICLE STARTED AND EVERYTHING SEEMED NORMAL. SHIFTED TO D AND STARTED MOVING AND AS I WAS LEAVING THE SPOT, I PUSHED THE BREAK TO MAKE A LEFT TURN AND IT WON'T STOP. PUSHED THE BREAK PAD SEVERAL TIMES AND THE CAR WON'T STOP. FINALLY MOVED THE GEAR TO P AND IT STOPPED AND THE ENGINE TURNED OFF. I STARTED THE ENGINE AGAIN AND TRIED TO REVERSE IT, IT WON'T REVERSE AND ONLY GOING FORWARD. I CALLED AUTONATION TOYOTA OF LEESBURG, THEY TOWED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED ON 11/30/19 WITH ONLY 45 MILES IN IT. IT WAS A FRIGHTENING BECAUSE MY NEIGHBOR WAS PUTTING SOMETHING TO HIS CAR AND I WAS ABOUT TO RUN AT HIM.
OTHER CAR PULLED INTO INTERSECTION CAUSING OUR HIGHLANDER TO COLLIDE WITH TURNING VEHICLE. T COLLISION. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. SPEEDS AROUND 35 MPH. CAR TOTALED AND I SUSTAINED SEVERE CONCUSSION. WAS WEARING SEATBELT.
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
TL* THE CONTACT LEASES A 2019 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND POWERED OFF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE NORMALLY; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS …
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TL* THE CONTACT LEASES A 2019 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND POWERED OFF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE NORMALLY; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PAGE TOYOTA (21262 TELEGRAPH RD, SOUTHFIELD, MI 48033, (248) 352-8580) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT THE TECHNICIAN COULD NOT FIND A FAILURE CODE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 1910282286. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 4,000.
REAR HUMMING/BUZZING SOUND WHEN VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF.
BURNING ANTIFREEZE ODOR IN CABIN AFTER DRIVING FOR A FEW MINUTES.
Official recalls
320V682000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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