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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 · Feb 17, 2020
Unknown Or Other

EVER SINCE WE PURCHASED OUR HIGHLANDER THE NAVIGATION TURN BY TURN VOICE WORKS SOME TIMES AND MOST OF THE TIME IT DOES NOT WORK. WE THOUGHT WE JUST DID NOT SET IT UP CORRECTLY. WHILE DRIVING TO A CONCERT IN DOWNTOWN CINCINNATI I NARROWLY THIS PAST SATURDAY WE NEARLY HAD A COLLISION BECAUSE I WAS LOOKING AT THE NAVIGATION SCREEN…

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EVER SINCE WE PURCHASED OUR HIGHLANDER THE NAVIGATION TURN BY TURN VOICE WORKS SOME TIMES AND MOST OF THE TIME IT DOES NOT WORK. WE THOUGHT WE JUST DID NOT SET IT UP CORRECTLY. WHILE DRIVING TO A CONCERT IN DOWNTOWN CINCINNATI I NARROWLY THIS PAST SATURDAY WE NEARLY HAD A COLLISION BECAUSE I WAS LOOKING AT THE NAVIGATION SCREEN TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHERE I NEEDED TO TURN. AFTER THAT EXPERIENCE I TOOK THE TIME TO READ ABOUT AND THEN RESET THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM. NO SUCCESS TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #11309636

30 miles · Feb 6, 2020
Unknown Or Other

JBL NAVIGATION SYSTEM DOES NOT PROVIDE VOICE GUIDANCE AND HAS RESULTED IN SEVERAL NEAR-MISS ACCIDENTS AS THE DRIVER IS FORCED TO GLANCE AT THE DISPLAY. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH TOYOTA AND JBL SOUND SYSTEM AND THE DEALERS SAY THEY ARE AWARE OF THE SAFETY PROBLEM BUT HAVE TO WAIT FOR A SOFTWARE UPDATE. THIS HAS GONE ON OV…

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JBL NAVIGATION SYSTEM DOES NOT PROVIDE VOICE GUIDANCE AND HAS RESULTED IN SEVERAL NEAR-MISS ACCIDENTS AS THE DRIVER IS FORCED TO GLANCE AT THE DISPLAY. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH TOYOTA AND JBL SOUND SYSTEM AND THE DEALERS SAY THEY ARE AWARE OF THE SAFETY PROBLEM BUT HAVE TO WAIT FOR A SOFTWARE UPDATE. THIS HAS GONE ON OVER 1 YEAR SO A SOFTWARE UPDATE IS NOT COMING. PURCHASED VEHICLE IN JULY 2019 AND HAVE TAKEN TO TOYOTA DEALERS IN 3 DIFFERENT CITIES ALL WITH NO ADVICE TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THEY SAY THERE IS A BULLETIN ON THIS SAFETY ISSUE AND A MANUAL WORKAROUND BUT NO PERMANENT FIX.

NHTSA ODI #11307490

3,900 miles · Jan 31, 2020
Fuel/propulsion System

PULLING OUT OF A BUSINESS PARKING LOT (SOMEWHAT OF AN INCLINE) ONTO BUSY STREET AND VEHICLE STALLED. BAD TIMING FOR THIS TO HAPPEN. MASTER CAUTION LIGHT ILLUMINATED BUT NOT CEL PER WIFE WHO WAS DRIVING. I THINK RECENT RECALL UNDERWAY FOR FUEL PUMP DOESN'T INCLUDE MY VIN, BUT I AM SUSPICIOUS AND AM THINKING IT PROBABLY SHOULD. V…

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PULLING OUT OF A BUSINESS PARKING LOT (SOMEWHAT OF AN INCLINE) ONTO BUSY STREET AND VEHICLE STALLED. BAD TIMING FOR THIS TO HAPPEN. MASTER CAUTION LIGHT ILLUMINATED BUT NOT CEL PER WIFE WHO WAS DRIVING. I THINK RECENT RECALL UNDERWAY FOR FUEL PUMP DOESN'T INCLUDE MY VIN, BUT I AM SUSPICIOUS AND AM THINKING IT PROBABLY SHOULD. VEHICLE STARTED AND RETURNED HOME FINE (10 MILES) AT APPROX 40-50MPH.

NHTSA ODI #11306411

26,000 miles · Jan 29, 2020
EngineFuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V012000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE TOYOTA OF NORTH CHARLOTTE DEALER (LOCATED AT 13429 STATESVILLE RD, HUNTERSVILLE, NC 28078) AND IT …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V012000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE TOYOTA OF NORTH CHARLOTTE DEALER (LOCATED AT 13429 STATESVILLE RD, HUNTERSVILLE, NC 28078) AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HESITATED WHILE DRIVING AND THAT THE FUEL CONSUMPTION HAD INCREASED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE BUT WOULD NOT CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 26,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11302777

3,000 miles · Jan 25, 2020
Seats

THE 2019 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER LE SECOND ROW HEADRESTS LACK LOCKING HEIGHT ADJUSTMENTS! YES YOU HAVE JUST READ THIS CORRECTLY! THEY ARE NOT LIKE THE FRONT ROW LOCKING HEIGHT INCREMENTS. THEY DO NOT LOCK WHEN THEY ARE EVEN PUSHED ALL THE WAY DOWN! THE ONLY HEIGHT TO LOCK THEM AT IS WHEN THE HEADREST IS ABOUT 2' FROM THE CEILING! NOT…

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THE 2019 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER LE SECOND ROW HEADRESTS LACK LOCKING HEIGHT ADJUSTMENTS! YES YOU HAVE JUST READ THIS CORRECTLY! THEY ARE NOT LIKE THE FRONT ROW LOCKING HEIGHT INCREMENTS. THEY DO NOT LOCK WHEN THEY ARE EVEN PUSHED ALL THE WAY DOWN! THE ONLY HEIGHT TO LOCK THEM AT IS WHEN THE HEADREST IS ABOUT 2' FROM THE CEILING! NOT ALL PEOPLE RIDING IN THE SECOND ROW ARE 6'4' TO USE SUCH AN EXTENDED ADJUSTMENT EFFECTIVELY. I HAVE CONTACTED TOYOTA AND THE CASE # IS 2001250569. WHETHER THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY OR MOVING, THE HEADRESTS MOVE UP AND DOWN WITH EVEN RESTING YOUR HAD ON THE HEADREST, UNLESS IT IS IN THE LOCKED POSITION BY THE CEILING. NOTE: THE SECOND ROW HEADRESTS DO NOT HAVE LOCKING INCREMENTS LIKE THE FIRST ROW HEADRESTS. THEY ARE NOT SAFE FOR YOUNGER AND/ OR SHORTER PEOPLE. SUCH A DESIGN FLAW CAN ONLY COMPOUND NECK/HEAD INJURIES IN THE CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. PLEASE HELP AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS DANGEROUS SITUATION! AS NO-ONE HAS SAT BACK THERE IN OUR CAR EARLIER, I WAS NOT AWARE OF THIS, OR I WOULD NEVER HAVE EVEN BOUGHT THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #11301805

18,000 miles · Jan 24, 2020
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineFuel/propulsion System

FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED IN DEC 2019 AND THEN AGAIN IN JAN 2020. WHILE DRIVING ENGINE LOST POWER AND VEHICLE BEGAN LURCHING FORWARD AND BACK UNCONTROLLABLY. AFTER PULLING OVER ENGINE SHUT DOWN. THANKFULLY WE DID NOT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, ALSO SAID REDUCED ENGINE POWER AND TRACTION CONTROL OFF. FIRST TIME …

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FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED IN DEC 2019 AND THEN AGAIN IN JAN 2020. WHILE DRIVING ENGINE LOST POWER AND VEHICLE BEGAN LURCHING FORWARD AND BACK UNCONTROLLABLY. AFTER PULLING OVER ENGINE SHUT DOWN. THANKFULLY WE DID NOT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, ALSO SAID REDUCED ENGINE POWER AND TRACTION CONTROL OFF. FIRST TIME DEALER SAID IT WAS BAD GAS. SECOND TIME THEY TESTED FUEL PUMP AND IT WAS PRODUCING 5 PSI. WAY BELOW 50-60 PSI NORM. NOW OUR VEHICLE IS PARKED WAITING FOR TOYOTA TO DEVELOP A FIX FOR THEIR FUEL PUMP. NO IDEA HOW LONG THAT WILL TAKE. OUR CAR IS PART OF THE ALMOST 700,000 TOYOTA RECALLED. TOYOTA USED TO MEAN QUALITY, NOT SURE ANY MORE.

NHTSA ODI #11301691

500 miles · Jan 22, 2020
Air BagsCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON ENTERING AN INTERSECTION, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES BUT MISSED THE PEDAL. THE CONTACT ENDED UP ROLLING INTO THE INTERSECTION AND WAS HIT BY TWO VEHICLES ON BOTH SIDES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. A POL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON ENTERING AN INTERSECTION, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES BUT MISSED THE PEDAL. THE CONTACT ENDED UP ROLLING INTO THE INTERSECTION AND WAS HIT BY TWO VEHICLES ON BOTH SIDES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. ONE OF THE OTHER DRIVERS HAD CLAIMED TO HAVE INJURED HER HAND BUT DID NOT RECEIVE AN MEDICAL ATTENTION AT THE SCENE. NO OTHER INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO HIS HOME AFTER THE ACCIDENT. THE CONTACT HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO A COLLISION CENTER AND WAS GIVEN AN ESTIMATE OF $18,700.00 FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 500. THE VIN WAS INVALID.

NHTSA ODI #11301202

300 miles · Jan 21, 2020
Engine

MY 2019 HIGHLANDER (SE V6 WITH ONLY 490 MILES) STARTED HAVING HIGH IDLE RPM ISSUES AT ABOUT 300 MILES. AT STOP SIGNS/RED LIGHTS YOU REALLY HAVE TO KEEP YOUR FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE LURCHES FORWARD WHEN RELEASING THE BRAKE PEDAL. LET OFF THE BRAKE, THE VEHICLE TAKES OFF (SAME THING IN REVERSE) MAKING DRIVING IT UNSAF…

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MY 2019 HIGHLANDER (SE V6 WITH ONLY 490 MILES) STARTED HAVING HIGH IDLE RPM ISSUES AT ABOUT 300 MILES. AT STOP SIGNS/RED LIGHTS YOU REALLY HAVE TO KEEP YOUR FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE LURCHES FORWARD WHEN RELEASING THE BRAKE PEDAL. LET OFF THE BRAKE, THE VEHICLE TAKES OFF (SAME THING IN REVERSE) MAKING DRIVING IT UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS. PULLING INTO OUR GARAGE IS NOT FUN. I SHOULD NOTE THAT THIS HIGH RPM ISSUE HAPPENS WHETHER THE START STOP IS ACTIVATED OR NOT ACTIVATED. TO MAKE MATTERS WORST, DRIVING ON SNOW COVERED ROADS IS A REAL PROBLEM WHEN BRAKING AT RED LIGHTS, STOP SIGNS AND SLOWING TO MAKE TURNS. MOST OF MY DRIVING IS ON CITY STREETS. I WILL BE TAKING THE SUV TO MY TOYOTA DEALER IN ENDICOTT, NY TO GET THIS DANGEROUS ISSUE RESOLVED BEFORE I GET INTO AN ACCIDENT. THE HIGHLANDER WAS BUILT 11/19 AND I HAVE OWNED IT FOR A FEW WEEKS. I HOPE OTHER TOYOTA HIGHLANDER OWNERS DON'T HAVE THE PROBLEM BECAUSE IT MAKES THE VEHICLES VERY UNSAFE AND DIFFICULT TO DRIVE.

NHTSA ODI #11300668

4,000 miles · Jan 20, 2020
Power TrainService Brakes

WHEN TRYING TO COAST TO A STOP AT AROUND 4 MPH THE CAR WILL SLAM TO A STOP. DOES NOT ALWAYS DO THIS BUT IT'S SOMETIMES VERY HARD TO COME TO A SMOOTH STOP AS THE CARS BRAKING SYSTEM (REGENERATIVE BRAKING?) WILL KICK IN BY ITSELF. CAN BE DANGEROUS IF A CAR IS TAILING VERY CLOSE TO ME AS IT WILL SEEM LIKE I'M DRIVING UNPREDICTABL…

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WHEN TRYING TO COAST TO A STOP AT AROUND 4 MPH THE CAR WILL SLAM TO A STOP. DOES NOT ALWAYS DO THIS BUT IT'S SOMETIMES VERY HARD TO COME TO A SMOOTH STOP AS THE CARS BRAKING SYSTEM (REGENERATIVE BRAKING?) WILL KICK IN BY ITSELF. CAN BE DANGEROUS IF A CAR IS TAILING VERY CLOSE TO ME AS IT WILL SEEM LIKE I'M DRIVING UNPREDICTABLY. TOOK THE CAR TO A DEALER BUT THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM AT THE TIME. ALTHOUGH THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT IT IS MORE LIKELY TO DO THIS WHEN THE CAR IS STILL WARMING UP.

NHTSA ODI #11300611

4,200 miles · Jan 17, 2020
StructureUnknown Or Other

OBNOXIOUS WIND NOISE!!! DEALER SERVICE MGR ACKNOWLEDGED IT WAS LOUD BUT SAID ALL ON HIS LOT WERE LOUD, MINE WAS MUCH LOUDER BUT TOLD IT WAS A DESIGN FLAW. IT IS. HUGE DISTRACTION WHILE DRIVING ANYTHING OVER 30 MPH. IT'S LITERALLY WIND NOISE NOT ROAD NOISE. THEY WILL NOT EVEN TRY TO REPAIR IT ... TOO BAD YOU SPENT $50,000 JUST …

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OBNOXIOUS WIND NOISE!!! DEALER SERVICE MGR ACKNOWLEDGED IT WAS LOUD BUT SAID ALL ON HIS LOT WERE LOUD, MINE WAS MUCH LOUDER BUT TOLD IT WAS A DESIGN FLAW. IT IS. HUGE DISTRACTION WHILE DRIVING ANYTHING OVER 30 MPH. IT'S LITERALLY WIND NOISE NOT ROAD NOISE. THEY WILL NOT EVEN TRY TO REPAIR IT ... TOO BAD YOU SPENT $50,000 JUST LIVE WITH IT.

NHTSA ODI #11300215

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.