YearToAvoid

2018 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

60/100

#9 most-complained of 21 Highlander Hybrid years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2018 Toyota Highlander Hybrid has 5 owner complaints and 0 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 60 out of 100 — #9 highest of 21 Highlander Hybrid model years (verdict: Caution). The most reported problem area is brakes (1 complaints, 20% of the total). Complaints report 1 crash and 1 fire.

Complaints
5
Recalls
0
Crashes / fires
1 / 1
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
28.5
29.5 city / 27.5 hwy

Top 2018 Toyota Highlander Hybrid problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Other2 (40%)
  2. Brakes1 (20%)
  3. Engine1 (20%)
  4. Fuel System1 (20%)
  5. Structure & Body1 (20%)
  6. Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (20%)
2018 Toyota Highlander Hybrid complaints: complaints filed per month4Jul 2018Sep 2018Nov 2018Nov 2022
7 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jul 2018 to Nov 2022; peak Jul 2018 (4).

2018 Toyota Highlander Hybrid recalls

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

2018 Toyota Highlander Hybrid fuel economy and fuel cost

City
29.5 MPG
Highway
27.5 MPG
Combined
28.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,275
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2018 compared with other Highlander Hybrid years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2016Caution506028
2017No verdict203228.5
2018Caution605028.5
2019Good406028.5
2020Caution659435

All Toyota Highlander Hybrid years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2018 Toyota Highlander Hybrid a reliable year?
Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2018 Toyota Highlander Hybrid ranks #9 of 21 among Highlander Hybrid model years (Complaint Index 60/100, verdict: Caution). It has 5 complaints and 0 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Toyota Highlander Hybrid?
The most reported problem areas are brakes (1 complaints), engine (1 complaints), and fuel system (1 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 850 miles.
Does the 2018 Toyota Highlander Hybrid have any recalls?
No safety recall campaigns list the 2018 Toyota Highlander Hybrid in NHTSA’s recall database at the time of the last data update.
What is the fuel economy of the 2018 Toyota Highlander Hybrid?
EPA rates the 2018 Toyota Highlander Hybrid at 28.5 MPG combined (29.5 city / 27.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,275. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.