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2018 Toyota Highlander

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2018 Toyota Highlander do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 186.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

110 reports with mileage · 155 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 65 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes. Review the 53 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 33 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

23 crash reports1 fire reports15 injury reports

Suspension complaints

6 reports
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101,000 miles · Jun 25, 2026
StructureSuspension

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 v…

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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 was later driven to a local tire and battery service center who inspected the vehicle and informed the owner that the front control arms were rusted and needed to be replaced, and that the front axle was cracked. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The daughter was informed that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 101,000.

NHTSA ODI #11746490

Mileage unknown · May 12, 2023
Suspension

UNKNOWN, squeaking in rear when going over bumps and uneven roads

NHTSA ODI #11521784

25,000 miles · Jan 30, 2020
Electronic Stability Control (esc)SuspensionUnknown Or OtherInjury

VEHICLE WAS IN PARK AND ROLLED. IT PICKED UP SPEED AS IT CONTINUED TO ROLL AND THERE WEREN'T ANY OCCUPANT. THIS TOOK PLACE IN A DRIVEWAY. THE VEHICLE ROLLS WHILE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IS ON ALLL THE TIME AS WELL.

NHTSA ODI #11303022

Mileage unknown · Jul 14, 2019
Suspension

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 PROBLEM

NHTSA ODI #11231682

15,000 miles · Apr 22, 2019
Power TrainStructureSuspension

WHEN HIT BREAKS HARD... I HEAR A BANG/NOISE FROM REAR OF MY HIGHLANGER. ( DEALERSHIP ADMIT THIS IS ABNORMAL SOUND BUT THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT). TRANSMISSION SHIFT ROUGHLY, NOT SMOOTH SHIFTING. IF CAR IS IN DRIVE AND IM HOLDING BREAKS CAR REAR STARTS MAKING BANGING NOISE N START SHAKING. SO FAR MY CAR HAS ONLY 20K MILES O…

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WHEN HIT BREAKS HARD... I HEAR A BANG/NOISE FROM REAR OF MY HIGHLANGER. ( DEALERSHIP ADMIT THIS IS ABNORMAL SOUND BUT THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT). TRANSMISSION SHIFT ROUGHLY, NOT SMOOTH SHIFTING. IF CAR IS IN DRIVE AND IM HOLDING BREAKS CAR REAR STARTS MAKING BANGING NOISE N START SHAKING. SO FAR MY CAR HAS ONLY 20K MILES ON IT . SUSPENSION IS PRETTY STIFF DOESN'T HELP WHILE DRIVING OVER POST HOLES.

NHTSA ODI #11202999

5,076 miles · May 1, 2018
SuspensionUnknown Or OtherWheels

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 R…

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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

NHTSA ODI #11091212

Official recalls

4

20V682000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

Nov 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

20V012000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

Jan 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

18V211000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum

Apr 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

17V831000 · Equipment:other:labels

Dec 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."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An incorrect load information label can result in the operator overloading the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.