2019 Toyota HIGHLANDER: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
477 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
11,214 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2019 model year. Data snapshot: . 139 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 191 of 477 complaints (40.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 197 | 41.3% |
| Engine operation | 70 | 14.7% |
| Braking behavior | 39 | 8.2% |
| Fuel system concerns | 38 | 8.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 20 | 4.2% |
| Steering behavior | 20 | 4.2% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train | 191 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 86 |
| Unknown Or Other | 78 |
| Engine | 69 |
| Electrical System | 55 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 17 |
| Service Brakes | 17 |
| Air Bags | 14 |
Power Train: 191; Fuel/Propulsion System: 86; Unknown Or Other: 78; Engine: 69; Electrical System: 55; Fuel System, Gasoline: 17; Service Brakes: 17; Air Bags: 14
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 95 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 14 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 12 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 10 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 7 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 95; 25,000 to 49,999: 14; 50,000 to 74,999: 12; 75,000 to 99,999: 10; 100,000 to 149,999: 7; 150,000 and above: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (95). 338 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 26 |
| 2020 | 89 |
| 2021 | 32 |
| 2022 | 23 |
| 2023 | 33 |
| 2024 | 62 |
| 2025 | 115 |
| 2026 | 96 |
2018: 1; 2019: 26; 2020: 89; 2021: 32; 2022: 23; 2023: 33; 2024: 62; 2025: 115; 2026: 96
Pattern summary
Power Train leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 197 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 70 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 39 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11152359 · 2018-11-18 (November 18, 2018)
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 20MPH, I WAS REAR ENDED BY SOMEONE GOING 55+MPH. DURING THE ACCIDENT, MY DRIVERS SEAT RECLINED AND THE HEADREST BROKE. ONE POST BROKE IN HALF AND THE OTHER SIDE PULLED OUT OF THE SEAT
Owner-reported narrative. 280 miles reported. Look up ODI 11152359 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11175823 · 2019-02-09 (February 9, 2019)
THE GPS SYSTEM DOES NOT PROVIDE VERBAL INSTRUCTIONS; ONLY VISUAL. THIS CAUSES THE DRIVER TO REMOVE HIS/HER EYES FROM THE ROAD AND LOOK FREQUENTLY AND MONITOR THE SCREEN. I HAVE VISITED THE DEALERSHIP NUMEROUS TIMES BUT THERE ARE UNABLE TO FIX THE ISSUE. THEY ACKNOWLEDGE THE ISSUE AND STATED THAT TOYOTA IS WORKING ON A WORK AROUND BUT NO ESTIMATE IS PROVIDED. I KNOW AT LEAST 5 OTHER HIGHLANDERS IN THE TAMPA BAY AREA ARE EXPERIENCING THIS BECAUSE WHEN I OPENED A CASE WITH WWW.TOYOTA.COM THE CASE OFFICER CALLED AND HE INFORMED ME OF THIS. I W…
Owner-reported narrative. 50 miles reported. Look up ODI 11175823 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11181477 · 2019-02-20 (February 20, 2019)
THE VOICE COMMANDS FOR THE VEHICLE DO NOT WORK WHICH REQUIRES THE DRIVER TO LOOK AT THE NAVIGATION SCREEN OR SCROLL THROUGH THEIR PHONE BOOK RATHER THAN USING THE BLUETOOTH FEATURES. THIS IS VERY DISTRACTING AND ILLEGAL IN SOME STATES WHICH REQUIRE HANDS FREE PHONE.
Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 11181477 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11192659 · 2019-03-30 (March 30, 2019)
IN NAVIGATION, IT WILL NOT GIVE VOICE DIRECTIONS WHICH IS A SAFETY HAZARD CAUSING YOU TO LOOK AT THE SCREEN AND TAKING YOUR EYES OFF THE ROAD. I TOLD TOYOTA ABOUT THIS BUT NO FIX. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND NEEDS TO BE FIXED IMMEDIATELY. THIS OCCURS WHEN STATIONARY OR MOVING. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME YOU TRY TO USE NAVIGATION.
Owner-reported narrative. 130 miles reported. Look up ODI 11192659 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11193549 · 2019-04-03 (April 3, 2019)
SEVERE HESITATION WHEN GAS IS APPLIED, ESPECIALLY WHEN CROSSING HEAVY TRAFFIC AND INSTANT POWER/QUICK ACCELERATION NEEDED. ALSO NOTED WHEN GOING AROUND CORNERS, AFTER CAR HAS SLOWED DOWN BELOW 5 MPH TO MAKE THE CORNER. GAS IS APPLIED WITH HESITATION. NOTED MORE WHEN CAR IS AT A COMPLETE STAND STILL/MOVING AT SLOW SPEED THEN GAS APPLIED TO MOVE FORWARD. CAR DOES NOT MOVE/REACT INSTANTLY.
Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11193549 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11222696 · 2019-06-26 (June 26, 2019)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHEN THE CONTACT OPENED THE TAILGATE, ALL OF THE OTHER DOORS UNLOCKED. THE CONTACT DID NOT FEEL SAFE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO MALLOY TOYOTA (400 WEEMS LN, WINCHESTER, VA 22601, [phone removed]) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE TEST ONLY ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THE DRIVER'S DOOR UNLOCKED AND NOT THE OTHER DOORS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT AT MALLOY TOYOTA; HOWEVER, THE DEALER STILL COULD NOT REPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE…
Owner-reported narrative. 4,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 11222696 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11228691 · 2019-07-01 (July 1, 2019)
SUNROOF SPONTANEOUSLY SHATTERED WHILE DRIVING ~30PMH ON A HOT AFTERNOON. NO OTHER CARS IN CLOSE PROXIMITY. NO TREES OVERHEAD OR OTHER DEBRIS FOUND THAT COULD HAVE TRIGGERED THE SHATTERING. THE NOISE SOUNDED LIKE AN EXPLOSION OVERHEAD. UPON INSPECTION, THE GLASS APPEARS TO HAVE EXPLODED OUTWARD AND LEFT A LARGE HOLE IN THE MIDDLE. LUCKILY, THE FABRIC PANEL BELOW THE GLASS WAS CLOSED, OTHERWISE THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION SINCE THE GLASS IS NOT SAFETY GLASS. PER OUR TOYOTA DEALERSHIP, TOYOTA CORP WILL NOT COVER THIS ISSU…
Owner-reported narrative. 8,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11228691 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11231030 · 2019-07-11 (July 11, 2019)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHEN THE CONTACT PUSHED THE IGNITION START BUTTON, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE FAILURE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO OXMOOR TOYOTA (LOCATED AT 8003 SHELBYVILLE RD, LOUISVILLE, KY 40222, [phone removed]) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,300.
Owner-reported narrative. 3,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 11231030 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
19V244000 · Equipment:Other:Labels
Reported: 2019-03-27 (March 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗20V012000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump
Reported: 2020-01-13 (January 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗20V682000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump
Reported: 2020-11-04 (November 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗