2019 Toyota Highlander power train problems
187 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the power train on the 2019 Toyota Highlander — 40% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“My 2019 Toyota Highlander has the same UA80 transmission that Toyota was required to fix under CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM ZJC, which covers 2017-2018, the transmission has the same whining noise and shifting issues. Toyota must accept responsibility for their manufacturing error where the washer tab…”
filed Aug 2, 2026
“In April of 2026 started hearing a whining noise in the engine of my 2019 Toyota Highlander. The vehicle has 110471 miles. Have had it checked at the dealership twice and a mechanic twice. All have said the transmission is going out. I have had the transmission fluid replaced, but it did not help…”
filed Jul 30, 2026
“I have a 2019 Highlander XLE AWD that had 85000 miles when the transmission started whining. It got worse pretty quickly so iI took it to a transmission shop. They rebuilt it for $6700.00. I drove it for another 9-10 thousand miles and the whine is back. I'm not sinking another $6700.00 into another transmission. I've…”
filed Jul 22, 2026
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Power Train problems in other Highlander years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 Highlander | 3 | 8% |
| 2023 Highlander | 16 | 9% |
| 2022 Highlander | 47 | 21% |
| 2021 Highlander | 199 | 41% |
| 2020 Highlander | 120 | 40% |
| 2018 Highlander | 60 | 23% |
| 2017 Highlander | 70 | 27% |
| 2016 Highlander | 1 | 1% |
| 2015 Highlander | 7 | 4% |
| 2014 Highlander | 8 | 6% |
| 2013 Highlander | 11 | 5% |
| 2012 Highlander | 7 | 4% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2019 Toyota Highlander
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.