One of the worst Highlander years
Owners filed about 2.1 times as many complaints as a typical Highlander year. The main thing to watch is the transmission and drivetrain, which half of owners reported by about 64,000 miles. Years with fewer complaints: 2014 and 2016.
Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Highlander years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
Owners have filed 509 complaints with NHTSA about the 2019 Toyota Highlander. The most reported problem area is the transmission and drivetrain (215, 42% of complaints), followed by the fuel system and the engine and cooling. That ranks 2nd of 13 Highlander years from 2012 to 2024 for complaints. It has 3 recalls.
7 of these complaints came from Utah owners.
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Start my car searchMost reported problems
Problem areas ranked by how many complaints mention them. One complaint can name more than one area. Open an area to see what to check on a 2019 Toyota Highlander before you buy.
Transmission and drivetrain
215 complaintsHarsh or delayed shifts, slipping, shuddering, CVT whine, and drivetrain clunks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 64,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
- Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
- Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
- If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.
Tools that help
What owners said
Whining in the transmission. Took to a certified Toyota Mechanic and confirmed transmission is failing. Will need a total transmission replacement.Owner complaint, filed 2026
The component that failed was the transmission. My safety was at risk because I was going uphill and the engine surged then the transmission seized, almost causing a rear-end incident with my family in the car. The dealer confirmed that the transmission has failed. No incident happened so only the dealer needs to be involved at this…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Fuel system
109 complaintsHesitation, stalling, fuel smell, fuel pump and injector failures.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 6,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
- On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
- Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
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 functionsOwner complaint, filed 2026
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 eitherOwner complaint, filed 2026
Engine and cooling
74 complaintsStalling, misfires, oil consumption, leaks, overheating and engine failure.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 14,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
- Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
- Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
- Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.
Tools that help
What owners said
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 compartment. Because…Owner complaint, filed 2026
The car is was a 2019 Toyota Highlander with approximately 125,000 miles. White Smoke started appearing in the exhaust. Quickly after that, the check engine light appeared and started blinking, meaning the engine was misfiring. We brought to the dealership, and they found that cylinder 4 of the engine was damaged (scoring on the inside…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Electrical system
56 complaintsDead batteries, warning lights, failed screens and cameras, and electrical shorts.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 5,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
- Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
- Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.
Tools that help
What owners said
Sporadically, when starting up the vehicle, from the overhead console, it emanate a loud, ear piercing sound that is painful to one's ears. Apparently, this is a KNOWN issue with 2019 Toyota Highlanders in the Limited Platinum trim level. This issue has been presented to the dealership numerous times (DARCARS Toyota Frederick) with their…Owner complaint, filed 2026
The contact owns a 2019 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle stalled; the contact shifted the vehicle into park(P) and restarted the vehicle for the vehicle to return to normal operation. No warning lights were illuminated; however, the “Auto START/STOP Failure” and “See Dealer"…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 86,530 miles
Brakes and stability control
24 complaintsBrakes that feel soft or grab, grinding, ABS and stability control faults.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 12,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
- The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
- Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2019 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while attempting to depress the brake pedal, the brakes failed to operate as intended. The contact stated that after taking the foot off the brake pedal, the brakes started working as intended. The vehicle was drivable. The vehicle was driven to the residence, and the…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 69,000 miles
While at a stop sign fully stopped the car rolled forward on several occasions. My warranty had just expired a month prior. My car has always been maintained and maintenanced. I was stuck paying a lot of money and no car should be moving when you have your foot on the brake. The dealership said master cylinder/ brake booster went…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Driver assist systems
14 complaintsPhantom braking, false collision warnings, and lane keeping or backup sensors that act up.What to check before you buy
Parts named most: Automatic emergency braking (6).
What to check before you buy
- Where it is safe, try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive and watch for sudden braking or warnings with nothing there.
- Check the windshield in front of the camera and the bumper sensors for cracks, chips or poor repairs.
- Ask whether the windshield has been replaced. The camera has to be recalibrated afterward, and many shops skip it.
Tools that help
What owners said
I was using the adaptive cruise control on I-68 in Western Maryland. I was in the fast lane (on the far left of three uphill lanes). A dump truck was in the center lane going well below the speed limit. The road curved to the left at the point where I got up to the dump truck. There was no one in front of me in my outside lane. My car…Owner complaint, filed 2024
Driving on a two lane road following a car in front of me. Cruise is on and the car in front of me is not affecting my speed. The car in front of me turns left into their driveway and is completely off the roadway. My car brakes very hard like there is something in front of me. Their was no on coming trafiic. I've have had this happen…Owner complaint, filed 2021, at 8,000 miles
Air bags
14 complaintsAir bag warning lights, air bags that did not deploy, and inflator recalls.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 14,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
- Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.
Tools that help
What owners said
While driving down the road about 30mph on a paved road, heard a loud bang from the back. Stopped and inspected. The stability button shot off the door into the door jam, the door panel coming off, and the weather stripping separating from the door. The passenger rear airbag went off. Nothing visible on outside. Everything mechanically…Owner complaint, filed 2026
The contact owned a 2019 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at low speeds in a parking area, she briefly lost control only coming to a stop after colliding with a light pole. The air bags did not deploy. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and deemed a total loss by…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 41,000 miles
Cruise control and acceleration
13 complaintsHesitation, loss of power, sudden acceleration and cruise control problems.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 10,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
- Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.
Tools that help
What owners said
Whining sound can be heard while accelerating the vehicle. Maintenance crew is reporting an issue with transmission. UA80F 8 speed transmission on V6 engine in Toyota Highlander has this failure noise. Given that the transmission can fail anytime. It is dangerous to operate the vehicle. No action is taken from Toyota yet.Owner complaint, filed 2026
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…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 10,000 miles
Body, doors and structure
13 complaintsRust, doors and liftgates that will not latch, leaks, and frame or structure concerns.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 5,000 miles. Parts named most: Body (12).
What to check before you buy
- Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
- Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
- Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.
Tools that help
What owners said
3 of the 4 door lock actuators do not work properly. Some don't lock and some don't unlock. The only door that currently works is the driver's door. If I don't realize that a door did not lock someone can break into my vehicle.Owner complaint, filed 2025
The front bumper keeps popping out. I’ve returned it to the dealer 3 times, who says a clip has to be replaced. However, it’s not covered under the extended warranty and they will just replace it. The dealer told me to just push it back in when it pops out. It will push back in place, but it will not stay in place. It has not been…Owner complaint, filed 2023
Seats and seat belts
12 complaintsBelts that will not latch or retract, seat adjusters and passenger occupancy sensors.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 17,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
- Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.
Tools that help
What owners said
About 2 months ago we noticed that the driver side seat has a rubture on the right side of the seat and the metal plate has a sharp side which is cutting the cloth of the seat plus the seat has begin to be to saggy and looseOwner complaint, filed 2026
I have captain seats in the middle. Driver side seat has 4 bolts that secure it to the vehicle floor. The front two bolts were ready to fall out. Caused a squeak that only my wife could hear due to my hearing impairment. I tightened that bolts and the squeak is gone. Pretty serious issue if only 2 of the 4 bolts holding the seat in place…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Lights, wipers and visibility
10 complaintsHeadlights that dim or fail, wiper and washer failures, and windshield cracks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 18,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
- Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.
Tools that help
What owners said
AHB, which is part of Toyota's TSS (total safety system) fails intermittently and because the system is run by a sensor, headlight may or may not be illuminated during periods of darkness. Given the intermittent nature of the failure, it seems like there should be something to indicate to the operator that the lights are either on or not…Owner complaint, filed 2025
The headlamp socket is melted. This is the same issue as other Toyota vehicles. There was a recall of the Toyota Tundra for the same problem in 2021.Owner complaint, filed 2024
Steering
8 complaintsLoss of power steering assist, wandering, play in the wheel and noises when turning.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
- On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
- A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
Poser steering failed momentarily. I was at the drive-thru window of CVS and was afraid my mirror would hit the pole when I pulled forward. I tried to turn while backing up slowly from a full stop. The car momentarily resisted my attempt to turn the wheel. There was no safety risk at the time. I have not had the problem investigated. The…Owner complaint, filed 2024
2019 toyota highlander xle. At 1230 miles eps failure warning light came on. The steering wheel will not turn. Vehicle was towed to toyota universe in new jersey. Recalibrated the computer. The next day the problem occurred again. I was pulling out of my garage. When I put the vehicle in drive the warning displayed and steering wheel…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 1,230 miles
Wheels and tires
6 complaintsTire failures, wheels and lug nuts, and tire pressure sensor faults.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
- Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
- The tire pressure light should go out after startup.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2019 Toyota Highlander equipped with Yokohama Tires, Tire Line: Geolandar HT-G056, Tire Size: 245/60/R18, DOT Number: TCCI2Y889. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however the contact noticed that the rear seats were vibrating. The contact also noticed…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 27,000 miles
NOT a tire issue, TPMS issue, had 2 replaced due to corrosion and slow leaks. These came with a certified used vehicle. Mettalic stems and NitroFill. From Dealer IRA toy of Danvers Mass. 245/60R18 tires. There was no tire damage Dash light came on before driving. TPMs sensors were replaced 6 months apart. The other 2 are still on the car…Owner complaint, filed 2024
Suspension
5 complaintsClunks over bumps, broken springs, worn struts and uneven tire wear.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
- Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
- Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2019 toyota highlander. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, a rattling noise was present coming from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer conicelli toyota located at 860 baltimore pike, springfield, pa 19064, however, the mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 5,000 miles
Around Halloween 2025 my Toyota’s Transmission started slipping. I called a few places and no one except Toyota would address the issue except a local shop in [XXX] , Ridge Auto Repair who after checking out the vehicle said they can’t repair it because the parts are not available November 6th, 2025, The Shop LAG LLC was recommended to…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Toyota Highlander complaints by year
Compare the 2019 with other years before you choose one. Tap a year to see its problems.
Compare with similar 2019 midsize SUVs
Each car is rated against its own other years, since popular models always get more complaints than rare ones.
| Car | Vs. its other years | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 Toyota Highlander | Among the worst years | 3 |
| 2019 Honda Pilot | Among the worst years | 13 |
| 2019 Subaru Ascent | Worse than most years | 9 |
| 2019 Ford Explorer | One of the better years | 6 |
2019 Toyota Highlander recalls
Fuel system Fuel pump
- Risk
- If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly with an improved one, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
Fuel system Fuel pump
- Risk
- If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
Equipment Labels
- Risk
- If the driver cannot read the label, they may unknowingly overload the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- GST will notify owners, and dealers will provide corrected load carrying capacity modification labels, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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."
2019 Toyota Highlander questions
What are the most common problems with the 2019 Toyota Highlander?
The most reported problem areas on the 2019 Toyota Highlander are the transmission and drivetrain (215 complaints), the fuel system (109 complaints) and the engine and cooling (74 complaints).
Is the 2019 Toyota Highlander a good year to buy?
One of the worst Highlander years. Owners filed about 2.1 times as many complaints as a typical Highlander year. The main thing to watch is the transmission and drivetrain, which half of owners reported by about 64,000 miles. Years with fewer complaints: 2014 and 2016. Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Highlander years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
How many recalls does the 2019 Toyota Highlander have?
NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2019 Toyota Highlander. The most recent, from Nov 2020, covers the fuel pump. Recalls cover the whole model year, so check the VIN of the car you are looking at to see which are still open.
At what mileage do 2019 Toyota Highlander problems start?
Half of the owners who reported a problem with the transmission and drivetrain gave a mileage of about 64,000 miles or less. Half of the owners who reported a problem with the fuel system gave a mileage of about 6,000 miles or less. Plenty of cars have these problems later or never, so ask for service records.
Which Toyota Highlander years should I avoid?
The Highlander years with the most complaints compared with the rest are 2019 and 2021. Years with clearly fewer complaints are 2014 and 2016. Years from 2022 on are too new to rate fairly yet.
Check the exact car
These problems are for the model year as a whole. Here is how to find out about the one you are looking at.
Looking at a 2019 Toyota Highlander?
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- Check a specific car for open recalls at NHTSA
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