10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
5 / 0
Average Mileage:
1,350 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2019 Toyota Highlander:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

Get free help with your lemon!
close ad
problem #58

May 152025

Highlander

  • miles
Hello, it seems that my vehicle is having a whirling noise when accelerating at different RPMs. When I researched, it isn-??t an isolated incident because many others online are experiencing the same issue with most of them being told that the transmission must be replaced. And further investigation, I found that the issue could be the trans axle assembly component which can cause issues if not replaced.

- Antioch, CA, USA

problem #57

Dec 012024

Highlander

  • miles
When starting the vehicle, and extremely loud feedback noise is emitted from the front right speaker. This happens intermittently. Sometimes it's every 5th time you start it, and sometimes every 29th start. This started happening after the dealer-provided SOS Safety subscription expired. The noise is extremely loud and very disturbing especially for individuals like our daughter who has special needs. I would not be surprised if it is damaging our hearing. It would likely be especially harmful to children! It has been confirmed by the dealer and is currently back at the shop whule they are further investigating the cause.

- Union, KY, USA

problem #56

Mar 102025

Highlander

  • miles
While driving my Hybrid System Malfunction, check AWD, check engine, and Pre-Collision System Malfunction all came on simultaneously, it also said to put in P. It wouldn-??t accelerate so I had to have it towed to the dealer since it had only been 3 days since I bought it. It was sent to a Toyota service center where it took 3 weeks for them to diagnose and replace the high pressure fuel pump. I got the vehicle back, it drove fine for a week until the same thing happened again. It stopped accelerating, said to shift into P-only the Hybrid System Malfunction, check engine, and Pre-Collision System Malfunction came up this time. I had it towed back to the Toyota service center since the problem clearly wasn-??t solved and am awaiting a new diagnosis.

- Poca, WV, USA

problem #55

Apr 112025

Highlander

  • miles
Transmission failure; See attached Customer Support Program Bulletin No. POL19-04 [XXX] (for 2018 Highlanders). My vehicle is a 2019, same body style, same transmission type, etc. Toyota dealership diagnosed my vehicle today and confirmed that the issue is the same as listed in the bulletin. I filed a case with Toyota (corporate). I have located thousands of other customers online reporting the same issue as described in this bulletin. I'm requesting that Toyota modify the bulletin or create a specific one for 2019. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Red Oak, TX, USA

problem #54

Feb 202025

Highlander

  • miles
The SOS speaker squeals very loudly when starting the vehicle about 7 out of 10 times and is available for inspection. Problem is known by Toyota. [XXX] No. No warning indication or messages. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Dodge City, KS, USA

problem #53

Feb 192025

Highlander

  • miles
[XXX] Dear staff there are other people complaining of ENGINE MISFIRE also [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Lees Summit, MO, USA

problem #52

Feb 182025

Highlander

  • miles
2GR engine family in general used in Toyota and Lexus, may have a MANUFACTURING defect as per google about the 2GR-FE engine subtype Yes, the Toyota 2GR-FE engine, a 3.5L V6 found in many Toyota and Lexus models, is known to have a recurring issue with head gasket leaks, particularly where coolant leaks externally from the engine block due to corrosion around the cylinder head where the coolant port is located; this is considered a common problem with this engine type. Key points about the 2GR head gasket issue: Leak location: Coolant typically leaks outside of the engine block, visible as stains on the block surface, rather than internally into the combustion chambers. Cause: Corrosion around the cylinder head near the coolant port, often exacerbated by road salt and old, acidic coolant. Prevention: Regularly changing coolant and occasionally hosing down the engine block, especially if you live in a region with heavy winter road salt. Repair: Replacing the head gasket usually requires removing the engine, making it a major repair job. So TOYOTA should be held liable for REPAIR COSTS and LABOR as well as the PAIN and SUFFERING a consumer has to go through, seeing all the drama of the TOYOTA

- Lees Summit, MO, USA

problem #51

Feb 182025

Highlander

  • miles
Dear Staff, after SEVERAL payments made for DIAGNOSTICS i feel like I should commit suicide maybe because of this TOYOTA I can not afford to pay DIAGNOSTICS every single day to HEAR the SAME STORY over and over I understand there is a ENGINE CHECK LIGHT, I need it repaired PLEASE instead of having to pay DIAGNOSTIC FEES which ADVANCE AUTOPARTS doesnt even charge and TOYOTA takes $172 DIAGNOSTIC FEES when they can not even themselves RULE OUT the PROBLEM in their ENGINEERING or MANUFACTURING PLEASE look out for similar issues, ENGINE problems in 2GR-FKS engines as more people experiencing issues will CONFIRM its TOYOTA's fault They should either shut down their manufacturing in Japan or BRING BACK the STANDARDS of JAPANESE AUTOMOTIVES

- Lees Summit, MO, USA

problem #50

Aug 012024

Highlander

  • miles
My car is leaking into my interior. It has come out of the electrical component areas. I worry it has infiltrated airbags & what could happen if they get wet (go off due to damage or not go off when supposed to). Have taken to dealership 3 times with no resolution

- Oelwein, IA, USA

problem #49

Oct 042024

Highlander

  • miles
When I start the Highlander, there is a loud (hurts your ears) feedback noise through the speakers. It's so loud you instinctively close your eyes and put your hands on your ears, ignoring whatever you were doing before (like maybe putting the car in gear). It lasts a second or two then stops. It doesn't happen every time, more like every 10 starts. I called Toyota and they said take it to the dealer. I'm still waiting to get their feedback.

- Alto, MI, USA

problem #48

Oct 232024

Highlander

  • miles
There is a very loud feedback noise through speakers intermittently when start and the red and green lights at the SOS button flash multiple times. The noise is loud enough to damage hearing of an adult or child.

- Chapin, SC, USA

problem #47

Oct 192024

Highlander

  • miles
When I start my car it makes an ear piercing screeching noise. It doesn-??t happen everytime but I never know when it is going to happen. I took it to a dealer and 5 guys said they never heard of it. If you look online numerous people have this complaint with out any recalls. Thank you, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Weymouth, MA, USA

problem #46

Oct 052024

Highlander

  • miles
Extremely loud high pitched noise when the vehicle starts. The problem began early October 2024 and has continued. It happens every time the car turns on.

- Arlington, VA, USA

problem #45

Oct 092024

Highlander

  • miles
I purchased a 2019 Highlander Platinum Limited a few weeks ago and it started making an incredibly loud feedback sound from the speakers every 10-15 times I start the vehicle. I do not have a subscription but I currently have a free trial thru sirusXM radio (not sure if this has anything to do with it or not). The loud beeping noise at startup is EXTREMELY loud causing my right ear to ring. Luckily I do not have small children in the car to experience this.

- Burlington, NC, USA

problem #44

Jul 232024

Highlander

  • miles
While driving the car on the highway with no other cars in the immediate area it sounded like there was an explosion on the roof. The glass sun roof spontaneously exploded. Small pieces of glass were everywhere. I was able to pull over to a parking lot. There could have been a serious accident or injury as this event caused me to swerve.

- Pt Pleasant, NJ, USA

problem #43

Jun 262024

Highlander

  • miles
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.

- Syracuse, UT, USA

problem #42

Apr 262024

Highlander

  • miles
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.

- Livermore, CA, USA

problem #41

Jan 302024

Highlander

  • miles
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.

- Kelso, WA, USA

problem #40

Feb 092024

Highlander

  • miles
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.

- Kelso, WA, USA

problem #39

Mar 312023

Highlander

  • miles
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.

- Moselle, MS, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »