2019 Toyota Highlander Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2019 Toyota Highlander has a complaint index of 95, the second-worst of 21 model years, with 482 complaints, 22 crashes, and 3 recalls. Transmission & Powertrain issues account for 40% of complaints, giving it an Avoid verdict relative to other Highlander years.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 95/100
- #2 of 21 Highlander years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 482
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 22
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 18
- Top issue
- Transmission & Powertrain
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 22.5
- 20 city / 26.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 18 / 0
Top 2019 Toyota Highlander problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain195 (40%)
- Fuel System106 (22%)
- Engine82 (17%)
- Other80 (17%)
- Electrical System60 (12%)
- Brakes24 (5%)
- Structure & Body19 (4%)
- Airbags14 (3%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras12 (2%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires10 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy during moderate-speed T-bone or rear-end collisions around 35-45 mph.
- Owners describe sudden unintended acceleration or engine roaring while braking, causing the vehicle to jump curbs or collide with objects.
- Some drivers report brakes not engaging when applied, even with ABS and collision avoidance systems failing to activate.
- A third-row seat and rear door reportedly malfunctioned, with the vehicle unexpectedly rolling backward on its own.
- Seat structure and headrest components broke apart during a rear-end collision.
2019 Toyota Highlander recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 20V682000Nov 4, 2020Fuel System1,525,742 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump
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.
- NHTSA 20V012000Jan 13, 2020Fuel System1,830,752 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump
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.
- NHTSA 19V244000Mar 27, 2019Other3,634 vehicles
Equipment:other:labels
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.
2019 Toyota Highlander fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 20 MPG
- Highway
- 26.5 MPG
- Combined
- 22.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,875
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2019 compared with other Highlander years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2019 Toyota Highlander reliable?
- NHTSA data shows the 2019 Highlander has a complaint index of 95, the second-highest among 21 model years, giving it an Avoid verdict relative to other Highlander years.
- What is the top problem area for the 2019 Highlander?
- Transmission & Powertrain complaints make up 40% of all reported issues, the largest share of any category, with a median failure mileage of 54,471 miles.
- Does the 2019 Highlander have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2019 Highlander, covering fuel pump replacement and a corrected load carrying capacity label; none are do-not-drive recalls.
- How many complaints does NHTSA have for the 2019 Highlander?
- NHTSA has logged 482 complaints for the 2019 Highlander, including 22 crashes, 1 fire, and 18 injuries.
- How does the 2019 Highlander compare to other years?
- Its complaint index of 95 ranks it 2nd worst out of 21 model years, behind only the 2021 Highlander at 100.