Toyota Highlander Common Problems

POWER TRAIN

Owners report frequent transmission failures in the 2019 Toyota Highlander, with many describing a sudden loss of power or inability to shift properly. Complaints often mention a whining noise during acceleration, which precedes the transmission issues, and some note erratic shifting or lack of throttle response. These issues typically arise between 68,000 to 133,000 miles. Safety implications are significant, as several owners describe being stranded in traffic or experiencing sudden power loss, which could lead to accidents. Potential buyers should be aware of the reported transmission failures and consider the availability of replacement parts, as some owners report long wait times due to backorders.

POWER TRAIN

Owners report recurring transmission issues with the 2021 Toyota Highlander, frequently mentioning a whining or whirring noise during acceleration. Complaints often indicate this noise intensifies over time, with many citing the need for full transmission replacement. Symptoms typically emerge around 60,000 to 78,000 miles, just beyond the standard warranty period. Affected owners express concerns about potential safety risks, including sudden transmission failure and loss of power while driving, although specific crash details are not widely reported. This pattern of transmission problems, particularly with the UA80F transmission, is a key consideration for potential buyers of used models.

Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports

POWER TRAIN

Owners of the 2020 Toyota Highlander frequently report issues with the vehicle's transmission, with many complaints involving a whining or grinding noise under acceleration. Symptoms often include rough shifting, delayed acceleration, and abnormal noises, typically occurring between 44,000 and 84,000 miles. Some owners note that their transmission required replacement, with costs quoted around $8,000 to $12,000. There are reports of transmission failures leading to crashes, one of which resulted in an injury, highlighting potential safety concerns. These patterns suggest prospective buyers should be cautious of transmission issues in this model year, especially if the vehicle has exceeded 40,000 miles.

Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Owners of the 2019 Toyota Highlander frequently report issues with the automatic transmission, with symptoms including inconsistent shifting, whining noises, and complete transmission failure, often occurring around or after 70,000 miles. Complaints also describe a loud, ear-piercing noise from the speakers upon starting the vehicle, which is intermittent and can occur multiple times a day. Additionally, there are reports of sunroof glass spontaneously exploding while driving, which has led to crashes and injuries. These issues highlight potential safety concerns, particularly regarding the transmission failures leading to loss of vehicle movement and the sunroof incidents causing driver distraction.

Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 5 injury reports

SERVICE BRAKES

Owners of the 2021 Toyota Highlander frequently report issues with the braking system, particularly with the hybrid models. Common symptoms include a momentary surge or lurch forward when transitioning from regenerative to hydraulic braking, often occurring during downhill driving or light braking. Some owners experience this issue consistently, while others find it intermittent. Complaints also mention an electronic parking brake that occasionally fails to disengage. Safety implications are noted, with two incidents involving crashes due to unexpected acceleration and loss of braking control. These issues appear to persist beyond the basic warranty period, and some owners express concerns over the cost of repairs and the potential for accidents.

Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports

SERVICE BRAKES

Owners of the 2018 Toyota Highlander frequently report issues with the service brakes, particularly involving the brake booster and vacuum pump. Common symptoms include a "Braking Power Low" warning message, difficulty in starting the vehicle, and spongy or unresponsive brake pedals. These issues often occur around 27,000 to 77,000 miles, with multiple complaints indicating that the vehicle may not be included in existing recalls despite similar problems. Safety implications are significant, with reports of crashes and injuries due to brake failures. Buyers considering this model should be aware of these potential brake system issues and verify if any recalls or repairs have been addressed in the vehicle they are evaluating.

Severity signals: 3 crash, 0 fire, 2 injury reports

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Owners of the 2019 Toyota Highlander frequently report issues with the vehicle's electrical system, particularly involving a loud, high-pitched screeching noise from the speakers upon starting the vehicle. This issue is linked to the Data Communication Module (DCM) and is described as intermittent but highly disruptive, with some owners expressing concern over potential hearing damage. Additionally, multiple complaints describe the vehicle unexpectedly shutting off or failing to start, often attributed to battery failures or the start/stop system draining the battery. These problems are reported across various mileage ranges and have led to crashes and injuries in some cases, highlighting potential safety risks. Buyers should be aware of these recurring electrical issues and their implications for vehicle reliability and safety.

Severity signals: 3 crash, 0 fire, 3 injury reports

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Owners of the 2019 Toyota Highlander frequently report issues with the fuel/propulsion system, particularly involving the fuel pump. Common symptoms include unexpected stalling, loss of power, and failure to accelerate, often accompanied by warning lights such as the check engine light and various system malfunction alerts. These issues typically occur at varying mileage, with some reports as early as 12,000 miles and others beyond 30,000 miles. Safety concerns are evident, as several owners describe near-miss accidents due to sudden deceleration or complete vehicle shutdown in traffic, though no crashes or fires are reported in the provided complaints. Buyers should be aware of these potential issues, especially considering the ongoing recall and repair availability challenges noted by multiple owners.