2018 Toyota Highlander Fuel System Problems
NHTSA lists 36 Fuel System complaints for the 2018 Toyota Highlander, 14% of its 265 total complaints for the year. Two related recalls (20V012000 and 20V682000) cover fuel pump failure, and the median mileage at failure among reported cases is 27,000 miles.
- Fuel System complaints
- 36
- 14% of 265
- Crashes reported
- 1
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 0
- Median mileage
- 27,000 mi
- Related recalls
- 2
Typical fuel system symptoms owners report
- Owners report the low-pressure fuel pump failing inside the tank, sometimes causing rough idling and an illuminated warning light before the engine stalls.
- Several owners describe the engine losing power or shutting off briefly while driving, with the dashboard and radio going blank momentarily.
- Multiple complaints describe long waits for recall parts, with owners saying no fuel pump replacement was available at the dealer for an extended period.
- One owner reported a crash after the vehicle unexpectedly slid, tying it to loss of control related to the fuel system complaint.
- A separate complaint describes fuel surging back out of the filler neck during refueling at multiple gas stations.
When 2018 Toyota Highlander fuel system complaints were filed
First complaint Jun 25, 2018, latest Jul 10, 2026.
Fuel System recalls for the 2018 Toyota Highlander
- 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.
Fuel System complaints by Highlander model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- Does the 2018 Toyota Highlander have a fuel pump recall?
- Yes. NHTSA lists two related recalls, campaign 20V012000 and campaign 20V682000, both covering fuel pump replacement on the Fuel System.
- How common are fuel system complaints for the 2018 Highlander?
- NHTSA records 36 Fuel System complaints for the 2018 Highlander, which is 14% of the 265 total complaints filed for that model year.
- At what mileage do fuel system problems typically show up?
- Among reported cases, the median mileage at failure is 27,000 miles.
- Were there any crashes or fires linked to the fuel system complaints?
- NHTSA data shows 1 crash and 0 fires among the 36 Fuel System complaints for the 2018 Highlander.