2018 Toyota Highlander Problems, Recalls & Reliability
350 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2018 Toyota Highlander, alongside 5 recall campaigns and 0 defect investigations. It scores 65/100 on the trouble index — a below-average year for this model. Transmission & drivetrain leads the reports, typically around 88,500 miles.
Below average
Where 2018 sits among all Highlander years
What owners report
“UA80F Transmission failure at 100k miles for the 2018 Toyota highlander SE. No warning lights, engine noise (high pitched whine while driving). Took to the dealer and was told the transmission needed to be replaced.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2018 Highlander
“Car will not start due to message that says "Braking Power Low. Stop in a Safe Place" There have been recalls on 2018 Highlanders for the brake vacuum pump but it is not listed for my particular vehicle”— owner report to NHTSA, 2018 Highlander
“Vehicle was in park and rolled. It picked up speed as it continued to roll and there weren't any occupant. This took place in a driveway. The vehicle rolls while the emergency brake is on alll the time as well.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2018 Highlander
“Vehicle was driving on street and check engine light came on. Took vehicle to service provider and is related to recall. No remedy for recall has been developed -- currently driving a loaner car.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2018 Highlander
“Low brake fluid pull over immediately warning ⚠️,vehicle engine shut off would not restart was on highway going 55 mph .Had to get vehicle towed . There was a recall on brake booster but my Vin was not included same model year 2018”— owner report to NHTSA, 2018 Highlander
“Car wouldnt start in garage, it shows error in the dash "Braking Power Low, STOP in a safe place". It looks like several people are having same issue around same time outside of warranty, and on cars not in the original recall.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2018 Highlander
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 144 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 16,250 miles. Half of those reports fall between 8,050 and 38,000 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (5)
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…
Fix: 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…
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…
Fix: 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…
Fujian Wanda Automobile Glass Industry (Wanda) is recalling certain aftermarket Replacement Windshields sold for use in 2014-2018 Toyota Highlander vehicles. The windshields have an attached wire harness that water may leak into, possibly causing damage to…
Fix: Wanda will notify owners, and service centers will replace the windshields, and inspect the ECM for damage, having it replaced, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 29, 2019.…
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018 Toyota Camry and Highlander vehicles, 2017 Toyota Sienna and Tacoma vehicles and 2017 Lexus RX350 vehicles. During the manufacturing process, the oil galley in the rotor for the…
Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake booster vacuum pump, free of charge. The recall began on May 9, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371, or…
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Toyota 4Runner and Tundra, 2018 Toyota Highlander, RAV4 and Lexus GX460 and 2017 Toyota Sienna and Tacoma vehicles. These vehicles may have incorrect load carrying capacity…
Fix: Toyota will notify owners and provide them with corrected labels, free of charge. The recall began on January 23, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's…
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 2018 Toyota Highlander reliable?
The 2018 Toyota Highlander drew 350 complaints in federal safety records — a below-average year for this model. Its trouble index is 65/100, scored against the model's worst year (2008).
What are the most common 2018 Toyota Highlander problems?
The top reported problems for the 2018 Toyota Highlander are transmission & drivetrain (60 complaints), brakes & stability (58), and other (45).
At what mileage do 2018 Toyota Highlander problems show up?
Owners most often report 2018 Toyota Highlander problems around 16,250 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 8,050 and 38,000 miles.
Does the 2018 Toyota Highlander have recalls?
5 recall campaigns apply to the 2018 Toyota Highlander. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.