Fuel System complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 8 | 19% | 2,000 miles |
| 2023 | 17 | 9% | 40,000 miles |
| 2022 | 10 | 4% | — |
| 2021 | 31 | 6% | 1,000 miles |
| 2020 | 20 | 6% | 5,000 miles |
| 2019 | 108 | 22% | 6,000 miles |
| 2018 | 36 | 13% | 27,000 miles |
| 2017 | 37 | 14% | 39,000 miles |
| 2016 | 4 | 4% | 1,000 miles |
| 2015 | 4 | 2% | 100,000 miles |
| 2013 | 15 | 7% | 11,000 miles |
| 2012 | 3 | 2% | 40,000 miles |
| 2011 | 1 | 1% | 59,000 miles |
| 2010 | 4 | 2% | 1,000 miles |
| 2009 | 2 | 1% | 90,000 miles |
| 2008 | 15 | 4% | 116,000 miles |
| 2007 | 6 | 5% | 146,000 miles |
| 2006 | 13 | 5% | 66,000 miles |
| 2005 | 6 | 3% | 50,000 miles |
| 2004 | 7 | 2% | 6,000 miles |
| 2003 | 10 | 4% | 68,000 miles |
| 2002 | 2 | 1% | 168,000 miles |
| 2001 | 5 | 4% | 53,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2024 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated there was an abnormal fuel odor inside the vehicle's cabin coming from the rear of the vehicle near the fuel tank. No warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the vent valve remained open causing fuel to leak from the fuel tank and as a result the fuel cap needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however the failure persisted. The failure was intermittent. The contact stated that the odor was extremely strong, causing the driver to sustain headaches. The fire department issued a letter with a statement that there was a fume odor coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a different unknown dealer however, the dealer was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired for the most recent failure. …
Driving the vehicle a strong smell of fuel vapor is noticeable coming from rear driver side of vehicle by rear door and fuel cap area. This happens when car is driven for long periods of time or on hot days. I drive my car daily and it happens every day. Smell gets so bad it gets in to the cabin area. Causing me to get headaches or light headed feeling making it unsafe to drive. I have taken vehicle to the dealership but nothing was done. The only thing they said they could do is clean and disinfect my AC vents. This issue has been on going since I bought the vehicle brand new 0 miles when I purchased it. There are no warning lamps or messages that appear when the issue starts. After returning home I have to park my car out side for a few hours until the fuel smell goes away and it is safe to park in my garage. …
I was involved in a vehicle crash on 7-1-25. I had just pulled out of the gas station and was coming up to a stop sign so I was only going about 8mph I put my foot on the brake and nothing happened. I had my foot all the way down on the brake pedal because I saw a car coming and they were traveling at about 40mph. No automatic braking nothing worked. I had no control. I just prayed that I hope this doesn't hurt. None of my airbags deployed. My car is now totaled and of course I got the ticket because I did not have control of my vehicle. I strongly believe this has to do with the brakes and how it switches from electric to gas in my hybrid vehicle. Toyota has recalled prior years 2020 to 2022 hybrids for this exact issue. This is a huge safety issue and thankfully I am alive to make this complaint. …
The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the odor of gasoline was present inside and outside of the vehicle. The contact indicated that the failure had occurred intermittently after refueling the vehicle on extremely hot days. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure and the cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 40,000.
As my wife had the wheels turned and was pulling up to the curb stop in a parking spot the car suddenly lurched forward without putting the accelerator on and went up and over the curb. Stop and hit a pole. my thoughts are is that the engine possibly changed from hybrid to gas or vice versa and as my wife's foot was let off on the brake to inch forward to the curb stop it suddenly lunged forward as previously stated.
Two weeks ago, I had my 2022 Toyota Highlander serviced at Romano Toyota for my state inspection and regular maintenance. The dealership passed the inspection and did not mention any problems with my vehicle. However, just two days after the maintenance, the check engine light came on unexpectedly. The vehicle began to hesitate and shift roughly, with noticeable jerking during acceleration and delayed gear engagement. This created a safety hazard, especially when merging into traffic or crossing intersections, because the SUV would not respond quickly when pressing the accelerator. A diagnostic scan revealed transmission-related trouble codes (P2714 - Pressure Control Solenoid D, and/or P2757 - Torque Converter Clutch Pressure Control Solenoid Performance). I returned to the dealer, and they confirmed the issue but could not provide an immediate fix due to parts availability. …
Upon attempting to engage the brakes, it was found that they did not work. Immediately thereafter, the car began an uncommanded full acceleration. The insurance company has totaled the car. Our safety as occupants was obviously at serious risk. The driver chose to take the car off the road rather than jeopardize the lives of others on the same road. The car plowed through boulders and trees, coming to rest upside down wedged between an earthen berm and a tree......suspended about 2 feet above the ground. There were no warnings prior to the incident. The car has been inspected by the insurance company, and has been authorized for inspection by the manufacturer. There were no serious injuries as a result of the accident. We were VERY lucky! Uncommanded acceleration without any control is a frightening event any time....but definitely in the vicinity of other vehicles full of families.
Yesterday, as I do a couple times a month, I went to switch parking places, putting my 2021 Toyota Highlander where my 2007 Mazda was parked, in order to drive it and keep the battery from dying. After starting both cars I first moved the Mazda to make room for the Toyota. As I was slowly steering the Toyota at (idle speed) into the now vacant parking spot, the car accelerated on it's own, prompting me to hit the brakes, but to no avail. The car jumped the curb hitting, knocking over and and damaging a large ceramic planter and small tree in my neighbor's yard. My split second reaction upon having no brakes and a run away car was to push it out of drive, which ended up putting the car into reverse, causing a harsh jolt, followed by the car accelerating again on it's own, in reverse towards another neighbor's garage. …
Related recalls (4)
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 4Runner, 2019-2020 Avalon, 2019 Corolla Hatchback, 2017-2019 Highlander, 2018-2020 Camry, 2020 Corolla, 2018-2019 Land Cruiser, 2017-2020 Tacoma, 2019-2020 RAV4, 2019-2020 Sequoia, 2017-2020 Sienna, 2019-2020 Tundra, 2018-2020 Lexus ES350, 2017…
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.
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump
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…
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.
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2014 Toyota Avalon, Camry, Sienna, and Highlander and model year 2015 Lexus RX350 vehicles. Fuel may leak from the one of the fuel delivery pipes in the engine compartment.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace any of the suspect fuel delivery pipes free of charge. The recall began November 17, 2014. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly › Mounting
On sport utility vehicles, there is a breather hose that attaches to the nozzle of the on-board refueling vapor recovery (orvr) valve, which is located on the topside of the fuel tank. The breather hose is attached with a clamp, whose "tabs" face in the upward direction.
Remedy: Dealers will rotate the specified clamp. Owner notification began September 23, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a…
Frequently asked questions
Which Toyota Highlander years have fuel system problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2019 (108), 2017 (37), 2018 (36), 2021 (31) and 2020 (20) model years. Fuel System complaints make up 22% of all complaints for the 2019.
Is there a recall for Toyota Highlander fuel system problems?
Yes — 4 recalls, including 20V-682 (fuel pump, Nov 4, 2020); 20V-012 (fuel pump, Jan 13, 2020); 14V-576 (hoses, lines/piping, and fittings, Sep 19, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Toyota Highlander fuel system problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 35,000 miles; 73% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the delivery › fuel pump (7 mentions), followed by the storage › tank assembly (5).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.