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 PER YEAR
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 | 275 |
| 2007 | 123 |
| 2008 | 403 |
| 2009 | 134 |
| 2010 | 216 |
| 2011 | 181 |
| 2012 | 182 |
| 2013 | 205 |
| 2014 | 135 |
| 2015 | 190 |
| 2016 | 109 |
| 2017 | 264 |
| 2018 | 263 |
| 2019 | 474 |
| 2020 | 307 |
| 2021 | 497 |
| 2022 | 233 |
| 2023 | 176 |
| 2024 | 41 |
| 2025 | 9 |
| 2026 | 1 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.
24% of complaints: power train — 63 distinct reports on file.
Show 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, 20260815
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, 20260728
22% of complaints: service brakes — 58 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic.
CRASH INJURYShow 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, 20231124
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, 20180702
Also filed under AIR BAGS and UNKNOWN OR OTHER
13% of complaints: engine — 33 distinct reports on file.
Show 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, 20260710
Also filed under FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM and UNKNOWN OR OTHER
9% of complaints: electrical system — 24 distinct reports on file.
8% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 22 distinct reports on file.
CRASHSAFETY TIMELINE
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.
Campaign 17V831000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 18V211000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 18E107000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 20V012000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 20V682000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2018 Toyota Highlander — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for power train issues (63 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for service brakes issues (58 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine issues (33 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 17V831000 (equipment) has been completed.
- Verify recall 18V211000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 18E107000 (electrical system, visibility) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20V012000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20V682000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
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 24% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2018 Toyota Highlander have?
5 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.