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
266 reports, newest first.
Structure, Sep 13, 2018
I PURCHASED A NEW TOYOTA HIGHLANDER FROM MASSEY TOYOTA IN KINSTON, NC IN MAY OF 2018. ON AUGUST 11, 2018, THE REAR HATCH GLASS SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODED AND FELL OUT OF THE CAR WHILE IT WAS SITTING UNTOUCHED IN THE DRIVEWAY OF THE OWNERS HOME. THE WEATHER WAS CLEAR AND WARM. TOYOTA INITIALLY REFUSED TO COVER THIS UNDER THE TOYOTA NEW CAR WARRANTY, HOWEVER FINALLY THEY AGREED TO COVER THE WINDOW. A FEW DAYS LATER MY WIFE STARTED NOTICING A SQUEAK AND RUBBING NOISE COMING FROM THE BACK HATCH WHEN THE CAR WAS WAS WARM FROM THE SUN. AFTER TAKING THE CAR BACK NUMEROUS TIMES TO THE DEALER. THE TOYOTA SERVICE DEPARTMENT DISCOVERED THAT THE BACK HATCH/BACK DOOR WAS RUBBING NEAR THE SPOILER AREA OF THE HING, AT SUCH A FORCE TO CAUSE PAINT TO COME OFF THE AREA. THE SERVICE MANAGER AGREED THAT THIS WAS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT AND THAT TOYOTA WAS REQUIRED TO COVER THIS NEW CAR DEFECT. HOWEVER, AFTER HAVING THE CAR FOR 2 WEEKS TOYOTA REFUSED TO COVER THE MANUFACTURE DEFECT. IN CONCLUSION, THE 2018 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER MODEL HAS A DEFECT THAT RESULTS IN THE BACK REAR DOOR & SPOILER TO RUB AND RESULTS IN THE BACK HATCH GLASS BREAKING AND EVEN FURTHER DAMAGE TO THE PAINT AND BODY OF THE VEHICLE. TOYOTA HAS SHOWN A THEY CAN NOT BE TRUSTED TO FULFILL THEIR OBLIGATION TO NEW CAR CUSTOMERS.
Service brakes, Aug 29, 2018
RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF OF SAFETY RECALL FOR HIGHLANDER 2018 NHTSA RECALL NO 18V-211 VACUUM PUMP. CAR WAS TESTED AT DEALER ON JUN 13TH, AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE NEED THE REPAIR. VACUUM PUMP NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. REPLACEMENT PART WAS ORDERED BUT IT HAS NOT BEEN AVAILABLE, ITS BEEN 10 WEEKS. THE CAR PRESENTED FAILURE FOR THIS PROBLEM 4 WEEKS AGO. IT IS NOT LONGER SAFE TO DRIVE IT. TOYOTA HAS NOT PROVIDED AN ESTIMATE REPAIR DATE, CAR IS AT THE DEALERSHIP SINCE AUGUST 6TH.
Service brakes, Aug 23, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V211000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. PRICE TOYOTA (168 N DUPONT HWY, NEW CASTLE, DE 19720, (302) 322-8600) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Other or unspecified, Jul 29, 2018
I HAD JUST MADE A LEFT HAND TURN. I WASN'T GOING MORE THAN 40 MPH. I DIDN'T HAVE ANY CARS NEXT TO ME OR IN FRONT OF ME WHEN I HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION. I PULLED OVER BECAUSE I ASSUMED SOMETHING HIT MY CAR, BUT DIDN'T SEE ANY BODY DAMAGE. I STARTED DRIVING AGAIN AND COULD HEAR AIR COMING IN LIKE A WINDOW WAS DOWN WHEN I REALIZED IT WAS COMING FROM MY SUNROOF. I PULLED BACK THE SUN SHADE TO LOOK AT THE SUNROOF WHEN I SAW MY SUNROOF WAS SHATTERED. I PULLED OVER AGAIN TO LOOK AT IT AND DIDN'T SEE ANY ROCK OR OBJECT THAT WOULD HAVE BROKEN THE SUNROOF. THE SUNROOF HAD A HOLE AND THE GLASS WAS SOLDERED THROUGHOUT. IT ACTUALLY EXPLODED ON OWN.
Other or unspecified, Jul 20, 2018
THE BLIND SIDE MONITOR, BSM, ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DOES NOT WORK! IT DOES NOT CONSISTENTLY DETECT LARGE SEMI-TRUCKS, LARGE PICKUP TRUCKS, SOME SUV VEHICLES AND RANDOM CARS. THE BSM ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WORKS VERY WELL. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP THAT THIS IS HAPPENING TO 2018 COROLLA'S AND ALSO THE HIGHLANDER. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS SINCE THE SYSTEM DOES NOT SHOW A LARGE VEHICLE IN YOUR BLINDSPOT AS ADVERTISED AND COULD LEAD TO A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I PRESENTED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF TOYOTA VIDEO FILES SUBSTANTIATING BY CONCERNS AND THE IMMEDIATELY CALLED FOR A TOYOTA CORPORATION FTS WHO REQUESTED MY VEHICLE FOR THEIR REVIEW. THE SERVICE MANAGER STATED THAT THEY DID INDEED REPLICATE THE FAILURE MODE WITH THE TOYOTA CORPORATION REPRESENTATIVE BUT THE TOYOTA REPRESENTATIVE SAID THE SYSTEM IS WORKING AS DESIGNED! SO TOYOTA HAS A BSM THAT WILL NOT SENSE A SEMI-TRUCK IN YOUR BLIND SPOT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BUT WILL ON THE DRIVE SIDE. I PERCEIVE THAT TO BE A PROTECT TOYOTA LIABILITY RESPONSE NOT A SAFETY ISSUE FOCUS. I HAVE SEVERAL VIDEO FILES DOCUMENTING THE BSM NOT WORKING WHICH I WOULD BE WILLING TO SHARE. THE FILES ARE MOV FORMAT AND NOT A FORMAT LISTED AS UPLOAD ABLE IN YOUR SYSTEM. THE BSM MONITOR HAS NOT WORKED APPROPRIATELY SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE MARCH 8, 2018. THE DENIAL BY THE TOYOTA FTS WAS WEDNESDAY, JULY, 18, 2018.
Air bags, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Jul 9, 2018, crash
RECENTLY INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHEN GOING IN REVERSE. THE SRS ALARM MALFUNCTIONED AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE REVERSE BRAKING SYSTEM DID NOT INDICATED THAT I WAS CLOSE TO THE OBJECT.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Jul 2, 2018, crash
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. WE WERE INVOLVED IN A PILE UP ON INTERSTATE I-5 GOING AT LEAST 45MPH AND NOTICED THAT THE PRE-COLLISION SYSTEM THAT IS SO MUCH BEING ADVERTISED DID NOT WORK AT ALL. THERE WAS NO WARNING WHAT SO EVER AND DEFINITELY DID NOT BREAK ON IT'S OWN AS ADVERTISED. AT THE TIME OF THE HIT THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED A LITTLE TO LATE AT LEAST THE PASSENGER ONE WHERE I WAS SITTING. I AM AWARE THAT WE SHOULD NOT RELY ON THOSE ITEMS BUT I SURE WISH IT WOULD HAVE WORKED THE WAY IT WAS INTENDED TO DO SO.
Other or unspecified, Jun 28, 2018
ON JUNE 11, 2018 I WAS DRIVING MY 2018 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER (THAT WAS PURCHASED ON JANUARY 31, 2018) ON I-40 NEAR BURLINGTON, NC WHEN THE MOONROOF ON MY CAR SUDDENLY SHATTERED. I HAD THE VISOR CLOSED ON THE MOONROOF SO NO GLASS ENTERED THE CABIN. THE ENTIRE MOONROOF SHATTERED AND THERE WAS A HOLE TOWARDS THE REAR OF THE MOONROOF. IT WAS A CLEAR DAY AND THE PAVEMENT WAS LEVEL. I DID NOT SEE ANY OBJECTS FROM THE ROAD APPROACH MY CAR PRIOR TO THE MOONROOF SHATTERING. LATER THAT DAY I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MY CAR DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT IT LOOKED LIKE AN IMPACT HAD CAUSED THE MOONROOF TO SHATTER. I HAD THE MOONROOF REPAIRED BY THE DEALER AT A COST OF $968. I LEARNED FROM RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET THAT THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS INCIDENTS OF SHATTERING SUNROOFS/MOONROOFS INVOLVING MULTIPLE MANUFACTURERS. I REPORTED THE SITUATION TO TOYOTA'S NATIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER. I EXPRESSED MY CONCERN ABOUT HOW THE MOONROOF CAN SHATTER ON THE SUNROOF WHEN I DID NOT SEE ANYTHING THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED THAT TYPE OF DAMAGE AND THAT I WAS AWARE THAT TOYOTA AND OTHER MANUFACTURERS HAD EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH SUNROOFS/MOONROOFS. I PROVIDED PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE MOONROOF. AFTER INITIAL BEING TOLD THAT MY SITUATION WOULD BE HANDLED AT NO CHARGE TO ME, I WAS DIRECTED TO A CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE WHO I WAS TOLD WAS SPECIFICALLY ASSIGNED TO ADDRESS THESE TYPES OF CLAIMS. THAT REPRESENTATIVE ADVISED ME THAT THE MOONROOF SHATTERING WAS CAUSED BY AN "OUTSIDE INFLUENCE" AND THAT TOYOTA WAS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR FIXING THE MOONROOF. HE FURTHER ADVISED THAT THERE WAS NO "PROGRAM" IN EXISTENCE THAT WOULD ALLOW MY VERHICLE TO REPAIRED AT NO CHARGE TO ME. I ASKED THE REPRESENTATIVE IF TOYOTA'S POSITION WAS THAT THE MOONROOF WAS FUNCTIONING PROPERLY WHEN IT SHATTERED BASED ON SOME UNKNOWN AND UNDEFINED "OUTSIDE INFLUENCE" AND I WAS THAT IT WAS NOT THE CASE.
Air bags, Electronic stability control (ESC), Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 25, 2018
TOYOTA SINNE
Other or unspecified, Jun 17, 2018
I WAS DRIVING ON A ROAD WITH TWO LANES SOUTHBOUND. NO ONE WAS IN FRONT OF ME IN EITHER LANE. A CAR WAS IN THE PROCESS OF MAKING A RIGHT TURN FROM THE SHOULDER. IT WAS NOT ON THE HIGHWAY NOR WAS IT HEADED BACK TOWARD THE HIGHWAY. THE PRE-COLLISION SYSTEM ATTEMPTED TO BRING ME TO A SCREECHING HALT WITHOUT WARNING AND FOR NO APPARENT REASON. I SUDDENLY WENT FROM 65 MPH TO ABOUT 20 MPH. FORTUNATELY, THERE WAS NO ONE BEHIND ME. THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN AS SHOCKED AS I WAS BY THE ACTION OF MY VEHICLE AND PROBABLY WOULD HAVE REAR-ENDED ME.
Steering, Wheels, Jun 7, 2018
MY VEHICLE CANNOT BE ALIGNED. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITION. ESPECIALLY ON WET ROADS. TOYOTA HAS HAD 5 PLUS ATTEMPTS TO CORRECT THIS.VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN BY 2 TOYOTA HEADQUARTERS SPECIALIST. THEY DEEMED THE VEHICLE SAFE TO DRIVE. 48HRS AFTER IT WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP. THIS DEALERSHIP FOUND THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL TOE OUT SEVERELY. THEY CORRECTED THE MISALIGNMENT. AT LEAST ON PAPER THATS THE WAY IT LOOKED UNTIL ON MY WAY HOME FROM THE DEALERSHIP THIS VEHICLE PULLED ME INTO ON COMING TRAFFIC.
Vehicle speed control, May 22, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE PULLED IN FRONT OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE IN INCLEMENT WEATHER AND SPLASHED WATER ONTO THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CRUISE CONTROL MALFUNCTIONED AND THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER (PERUZZI TOYOTA, 2601 BETHLEHEM PIKE, HARTFIELD, PA) WAS CALLED AND A DIAGNOSTIC APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 12,000.
Other or unspecified, May 9, 2018
I BOUGHT A 2018 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER FROM A DEALERSHIP BRAND NEW APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH AGO. THE CAR HAS LESS THAN 1500 MILES ON IT. I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND MY REAR PASSENGER TIRE BLEW OUT. THERE IS A HOLE IN THE TIRE. THERE IS NO OBJECT IN THE TIRE AND I DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING THAT I RAN OVER. THERE IS NO DAMAGE TO THE BODY OR THE TIRE WELL.
Suspension, Wheels, Other or unspecified, May 1, 2018
TOOK MY 2018 HIGHLANDER TO HAVE THE 5000 MILE SERVICE DONE. UPON ENTERING THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT I SPOKE WITH ONE OF THE CERTIFIED TECHNICIANS. I TOLD HIM MY VEHICLES IS PULLING TO THE LEFT. THEY THEN DID A ALIGNMENT AND TIRE ROTATION. AFTER LEAVING MIKE WOOD TOYOTA OF UNIONTOWN I NOTICED THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOW PULLING TO THE RIGHT. WHEN I GOT HOME I EXAMINED THE TIRES CLOSELY ONLY TO NOTICE THE TIRES WERE CUPPED AND STARTING TO FEATHER OUT ON THE INNER AND OUTTER EDGES. I THEN SCHEDULED ANOTHER APPOINTMENT TWO DAYS LATER SHOWING THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT MY FINDINGS. THE SERVICE TECH GOT IN AND TOOK A RIDE WITH ME. HE ALSO DROVE MY 18 HIGHLANDER. HE OBSERVED MY VEHICLE PULLING AND THE CUPLING AND FEATHERING OF MY TIRES. HE STATED THAT THE TIRES SHOULD NOT HAVE DONE THAT IN 5000 MILES. I AM WAITING NOW TO SEE IF TOYOTA IS GOING TO REPLACE MY TIRES. OR IF THE TIRES ARE DEFECTIVE
Other or unspecified, Mar 22, 2018
PCS (PRE COLLISION SYSTEM) AND PEDESTRIAN DETECTION SYSTEM DO NOT FUNCTION AS ADVERTISED BY THE MANUFACTURE AND ASSURED BY THE DEALER. THERE IS NO INDICATION OR ANY EVIDENCE THAT SUCH A SYSTEM EXISTS IN THE CAR. THEREFORE, IT GIVES YOU A FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY.
Other or unspecified, Jan 27, 2018
I WAS TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY 78 BY STONE MOUNTAIN AND HEARD A LOUD BANG. THE CAR BEHIND ME SIGNALED TO ME TO STOP. HE SAID SOMETHING FLEW OFF MY CAR AND HIT HIS WINDSHIELD. I COULD NOT IMMEDIATELY FIGURE OUT WHAT HAD HAPPENED. I DECIDED TO LOOK AT THE SUNROOF AND DISCOVERED THAT IT HAD SHATTERED. THIS HAPPENED ABOUT 11:30 PM THE SAME DAY I BOUGHT THE CAR.