2019 Toyota Highlander

Family: Highlander · filed with NHTSA as HIGHLANDER, HIGHLANDER HYBRID

Summary

In its first three years the 2019 Highlander drew 152 complaints — 1.6× the median of its generation (2014–2019). It is among the most-complained-about years of this generation.
These are complaint counts, not failure rates: they are not divided by how many cars were sold, because no public source reports U.S. sales by model year.
Of the 456 complaints that name a component, 46% concern Powertrain (212).
3 recalls filed for this model year.
1 federal defect investigation covers this model year.

At a glance

Owner complaints: 512
Recalls: 3
Investigations: 1
NCAP overall: 5 of 5 stars
Combined MPG: 22–29
Annual fuel cost: $2,150–$2,850
Median mileage at complaint: 12,500 mi (n = 148)
Crashes / fires / injuries / deaths: 22 / 1 / 18 / 0

What owners report

Powertrain

212 complaints · 46% of complaints that name a component · median 65,000 mi (n = 32)

Owner report The transmission has been making a whining noise for a little while now. After having it diagnosed by Toyota, the entire transmission has to be replaced. According to multiple reports on the internet, the 8 speed transmission in the 2017 to 2026 model will fail prematurely do to defective components. Toyota has even…

Owner report Transmission is making a whining noise, took it to the dealer and they confirmed the transmission needs to be replaced. Looked online and there appear to be thousands of these cases with the transmission going out on Toyota Highlanders between 2017-2021

Fuel & Propulsion

110 complaints · 24% of complaints that name a component · median 6,376 mi (n = 47)

Owner report My car is stalling and stopping while driving both slow speeds and high speeds and all displays are going off, it may restart after several attempts, it seems a serious safety problems, however my VIN is not part of original Toyota Fuel pump recall, however it seems my issue is also related to Fuel pump mall functions

Owner report 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

Engine

76 complaints · 17% of complaints that name a component · median 14,000 mi (n = 34)

Owner report Transmission is failing and accelerating past 40mpg produces very loud sound that seems it could break any moment. It is available for inspection. Safety is compromised as it could experience failure and abruptly lose ability to accelerate. Problem has been confirmed by independent service center who has also contacted…

Owner report I am writing to formally document a series of unresolved mechanical issues with my vehicle, culminating in a complete transmission failure, and to request assistance in resolving this matter. The timeline of events is detailed below: *Winter 2024: I first noticed a persistent buzzing sound originating from the engine …

11% of complaints name no specific component and are left out of the shares above.

Across the generation (2014–2019)

To compare years fairly, each year is counted over the same span: complaints received up to two calendar years after its model year. A year is compared only when that span is over and it holds at least 50 complaints. Median of the comparable years: 94.

Model year	All complaints	First three years	Note
2014	138	40	not compared
2015	196	75
2016	117	49	not compared
2017	274	85
2018	276	102
2019	512	152	most complaints

Recalls

Whether a recall has been fixed on a specific car depends on its VIN; check it at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

20V682000 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Filed 2020-11-04 · 1,525,742 vehicles

Defect: 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.

20V012000 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Filed 2020-01-13 · 1,830,752 vehicles

Defect: 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.

19V244000 · EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Filed 2019-03-27 · 3,634 vehicles

Defect: 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.

Federal investigations

Action	Component	Opened	Closed	Recall
DP22005	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM	2023-01-27	2023-08-07	22V063000

DP22005: Pedestrian alert sounds

Engines and fuel economy

Version	Engine	Transmission	Drive	City	Hwy	Combined	Fuel cost / yr
Highlander	2.7L 4cyl	Automatic (S6)	Front-Wheel Drive	20	24	22	$2850
Highlander	3.5L 6cyl	Automatic (S8)	Front-Wheel Drive	20	27	23	$2700
Highlander AWD	3.5L 6cyl	Automatic (S8)	All-Wheel Drive	19	26	22	$2850
Highlander AWD	3.5L 6cyl	Automatic (S8)	All-Wheel Drive	20	26	22	$2850
Highlander AWD LE	3.5L 6cyl	Automatic (S8)	All-Wheel Drive	20	27	23	$2700
Highlander Hybrid AWD	3.5L 6cyl Hybrid	Automatic (AV-S6)	All-Wheel Drive	29	27	28	$2250
Highlander Hybrid AWD LE Plus	3.5L 6cyl Hybrid	Automatic (AV-S6)	All-Wheel Drive	30	28	29	$2150
Highlander LE/XLE/SE/LTD	3.5L 6cyl	Automatic (S8)	Front-Wheel Drive	21	27	23	$2700

Fuel cost is EPA's estimate at the fuel prices of its last update, not today's.

Crash test ratings (NCAP)

Variant	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover
2019 Toyota Highlander SUV FWD	★★★★★	★★★★☆	★★★★★	★★★★☆
2019 Toyota Highlander SUV AWD	★★★★★	★★★★☆	★★★★★	★★★★☆
2019 Toyota Highlander Hybrid SUV AWD	★★★★★	★★★★☆	★★★★★	★★★★☆

Service bulletins

Toyota issued 250 service bulletins listed against this model year, most often about equipment.

A bulletin tells dealers how to fix a known condition. It is not a recall and not a defect finding. Most bulletins cover several model years at once, so one listed here may not be specific to this year. The number of bulletins tracks how long and how widely a model was sold, so it is not a measure of reliability.

Date	Component	Summary
2026-02-13	ENGINE	OBSOLETE NOTICE February 13, 2026: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0009-26.
2026-02-13	ENGINE	This bulletin includes basic procedures for performing a rescue charge on Ni-MH high voltage (HV) batteries. This bulletin should be used in conjunction with the applicable model and model year Repair Manual while performing a rescue charge…
2026-01-07	UNKNOWN OR OTHER	Some 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this Serv…
2026-01-07	UNKNOWN OR OTHER	Some 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this Serv…
2025-08-20	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	Some customers may experience echoing on the line calling the vehicle when using Bluetooth Hands Free. This is caused by the phone Hands Free volume being too low.
2025-08-20	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	Some customers may experience echoing on the line calling the vehicle when using Bluetooth Hands Free. This is caused by the phone Hands Free volume being too low.
2025-06-13	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	The air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the location of air conditioning refrigerant leaks. The procedures outlined in this Service Bulletin aid in locating, inspecting, and repairing refrigerant…
2025-06-13	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	The air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the location of air conditioning refrigerant leaks. The procedures outlined in this Service Bulletin aid in locating, inspecting, and repairing refrigerant…
2025-01-30	SERVICE BRAKES	Although the Brake Booster and Brake Booster Pump Assemblies are covered by Toyota’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 3 years or 36,000 miles (whichever comes first), we at Toyota care about the customers’ ownership experience. Toyota is pr…
2025-01-30	SERVICE BRAKES	Although the Brake Booster and Brake Booster Pump Assemblies are covered by Toyota’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 3 years or 36,000 miles (whichever comes first), we at Toyota care about the customers’ ownership experience. Toyota is pr…

How to read this page

Complaint counts are not failure rates. A model that sells more cars draws more complaints, and owners file more often after news coverage or a recall. That is why this page compares a model year only with other years of the same generation, never with other models.

Each complaint is counted once, even when it names several components; a complaint that names several systems appears under each of them. Owner reports are quoted as filed and have not been verified by NHTSA or by us.

Every model year of this Highlander, including the ones without a page of their own, is listed on the Toyota Highlander model page.

Sources

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation: complaints, recalls and investigations (bulk files, data as of 2026-10-28).
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program: crash test ratings.
U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov: engines, transmissions and fuel economy.

MotorAlmanac is independent and not affiliated with NHTSA, EPA or any manufacturer. This page summarises public records; it is not a mechanical inspection. Before buying a used car, check its VIN for open recalls and have it inspected.