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Vehicle speed controlPart report

2019 Toyota Highlander Vehicle speed control Problems

Complaints
13about this part
Share
3%of 508 total for the year
Median mileage
10,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 2019 Toyota Highlander, 3% of the 508 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 10,000 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“A month ago, we were driving on the highway through snow showers up to nh to go skiing, with our nifty adaptive cruise control on, when I realized that we were accelerating into the car in front of us. I assumed that the front sensor was covered in slush, took off the cruise control and drove manually. Only about 5 minutes later did the dashboard alert notify me that the front sensor wasn't working. Brought it into the dealer. They couldn't find anything wrong. Here's the problem: the car says trust me. …”

NHTSA complaint #11402732, filed 2021-03, 6,000 miles

“Severe hesitation when gas is applied, especially when crossing heavy traffic and instant power/quick acceleration needed. Also noted when going around corners, after car has slowed down below 5 MPH to make the corner. Gas is applied with hesitation. Noted more when car is at a complete stand still/moving at slow speed then gas applied to move forward. Car does not move/react instantly. I notice this problem on a weekly (at least) basis.”

NHTSA complaint #11254633, filed 2019-09, 100 miles

“Vehicle is slow to respond and/or has intermittent performance when accelerating or moving from complete stop. There is lag time in the vehicle's response to driver acceleration which makes it challenging to enter (from roadway or driveway) oncoming traffic or merge into interstate/freeway traffic. The delay in the responsiveness and inconsistent performance causes driver to need extra time and distance when entering the flow of traffic. The front end also becomes jumpy and enters with a skid/pull force causing the need to steer into the vehicle and course-correct. …”

NHTSA complaint #11396354, filed 2021-02, 11,000 miles

“I had just driven up a steep driveway and made a slightly sharper than 90 degree turn at a very low speed to pull into a home parking spot when the car lunged forward suddenly and slammed into the stone wall of the house at a high speed. The section of this driveway after the turn is only 2.5 car lengths, but the car picked up enough speed to smash the front of the car in. The car was totaled and driver and side curtain airbags all deployed. I do not know why this happened as there is no way I would have hit the gas hard while pulling up to a building to stop. …”

NHTSA complaint #11678769, filed 2025-08

“Problems: 1) Check Engine Light lit up. 2) Hybrid System Malfunction warning on heads-up display. 3) Pre-Collision System Failure warning on Heads-Up Display. 4) Gasoline engine stalls after an intentional deceleration and is unable to come back up to speed. First Event: On July 4th, my wife and I were driving on an interstate highway. We entered an exit ramp interchange to merge onto another highway and when trying to accelerate the car suddenly became sluggish, and gave messages for problems 1), 2), and 4) stated above. Problem 3) did not occur during this event. …”

NHTSA complaint #11428198, filed 2021-08

Related service bulletins

Vehicle speed control: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2025330%
202412%
202395%
202283%
202192%
2020103%
2019133%
201893%
2017135%
201644%
2015116%
201454%
20133115%
2012148%
2011127%
20102210%
20091410%
20084511%
20071613%
20064315%
20053917%
20044014%
20032811%
20023110%
20011511%

Other parts of the 2019 Toyota Highlander

Transmission and drivetrain
214 complaints
Fuel system
109 complaints
Other or unknown
83 complaints
Engine
71 complaints
Electrical system
56 complaints
Brakes
20 complaints
Air bags
14 complaints
Body and structure
12 complaints
Forward collision avoidance
11 complaints
Steering
8 complaints
Seat belts
6 complaints
Seats
6 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2019 Toyota Highlander

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology