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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

Visibility/wiper complaints

5 reports
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Mileage unknown · Dec 20, 2023
Visibility/wiper

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: Pilkington

NHTSA ODI #11561215

Mileage unknown · Mar 15, 2022
Unknown Or OtherVisibility/wiper

I was driving down the highway at 11:30am MST going between 55-60 mps and my sunroof just popped and broke. Nothing hit us, there were barely even any cars around us at the time. It spontaneously combusted. Providing screenshots of the video I took immediately after it happened. You can even see how the glass is bowed out instea…

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I was driving down the highway at 11:30am MST going between 55-60 mps and my sunroof just popped and broke. Nothing hit us, there were barely even any cars around us at the time. It spontaneously combusted. Providing screenshots of the video I took immediately after it happened. You can even see how the glass is bowed out instead of inward, if it were hit by something.

NHTSA ODI #11456817

38,000 miles · Aug 31, 2020
Visibility/wiper

THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED SPONTANEOUSLY AT TWO YEARS OLD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT EVEN MOVING AND NEVER GOT STRUCK WITH A STONE OR A VEHICLE DEBRIS. THE CRACK IS VERY CLEAN AND LINEA WITHOUT ANY DENT AND STARTS FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDSHIELD ALL THE WAY TO ONE-FOURTH OF THE HEIGHT OF THE WINDSHIELD ON THE PASSENGER FRONT SIDE. NU…

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THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED SPONTANEOUSLY AT TWO YEARS OLD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT EVEN MOVING AND NEVER GOT STRUCK WITH A STONE OR A VEHICLE DEBRIS. THE CRACK IS VERY CLEAN AND LINEA WITHOUT ANY DENT AND STARTS FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDSHIELD ALL THE WAY TO ONE-FOURTH OF THE HEIGHT OF THE WINDSHIELD ON THE PASSENGER FRONT SIDE. NUMEROUS COMPLAINT ABOUT THIS PROBLEM IS LOGGED IN A TOYOTA CUSTOMER COMPLAINT WEBSITE ABOUT THE TOYOTA HIGHLANDER FROM 2016-2018 HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. PLEASE TELL TOYOTA TO FIX THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #11352217

20,065 miles · Apr 19, 2020
Visibility/wiper

WIFE'S HIGHLANDER GOING BACK TO DEALERSHIP FOR THE SECOND TIME DUE TO WINDSHIELD WIPERS NOT WORKING

NHTSA ODI #11321569

6,437 miles · Jul 9, 2019
Visibility/wiper

SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODING PANORAMIC SUNROOF.I WAS DRIVING ON A TWO-LANE HIGHWAY ALONE ON THE ROAD MAY 31, 2019 AT APPROXIMATELY 4:30PM.I HAD MY SUNROOF COVER CLOSED AND WAS TRAVELING THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT OF 65 MPH WITH CRUISE CONTROL TURNED ON.I HEARD A VERY LOUD AND SHARP NOISE, I THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE A GUNSHOT.IT STARTLED ME QU…

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SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODING PANORAMIC SUNROOF.I WAS DRIVING ON A TWO-LANE HIGHWAY ALONE ON THE ROAD MAY 31, 2019 AT APPROXIMATELY 4:30PM.I HAD MY SUNROOF COVER CLOSED AND WAS TRAVELING THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT OF 65 MPH WITH CRUISE CONTROL TURNED ON.I HEARD A VERY LOUD AND SHARP NOISE, I THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE A GUNSHOT.IT STARTLED ME QUITE A BIT, I WAS LUCKY TO BE THE ONLY CAR ON THE ROAD BECAUSE IF I HAD BEEN IN TRAFFIC AND HAD SWERVED FROM THE SHOCK OF THE NOISE,I MIGHT HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT.I LOOKED AROUND AND CHECKED ALL OF MY WINDOWS, NONE WERE BROKEN.I THEN THOUGHT A TIRE HAD BLOWN, BUT I HAD NOT LOST ANY HANDLING, SO I CONTINUED ALONG THE HIGHWAY STILL WONDERING WHAT HAD HAPPENED.ABOUT 10 MINUTES LATER I WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, SURROUNDED BY OTHER CARS AND AGAIN HEARD A VERY LOUD AND SHARP GUNSHOT SOUNDING NOISE.I AGAIN LOOKED ALL AROUND MY CAR AND DID NOT SEE ANY DAMAGE.BUT AT THIS POINT I WAS SURE SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH MY CAR AND DECIDED TO PULL OVER AT THE NEXT SPOT TO GET OUT AND INSPECT MY CAR.WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND I DROVE AWAY FROM THE INTERSECTION, I HEARD A SOUND AKIN TO ICE CUBES IN A GLASS AND KNEW THAT IT WAS BROKEN GLASS.AGAIN, I COULDN'T SEE ANY DAMAGE.I PULLED OVER AND LOOKED AT THE ROOF OF MY CAR, THE REAR SUNROOF WAS SHATTERED INTO TINY PIECES LAYING ON THE SUNROOF COVER.I BELIEVE THE SUNROOF GLASS IS DEFECTIVE OR IMPROPERLY ENGINEERED AND FEEL IT IS A DANGER.THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP BLAMED IT ON A ROCK, BUT FROM THE ADDITIONAL RESEARCH I HAVE DONE, IT IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT AND THERE IS GROWING CONCERN SURROUNDING THE SAFETY OF THESE TYPES OF SUNROOFS IN ALL TYPES OF AUTOMOBILES.I FILED AN INSURANCE CLAIM TO COVER THE DAMAGE; BUT FEEL THAT TOYOTA SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE DAMAGE AND FEEL VERY ANXIOUS NOW DRIVING MY CAR.I DO NOT FEEL IT IS SAFE AND WORRY CONSTANTLY ABOUT THE GLASS SPONTANEOUSLY BREAKING AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI #11230390

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.