2019 Toyota Highlander
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Power train is the leading concern among 483 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 2nd highest complaint count among 25 Highlander model years with reports.
Of the 2019 reports, 22 involved a crash and 1 involved a fire. 18 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, fuel pumpNov 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.
If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 20V682000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, fuel pumpJan 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.
If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 20V012000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, other, labelsMar 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."
If the driver cannot read the label, they may unknowingly overload the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 19V244000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: fuel/propulsion system
86 reports, newest first. Show all
Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 21, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS DESIGNED. TOYOTA OF BROOKFIELD 20655 W CAPITOL DR, BROOKFIELD, WI 53045, WAS CONTACTED BY PHONE AND IT WAS ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THERE WAS A DEFECT WITHIN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED TO RETURN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT BECAME AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V120000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) FOR WHICH THE VIN WAS SUBJECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 17, 2020
WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, THE CAR ABRUPTLY LOST POWER AND IT FELT LIKE THE ENGINE WAS GOING TO STALL OUT COMPLETELY, BUT THEN THE CAR STARTED ACCELERATING AGAIN. THIS HAPPENED THREE TIME TODAY. IN TWO CASES I WAS NEEDING TO ACCELERATE BRISKLY AS I WAS EITHER CROSSING, OR ENTERING ONTO, A BUSY STREET WITH FAST TRAFFIC. IN TWO CASES (IN BOTH CASES I WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN FROM A STOP) THE RED EXCLAMATION POINT WARNING SIGN APPEARED BRIEFLY ON THE DASH BOARD UPPER SCREEN. ON THE THIRD OCCASION (I WAS ACCELERATING STRAIGHT AHEAD FROM A STOP), A RED WRITTEN MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE CENTER DASH BOARD SCREEN, BUT IT DISAPPEARED BEFORE I COULD READ IT.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 31, 2020
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.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 29, 2020
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.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 24, 2020
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.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 16, 2020
FUEL PUMP STOPS WORKING WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT HIGH SPEEDS, VEHICLE RIDES ROUGH INTERMITTENTLY THEN SHUTS DOWN. VEHICLE WILL NOT START UP AGAIN.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 20, 2019
STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT AND WHEN IT TURNED GREEN PUSHED ON THE GAS PEDAL. THE ENTIRE CAR JERKED AND DIDN'T HAVE ANY POWER TO GO THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. THE RPM GAGE BEGAN JUMPING AS THE CAR ROLLED. I ROLLED ON THROUGH THE INTERSECTION, WAS ALMOST HIT. HAD NO STEERING ABILITY. LIGHTS AND ALARMS BEGAN GOING OFF. MESSAGE BOARD SAID TRACTION CONTROL TURNED OFF. THEN CHECK ENGINE. THEN VISIT DEALER. THEN THE CAR DIED AT THE EDGE OF THE INTERSECTION AND WE PUSHED IT OFF THE HIGHWAY ONTO A COUNTY ROAD. IT WILL NOT START AT ALL. ACTS LIKE IT ISN'T GETTING ANY GAS. THIS IS THE 3 INCIDENT WITH THIS CAR DOING THIS. WE HAVE TOWED IT TWICE TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY REPLACED A VALVE IN THE ENGINE. THEY SAID IT WAS STUCK. APPARENTLY THAT WASN'T WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT. GLAD THIS WASN'T ON THE INTERSTATE. WE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED.
Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 11, 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. I NOTICE THIS PROBLEM ON A WEEKLY (AT LEAST) BASIS.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 11, 2019
2019 HIGHLANDER XLE JERKS AND STALLS, THEN LOSES POWER. THIS OCCURED ON A NEWLY PURCHASED VEHICLE THAT HAS APPROXIMATELY 13K MILES ON IT, IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC ON A SUB-URBAN STREET. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT OR OTHER ALERT CAME ON, PROVIDING NO INDICATION TO THE DRIVER OF THE ISSUE. WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND DRIVE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID IT WAS A FUEL PRESSURE ISSUE, AND ARE REPLACING THE FUEL PUMP - A PART THAT USUALLY LASTS MORE THAN 200,000 MILES. I HAVE NO IDEA WHETHER THIS IS A FUEL PUMP ISSUE, OR A FUEL REGULATION ISSUE, AND IF THOSE FUNCTIONS ARE BOTH PERFORMED BY THE FUEL PUMP. THE DEALER DID NOT SEEM TO BE AWARE OF THE ISSUE, AND THERE ARE NO RELATED RECALLS FOR THIS ISSUE. THEY DID FIND ONE OTHER INSTANCE OF THIS OCCURRING WHEN THEY RESEARCHED IT. I'D LIKE TO KNOW FOR CERTAIN WHETHER THIS IS A FUEL PUMP ISSUE, OR A FUEL REGULATION ISSUE. THIS PRESENTED A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION, AND I WAS LUCKY TO BE ABLE TO GET OFF THE ROAD.
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 9, 2019
2019 HIGHLANDER XLE LOSES POWER, UNABLE TO ACCELERATE, & JERKS AND STALLS IN TRAFFIC.BOUGHT AT 200 MILES, CERTIFIED PREOWNED. IT IS A NIGHTMARE VEHICLE. ACCELERATOR HAS BEEN TOUCHY AND JUMPY AT TIMES, INTERMITTENTLY AT SLOW SPEEDS. FIRST TIME IT STALLED IT STARTED TO LOSE POWER PUT -PUT AND CHUG LIKE JERKING AND ALL DASH AND ELECTRICAL ON DASH WENT OUT, UNABLE TO ACCELERATE, THEN STALLED OUT IN ROAD, UNABLE TO STEER OR CONTROL VEHICLE. THIS OCCURRENCE WAS AFTER A LONGER PERIOD OF DRIVING. SECOND TIME IT STALLED OUT BEGAN TO LOSE POWER, PUTTER AND CHUG, UNABLE TO ACCELERATE APPLYING GAS PEDAL, GETTING NO GAS, VEHICLE DIES OUT, UNABLE TO STEER OR CONTROL VEHICLE. THIS OCCURRENCE WAS AFTER A LONGER PERIOD OF DRIVING. THIRD TIME WAS YESTERDAY 8-8-19. LEFT WORK AND ABOUT 5-7 MINUTES INTO MY DRIVE, STARTED HESITATING, LOSING ALL DASH AND ELECTRICAL POWER AND WILL NOT ACCELERATE WHEN GAS PEDAL APPLIED, THEN STALLS OUT, UNABLE TO CONTROL THE STEERING WHEEL AGAIN! ALMOST GOT HIT THIS TIME, MAN BEHIND ME COMING FAST AND HAD TO SWERVE INTO LANE OVER TO MISS ME. THIS CAR IS GOING TO KILL ME OR SOMEONE BY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT IF THEY DO NOT GET IT FIXED RIGHT. AFTER THE SECOND STALL IT WAS TOWED INTO DEALERSHIP AND THEY WERE NOT SURE BUT SAID FUEL PRESSURE WAS READING 22 AND WAS SUPPOSED TO BE IN THE MID TO HIGH 50'S. THEY REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP AND IT DROVE OK FOR A LITTLE WHILE BUT I NOTICED THE AVERAGE FUEL MILEAGE GOING DOWN FROM AN APPROX IN CITY 19.1--20 TO 17.1-17.3. HAS NEVER BEEN SO LOW SO OBVIOUSLY THE STALLING AND THE REPLACING OR THE FUEL PUMP ARE NOT THE REAL ISSUE. FUEL ECONOMY GOING DOWN SINCE REPLACEMENT OF THE FUEL PUMP AND NOW ANOTHER DANGEROUS STALLING ISSUE. CAR IS AT TOYOTA DEALER NOW. THEY NEED TO DIVE MUCH DEEPER & RESOLVE THIS VERY DANGEROUS SAFETY ISSUE! I BOUGHT THIS CAR TO FEEL SAFE AND HAVE RELIABLE TRANSPORTATION AND HAVE NEITHER. IT REALLY SCARES ME. *DT*JB
Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 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.