The 2019 Highlander is generally solid, but the 3.5L V6 (2GR-FKS) suffers from a critical direct-injection carbon buildup and oil consumption issue that can lead to catastrophic engine failure. The 8-speed automatic transmission has some cooling and mount concerns, and there was a major fuel pump recall affecting many units.
Symptoms: low oil warning light between changes, blue smoke on cold start, misfire codes P0301-P0306, complete engine seizure in severe cases
Fix: Piston ring design flaw allows oil into combustion chambers. Minor cases: walnut-blast intake valves, replace PCV valve, monitor consumption (4-6 hrs labor). Severe cases require short block replacement or full engine rebuild with updated pistons and rings (25-35 hrs labor). Toyota has extended warranty to 150k miles on some VINs under CSP (Customer Support Program).
Estimated cost: $8,500-14,000
Fuel Pump Failure (NHTSA Recall 20V-546)
Common · high severity
Symptoms: engine stalling while driving, no-start condition, rough idle and hesitation, check engine light with fuel trim codes
Fix: Low-pressure fuel pump inside tank fails due to manufacturing defect (impeller density issues). Covered under recall: pump replacement requires dropping fuel tank (3-4 hrs labor). If not done yet, check VIN eligibility immediately—this can strand you.
Estimated cost: $0 (recall) or $900-1,400 if out-of-pocket
Transmission Oil Cooler Line Leaks
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: transmission fluid spots under vehicle, burnt smell from engine bay, delayed shifting or slipping, fluid level dropping between services
Fix: Rubber hoses to external cooler degrade from heat cycling, especially in hot climates. Replace cooler lines and top off ATF WS fluid (2-3 hrs labor). Inspect radiator-integrated cooler for cross-contamination if coolant looks milky.
Estimated cost: $450-750
Front Engine Mount and Transmission Mount Failure
Common · low severity
Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: clunk or thud on acceleration/deceleration, excessive vibration at idle in drive, visible engine movement when shifting P-to-D, creaking sounds over bumps
Fix: Hydraulic mounts deteriorate, especially the right-side engine mount and rear transmission mount. Replace both mounts as a pair for best results (2.5-3.5 hrs labor). OEM mounts last longer than aftermarket.
Estimated cost: $600-950
Direct Injection Carbon Buildup
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 60,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: rough idle when cold, hesitation during acceleration, reduced fuel economy, misfire codes after sitting overnight
Fix: D4S system (combined port and direct injection) still accumulates carbon on intake valves over time. Walnut shell blasting intake valves every 60-80k miles (4-5 hrs labor). Not covered by warranty as 'maintenance,' though it's really a design limitation.
Estimated cost: $500-800
Infotainment System Freezing and Backup Camera Glitches
Occasional · low severity
Symptoms: screen freezes on startup, backup camera shows black screen or lines, unresponsive touchscreen, system reboots randomly
Fix: Software bugs in Entune 3.0 system. Dealer TSB update (TSB-0198-19) addresses most issues (0.5 hr labor). Camera failures sometimes require replacement camera module (1.5 hrs labor). Many fixed under warranty or goodwill if caught early.
Estimated cost: $150 (update) or $800-1,200 (camera)
Owner tips
Check oil level every 1,000 miles on the V6—consumption issues appear gradually, then catastrophically.
Verify fuel pump recall (20V-546) was completed; check Toyota's owner portal by VIN.
Use Top Tier fuel and occasional Italian tune-up runs to minimize carbon buildup on direct-injection engines.
Service transmission fluid at 60k miles despite Toyota's 'lifetime' claim—especially if towing or in hot climates.
Inspect engine mounts during routine services; catching deterioration early prevents secondary damage to drivetrain components.
Solid family hauler if you avoid high-mileage V6 examples with unknown oil-consumption history—buy with service records or budget for a potential engine. Hybrid is the safer long-term bet.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
As an Amazon Associate and Autel/ANCEL partner, OLP earns from qualifying purchases — how we link. This never changes the specs we publish.
Every control module on the 2018-2019 Toyota Highlander — where it lives, replacement time, and what it takes to program a replacement. Modules marked dealer / factory tool won't work after a part swap alone — budget for programming.
📍 Behind driver side lower dash or integrated with BCM
🔧 TPMS relearn tool or Toyota Techstream
⚠️ Sensor ID registration required; can be done with aftermarket TPMS tools or Techstream
Aftermarket tool coverage varies by software version and vehicle build — treat "aftermarket tool" rows as "usually possible" and verify against your tool maker's coverage list before promising a customer. Spot a wrong location or hour? Tell us — corrections ship fast here.
Consequence: If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly with an improved one, free of charge. Owners of specific models were notified that remedy parts were available starting January 21, 2021. Owners of other models will be notified as remedy parts become available. Remedy parts should be available for all affected vehicles by late March 2021. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-012. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TA02. Lexus' number for this recall is 20LA01.
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) recalled certain 2018-2019 4Runner, Highlander, Camry, Land Cruiser, Sequoia, Sienna, Tacoma and Tundra, and Lexus RC 300, RC 350, GS 350, GX 460, IS 300, LC 500, LS 500, LX 570, RX 350L, and 2019 Toyota Avalon and Corolla, and certain Lexus NX 300, and ES 350 vehicles on January 13, 2020.
On March 4, 2020, Toyota expanded the recall to include certain 2014-2015 Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser, 2018 Avalon, Corolla, 2014 FJ Cruiser, 2017 Sienna and Lexus 2018 ES 350, 2018-2019 GS 300, 2013-2014 GS350, 2014-2015 GX 460, IS 350 and LX 570, 2014 IS F, 2018-2019 IS 350, LC 500H and LS 500H, 2013-2015 LS 460, 2015 NX 200T and RC350, 2017 RC 200T and RX 350. Toyota also removed the 2018-2019 Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser and 2018-2019 Lexus GX 460 and LX 570 and 2019 NX300 from inclusion in this recall. On March 19, 2020, Toyota expanded the recall to include 2015 Lexus GS350 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Consequence: If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began May 4, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 20TB02 and 20TA02 for Toyota vehicles and 20LB01 and 20LA01 for Lexus vehicles.
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS · 19V244000
2019-03-27
Gulf States Toyota (GST) is recalling certain 2019 C-HR, 4Runner, Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Highlander, Land Cruiser, Prius, RAV4, Sequoia, Tacoma, Sienna, Tundra and Yaris vehicles. The text on the load capacity label may become illegible. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Consequence: If the driver cannot read the label, they may unknowingly overload the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GST will notify owners, and dealers will provide corrected load carrying capacity modification labels, free of charge. The recall began May 24, 2019. Owners may contact GST customer service at 1-800-444-1074. GST's number for this recall is 19R1.
Performance
Horsepower
185hp
Torque
184lb-ft
Fuel economy (EPA)
City
20mpg
Highway
24mpg
Combined
22mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
Capability & size
Seating
8seats
EPA class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Wiper blades
2014-2019 generation (XU50). Standard hook attachment for front blades.
Size-standard part numbers — verify your connector type before buying. Rear blades are model-specific; check the package's vehicle list.
Fuel economy figures are EPA data via fueleconomy.gov (median across matching trims). Performance figures are compiled estimates for the 2019 Toyota Highlander 2.7L I4 and can vary by trim.
🔧 Database maintained under the daily editorial review of Chris Hackleman · Master Technician · 20+ years.