Worst 2018 Toyota Highlander Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Transmission / Drivetrain
Brakes
Engine Problems
Check the actual VIN — every car is different.
This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2018 Toyota Highlander.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 53 | — | — | 97,371 mi | |
| Brakes | 53 | 9 | — | 20,673 mi | |
| Engine Problems | 31 | — | — | 24,955 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 24 | — | — | 69,447 mi | |
| Fuel System | 20 | 1 | — | 18,936 mi | |
| Airbags | 19 | 15 | — | 29,118 mi | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 12 | — | — | 33,857 mi | |
| Body Structure | 10 | 3 | — | 17,087 mi | |
| Steering Defects | 9 | — | — | 56,154 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 7 | 1 | — | 11,262 mi | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 6 | 1 | — | 76,000 mi | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 5 | — | — | 11,325 mi | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 5 | — | — | 39,600 mi | |
| Suspension Failures | 5 | — | — | 15,025 mi | |
| Wipers & Visibility | 5 | — | — | 21,501 mi | |
| Wheel Issues | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | 2 | 2 | — | — | |
| Fuel Pump | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Lane Departure: Warning | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Back Over Prevention: Warnings | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Forward-Collision Avoidance Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Lane Departure: Assist | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Lane Departure: Blind Spot Detection | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Electronic Lock/Latch Actuator | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Body:Bumpers | 1 | — | 1 | — |
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2018 Toyota Highlander. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Recalls for 2018 Toyota Highlander
4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~3,363,189 vehicles.
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 Lexus GS200t, 2017-2019 Lexus GS350, 2019 Lexus GS300, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500h, 2019-2020 Lexus LS500, 2018-2019 Lexus GX460, 2017 Lexus IS200t, 2019 Lexus IS300, 2019 Lexus IS350, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500, 2018 Lexus LS500, 2019 Lexus LS500h, 2018-2019 Lexus LX570, 2017 Lexus RC200t, 2019 Lexus RC300, RC350, 2017 and 2019-2020 Lexus RX350, 2018-2020 RX350L, 2019 Lexus UX200, 2018-2019 Lexus NX300 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
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.
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 brake booster vacuum pump assembly may have been improperly machined possibly resulting in a sudden loss of brake assist.
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 modification labels. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Other Toyota Highlander Years
2018 Toyota Highlander — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2018 Toyota Highlander reliable?
What are common problems with the 2018 Toyota Highlander?
At what mileage do problems start on the 2018 Toyota Highlander?
How safe is the 2018 Toyota Highlander?
Does the 2018 Toyota Highlander have any recalls?
Should I buy a 2018 Toyota Highlander?
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Toyota Highlander reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2018 Toyota Highlander
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
Check Any VIN — $4.99