2019 Toyota Highlander Fuel System Problems
NHTSA lists 106 Fuel System complaints for the 2019 Toyota Highlander, 22% of all 482 complaints filed for the year, the highest share of any Highlander model year. Two related recalls (20V682000 and 20V012000) cover a low-pressure fuel pump that can stall the vehicle. Median mileage at failure is 6,313.
- Fuel System complaints
- 106
- 22% of 482
- Crashes reported
- 2
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 1
- Median mileage
- 6,313 mi
- Related recalls
- 2
Typical fuel system symptoms owners report
- Owners report sudden loss of power and jerking while driving, sometimes at low speed in parking lots or intersections.
- Some describe the engine stalling or the vehicle shutting down completely, in one case for several minutes while in traffic.
- Several complaints mention hesitation when accelerating after slowing down, with the vehicle jerking as it regains power.
- Multiple owners tied the stalling and jerking to the fuel pump recalls (20V682000 and 20V012000) and reported long waits for replacement parts.
- One owner reported the fuel gauge reading incorrectly, raising concern about running out of gas without warning.
- A separate report describes a loud engine noise and forward propulsion during a low-speed parking maneuver that ended in a crash.
When 2019 Toyota Highlander fuel system complaints were filed
First complaint Apr 3, 2019, latest May 31, 2026.
Fuel System recalls for the 2019 Toyota Highlander
- 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.
Fuel System complaints by Highlander model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How common are fuel system complaints on the 2019 Toyota Highlander?
- NHTSA lists 106 Fuel System complaints for the 2019 model year, which is 22% of all 482 complaints filed for that year, the largest share among Highlander model years in this dataset.
- Is there a recall for the 2019 Toyota Highlander fuel system?
- Yes. NHTSA lists two related recalls, 20V682000 and 20V012000, both covering fuel pump assembly replacement. Neither recall carries a do-not-drive or park-outside instruction.
- At what mileage do 2019 Highlander fuel system problems typically show up?
- The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for this issue is 6,313 miles.
- Did the 2019 Highlander fuel pump issue cause crashes or injuries?
- NHTSA data for this fuel system category on the 2019 Highlander shows 2 crashes and 1 injury reported, with no fires.