Complaint volume
453 consumer-submitted complaints are matched to this model year. Treat the count as a research signal, then read the actual summaries for repeated symptoms.
Complaint records
2019 Toyota Highlander Complaints
453 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2019 Toyota Highlander, grouped by component category.
453 Total complaints
22 Crash reports
1 Fire reports
12 Injury reports
Complaint data reflects consumer-submitted reports. A complaint is not proof
of a defect, recall, or manufacturer fault. Enriched severity fields come
from official bulk records when the complaint can be matched by ODI number.
Buyer interpretation
How to use these complaints before buying
Complaint records are most useful when they turn into inspection points, seller questions, and comparison checks against nearby model years.
Pattern to inspect
The most common categories are power train, fuel/propulsion system, unknown or other. Use those categories as a test-drive checklist instead of judging the vehicle from the total count alone.
Severity flags
Enriched records include 22 crash reports, 1 fire report, 12 injury reports, and 0 fatality reports. These fields come from complaint records and should be read in context.
Mileage clue
Mileage is available on 139 complaints, with an average reported failure mileage of 27,463 miles. Compare that with the mileage on the listing.
Questions to ask the seller
- Have you had any problems related to power train, fuel/propulsion system, unknown or other?
- Can I see recent maintenance and repair records?
- Has the vehicle ever been towed, involved in a crash, or repaired for the same issue twice?
- Can we also check the recall record for this 2019 Toyota Highlander?
Used-car checklist
Use these complaints before the test drive.
Build a buyer checklist to turn these issues into questions and inspection points.
2019 Toyota Highlander
Build buyer checklist Compare with other years Sends year, make, and model to pre-fill your checklist.
How severe are the 2019 Toyota Highlander complaints?
22 Crash
1 Fire
12 Injury
0 Fatality
27 Towed
7 Medical attention
What are the most common 2019 Toyota Highlander complaint categories?
POWER TRAIN 149
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 48
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 45
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 19
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 16
ENGINE 12
AIR BAGS 9
ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 9
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 8
POWER TRAIN,ENGINE 8
453 total complaints on record
Latest complaints
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 2024 | TIRES | NOT a tire issue, TPMS issue, had 2 replaced due to corrosion and slow leaks. These came with a certified used vehicle. Mettalic stems and NitroFill. From Dealer IRA toy of Danvers Mass. 245/60R18 tires. There was no tire damage Dash light came on before driving. TPMs sensors were replaced 6 months apart. The other 2 are still on the car and holding air for now. High cost for replacement With new style rubber stems. Not warranted but should be before they snap off on Road and cause accident. Manual says if catastrophic fail TPMs dash may not Light. Toyota should replace metal with new rubber non-corroding stems and sensors. Tire are important and the safety devices to check this should be of better safety Than the item being monitored. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2024 | POWER TRAIN | Transmission has a whine at 117,000 miles. No warning lights. An independent shop advised the transmission is bad and needs replaced. After reading numerous similar complaints, I believe the premature failing of the transmission jeopardizes people's safety as improper shifting could cause an accident. Currently waiting on an appointment at a Toyota dealership. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2024 | POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE | While driving my car, the check engine light turned on and my car listed hybrid system malfunction as a flashing indicator. It lost all power in the middle of the road and I was unable to drive and move vehicle. This is the third incident with the same problem since purchasing. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2024 | POWER TRAIN | Transmission/transfer case has a known bearing/internal fault that makes a whining sound between 20-40 mph, vehicle has only 56,000 miles. Based on other owner experiences the transmission must be replaced at an estimated cost of 10,000-13,000 dollars. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2024 | POWER TRAIN | The transmission started making a whining noise at 100k miles and is getting worse as the mileage gets higher. There is a similar problem with 2017-2018 models. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2024 | SEAT BELTS | The contact owns a 2019 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while her grandkids were attempting to latch the rear seat belts, the seat belts independently unlatched. The seat belt warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V877000 (Seat Belts). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 40,000 |
| May 2024 | SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,POWER TRAIN | The contact owns a 2019 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH uphill, the vehicle downshifted unintendedly and failed to shift back to the intended gear. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the transmission was recorded; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while driving uphill. Additionally, the contact stated that while at a complete stop and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle lunged unexpectedly. The contact stated that while driving on a level road surface and depressing the brake pedal, the brake pedal went to the floorboard; however, while driving uphill and depressing the brake pedal, the brake pedal travel distance was reduced. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the brake line was bled; however, the failure persisted. Additionally, the dealer determined that the brake pedal was operating as designed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they would follow up within 3 to 4 days. The failure mileage was approximately 25,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 25,000 |
| May 2024 | AIR BAGS | 2 weeks ago, the warning light in the dashboard turned on with a message that “SRS AIRBAG SYSTEM MSLFUNCTION” I am not sure but I never had an accident and I donno why that warning is on. I asked Toyota but they said they do not have any recalls | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2024 | POWER TRAIN | The vehicle has developed a whining noise from the transmission on acceleration. It is the same symptoms included in a customer support bulletin for 2017, 2018 models with the same transmission. I’ve been unable to locate a bulletin covering the 2019 that I own even though it is the same issue. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2024 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | The contact owns a 2019 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated while attempting to make a turn in a parking a lot, the accelerator pedal became stuck on the mat, and the vehicle accelerated unintendedly. The contact stated that she depressed the brake pedal, but the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that as she was approaching a guard rail, she turned off the vehicle. The vehicle jerked and the front end of the vehicle crashed into the guard rail. The air bags did not deploy. The contact stated that she sustained pain on the right foot and underwent surgery later. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer collision center, where the vehicle was repaired. The contact related the failure to an unknown recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 10,000. | Crash: Yes Fire: No Injuries: 1 Towed Medical attention | 10,000 |
| Apr 2024 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Occasionally upon starting the vehicle an EXTREMELY high pitched screech is emitted - probably through the speakers for a few seconds. The sound is ear splitting. This occurs ~5 of the times when starting. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2024 | POWER TRAIN | My Highlander currently has 91,700 miles. Over the last 60 days, it has developed a high-pitched whine during acceleration under power. The sound starts at about 20 MPH and continues. I presented it to the dealer 30 days ago and they suggested new tires, front and rear brakes and an alignment. Those repairs have all been completed and the noise continues and may have gotten worse. A second diagnostic visit revealed the need for a new transmission at a cost of $11,005. The part number involved is T030510-48601-84. Safe operation of the vehicle is at risk as I could be stranded or worse as I wait for a part that is on back-order. There are no warning lights or check engine lights. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | I have a sporadic high pitch screeching beep when I start my car. It started about 3 months ago. It is so LOUD and glad I don’t have little kids or older adults I have to transport. I have noticed my SOS consistently blinks green and red. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2024 | TIRES | Goodyear Reliant All-Season 245/60R18 105V All-Season Tire [XXX] going to Orlando, FL on [XXX]. Speed about 72MPH. A bunch of motorcycles were passing us and thought sudden sound was their engines. Car begin to shake hard to control. Pulled over side and saw side wall had separated from main body of tire. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2024 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | There is a painful ear screech sound from speakers when starting car. Sometimes it happens multiple times a day and sometimes I can go a few days without it happening when I start my car. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2024 | POWER TRAIN | In driving my vehicle the RPM stayed high I took it into the Toyota dealer in Albany Ga and was told that the transmission was stuck in 3rd gear and the transmission needed to be replaced. My vehicle currently has 66k mikes on it so it is not covered by a warranty. I read where the 2018 Highlander had reported issues with their transmissions. I checked to see if one of the 2018 transmissions were put in my 2019 model and all I was told was there was not a recall on my vehicle. Yet if I were to order a new transmission through Toyota they told me they are on back order for anywhere of two weeks to two months. Sounds like they are having issues if they have none in stock. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | There is a loud, ear splitting sound that occurs at start up. It doesn’t happen every time but has happened multiple times since I’ve owned the car for 1 year. It is very loud—like a shrill feedback noise from a microphone. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2024 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | A reoccurring noise comes from the passenger side of the vehicle every time I drive. It sounds like a short in a wire or maybe a loose wire. I can’t decide if it’s coming from the passenger door or the passenger seat. It is not affected by turning the radio volume up or down or even off. I do think though that I have noticed that the noise does NOT occur if a passenger is sitting in the passenger seat. I don’t have a passenger often enough for me to say the noise NEVER happens if a passenger is in the passenger seat. I have a video of the noise but this website doesn’t allow the video to upload. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2024 | STEERING | Poser steering failed momentarily. I was at the drive-thru window of CVS and was afraid my mirror would hit the pole when I pulled forward. I tried to turn while backing up slowly from a full stop. The car momentarily resisted my attempt to turn the wheel. There was no safety risk at the time. I have not had the problem investigated. The problem quickly corrected (within 2 seconds(?), o I did not notice or look for any warning lamp or message. I have read of steering failure on highways in the 2019 Highlander and am concerned that this is a harbinger. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2024 | POWER TRAIN | The engine can be turned off while the shift (automatic) lever is not in Park. If the driver does not realize the failure to put the lever in Park, the car can roll freely. My car is available for inspection, but I was given to believe by Toyota service that this is a standard feature on all 2019 Highlanders. Safety is continually at risk because the car can roll and cause injury to an exiting passenger, another car, or a pedestrian. The car has not been inspected for this since Toyota does not believe this is a problem. There is a warning lamp triangle ! but no sound. The message says "Shift to P before exiting vehicle" . While proper parking is my responsibility, I have not seen the in any other type of vehicle in which I have ridden or driven, Honda, GMC, Chevrolet, Dodge Aspen--all owned and driven by me. This is an ongoing "condition", not an "incident". | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2024 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | I was using the adaptive cruise control on I-68 in Western Maryland. I was in the fast lane (on the far left of three uphill lanes). A dump truck was in the center lane going well below the speed limit. The road curved to the left at the point where I got up to the dump truck. There was no one in front of me in my outside lane. My car sensed the presence and speed of the dump truck and slowed me abruptly. There was considerable risk to me and to the driver of a white pick-up truck that was behind me, and who was also driving at passing speed. We were both going approximately 75 mph when my car slowed--a slowing that does not display brake lights. The cruise control has not been inspected. It is the default setting on ignition. I routinely disable it, opting for regular cruise, each time I use it, but the potential is always there for me and for other owners. If there was any sort of warning (I don't remember) it would have been inadequate to prevent an accident. The alertness of the pick-up truck driver saved us both a collision. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2024 | POWER TRAIN | Took the vehicle twice to Toyota to check on console vibration originating from possible drivetrain (normally in cold weather). This was done under extended warranty. Also had transmission fluid replaced. Service department noticed fluid low even though there was no transmission leak. Service department couldn't duplicate issue but failed to attempt start of vehicle in early mornings as requested. About 10K miles after last attempt to get issue fixed, the transmission failed with no caution, no warning and no error codes. Symptoms included little to zero acceleration from a dead stop and inability to accelerate to higher speeds when necessary (main safety issue). Eventually, vehicle was not able to accelerate. This vehicle does have the 8-speed AT Transmission that lawsuits are being filed against. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | lost power 3 times - each time making a left hand turn at low speed -Nov.23 2023 -- Dec. 20 2023 & Jan, 30 2024 Groove Toyota checked vehicle out on Dec.21 2023 couldn't find problem - took it to Groove Toyota again on Jan. 31 2024 - told to make another appointment to allow full day of testing - safety concern for family and other traffic - no warning prior to loss of power | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | The SOS system is malfunctioning and causing an earsplitting screech on the 2019 Toyota Highlander Platinum. This occurs around every third time when the car starts and is damaging my hearing and my kids' hearing. This is well documented on the Toyota Nation forum and Reddit. Toyotanation: [XXX] : [XXX] Here is a video of it occurring on someone else's vehicle: [XXX] "Toyota service technician at our local dealership heard the loud sound when servicing the vehicle. They talked to Toyota and they said: "TAS agent stated there has been multiple cases of the DCM causing this concern, and the repair is to replace the DCM or disable it." Toyota is charging consumers for this factory defect. Please make Toyota address this problem. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) | Crash: No Fire: No Injuries: 3 | Unknown |
| Dec 2023 | FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | Driving on 495 N Beltway car started stalling and then suddenly stopped accelerating/decelerating while engine was running. Almost was rear ended by fast moving traffic. Carefully glided to the shoulder and called Tow Tuck Incident on 12/18/2023 | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |