2019 Toyota Highlander: Engine complaints
Owner-reported issue (NHTSA complaints, not a recall)
Symptoms
NHTSA has 74 owner complaints for the 2019 Toyota Highlander that list the engine component. Complaints are individual owner reports, not verified defects.
Examples:
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11751157 (filed 07/17/2026): “I am writing to formally document a series of unresolved mechanical issues with my vehicle, culminating in a complete transmission failure, and to request assistance in resolving this matter. the timeline of events is detailed below: *winter 2024: i first noticed a persistent buzzing sound originat…”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11749690 (filed 07/11/2026): “The car is was a 2019 toyota highlander with approximately 125,000 miles. white smoke started appearing in the exhaust. quickly after that, the check engine light appeared and started blinking, meaning the engine was misfiring. we brought to the dealership, and they found that cylinder 4 of the engi…”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11727156 (filed 03/26/2026): “My transmission is now missing the 3rd gear and left me and my kids stalled in traffic as i was turning in oncoming traffic. toyota dealership confirmed that was the problem upon inspection.…”
Likely causes
These complaints do not establish a single root cause; read the examples above and get a diagnosis.
Fix, in plain English
No single fix is established by these reports. Check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls, ask a dealer about technical service bulletins (TSBs) or extended warranty coverage, then have the system diagnosed.
DIY difficulty: Pro
Internal engine work (lifters, oil consumption, fuel dilution diagnosis) requires engine teardown or dealer software/tests. (Our assessment.)
Cost
No sourced cost range for this issue. Get a written quote after diagnosis.
Typical parts (search links, no affiliate codes)
AutoZone · O'Reilly · Advance · RockAuto
Sources
Page last updated .