Third generation (XU50)
2018 Toyota Highlander
The most reported problem on the 2018 Toyota Highlander is brake wear, with 58 complaints, usually around 27,000 miles.
- 266owner complaints
- 5recalls
- 23involved a crash
- 29,000median miles at failure
Newest report Sep 27, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
What is your Highlander doing?
Each one opens a sheet built from the owner reports of that problem on the 2018 model year.
Is the 2018 Toyota Highlander reliable?
The 2018 Toyota Highlander has 266 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, close to the median of 331 for 2018 SUVs on this site. Of the 12 Highlander model years since 2014, it has the 5th most complaints. Complaint counts rise with sales as well as faults, so read what owners report below before deciding.
At a glance
- Next to the 2017 and 2019
- At 30 complaints for each year on the road, the 2018 runs close to the 2017 (27) and well under the 2019 (61).
- Top problem
- Brake wear leads with 58 of the 266 complaints (22%), ahead of stalling at 25. A quarter of the 27 owners who gave a mileage for brake wear saw it by about 13,000 miles, and half by about 27,000.
- Crash, fire and injury reports
- 26 of the 266 complaints (10%) report a crash, a fire or an injury. The typical vehicle on this site sits at 6%, so this one runs well above it. Counted separately (one report can carry more than one), 23 reports mention a crash, 1 mentions a fire and 25 people were hurt. The most crash reports, 15 of 23, fall under airbag.
- Recalls behind the top problems
- Brake wear has a recall on the same system (18V-211). Stalling has none. A recall on the same system doesn't always cover the failure owners describe, so compare its summary with the complaints.
- When owners filed
- Filings peaked in 2020 at 46 (full calendar years only). In 2025 there were 24. So far in 2026, 42 more have come in.
When each problem shows up
Each bar covers the middle half of the mileages owners reported for that problem. A quarter saw it earlier, a quarter later. The tick is the median. Most reported: brakes grind, pulse or wear early, 58 complaints.
middle half of reports, median tick. The heavier grey bars have 75 or more reports.
Behind you
Around your mileage
Ahead of you
How this compares
266 complaints is about the median for a 2018 model on this site and 1.2 times fewer than the median 2018 SUV. Among the 11 Highlander model years here it ranks 5th for complaints. Counts follow sales volume as much as reliability, so a truck that sells 700,000 a year draws more reports than a sedan that sells 200,000.
Service bulletins for the 2018 Toyota Highlander
Toyota filed 253 bulletins and other notices with NHTSA that list the 2018 Toyota Highlander. 26 of them deal with a problem owners have reported on this car. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 3 bulletins · 58 complaints
TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions.
Some 2014 ? 2019 model year Highlander vehicles may exhibit a vibration from the front brakes during light application of the brake pedal at highway speeds. Follow the Repair Procedure in this bulletin to address this condition.
1 more on this problem
Some 2015 ? 2018 model year Toyota vehicles may exhibit brake vibration due to improper lug nut torque. Brake vibration can occur at any time if improper torque is applied to lug nuts. Even one lug nut over or under torqued can cause vibration.
Airbag warning light or recall 1 bulletin · 19 complaints
Some 2005 ? 2022 model year Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty smell is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition.
Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 5 bulletins · 15 complaints
Some 2017 ? 2018 model year Highlander and Sienna vehicles may exhibit a whine noise while driving, a harsh shift, MIL ON, or reduced power.
Customer Support Program Bulletin: Toyota has received reports indicating potential symptoms, such as a whine noise from the transmission while driving, harsh shifting, reduced power, and master warning light/check engine light illumination, in the subject ...
3 more on this problem
Region Email: Toyota has received reports about potential symptoms, such as a whine noise from the transmission while driving, harsh shifting, reduced power, and master warning light/check engine light illumination, in the subject vehicles that are equipped ...
Dealer Email: Toyota has received reports about potential symptoms, such as a whine noise from the transmission while driving, harsh shifting, reduced power, and master warning light/check engine light illumination, in the subject vehicles that are equipped ...
Dealer Packet: Toyota has received reports about potential symptoms, such as a whine noise from the transmission while driving, harsh shifting, reduced power, and master warning light/check engine light illumination, in the subject vehicles that are equipped ...
Check engine light or misfire 2 bulletins · 11 complaints
Some 2017 ? 2019 model year Highlander HV vehicles may exhibit a MIL ON condition with one or more of the following Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs): ? P0301 ? Cylinder 1 Misfire Detected ? P0302 ? Cylinder 2 Misfire Detected ? P0303 ? Cylinder 3 Misfire ...
Some 2014 ? 2018 model year Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles may exhibit one or more of the following conditions.
Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 7 bulletins · 11 complaints
Some customers may experience echoing on the line calling the vehicle when using Bluetooth Hands Free. This is caused by the phone Hands Free volume being too low.
TT: Some customers may experience echoing on the line calling the vehicle when using Bluetooth Hands Free. This is caused by the phone Hands Free volume being too low.
5 more on this problem
TT: Some customers may encounter Bluetooth® connectivity concerns such as: ?Difficulty to pair the phone. ?Intermittent Bluetooth® failure to connect to the vehicle when first turning on the vehicle.
TT: The microphone circuit passes through the DCM before reaching the radio/navigation system. To simplify the diagnosis of the microphone, Safety Connect SOS button lights, and DCM (Data Communication Module/telematics transceiver) inoperative conditions, ...
TT: Some customers who have upgraded their iPhone® to iOS13 are experiencing a condition where the Bluetooth connection disconnects and reconnects.
TT: Some customers may experience poor outgoing Bluetooth sound quality, this can occur for various reasons. Current multimedia systems are designed with the ability to adjust Bluetooth sound quality to compensate for echo or excessive background noise.
Some customers may complain of the inability to use certain functions of the navigation/infotainment system while the vehicle is in motion.
Battery dies or the car will not start 4 bulletins · 5 complaints
TT: When customers have a concern about a discharged battery, no start, or general battery concern, the DCA-8000 is the only appropriate tool to use for diagnosis
Some 2004 ? 2020 model year Hybrid vehicles may exhibit an excessive buildup of dust, lint, or debris in the HV battery intake filter or cooling fan. The condition could reduce the efficiency of the HV battery cooling system.
2 more on this problem
A battery in a stored vehicle is subject to conditions that can reduce its performance and life. These conditions include storage period, temperature, parasitic drain, and battery load.
TT: Some Customers may complain about a Hybrid Vehicle Battery cooling system warning message. This warning message may appear when the HV Battery cooling system loses efficiency due to debris on the filter and or some object obstructing the air inlet.
Seat belt or seat problems 2 bulletins · 5 complaints
Some 2010 ? 2022 model year Toyota vehicles may exhibit paint stains after the removal of Rapgard?. The paint stains may appear to be under the clear coat but are usually under wrinkles in the Rapgard?.
Some 2010 ? 2021 model year Toyota vehicles may exhibit paint stains after the removal of Rapgard?. The paint stains may appear to be under the clear coat but are usually under wrinkles in the Rapgard?.
Wheel bearing, tires or wheels 2 bulletins · 5 complaints
TT: Some 2014-2020 model year Highlander and Highlander HV vehicles are equipped with alloy wheels that are clad with a plastic cover.
During the manufacturing process, tires are mounted on the vehicle as matched sets to help reduce conditions such as pulling or drifting.
Complaints filed by year
46 complaints came in 2020. Owners file in waves when a problem gets press or an investigation, so a spike measures attention as much as failures.
Recalls that include the 2018 Toyota Highlander
Whether your car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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.
Risk and remedy
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.
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.
Risk and remedy
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.
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).
Risk and remedy
Remedy: 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. The recall began January 29, 2019. Owners may contact Wanda customer service at 1-864-281-2760.
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.
Risk and remedy
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.
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."
Risk and remedy
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.
All 5 recalls on the 2018 Toyota Highlander, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
Guide Buying one used? How to research one car’s history before you pay
Questions
What is the most common problem on the 2018 Toyota Highlander?
Brake wear, with 58 of the 266 complaints. Owners who gave a mileage for it put the median at about 27,000 miles.
At what mileage do 2018 Toyota Highlander problems start?
Of the 147 complaints that give a mileage, a quarter came by about 12,000 miles and half by about 29,000.
Is the 2018 Toyota Highlander better or worse than the 2017 and 2019?
Counted per year on the road, the 2018 has about as many complaints as the 2017 and fewer complaints than the 2019: 30 a year against 27 and 61.
How many 2018 Toyota Highlander complaints involve a crash, fire or injury?
26 of them (10%). The typical vehicle on this site is at 6%.
Is there a recall for brake wear on the 2018 Toyota Highlander?
Yes, NHTSA lists a recall on the same system: 18V-211. Its summary says which failure it covers, and that isn't always the one owners describe.