Owners have reported 21 crashes, 2 fires and 21 injuries to NHTSA for the 2018 Toyota Highlander. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.
Owner complaints46
SERVICE BRAKES
Owners of the 2018 Toyota Highlander frequently report issues with the service brakes, particularly involving the brake booster and vacuum pump. Common symptoms include a "Braking Power Low" warning message, difficulty in starting the vehicle, and spongy or unresponsive brake pedals. These issues often occur around 27,000 to 77,000 miles, with multiple complaints indicating that the vehicle may not be included in existing recalls despite similar problems. Safety implications are significant, with reports of crashes and injuries due to brake failures. Buyers considering this model should be aware of these potential brake system issues and verify if any recalls or repairs have been addressed in the vehicle they are evaluating.
Severity signals: 3 crash, 0 fire, 2 injury reports
Owner complaints44
POWER TRAIN
Owners of the 2018 Toyota Highlander frequently report issues with the transmission, particularly symptoms such as whining noises and rough or hard shifting. These problems often occur around or after 90,000 miles, with some reports of failure as early as 39,000 miles. Many complaints mention the vehicle's inability to accelerate, which can lead to potentially dangerous situations, such as loss of power while driving or crossing intersections. Some owners also describe instances where the vehicle unexpectedly decelerates or rolls backward on inclines. Buyers should be aware of these issues, especially since multiple reports indicate that certain vehicles are not covered by Toyota's extended warranty or customer support programs despite exhibiting known symptoms.
Owner complaints29
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Owners of the 2018 Toyota Highlander report several common issues, including spontaneous sunroof shattering and braking system warnings. Multiple complaints describe the sunroof glass unexpectedly "exploding" while driving, with no apparent external cause. Additionally, some owners experience a "Braking Power Low" warning that prevents the vehicle from starting, often occurring around 28,000 miles. There are also reports of transmission issues, such as hard shifting between gears, and problems with safety features like blind spot monitoring and collision sensors failing, which have been linked to crashes. These issues may present safety risks, particularly the braking and sunroof failures, and potential buyers should be aware of these patterns when considering a used 2018 Highlander.
Severity signals: 3 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints18
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners of the 2018 Toyota Highlander frequently report issues related to the electrical system, with multiple complaints about starting failures often accompanied by a "Braking Power Low" message. Several reports indicate problems with the vehicle's Auto Start/Stop feature, leading to loss of motive power, particularly around 50,000 to 80,000 miles. Complaints also mention frequent battery replacements and Bluetooth connectivity issues, which result in dropped calls and require manual reconnection. Safety implications arise in reports of spontaneous acceleration, malfunctioning airbag sensors, and the vehicle stopping unexpectedly, though no crashes or injuries are noted. These patterns suggest potential concerns for used car buyers regarding reliability and safety features.
Owner complaints17
ENGINE
Owners of the 2018 Toyota Highlander frequently report engine oil leaks, particularly from the cam tower and valve cover seals, with these issues often manifesting around 52,500 miles. Symptoms described include visible fluid leaks, the smell of burning oil, and in one case, a fire originating from the engine compartment. Additionally, some owners experience engine stalling or hesitation, often accompanied by the check engine light, with issues such as low compression in a cylinder or fuel pump problems noted around 20,000 to 61,000 miles. These complaints highlight potential safety implications, including the risk of engine fires and stalling while driving, which are critical for used car buyers to consider.
Severity signals: 0 crash, 1 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints17
AIR BAGS
Owners report frequent issues with the airbag system in the 2018 Toyota Highlander, particularly noting non-deployment during crashes. Complaints frequently mention scenarios where vehicles experienced significant frontal impacts, yet airbags did not activate, leading to injuries. Many reports also describe unintended acceleration or sticky pedal incidents, though these are less common. The incidents often occur at varying mileages, with some vehicles having as few as 15,000 miles. Safety implications are significant, as 14 of the 17 complaints involve crashes, with multiple injuries reported, making this a critical consideration for potential buyers.
Severity signals: 14 crash, 0 fire, 16 injury reports
Owner complaints14
FUEL SYSTEM
Owners of the 2018 Toyota Highlander frequently report issues related to the fuel system, primarily involving stalling and difficulties starting the vehicle. Complaints often describe the vehicle stalling unexpectedly at various speeds, with some instances occurring after the vehicle has been stopped. Several owners note that these issues persist even after battery replacements and are sometimes accompanied by warning lights. Mileage at the time of failure varies, with reports ranging from approximately 9,000 to 80,000 miles. Safety concerns are evident as the stalling can occur while driving, though no crashes or fires are reported. Many owners express frustration over delays in recall repairs, with parts often unavailable, impacting their confidence in the vehicle.
Owner complaints9
STEERING
Owners of the 2018 Toyota Highlander frequently report issues with the steering system, particularly difficulty in turning the steering wheel. Complaints often describe the steering wheel becoming hard to turn or locking up entirely, with some instances accompanied by warning messages such as "ETS Failure - Steering Will Be Harder to Steer." These issues sometimes occur alongside other vehicle malfunctions, including total vehicle shutdowns and electronic failures. The reported incidents occur at various mileages, with some as early as 1,000 miles and others around 200,000 miles. Safety implications are significant, as several owners mention near misses and potential loss of control during these events. Buyers should be aware of these steering-related concerns when considering this model.
Owner complaints9
STRUCTURE
Owners of the 2018 Toyota Highlander frequently report issues with the vehicle's structure, particularly involving the rear hatch and glass components. Common symptoms include spontaneous glass breakage in the rear hatch while stationary and unusual noises from the hatch area, often described as squeaking or rubbing. Several complaints involve the spoiler detaching and obstructing the hatch operation, with some instances of the glass shattering without impact. Reports also highlight structural problems with the trailer hitch and melting of plastic components near the exhaust when towing. Safety concerns are noted, including one incident involving a crash where the vehicle accelerated unexpectedly, resulting in property damage and an injury. These issues are observed across varying mileages, with some occurring as early as 1,000 miles.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 1 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints5
SUSPENSION
Owners report several issues with the 2018 Toyota Highlander's suspension. Multiple complaints describe abnormal noises, such as squeaking and banging from the rear when driving over rough surfaces or braking hard, with some reports noting these symptoms as early as 3,168 miles. One owner mentions a vehicle rolling unexpectedly while parked, despite the emergency brake being engaged, resulting in an injury. Another owner describes alignment issues leading to tire cupping and feathering within the first 5,000 miles. These reports suggest potential safety concerns related to vehicle control and stability.
Severity signals: 0 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
