About average for the Highlander
Owners filed about as many complaints as a typical Highlander year. The main thing to watch is the transmission and drivetrain, which half of owners reported by about 92,000 miles.
Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Highlander years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
Owners have filed 275 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Toyota Highlander. The most reported problem area is the transmission and drivetrain (74, 27% of complaints), followed by the brakes and stability control and the engine and cooling. That ranks 4th of 13 Highlander years from 2012 to 2024 for complaints. It has 5 recalls.
5 of these complaints came from Utah owners.
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Start my car searchMost reported problems
Problem areas ranked by how many complaints mention them. One complaint can name more than one area. Open an area to see what to check on a 2018 Toyota Highlander before you buy.
Transmission and drivetrain
74 complaintsHarsh or delayed shifts, slipping, shuddering, CVT whine, and drivetrain clunks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 92,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
- Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
- Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
- If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.
Tools that help
What owners said
The transmission started whining over the summer and has been gradually getting worse. I took it in and was told it needed a new transmission. The vehicle just has 72,000 miles on it and the whine started around 67,000 miles. From my research, this appears to be a known issue with Toyota. If the transmission goes out while I’m driving I…Owner complaint, filed 2026
My 2018 Toyota Highlander AWD (75,000 miles) was diagnosed with internal transmission failure on its UA80F 8-speed automatic transmission. The diagnosis confirmed fluid shear and internal metal wear requiring a $9,000+ replacement. The UA80 series is subject to Toyota TSB T-SB-0160-18 and Customer Support Program ZJC for factory assembly…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Brakes and stability control
60 complaintsBrakes that feel soft or grab, grinding, ABS and stability control faults.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 19,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
- The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
- Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.
Tools that help
What owners said
The brakes are very soft and unreliable. There is a recall #18V-211 dated April 2,2018. This recall did not include this specific car but the car was manufactured within a few days of the recall. After Toyota failed to repair the problem I took the car to a a private auto repair shop who replaced the Vacuum Pump. The brakes now work as…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Car will not start due to message that says "Braking Power Low. Stop in a Safe Place" There have been recalls on 2018 Highlanders for the brake vacuum pump but it is not listed for my particular vehicleOwner complaint, filed 2025
Engine and cooling
36 complaintsStalling, misfires, oil consumption, leaks, overheating and engine failure.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 15,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
- Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
- Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
- Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.
Tools that help
What owners said
Engine cam tower oil leak due to the manufacturer's inadequate assembly of the engine parts. The mating surfaces were not adequately prepared and/or application of a contaminated sealant did not adhere to the surfaces creating a small oil leak that eventually became larger and finally noticed. The Car Care Nut automotive shop performed…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Wife was driving and out of nowhere axle to the transfer case broke leaving her stranded in the middle of the road. Seems like transmission had been a common issue in these vehicles around the same yearOwner complaint, filed 2024
Fuel system
36 complaintsHesitation, stalling, fuel smell, fuel pump and injector failures.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 27,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
- On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
- Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
I just found out that there was an initial recall #20V012000 and an expanded recall #20V682000 on my 2018 Toyota Highlander that I was unaware of regarding the low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank could fail risking engine stalling and potential crash. I found this out after paying 1100.00 to Sheehy Toyota in Fredericksburg to…Owner complaint, filed 2025
The fuel pump system is malfunctioning. This vehicle needs to be part of the current recall on 2018 Highlanders with fuel pump issues. This is putting me and my family at risk, as well as others. The code is coming back to the fuel pump. The check engine light is currently on.Owner complaint, filed 2025
Electrical system
24 complaintsDead batteries, warning lights, failed screens and cameras, and electrical shorts.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 15,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
- Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
- Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.
Tools that help
What owners said
I bought my car used. Only had it for 3years and already had to replace the battery twice. Once I was stopped at light turning left, yield to oncoming traffic, since my foot was on brakes battery just dyed in middle of light, police had to come made sure I didn't get hit. 2nd time car cut off at McDonald's drive thru and battery went…Owner complaint, filed 2023
1.) Bluetooth connects without issue to iPhone (for both media and phone) however during a phone call (incoming/outgoing) the car system will drop the call after about 2 mins of talk time. The phone then disconnects from the car & will only re-pair once the system restarts. 2. ) The safety hazard is due to distracted, hands required…Owner complaint, filed 2021
Air bags
19 complaintsAir bag warning lights, air bags that did not deploy, and inflator recalls.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 21,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
- Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owned a 2018 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, occupied with her children in the rear passenger seats, the contact was attempting to merge onto the intersection, and a state trooper failed to yield at 55-60 MPH vehicle crashed into the front driver's side of the vehicle, causing the whole…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 140,000 miles
Was hit in the side in passenger door, which pushed my car off the road and hit a tree head on going approximately 40 mph. NO Airbags deployed anywhere in the car. I took pictures of entire interior and also a video showing no airbag deployment. Police, fire and first responders and completely shocked that no airbags deployed. Injuries…Owner complaint, filed 2023
Body, doors and structure
13 complaintsRust, doors and liftgates that will not latch, leaks, and frame or structure concerns.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 23,000 miles. Parts named most: Body (10).
What to check before you buy
- Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
- Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
- Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.
Tools that help
What owners said
I purchase a 2018 Toyota Highlander in 2021. The vehicle had just over 8000 miles when purchased. The vehicle had manufacturers warranty but I purchased additional extended warranty in addition. I can review and find the dates but I don’t have it at the time I’m filling out this form. In any case, there was an issue with the passenger…Owner complaint, filed 2026
On 11/22/2025, We were done shopping and when we tried to open the trunk it made weird squeaky sounds and we tried to close it but it suddenly self destructed. There was a loud noise and it shattered instantly and there was glass everywhere.Owner complaint, filed 2025
Driver assist systems
12 complaintsPhantom braking, false collision warnings, and lane keeping or backup sensors that act up.What to check before you buy
Parts named most: Automatic emergency braking (7).
What to check before you buy
- Where it is safe, try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive and watch for sudden braking or warnings with nothing there.
- Check the windshield in front of the camera and the bumper sensors for cracks, chips or poor repairs.
- Ask whether the windshield has been replaced. The camera has to be recalibrated afterward, and many shops skip it.
Tools that help
What owners said
The Pre-Collision System (PCS) failed to engage the automatic emergency braking during a stop-and-go traffic, thereby, resulting in rear-ending the vehicle ahead of our 2018 Highlander Limited vehicle. Our Highlander was at a complete stop, then when the traffic moved slowly forward, we too started moving forward but didn't realize the…Owner complaint, filed 2026
On a trip to NC on June 27 2024, then on to Hilton Head SC on 6/29, multiple system warning lights suddenly appeared on the dash including ABS, Lane Departure Warning, BSM, notifying me that those safety features were not available on the vehicle. Sometimes the the lights would disappear, especially if the vehicle was stopped and the…Owner complaint, filed 2024
Lights, wipers and visibility
11 complaintsHeadlights that dim or fail, wiper and washer failures, and windshield cracks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 16,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
- Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving at 58 MPH, there was an abnormal popping sound coming from the sunroof, and it was discovered that the sunroof glass had shattered. Neither an independent mechanic nor a dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 165,000 miles
The windshield has warps and creates blurry vision. Glass has been replaced 3 times so far from Toyota Dealership and issue continues to be there. Car has been in service for a month now. Glass manufacturer: PilkingtonOwner complaint, filed 2023
Steering
10 complaintsLoss of power steering assist, wandering, play in the wheel and noises when turning.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
- On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
- A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the steering wheel inadvertently locked. The warning message "ETS Failure - Steering Will Be Harder to Steer" appeared on the instrument panel. The contact stated he forcefully steered the steering wheel and veered to the side of the road. The contact…Owner complaint, filed 2021, at 1,000 miles
First symptom I noticed was the car smell while it was running. I used a device to see what codes of any would pop up on a scan. It came up with codes tying into the fuel system. I then went to go fill up on gas couple days later and when going to start it back up it wouldn’t start. When it did start it would say engine losing power or…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Cruise control and acceleration
9 complaintsHesitation, loss of power, sudden acceleration and cruise control problems.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 15,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
- Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2018 toyota highlander. While driving various speeds and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle would not immediately respond. Approximately two seconds after depressing the accelerator pedal, the engine revved and the vehicle abruptly [VIN] forward. The vehicle was taken to conicelli toyota (550 w. Ridge pike…Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 3,450 miles
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…Owner complaint, filed 2018, at 12,000 miles
Suspension
6 complaintsClunks over bumps, broken springs, worn struts and uneven tire wear.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
- Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
- Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.
Tools that help
What owners said
Last year 02/22/2018 /3,168 miles, I hear a bang/noise from rear of my highlander road rough only they fixed. This year 07/102019 /12,780 miles same problemOwner complaint, filed 2019
The contact’s daughter owns a 2018 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, there was a clunking sound coming from the front driver’s side of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, and the owner was informed that the struts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 101,000 miles
Seats and seat belts
5 complaintsBelts that will not latch or retract, seat adjusters and passenger occupancy sensors.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
- Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.
Tools that help
What owners said
Driver side seat belt is difficult to pull out and often does not retract properly. This is a safety issue for the driver. Issue has been seen by local Toyota dealer who can confirm the problem. Stated that it will require a $500 repair, replacing the entire retractable unit of the driver side seatbelt system.Owner complaint, filed 2024
I contacted toyota and complained about the seat as it gave instant pain in the spine and neck and very hard to drive sitting on the drivers or driver side passenger seat. Being too curvey is neither agronomic for any standard size human being nor allows any rest to the backbone. The headrest is very tilted forward, which strains the…Owner complaint, filed 2020
Wheels and tires
5 complaintsTire failures, wheels and lug nuts, and tire pressure sensor faults.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
- Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
- The tire pressure light should go out after startup.
Tools that help
What owners said
These are Toyo Open Country P245/55 R19 tires that have been on my car from 10/23/2020 to now and have 54,600 miles on them. Remaining tire tread depth on this tire was measured using a machinists rule at 6/32" or 4.5 mm deep. The drivers front tire looked fine on my car during a general pre-inspection I did at 6:45 AM as I loaded the…Owner complaint, filed 2023
Michelin tires defective traction. Toyota and michelin refuses to help with defective tires. Monro muffler deemed tires unsafe.Owner complaint, filed 2019
Toyota Highlander complaints by year
Compare the 2018 with other years before you choose one. Tap a year to see its problems.
Compare with similar 2018 midsize SUVs
Each car is rated against its own other years, since popular models always get more complaints than rare ones.
| Car | Vs. its other years | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 Toyota Highlander | About average | 5 |
| 2018 Honda Pilot | About average | 7 |
| 2018 Ford Explorer | One of the better years | 7 |
| 2018 Chevrolet Traverse | Worse than most years | 2 |
2018 Toyota Highlander recalls
Fuel system Fuel pump
- Risk
- If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly with an improved one, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
Fuel system Fuel pump
- Risk
- If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
Electrical system
- Risk
- The ECM damage may result in the engine stalling, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall summary
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).
Brakes Vacuum
- Risk
- A sudden loss of braking assist can increase the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake booster vacuum pump, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
Equipment Labels
- Risk
- An incorrect load information label can result in the operator overloading the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Toyota will notify owners and provide them with corrected labels, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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."
2018 Toyota Highlander questions
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Toyota Highlander?
The most reported problem areas on the 2018 Toyota Highlander are the transmission and drivetrain (74 complaints), the brakes and stability control (60 complaints) and the engine and cooling (36 complaints).
Is the 2018 Toyota Highlander a good year to buy?
About average for the Highlander. Owners filed about as many complaints as a typical Highlander year. The main thing to watch is the transmission and drivetrain, which half of owners reported by about 92,000 miles. Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Highlander years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
How many recalls does the 2018 Toyota Highlander have?
NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2018 Toyota Highlander. The most recent, from Nov 2020, covers the fuel pump. Recalls cover the whole model year, so check the VIN of the car you are looking at to see which are still open.
At what mileage do 2018 Toyota Highlander problems start?
Half of the owners who reported a problem with the transmission and drivetrain gave a mileage of about 92,000 miles or less. Half of the owners who reported a problem with the brakes and stability control gave a mileage of about 19,000 miles or less. Plenty of cars have these problems later or never, so ask for service records.
Which Toyota Highlander years should I avoid?
The Highlander years with the most complaints compared with the rest are 2019 and 2021. Years with clearly fewer complaints are 2014 and 2016. Years from 2022 on are too new to rate fairly yet.
Check the exact car
These problems are for the model year as a whole. Here is how to find out about the one you are looking at.
Looking at a 2018 Toyota Highlander?
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