Is the 2019 Toyota Highlander a bad year?
509 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 216, 22× a quiet Highlander year.
Keep it, but watch the transmission
The transmission draws 22× the complaints of a quiet Highlander year, spread over 14k–94k miles, so there's no single mileage to plan around.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2019 Highlander owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 65,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 216 (42%) | 14k–94k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Fuel systemSTANDS OUT | 109 (21%) | 4k–15k miles · mostly behind | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Engine | 74 (15%) | 5k–30k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Electrical system | 56 (11%) | 4k–48k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Brakes | 20 (4%) | 6k–32k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Body structure | 12 (2%) | 5k–32k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Air bags | 14 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Speed control | 13 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Collision avoidance | 11 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Steering | 8 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Seats | 6 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 6 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Seat belts | 5 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Stability control | 5 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 65,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 509 complaints: 22 mention a crash · 1 mentions a fire · 12 report an injury · 27 say the car was towed.
156 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Nov 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
With 300MILES on highlander started to experience issues in driving and drop in performance. Performance was very significant especially noticeable in mpg.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 65,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2019 Toyota Highlander: 3
The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail. If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail. If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The text on the load capacity label may become illegible. If the driver cannot read the label, they may unknowingly overload the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Toyota: 94
Repair instructions Toyota sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2019 Toyota Highlander. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Non-electric water pump leak inspection and diagnostic tips for some 2008 - 2025 model year Toyota vehicles
Some vehicles may exhibit a knocking noise from the vacuum pump at idle
Some vehicles may exhibit a hard start and/or MIL ON condition with one or more of the following Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs): DTC P0171 and/or P0174…
Some vehicles may experience an engine oil leak condition from the No.2 Oil pan
Neighbouring years
2018 Highlander: 275 complaints, keep it, but watch the transmission · 2020 Highlander: 323 complaints, keep it, but watch the transmission.
Every Toyota Highlander year
2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All Highlander years side by side
Other Toyota models: Toyota 4Runner · Toyota Avalon · Toyota C-HR · Toyota Camry · Toyota Camry Hybrid · Toyota Camry Solara · Toyota Celica · Toyota Corolla · Toyota Corolla Cross · Toyota Corolla Matrix · Toyota Echo · Toyota FJ Cruiser · Toyota Grand Highlander · Toyota Highlander Hybrid · Toyota Matrix · Toyota Prius · Toyota Prius c · Toyota Prius v · Toyota RAV4 · Toyota RAV4 Hybrid · Toyota RAV4 Prime · Toyota Sequoia · Toyota Sienna · Toyota Sienna Hybrid · Toyota Tacoma · Toyota Tundra · Toyota Venza · Toyota Venza Hybrid · Toyota Yaris. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2019 Toyota Highlander a bad year?
509 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 216, 22× a quiet Highlander year. At 65,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the transmission. The transmission draws 22× the complaints of a quiet Highlander year, spread over 14k–94k miles, so there's no single mileage to plan around.
What are the most common problems with the 2019 Toyota Highlander?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: transmission and drivetrain (216), fuel system (109), engine (74), electrical system (56), brakes (20). Half of the transmission complaints were filed between 14k–94k miles.
How many recalls does the 2019 Toyota Highlander have?
3 recall campaigns list this model year: Fuel system (NHTSA 20V-682), Fuel system (NHTSA 20V-012), Equipment (NHTSA 19V-244). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.