Toyota Highlander stalling problems

Filed Oct 15, 2026 · Fuel system · TX

My car is stalling and stopping while driving both slow speeds and high speeds and all displays are going off, it may restart after several attempts, it seems a serious safety problems, however my VIN is not part of original Toyota Fuel pump recall, however it seems my issue is also related to Fuel pump mall functions

Filed Oct 1, 2026 · Fuel system · LA

Vehicle engine is running rough and threatened to stall in traffic due to a failed low-pressure fuel pump. This model year is under a major fuel pump recall, but my VIN was excluded. The gauge isn't reading correctly either

Filed Sep 20, 2026 · Transmission · MD

Vehicle begin making grinding noises, and stalling during accelerating and also fuel smell. Took vehicle into Toyota Waldorf, MD dealership for diagnostic. At 58,000 miles, 2022 Toyota Highlander XLE stalls to accelerate due to front differentials failing, causing large chunks of metal on the drain plug indicating internal failure. Vehicle needs transmission and front differential replaced. I have 4 children, 3 of them still small, and driving with the fuel smell would impact them greatly as 1 of my children has asthma. It's also a hazard to be on the road with this vehicle as it can stall at any moment, causing a traffic incident. The problem has been reproduced by dealer, who is refusing to approve the fix under the 60,000 mile Power Train Warranty. There were no other warning signs, no check engine light came on, no issues prior to me hearing this grinding noise and stalling.

Filed Sep 20, 2026 · Transmission · MD

Vehicle begin making grinding noises, and stalling during accelerating and also fuel smell. Took vehicle into Toyota Waldorf, MD dealership for diagnostic. At 58,000 miles, 2022 Toyota Highlander XLE stalls to accelerate due to front differentials failing, causing large chunks of metal on the drain plug indicating internal failure. Vehicle needs transmission and front differential replaced. I have 4 children, 3 of them still small, and driving with the fuel smell would impact them greatly as 1 of my children has asthma. It's also a hazard to be on the road with this vehicle as it can stall at any moment, causing a traffic incident. The problem has been reproduced by dealer, who is refusing to approve the fix under the 60,000 mile Power Train Warranty. There were no other warning signs, no check engine light came on, no issues prior to me hearing this grinding noise and stalling.

Filed Sep 17, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · 29,296 miles · VA

The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle stalled and abruptly stopped in traffic at a traffic light. The driver exited the vehicle. The vehicle failed to restart, and the steering wheel was inoperable. The contact was concerned the vehicle might move forward. The check engine warning light was flashing, and the message “High Power Consumption” was displayed. The ignition and steering warning lights were illuminated, and “Low Power” message was displayed. The vehicle was running but failed to move. The contact associated the failure with the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 20V162000 (Fuel System, Gasoline, Engine) and Special Service Campaign 21TC05. Bystanders nearby attempted to assist the contact. The Emergency Services was contacted, and the Local Police responded to the scene. The insurance company was called and arranged a tow. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, and the battery was replaced. Additionally, the contact spoke with the service director, management, and the technicians. The manufacturer was contacted by phone, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 29,296.

Filed Sep 6, 2026 · Transmission · TX

**Component/System:** Automatic Transmission — 8-speed (UA80E/UA80F), Toyota Highlander **Description of the problem:** My 2021 Toyota Highlander (approximately 116,000 miles) has developed a high-pitched whining noise a while ago, that occurs during acceleration, consistent with the symptom described in Toyota's own Technical Service Bulletin T-SB-0008-21 (issued Feb 9, 2021) for whine/grind noise in the transmission on this model. The vehicle has not yet been formally diagnosed by a dealer or independent shop as of this filing; I am submitting this report proactively given the volume of documented failures in this transmission platform and to add to the federal safety agency's record before the condition potentially worsens. I am aware, through Toyota's own TSB and multiple pending class-action lawsuits (including Pallaya v. Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A., Case No. 2:25-cv-10613, C.D. Cal., and LeBoutheller v. Toyota, Case No. 4:25-cv-01389, E.D. Tex.), that this transmission (UA80E/UA80F, used in 2017-present Highlander and related Toyota/Lexus models) has a documented pattern of premature failure nationwide, often presenting first as this same whining noise, and in a number of owner-reported cases progressing to sudden power loss, shifting into neutral, or stalling — creating a serious safety risk to occupants and other drivers, particularly at highway speeds.

Filed Aug 8, 2026 · Fuel system · MO

I am having fuel pump issues and my VIN was excluded from the recall from Toyota for similar issues. Toyota’s low-pressure fuel pump recall (originally announced Jan 2020, expanded multiple times through Jan 2025) covers vehicles across several model years, where a defective impeller made from inadequate resin material could swell and cause fuel starvation and sudden stalling. Highlander is mentioned as included for selected model years in some recall summaries

Filed Jul 10, 2026 · Fuel system · NC

The engine stalled because the fuel pump is failing. We have found that many 2017 Toyota Highlanders have had the fuel pump recalled for this exact issue, yet our VIN is not included in this recall. We experienced the exact issue the recall was issued for stalling while driving. Issue on July 24, 2027: The engine stalled while driving on the highway at high speed and lost power steering, creating a major safety issue. We had our vehicle towed to a car care center. The car care center identified diagnostic codes related to low pressure fuel system pressure, engine stall history, etc. but cannot reproduce the issue. After checking multiple systems, he believes the issue is a failing fuel pump. Background: Over the past 6 months, we have had problems with the check engine light turning on. On multiple occasions, we have brought the car to get diagnosed and the reading has consistently been fuel pressure codes. Each time we get the car diagnosed, the technician could not reproduce the issues and cleared the codes without resolution.

Filed Jul 7, 2026 · Transmission · CA

Transmission stalls in situations where speed is needed. For example when merging into traffic all of a sudden no power then when gear finally engages there a huge thump and feels like being hit from behind.

Filed May 31, 2026 · Fuel system · MD

I am filing this safety complaint regarding a known defect in my 2019 Toyota Highlander Hybrid related to the high-pressure fuel system. My vehicle triggered a Check Engine Light with Diagnostic Trouble Code P107B - Fuel Rail Pressure Sensor ‘B’ Circuit Range/Performance. This code appeared multiple times (3 stored faults). Toyota has formally acknowledged this defect by issuing Technical Service Bulletin T-SB-0050-20 specifically for 2018-2019 Highlander Hybrid vehicles. This is a fuel system pressure issue that directly affects the safe and reliable operation of the vehicle. A failure in the fuel rail pressure system can cause: •Sudden loss of engine power while driving •Unexpected stalling at highway speeds •Inability to accelerate when needed, creating a dangerous situation in traffic Despite Toyota acknowledging this defect through TSB T-SB-0050-20, Jim Coleman Toyota (10400 Auto Park Ave, Bethesda, MD 20817, Phone: 301‑618‑0480) quoted me nearly $3,000 to repair this issue rather than covering it under warranty. I believe Toyota should issue a formal recall to protect all owners of affected vehicles. I am requesting that the federal safety agency investigate this matter and pressure Toyota to issue a recall covering all 2018-2019 Toyota Highlander Hybrid vehicles affected by this known fuel system defect.