CarRecallWatchThe 2019 Toyota Highlander has 3 safety recalls on file with NHTSA.
Owners have filed 508 complaints with NHTSA, including 22 crashes, 1 fire, 18 injuries.
The most-reported problem area is Power Train (214 reports).
NHTSA rates it up to 5 stars overall for crash safety, depending on the version.
2019 Toyota Highlander recalls
Fuel pump may fail and stall the engine while driving
The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail on these vehicles.
Fuel pump may fail, causing engine stall while driving
The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Load capacity label may be illegible, risking overloading
The text on the vehicle's load capacity label may become hard or impossible to read.
Most common 2019 Toyota Highlander problems
Problem areas named in the 508 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.
| Problem area | Reports |
|---|---|
| Power Train | 214 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 89 |
| Unknown Or Other | 83 |
| Engine | 71 |
| Electrical System | 56 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 19 |
| Service Brakes | 18 |
| Air Bags | 15 |
| Structure | 13 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 13 |
What owners report
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 l
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.
2019 Toyota Highlander safety rating
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Toyota Highlander SUV FWD | ★★★★★ 5-star | 4 | 5 | 4 (16.9% rollover risk) |
| 2019 Toyota Highlander SUV AWD | ★★★★★ 5-star | 4 | 5 | 4 (18.5% rollover risk) |
2019 Toyota Highlander questions
Does the 2019 Toyota Highlander have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls for the 2019 Toyota Highlander: Fuel pump may fail and stall the engine while driving; Fuel pump may fail, causing engine stall while driving; Load capacity label may be illegible, risking overloading. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.
What are the most common problems with the 2019 Toyota Highlander?
Based on 508 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Power Train (214), Fuel/Propulsion System (89), Unknown Or Other (83).
How safe is the 2019 Toyota Highlander?
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings program gives the 2019 Toyota Highlander up to 5 out of 5 stars overall; ratings vary by version, see the table above.
How do I check if a recall on my 2019 Toyota Highlander has been fixed?
Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.