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2018 Toyota Highlander Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 269 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Toyota Highlander, most often about the transmission (26% of complaints, typically around 92,000 miles). It is 9th of 26 Highlander model years by number of complaints and has 4 recalls.
Most common 2018 Toyota Highlander problems
Transmission
69 complaints · 26%Half of these problems showed up before 92,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving uphill and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle decelerated and rolled backwards unexpectedly. An independent mechanic was contacted. The vehicle was inspected by a mechanic friend and diagnosed with transmission failure. The…
The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was idling roughly with an abnormal sound. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with…
Brakes
58 complaints · 22%Half of these problems showed up before 16,500 miles.
Our Toyota Highlander started showing symptoms of "soft brake pedal" in 4.2019 - nothing was found on diagnostic at dealership. Symptoms of "soft brake pedal continued to happen. Vehicle went into dealership again in 7.2019 and was diagnosed w/master cylinder brake fitting loose - fitting tightened and brake system…
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…
Other or unspecified
44 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 10,000 miles.
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…
Early today, 3/21/19, was alerted that my hatchback was open. The car had been locked for several hours, but when I came outside I was told by a friend that the hatch had just opened on it's own. About an hour later, I was driving after dark and received a blindside mirror alert--the closest car was at least two car…
Fuel system
36 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 27,000 miles. Parts named most often: delivery.
The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Highlander. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20v012000 (fuel system, gasoline) however, the part to do the repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. An unknown dealer…
The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that upon making a complete stop, the vehicle hesitated to move forward when depressing the accelerator. The failure occurred intermittently without warning. The contact then received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20v012000 (fuel system, gasoline).…
Engine
34 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 15,000 miles.
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…
My car is only 2years but I found oil are leaking. I had check up at local body shop and they found out that oil leaks vacuum pump so I need to replace.
Electrical
24 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 15,000 miles.
Issues with hands-free device working intermittently. Phone being used is iphone 11 max and when connected it seems that radio and hands free will go off until they reboot themselves.
Early today, 3/21/19, was alerted that my hatchback was open. The car had been locked for several hours, but when I came outside I was told by a friend that the hatch had just opened on it's own. About an hour later, I was driving after dark and received a blindside mirror alert--the closest car was at least two car…
Air bags
19 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 21,000 miles.
Slammed on the breaks and the car kept going and crashed into another car infront of me. There was at least 300 feet distance from the time I slammed on the breaks till the crash. I was going on highway about 50 MPH.
I was involved in a motor vehicle accident on 1/28/20 where I sustained a direct, front impact collision, and the airbags failed to deploy. I was in motion on a city street, accelerating forward through a green-lit intersection when a large dodge ram truck turned in front of me causing our vehicles to collide. The…
Body and structure
12 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 22,500 miles. Parts named most often: body.
I was involved in a motor vehicle accident on 1/28/20 where I sustained a direct, front impact collision, and the airbags failed to deploy. I was in motion on a city street, accelerating forward through a green-lit intersection when a large dodge ram truck turned in front of me causing our vehicles to collide. The…
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.…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
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. 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
Full defect 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. 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.
Full defect 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
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. 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.
Full defect 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. 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.
Full defect 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."
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2018 Toyota Highlander
- What are the most common problems with the 2018 Toyota Highlander?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: transmission (69 complaints, typically around 92,000 miles); brakes (58 complaints, typically around 16,500 miles); other or unspecified (44 complaints, typically around 10,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2018 Toyota Highlander have?
- 4 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from November 4, 2020 (fuel system). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2018 a bad year for the Toyota Highlander?
- It is 9th of 26 Highlander model years by number of complaints, with 269 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.