2018 Toyota Highlander
This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
- Complaints
- 267
- Recalls
- 5
- Investigations
- 0
- Top problem
- Power train
Campaigns on file for 2018
None on file
25% of complaints
Complaints per year
2018: 267 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1997 | 1 |
| 1998 | 1 |
| 1999 | 0 |
| 2000 | 0 |
| 2001 | 137 |
| 2002 | 301 |
| 2003 | 258 |
| 2004 | 286 |
| 2005 | 224 |
| 2006 | 278 |
| 2007 | 124 |
| 2008 | 403 |
| 2009 | 134 |
| 2010 | 216 |
| 2011 | 181 |
| 2012 | 182 |
| 2013 | 207 |
| 2014 | 136 |
| 2015 | 192 |
| 2016 | 111 |
| 2017 | 269 |
| 2018 | 267 |
| 2019 | 490 |
| 2020 | 317 |
| 2021 | 527 |
| 2022 | 257 |
| 2023 | 181 |
| 2024 | 42 |
| 2025 | 9 |
| 2026 | 1 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Power train
25% · 67 reportsShow complaint excerpts
Guest states her vehicle is whining during accelleration, will stop whining for a moment when vehicle upshifts and then return. Guest has been in contact with service manager.
NHTSA ODI report, 2026-08-15
This vehicle has a UA80 8-speed transmission that has prematurely failed. This is a KNOWN issue to Toyota and they have refused to provide a fix.
NHTSA ODI report, 2026-07-28
Service brakes
22% · 58 reportsMost commonly citing hydraulic.
Show complaint excerpts
My relatives remembered the 2002-2011 recall of 80,000 Toyotas, 90 deaths due to unintended acceleration and said that seems exactly what happened to me last month.
NHTSA ODI report, 2023-11-24
Also filed under Air bags and vehicle speed control
I was recently in a vehicle accident in my 2018 Toyota Highlander with the pre-collision system. The pre-collision system was working well through out our trip but unfortunately did not work when it was most needed.
NHTSA ODI report, 2018-07-02
Also filed under Air bags
Engine
12% · 33 reportsShow complaint excerpts
I just got my vehicle inspected and successfully passed with no codes on 07/07/2026. Today 07/10/2026 as I was driving to work my vehicle began to jerk/ jitter and when into limp mode.
NHTSA ODI report, 2026-07-10
Also filed under Fuel/propulsion system
Electrical system
9% · 24 reportsFuel/propulsion system
8% · 22 reportsSafety timeline
5 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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R
2018-01-23Equipment17V831000 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.
Remedy: 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.
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2018-05-09Service brakes, hydraulic18V211000 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.
Remedy: 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 Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987.
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2019-01-29Electrical system, visibility18E107000 Fujian Wanda Automobile Glass Industry (Wanda) is recalling certain aftermarket Replacement Windshields sold for use in 2014-2018 Toyota Highlander vehicles.
Remedy: 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.
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2020-05-01Fuel system, gasoline20V012000 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...
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.
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2021-01-21Fuel system, gasoline20V682000 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,...
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.
Buy-smart checklist
2018 Toyota Highlander — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Power train: 67 reports on file for this year.
- Service brakes: 58 reports on file for this year.
- Engine: 33 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 17V831000 · Equipment
- Recall 18V211000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
- Recall 18E107000 · Electrical system, visibility
- Recall 20V012000 · Fuel system, gasoline
- Recall 20V682000 · Fuel system, gasoline
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 2018 Toyota Highlander reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2018 Toyota Highlander is rated "typical".
- What are the most common problems with the 2018 Toyota Highlander?
- The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 25% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2018 Toyota Highlander have?
- 5 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.