2018 Toyota Highlander Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
67/100
#6 most-complained of 16 Highlander years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2018 Toyota Highlander has a Complaint Index of 67 and ranks 6th worst out of 16 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Owners most often reported Transmission & Powertrain (25% of complaints) and Brakes (23%), with 4 recalls filed.
- Complaints
- 265
- Recalls
- 4
- Crashes / fires
- 23 / 1
- Injuries / deaths
- 25 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 22.5
- 20 city / 26.5 hwy
Top 2018 Toyota Highlander problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain65 (25%)
- Brakes60 (23%)
- Other43 (16%)
- Engine40 (15%)
- Fuel System36 (14%)
- Electrical System28 (11%)
- Airbags19 (7%)
- Structure & Body15 (6%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras10 (4%)
- Steering10 (4%)
What owners report
- Airbags failed to deploy in multiple frontal and side-impact crashes despite significant vehicle damage and injuries.
- The pre-collision system and automatic emergency braking reportedly failed to engage during stop-and-go traffic or highway slowdowns, leading to rear-end collisions.
- Owners describe the brake pedal pulsing and a brake warning light illuminating intermittently after repairs, as if the ABS system engaged unexpectedly.
- One owner reported the vehicle unexpectedly accelerating after shifting into Drive from a parking space.
- A low brake pressure warning reportedly locked the brakes and caused the vehicle to crash into a curb while backing up.
- One owner reported real-world fuel economy well below the advertised rating and poor traction control in light snow or rain.
2018 Toyota Highlander recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 20V682000Nov 4, 2020Fuel System1,525,742 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump
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.
Risk: If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
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. 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.
- NHTSA 20V012000Jan 13, 2020Fuel System1,830,752 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump
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.
Risk: If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
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. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 20TB02 and 20TA02 for Toyota vehicles and 20LB01 and 20LA01 for Lexus vehicles.
- NHTSA 18V211000Apr 3, 2018Brakes6,046 vehicles
Service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum
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.
Risk: A sudden loss of braking assist can increase the risk of a crash.
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. Toyota's numbers for this recall are J0K/JLD.
2018 Toyota Highlander fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 20 MPG
- Highway
- 26.5 MPG
- Combined
- 22.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,875
- 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 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2018 Toyota Highlander reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2018 Highlander a Complaint Index of 67, ranking it 6th worst among 16 model years, with a Caution verdict relative to other Highlander years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2018 Toyota Highlander?
- Owners most often filed complaints about Transmission & Powertrain (25% of complaints, median mileage 92,000) and Brakes (23% of complaints, median mileage 18,750).
- Does the 2018 Toyota Highlander have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2018 Highlander, covering the fuel pump assembly (two separate campaigns), a brake booster vacuum pump, and a labeling correction. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2018 Highlander compare to other years?
- The 2018 Highlander's Complaint Index of 67 is worse than years like 2016 (13) and 2014 (7), but better than 2021 (100) and 2019 (93), which are rated Avoid.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2018 Toyota Highlander?
- The EPA rates the 2018 Highlander at 22.5 mpg combined (20 city / 26.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,875.