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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

265 reports
9,900 miles · Aug 15, 2019
Unknown Or Other

WHILE DRIVING INTO GRAND TETON NP OUR HIGHLANDER'S SUNROOF EXPLODED LOUDLY IN WHAT APPEARED TO BE A SPONTANEOUS FASHION. NO SIGN OF A ROCK OR OTHER ROAD DEBRIS WAS SEEN OR FOUND. FORTUNATELY, OUR SUN SHADE WAS CLOSED AND WE WERE NOT SHOWERED WITH GLASS. WE WERE TRAVELING ABOUT 45MPH AND THE WEATHER WAS SUNNY AND MILD AT ABOUT 68…

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WHILE DRIVING INTO GRAND TETON NP OUR HIGHLANDER'S SUNROOF EXPLODED LOUDLY IN WHAT APPEARED TO BE A SPONTANEOUS FASHION. NO SIGN OF A ROCK OR OTHER ROAD DEBRIS WAS SEEN OR FOUND. FORTUNATELY, OUR SUN SHADE WAS CLOSED AND WE WERE NOT SHOWERED WITH GLASS. WE WERE TRAVELING ABOUT 45MPH AND THE WEATHER WAS SUNNY AND MILD AT ABOUT 68 DEGREES.

NHTSA ODI #11244138

16,000 miles · Aug 7, 2019
Power TrainSteering

STEERING WHEEL LEATHER IS PEELING AND CAUSING ISSUES WITH GRIP. HAVE A 5 YEAR OLD AND FEEL VERY UNSAFE DRIVING OUR HIGHLANDER WITH 20K ON IT THAT TOYOTA CLAIMS IS COSMETIC ISSUE. TRANSMISSION SHUDDERS VERY BADLY GOING UP HILLS AND ALMOST STALLS OUT.

NHTSA ODI #11242252

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

3,450 miles · Jul 11, 2019
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* 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 ACCELERATED FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CONICELLI TOYOTA (…

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TL* 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 ACCELERATED FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CONICELLI TOYOTA (550 W. RIDGE PIKE, CONSHOHOCKEN, PA) ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, BUT NO FAILURE WAS FOUND. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,450. *AS THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER 6 TIMES FOR THE SAME DEFECT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11230971

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

14,800 miles · May 27, 2019
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control

APON ACCESLARATION , CAR HESITATE FOR A FEW SECOND, RPM GOES TO 5000 UNTIL VEHICLE SLOWLY START TO MOVE. FEELS LIKEW THER IS NO PROPER SYNCH BETWEEN ENGING AND TRANSMISSION. DANGEROUS WHEN PASSING OR AVOIDING A VEHICLE AHEAD OF YOU. THE SAME ISSUE WHILE USING THE CRUSE CONTROL, IT JUMPS FROM A FEW RPMS TO 5K + THAT ALWAYS I HA…

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APON ACCESLARATION , CAR HESITATE FOR A FEW SECOND, RPM GOES TO 5000 UNTIL VEHICLE SLOWLY START TO MOVE. FEELS LIKEW THER IS NO PROPER SYNCH BETWEEN ENGING AND TRANSMISSION. DANGEROUS WHEN PASSING OR AVOIDING A VEHICLE AHEAD OF YOU. THE SAME ISSUE WHILE USING THE CRUSE CONTROL, IT JUMPS FROM A FEW RPMS TO 5K + THAT ALWAYS I HAVE TO BRAKE TO AVID RAMMING A CAR AHEAD OF ME. BRAKES GET SOF THAT I HAVE TO PUMP IT A FEW TIMES. MILEAGE IS 1780 MILES.

NHTSA ODI #11210159

25 miles · May 21, 2019
Air Bags

AND LIGHT STAY BLINKING

NHTSA ODI #11209035

16,500 miles · May 16, 2019
Unknown Or Other

MUSTY SMELL IN THE VEHICLE SINCE NOVEMBER OF 2018, VEHICLE BROUGHT TO DEALERSHIP EARLY APRIL 2019 WITH NO RESOLUTION. VEHICLE RETURNED TO DEALERSHIP EARLY MAY 2019. WATER FOUND UNDER PASSENGER CARPET ALONG WITH MOLD. ADVISED BY TOYOTA NO DEFECTIVE PARTS AND THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO.

NHTSA ODI #11208119

16,000 miles · May 3, 2019
Service BrakesCrash

THE PRE-COLLISION SYSTEM FAILED TO ASSIST IN AVOIDING AN ACCIDENT WHEN THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME STOPPED SUDDENLY IN TRAFFIC ON A HIGHWAY. SINCE THE REPAIR, THE BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT ON THE SPEEDOMETER SIDE OF THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATES AND THE BRAKE PEDAL PULSES AS IF THE ABS SYSTEM IS ENGAGING. ONC…

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THE PRE-COLLISION SYSTEM FAILED TO ASSIST IN AVOIDING AN ACCIDENT WHEN THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME STOPPED SUDDENLY IN TRAFFIC ON A HIGHWAY. SINCE THE REPAIR, THE BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT ON THE SPEEDOMETER SIDE OF THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATES AND THE BRAKE PEDAL PULSES AS IF THE ABS SYSTEM IS ENGAGING. ONCE IT STOPPED ME SUDDENLY WHILE DRIVING DOWN A BUSY CITY STREET. WENT FROM 35 TO 0 VERY SUDDENLY. I HAVE TAKEN THIS TO 2 DEALERS AND THEY SAY THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. THE SYSTEM DOES NOT INDICATE AN ERROR EVEN THOUGH THE LIGHT IS ON AND THEY TESTED WHILE IT WAS ON. I CAN RECREATE THE ISSUE BY ACCELERATING QUICKLY WHILE TURNING LEFT. SOMETIMES IT HAPPENS WHEN GOING STRAIGHT, BUT THE ONLY WAY TO GUARANTEE IT WILL HAPPEN IS TO TURN AND ACCELERATE QUICKLY. NEITHER OF THE 2 DEALERS I HAVE TAKEN IT TO HAVE FOUND THE ISSUE AND TOYOTA CUSTOMER CARE STOPPED CALLING ME BACK.

NHTSA ODI #11205430

23,161 miles · Apr 25, 2019
Structure

JANUARY 22, 2019 WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE THE PANORAMIC SUNROOF GLASS EXPLODED IN MY CAR. SOUNDED LIKE A SHOTGUN WHEN OFF AND THE PRESSURE I FELT IN MY BACK, I THOUGHT I GOT SHOT. GLASS TOTALLY BLEW OUT OF THE CAR WITH ONLY A COUPLE INCHES LEFT AROUND THE SIDES. NO ROCKS OR ANYTHING HIT IT. FIL…

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JANUARY 22, 2019 WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE THE PANORAMIC SUNROOF GLASS EXPLODED IN MY CAR. SOUNDED LIKE A SHOTGUN WHEN OFF AND THE PRESSURE I FELT IN MY BACK, I THOUGHT I GOT SHOT. GLASS TOTALLY BLEW OUT OF THE CAR WITH ONLY A COUPLE INCHES LEFT AROUND THE SIDES. NO ROCKS OR ANYTHING HIT IT. FILED A POLICE REPORT.

NHTSA ODI #11203750

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.