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 vehicle was driven back to the residence. The contact stated that the vehicle was unsafe to drive due to the transmission failure. The failure mileage was approximately 84,820.
The worst 2019 Toyota Highlander problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Transmission217
- Fuel system109
- Engine75
- Electrical56
- Brakes20
- Driver assistance19
- Airbags14
- Acceleration13
- Body12
- Steering8
- Seat belts6
- Seats6
- Visibility6
- Suspension5
- Lights4
- Tires4
- Locks2
- Wheels2
Specific symptoms reported on the 2019 Toyota Highlander
Whining noise 115Transmission failure 93Stalling 62Check engine light 50Fuel pump 40Loss of power 30Jerking 23Hesitation 21Grinding brakes 13Harsh shifting 12Sunroof shattered 11Slipping 10No deployment 8Collision warning 8Won't start 8Sudden acceleration 6ABS 5Adaptive cruise 5Misfire 5Shudder 5
Trouble codes owners of the 2019 Toyota Highlander mention
P107B 4P0171 2P0174 2P0745 2
Recalls 3
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump
- What is wrong
- 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.
- 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.
Recall number 20V682000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump
- What is wrong
- 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.
- 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.
Recall number 20V012000 · Recall details
Equipment: other: labels
- What is wrong
- 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.
- 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.
Recall number 19V244000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2019 Toyota Highlander 162
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Condition in which a musty odor is present
- Some customers may experience echoing on the line calling the vehicle when using Bluetooth Hands Free
- The air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the location of air...
- Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical...
- To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used...
- The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix...
- Toyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal...
- Vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad...
- Condition in which a musty odor is present
- This Service Bulletin provides updated non-electric water pump leak inspection and diagnostic tips for...
2019 Toyota Highlander fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5L 6‑cyl Hybrid | AWD | 29-30 | 27-28 | 28-29 |
| 3.5L 6‑cyl | FWD | 20-21 | 27 | 23 |
| 3.5L 6‑cyl | AWD | 19-20 | 26-27 | 22-23 |
| 2.7L 4‑cyl | FWD | 20 | 24 | 22 |
What 2019 Toyota Highlander owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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.
Whining in the transmission. Took to a certified Toyota Mechanic and confirmed transmission is failing. Will need a total transmission replacement.
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 not, it would not downshift. Attempting to downshift to gears 4, 3, 2, or 1 was not possible, the lowest gear was gear 5 and the engine had no torque to get up the hill that it was seized on. The 2019 Toyota Highlander was serviced for the automatic transmission fluid at 100K miles and failed at about 120,450 miles.
My transmission failed while driving. The gears began to stick and then I lost all driving capability while on a state highway.
The transmission has been making a whining noise for a little while now. After having it diagnosed by Toyota, the entire transmission has to be replaced. According to multiple reports on the internet, the 8 speed transmission in the 2017 to 2026 model will fail prematurely do to defective components. Toyota has even replaced multiple model year transmissions under a specific TSB but has not included later model years. I know have to spend $10,500 to replace the transmission at Toyota.
Transmission is failing and accelerating past 40mpg produces very loud sound that seems it could break any moment. It is available for inspection. Safety is compromised as it could experience failure and abruptly lose ability to accelerate. Problem has been confirmed by independent service center who has also contacted Toyota Dealership regarding possible replacement and about the issue at hand. Has not yet been inspected by manufacturer, police, or insurance rep. No warnings and it first occurred June 2026 of this year. Contacted Toyota Brand Engagement Center and denied any assistance.
I was on interstate 75 and the transmission went out. I had to be towed home (over 100 miles). I pulled into a rest area and when I went to leave, I pulled out and the engine RPM's went real high and the car would not go over 20 MPH. I was in the way of semi-trucks as I tried to get back to a parking spot at the rest area. Thankfully This did not happen while driving. After getting to the repair shop they could not even steer the car. I want Toyota to help me with the cost of the repair. This car only has 85,000 miles on it and it is a 2019. It should be good for at least 200,000 miles. I feel very fortunate that I was not actually on the highway when this happened.
I purchased this Toyota Highlander two years ago, and I am extremely disappointed and frustrated that it now requires a transmission replacement costing approximately $10,000. I understand that vehicles can require maintenance and repairs, but a major mechanical failure of this magnitude is a significant financial burden. I have reached out multiple times seeking assistance and a reasonable resolution, but I have been unable to get anyone to take responsibility or offer meaningful help. I should not be left to shoulder such an enormous expense without a fair review of the circumstances. I am filing this complaint because I believe this matter deserves further investigation and I am requesting assistance in reaching a fair resolution.
Transmission is making a whining noise, took it to the dealer and they confirmed the transmission needs to be replaced. Looked online and there appear to be thousands of these cases with the transmission going out on Toyota Highlanders between 2017-2021
Compare the 2019 Toyota Highlander
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Other model years
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Questions about the 2019 Toyota Highlander
Is the 2019 Toyota Highlander reliable?
Owners have filed 511 complaints about the 2019 Toyota Highlander, 2.3 times a typical Highlander model year. It is one of the years we flag to avoid.
What is the 2019 Toyota Highlander year score?
The 2019 Toyota Highlander scores 44 out of 100 (below average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Toyota Highlander: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2019 Toyota Highlander?
Transmission and drivetrain, with 217 complaints, typically around 65,000 miles. Next is fuel system (109).
How many recalls does the 2019 Toyota Highlander have?
3 recalls, covering fuel system, gasoline and equipment.
What year does the Toyota Highlander have bad transmission?
The Toyota Highlander model years with the most transmission complaints are 2021 (233 complaints), 2019 (217 complaints) and 2020 (127 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2019 Toyota Highlander get?
Official estimates for the 2019 Toyota Highlander range from 22 to 29 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.5L 6-cyl hybrid, AWD) gets 29-30 city and 27-28 highway.
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