2019 Toyota Highlander recalls and problems

The 2019 Toyota Highlander has 3 safety recalls and 511 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Toyota dealer.

Recalls
3
Complaints
511
Crashes / fires
22 / 1
Injuries / deaths
18 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2019 Toyota Highlander vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2019 Toyota Highlander recalls

Recall 20V-682: Fuel System, Gasoline

Reported Nov 4, 2020 · 1,525,742 vehicles affected · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

Recall 20V-012: Fuel System, Gasoline

Reported Jan 13, 2020 · 1,830,752 vehicles affected · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

Recall 19V-244: Equipment

Reported Mar 27, 2019 · 3,634 vehicles affected · Gulf States Toyota, Inc.

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

2019 Toyota Highlander problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Power Train217
Fuel/Propulsion System89
Unknown or Other83
Engine72
Electrical System56
Fuel System, Gasoline19
Service Brakes18
Air Bags15
Structure13
Vehicle Speed Control13
Forward Collision Avoidance12
Steering8

Most reported parts

  • Structure › Body — 12
  • Forward Collision Avoidance › Automatic Emergency Braking — 6
  • Forward Collision Avoidance › Adaptive Cruise Control — 4
  • Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly — 3
  • Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump — 2
  • Forward Collision Avoidance › Warnings — 2
  • Tires › Tread/Belt — 1
  • Fuel System, Diesel › Delivery › Fuel Pump — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 12,760 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2019 Toyota Highlander complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Power Train · at 84,820 miles · reported Nov 5, 2026
The contact owns a 2019 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while his wife was driving, the engine made an abnormal sound. While making a turn, the vehicle experienced a loss of motive power, slowly responded, and the transmission failed to shift properly. The traction control warning light illuminated prior to the failure, and the check engine warning light illuminated after the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle with transmission failure, and the contact was informed that the transmission required replacement. The…
Power Train · reported Nov 4, 2026
Transmission. I brought my 2019 Toyota Highlander to the Toyota dealer for an oil change. Reported a whirring sound when depressing the gas. After they inspected it, I was told it needs a new transmission. I don't know when it can malfunction when driving.
Power Train · reported Nov 2, 2026
Whining in the transmission. Took to a certified Toyota Mechanic and confirmed transmission is failing. Will need a total transmission replacement.
Power Train · reported Oct 28, 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 time. There were no warning lamps indicating to me that the transmission failed. Upon discovering that the transmission was not downshifting (based on the engine not downshifting uphill), I put the car into manual mode to determine if I could manually shift down or…
Power Train · reported Oct 27, 2026
My transmission failed while driving. The gears began to stick and then I lost all driving capability while on a state highway.

Other Toyota Highlander years

Compare all Toyota Highlander years · All Toyota models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2019 Toyota Highlander have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2019 Toyota Highlander: 20V-682 (fuel system, gasoline), 20V-012 (fuel system, gasoline), 19V-244 (equipment). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2019 Toyota Highlander?

Owners report power train problems most often (217 reports), followed by fuel/propulsion system (89). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 12,760 miles.

Are Toyota recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Toyota dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.