2018 Toyota Highlander
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Power train is the leading concern among 266 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 10th highest complaint count among 25 Highlander model years with reports.
Of the 2018 reports, 23 involved a crash and 1 involved a fire. 25 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, fuel pumpNov 4, 2020
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.
If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
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. Owners of other models will be notified as remedy parts become available. Remedy parts should be available for all affected vehicles by late March 2021. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-012. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TA02. Lexus' number for this recall is 20LA01.
Campaign 20V682000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, fuel pumpJan 13, 2020
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.
If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
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. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 20TB02 and 20TA02 for Toyota vehicles and 20LB01 and 20LA01 for Lexus vehicles.
Campaign 20V012000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical systemNov 27, 2018
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 the vehicle's Engine Control Module (ECM).
The ECM damage may result in the engine stalling, increasing the risk of a crash.
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. Owners may contact Wanda customer service at 1-864-281-2760.
Campaign 18E107000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, power assist, vacuumApr 3, 2018
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.
A sudden loss of braking assist can increase the risk of a crash.
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. Toyota's numbers for this recall are J0K/JLD.
Campaign 18V211000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, other, labelsDec 20, 2017
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."
An incorrect load information label can result in the operator overloading the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.
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 numbers for this recall are H0Z for Toyota vehicles, and HLF for Lexus vehicles.
Campaign 17V831000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: other or unspecified
43 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Aug 26, 2026
The position of the screen monitor for the backup camera is hard to see when the sun creates a glare on the front windshield.
Other or unspecified, Jul 24, 2026, crash
I was parking my car and was almost to the gray slab to stop when the car suddenly surged forward! It felt like an airplane taking off. I hit a brick building. Somehow my nose was broken, and I was bleeding profusely. If someone had been walking on the sidewalk in front of me, they would have been crushed against the brick wall. Others have had this problem; in fact, one lady said she almost hit a brick wall! Ironic! There was no warning of any kind. However, the day before, while driving on the highway, the car did the same thing: it surged forward, but fortunately I was able to control it, and there had been no one in front of me. If I had been driving locally, I surely would have hit someone, and who knows what the consequence would have been. The Insurance Company towed the car and totaled it.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 10, 2026
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. I took it to a shop to have the codes checked on it and they said it was something to do with the transmission and they don’t specialize in that type of work. My vehicle has less than 45400 miles on it and been maintained regularly. I was told this was a common issue with these vehicles. I don’t know where to go to get this serviced. I called around to local shops with no luck at getting someone to fix or look at the cause of it.
Other or unspecified, Jun 4, 2026
My car had around 52,930 miles on it when the transmission suddenly went out and left me stranded in [XXX]. I always took my car to the North Hollywood Toyota dealership regularly, twice a year since I bought the car for regular service maintenance. When I was quoted nearly $7,000 to replace the transmission, I sold the car. Why would a 2018 Japanese car with such low mileage and in great condition suddenly have transmission problems? Something doesn’t add up. I had to get towed home. I’m wondering if other Toyota Highlander owners have experienced unexplained transmission problems as well. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Feb 17, 2026
2018 Toyota Highlander Platinum started with a whine noise, vibration, and went into limp mode. The transmission has been noted to needing to be replaced. I am currently at 75,453 miles and started to hear the whine at around 65,000 miles. This car is not safe to drive.
Other or unspecified, Nov 13, 2025
Transmission just started shifting extremely hard between first and second gear. Turning snow mode on stops the shifting problem so I know it’s an internal issue with the transmission. The Highlander XLE only has 67,748 miles. Way to early for a transmission issue
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Sep 10, 2025
There is a voice listening device or microphone on the headliner right above the driver's side seat which leaks water. I see there is a recall for a windshield but it could be coming from the sunroof.
Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 15, 2024
I own a Toyota Highlander 2018 LE. I have been servicing it regularly at authorized Toyota delaership service centers. I have around 28000 miles on it. While trying to start the car this morning, the car wouldn't start, the brake feels hard and won't depress, and the dashboard displays the message" Braking Power Low STOP in a Safe Place See Owner's Manual"
Other or unspecified, Sep 19, 2023
Three weeks ago, I took my vehicle to Fred Haas Toyota Dealer in Spring, TX and they informed me that my driver axle needed replacement. My service advisor has now given me three ETAs on when the part will be delivered. Today, he mentioned that there is a nationwide back order on the part and suspects that many highlanders are experiencing the same problem
Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Sep 6, 2023
This Toyota Highlander XLE 2018 was bought new in 2018. Lately in 8/23 started seeing on the dash a "BRAKE" light that comes on and off while driving. 2 weeks later, starting seeing a warning sign saying "Braking Power Low" and a message underneath saying"STOP in safe place". Took it to Toyota dealer twice so far and they could not duplicate the issue ( maybe they did not drive it for enough time). They said also that no error history was retrieved, even though I had shown them video and pictures of the errors when happened. This warning signs has been happening intermittently after driving ~7-10 miles or 10-20 minutes on the road. I have searched on line and found some similar issues and even a recalls for the same issue on some 2018 models of Toyota, Lexus, and Highlander. They said some cars were recalled but not all. I serched for recall on my Highlander and found none. Here some search sites: [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Other or unspecified, Jul 19, 2023
I have noticed that the car makes a knocking sound when stopped at signals or in heavy traffic. I have taken my 2018 Highlander LTD many times to the dealer and they cannot hear it nor find anything under the car. This has been going on since I took delivery. The service manager said it might be a bearing going out or a loose bracket (I do not know which bracket he was referring to one as he wasn't sure which bearing). He said just to wait and see if anything else more serious develops...this sounds potentially dangerous to me. The knocking noise still persists to this day.
Other or unspecified, Oct 12, 2022
The windshield in our 2018 Highlander suffered three cracks before we finally had the windshield replaced. According to the company that performed the repair, we are one of many Highlander customers that have had these issues. We know that rocks were the cause, but the number of incidents appear to be higher than normal. To avoid having another problem, we added a protective coating to our windshield at an additional cost of $600. We assume this to be one of many incidents, and want it to be known that this appears to be a defect in glass specification and/or manufacturing.
Power train, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Aug 22, 2022
I have a power steering warning light. Steering is harder than normal. I believe this vehicle is having the same power steering problem that Toyota Tundra and sequoias are having. I want it to be recalled and paid for by the manafacturer. This is ridiculous a well maintained vehicle.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Mar 15, 2022
I was driving down the highway at 11:30am MST going between 55-60 mps and my sunroof just popped and broke. Nothing hit us, there were barely even any cars around us at the time. It spontaneously combusted. Providing screenshots of the video I took immediately after it happened. You can even see how the glass is bowed out instead of inward, if it were hit by something.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Apr 9, 2021
2018 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER VEHICLE WAS SITTING IN PARKING LOT UNTOUCHED ( WARM SUNNY DAY) . VEHICLE WAS PARKED . OWNER USED THE REMOTE HATCH OPENING BUTTON ON THE KEY REMOTE. WHEN THE HATCH/ LIFT GATE STARTED OPENING A LOUD CRACKING / BUSTING SOUND WAS MADE. THE SPOILER WAS SEPARATING ON THE SIDES FROM THE HATCH AS WELL. UPON INSPECTION, THE INSIDE PLASTIC HATCH COMPONENT HOLDING THE GLASS WINDOW WAS CRACKED IN 2 PLACES AND THE METAL PIECE INSIDE HATCH WAS BENT. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE TOP OF THE VEHICLE WHERE THE HATCH / LIFT GATE IS SUPPOSE TO SEPARATE HOWEVER HATCH WAS RUBBING UP AGAINST THE TOP OF THE VEHICLE. THE SAFETY RISK , THE SPOILER LOCATED ON THE BACK OF VEHICLE ATTACHED TO THE HATCH , BECAME DETACHED FROM ITS MOUNTED POSITION. THIS CAUSED THE SPOILER TO SEPARATE AND OBSTRUCT THE HATCH LIFT GATE. SPOILER LOCATED ON BACK IS CAUSING THE LIFT GATE TO NOT OPEN AND WHEN OWNER OPENS THE HATCH THE DETACHED SPOILER WILL CAUSE DAMAGE TO HATCH /LIFT GATE.
Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Back over prevention, Mar 27, 2021, crash
1) BIGGEST ISSUE: I BOUGHT MY SUV NEW. IT WAS ADVERTISED 30/28 MPG. MY AVERAGE MPG SINCE I BOUGHT IT IS 22-23. 2) IT SLIDES WITH BARELY ANY ICE OR RAIN. IT IS AWFUL. IT SLIDE BACKWARD DOWN A SMALL HILL LAST YEAR & CAUSED ME TO CRASH. POLICE RESPONDED BUT WERE TOO BUSY WITH OTHER INCIDENTS TO WRITE A REPORT. I HAD THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN DAMAGES & RENTAL CAR FEES FOR THE 5-6 WEEKS IT TOOK TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. I LIVE IN THE PNW AND HAVE DRIVEN IN SNOW 35 YEARS. I'VE NEVER HAD SUCH BAD PERFORMANCE. I HAD TO BY MICHELIN ICE TIRES THIS YEAR BC OUR SUV IS SO BAD IN SNOW & ICE. 3) I WAS IN A MINOR COLLISION IN A PARKING LOT BC I DIDN'T SEE ANOTHER CAR BACKING OUT AT THE SAME TIME AND THE COLLISION SENSOR DIDN'T GO OFF. MY SENSORS WERE CLEAN 4) WHEN THE SENSORS HAVE EVEN THE SMALLEST LAYER OF SNOW THEY STOP WORKING. THAT MAKES THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM STOP WORKING TOO. VERY FRUSTRATING. THE RESULT OF THESE ISSUES IS AN INCREASE BY $800/MO OF MY AUTO INSURANCE. BEFORE THIS SUV I HADN'T EVEN HAD A SPEEDING TICKET IN 14 YEARS. DATE OF ACCIDENT LISTED IS APPROXIMATION. NOW I HAVE 2 COLLISIONS. WISH I HAD PURCHASED SOMETHING ELSE.
Other or unspecified, Feb 15, 2021
OUR SUNROOF GLASS "EXPLODED" SUDDENLY WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT ON A SMOOTH ROAD - NO ROCKS OR DEBRIS AROUND AND NORMAL COOL WINTER DAY ~25F. DRIVING 70MPH ON MAINE I295 AT NOONTIME. WE HAD BEEN DRIVING FOR TWO HOURS PRIOR TO THIS EVENT ALSO IN GOOD WEATHER AND GOOD ROAD CONDITIONS. SOME GLASS BLEW OUTWARDS, AND MANY PIECES FELL ONTO THE PROTECTIVE COVER WHICH FORTUNATELY WAS CLOSED. WE EVENTUALLY SLID THE COVER OPEN TO LOOK UP AND DISCOVERED WHAT HAPPENED.
Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Jan 26, 2021
THE VEHICLE WAS IN MY DRIVEWAY BOTH TIMES THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED SO FAR. I WENT OUT FIRST THING IN THE MORNING TO START IT AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS EXTREMELY HARD WHEN I WENT TO PRESS THE PEDAL IN ORDER TO PUT THE ENGINE START BUTTON AND ALL OF THE ELECTRONICS TURNED ON BUT THE VEHICLE REFUSED TO START AND DISPLAYED A MESSAGE STATING "BRAKING POWER LOW, STOP IN A SAFE PLACE. I FOUND A RECALL NOTICE THAT WAS SHARED ON THE TOYOTA FORUMS FOR THIS EXACT REASON; HOWEVER, MINE ISN'T INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ALONG WITH MANY OTHER PEOPLE THAT WERE ALSO EXCLUDED AND ARE HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM, ACCORDING TO THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ON THE TOYOTA AND LEXUS FORUMS. I HAVE ATTACHED A COPY OF THE RECALL THAT WAS POSTED ON THE FORUM ALONG WITH THE MESSAGE THAT WAS DISPLAYED WHEN MY HIGHLANDER WOULDN'T START. I KEPT TRYING FOR 10 MINUTES AND FINALLY USED THE REMOTE START TO START IT (WHICH MADE THE BRAKE PEDAL SOFT ENOUGH TO PRESS DOWN). I THEN TURNED OFF THE REMOTE START AND WAS THEN ABLE TO START IT LIKE NORMAL. HAD I NOT HAD REMOTE START, I WOULD HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Aug 12, 2020
MY 2018 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER EXPERIENCED 4 DIFFERENT EPISODES OF SPONTANEOUS ACCELERATION WHILE ON LOCAL HIGHWAYS, 3 BEING ON RESUMPTION OF SPEED WHILE USING CRUISE CONTROL AND THE 4TH NOT WHILE ON CRUISE CONTROL.THERE ARE 10 OTHER ELECTRONIC TYPES OF MALFUNCTIONS NOT INVOLVING SAFETY ISSUES. PER THE LEMON LAW OF WA STATE, THE MATTER WAS TAKEN TO ARBITRATION. THE ARBITRATER FOUND IN MY FAVOR AND AWARDED ME A NEW REPLACEMENT HIGHLANDER. TOYOTA HAS ASKED FOR A JURY TRIAL. I THEREFORE CONTINUE TO DRIVE A VEHICLE THAT COULD CAUSE A DANGEROUS, POTENTIALLY FATAL CAR. I CAN SUPPLY FURTHER DOCUMENTATION SHOULD YOU WANT IT.
Other or unspecified, Jul 24, 2020
AS MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING WITH THE SUNROOF CLOSED (THE GLASS AND MATERIAL PART). HE HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION. IT WAS THE SUNROOF IMPLODING. HE OPENED THE MATERIAL PART AND GLASSED RAINED DOWN. THERE WAS NO OBJECT THAT FELL DOWN, TO SHOW IT WAS HIT. ALSO, NO MARK FROM THE INSIDE TO INDICATE IT WAS HIT FROM INSIDE THE CAR. THIS TOOK PLACE WHILE MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING ON THE 794 BRIDGE IN MILWAUKEE, WI.
Suspension, Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jan 30, 2020
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.
Other or unspecified, Jan 19, 2020
PRE COLLISION SYSTEM AS ADVERTISED DOES NOT FUNCTION. IT DOES NOT WARN NOR SELF BRAKE FOR IMMINENT COLLISIONS WITH VEHICLES NOR PEDESTRIANS SHOULD DRIVER FAIL TO REACT MANUALLY IN TIME. SELF TESTS USING LARGE CARDBOARD BOXES HAVE VERIFIED THIS. TOYOTA REFUSES TO REMEDY PROBLEM NOR RECOGNIZE OWNER TEST. NON FUNCTIONAL SINCE NEW, 5/2/18. SEVERAL DEALERS AND TOYOTA CUST. SERVICE CONTACTED & COMPLAINT IGNORED. ALL INSTANCES VEHICLE IN MOTION ON PUBLIC ROADWAYS. BOX TEST IN MOTION IN PARKING LOT.
Other or unspecified, Jan 17, 2020
BLUETOOTH CONNECTIVITY DOES NOT WORK FOR OWNERS OF IPHONE 11 PRO MAX WITH THIS MAKE MODEL AND YEAR OF VEHICLE. I HAVE CONTACTED BOTH APPLE AND TOYOTA TO TRY TO RECTIFY THIS ISSUE, AS IT DIRECTLY IMPAIRS THE SAFE DRIVING OF THIS VEHICLE DUE TO NO ACCESS TO THE HANDS FREE FEATURES. I HAVE COMPLIED WITH EACH COMPANY'S DIRECTIVES AND NOTHING HAS CORRECTED THE ISSUE. I AM BEING TOLD BY APPLE THAT TOYOTA NEEDS TO UPDATE ITS BLUETOOTH SOFTWARE, AND BEING TOLD BY TOYOTA THAT IT IS AN APPLE ISSUE. I AM TIRED OF THE RUN AROUND AND I WANT THIS FIXED.
Other or unspecified, Jan 17, 2020
MY BLUETOOTH KEEPS TURNING OFF SO I AM NOT ABLE TO USE MY PHONE HANDSFREE
Structure, Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Oct 9, 2019, crash
WHEN PULLING INTO A PARKING PLACE, SLOWLY, WITH RIGHT FOOT ON THE BRAKE, GETTING READY TO STOP BEFORE THE CURB, THE CAR ACCELERATED, JUMPED THE CURB GOING OVER THE SIDEWALK AND HIT THE BUILDING. MY RIGHT FOOT WAS STILL ON THE BRAKE WHEN IT STOPPED. THIS HAPPENED IN A DOCTORS OFFICE PARKING LOT. AIR BAGS DID NOT INFLATE.