2018 Toyota HIGHLANDER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
264 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
16,250 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2018 model year. Data snapshot: . 110 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 64 of 264 complaints (24.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 66 | 25.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 65 | 24.6% |
| Engine operation | 15 | 5.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 14 | 5.3% |
| Steering behavior | 13 | 4.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 12 | 4.5% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train | 64 |
| Service Brakes | 53 |
| Unknown Or Other | 43 |
| Engine | 33 |
| Electrical System | 24 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 22 |
| Air Bags | 19 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 12 |
Power Train: 64; Service Brakes: 53; Unknown Or Other: 43; Engine: 33; Electrical System: 24; Fuel/Propulsion System: 22; Air Bags: 19; Fuel System, Gasoline: 12
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 67 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 22 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 5 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 7 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 6 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 67; 25,000 to 49,999: 22; 50,000 to 74,999: 5; 75,000 to 99,999: 7; 100,000 to 149,999: 6; 150,000 and above: 3
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (67). 154 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 21 |
| 2019 | 31 |
| 2020 | 46 |
| 2021 | 26 |
| 2022 | 23 |
| 2023 | 25 |
| 2024 | 28 |
| 2025 | 24 |
| 2026 | 40 |
2018: 21; 2019: 31; 2020: 46; 2021: 26; 2022: 23; 2023: 25; 2024: 28; 2025: 24; 2026: 40
Pattern summary
Power Train leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 66 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 65 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 15 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11110346 · 2018-07-09 (July 9, 2018)
RECENTLY INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHEN GOING IN REVERSE. THE SRS ALARM MALFUNCTIONED AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE REVERSE BRAKING SYSTEM DID NOT INDICATED THAT I WAS CLOSE TO THE OBJECT.
Owner-reported narrative. 2,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 11110346 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11121898 · 2018-08-23 (August 23, 2018)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V211000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. PRICE TOYOTA (168 N DUPONT HWY, NEW CASTLE, DE 19720, [phone removed]) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11121898 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11154634 · 2018-11-28 (November 28, 2018)
AFTER VEHICLE HAS WARMED UP ENGINE RPM SPEED DROPS TO NEAR 500 WHEN BRAKE ENGAGED AT STOP LIGHTS AND VEHICLE IDLES ROUGH AND ATTEMPTS TO STALL. SHIFTING TO NEUTRAL BRINGS RPM SPEED BACK UP AND IDLES SMOOTH AGAIN. PROBLEM OCCURS DAILY OVER LAST TWO MONTHS. VEHICLE IS NEAR NEW, 1750 MILES. AUTO STOP START FEATURE IS NOT ENGAGED. TAKEN TO DEALER WHO ADVISED NO PROBLEM FOUND. RETURNING TO DEALER AGAIN FOR ANOTHER TRY AND HOPEFULLY BETTER RESULTS.
Owner-reported narrative. 1,750 miles reported. Look up ODI 11154634 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11202999 · 2019-04-22 (April 22, 2019)
WHEN HIT BREAKS HARD... I HEAR A BANG/NOISE FROM REAR OF MY HIGHLANGER. ( DEALERSHIP ADMIT THIS IS ABNORMAL SOUND BUT THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT). TRANSMISSION SHIFT ROUGHLY, NOT SMOOTH SHIFTING. IF CAR IS IN DRIVE AND IM HOLDING BREAKS CAR REAR STARTS MAKING BANGING NOISE N START SHAKING. SO FAR MY CAR HAS ONLY 20K MILES ON IT . SUSPENSION IS PRETTY STIFF DOESN'T HELP WHILE DRIVING OVER POST HOLES.
Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11202999 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11242252 · 2019-08-07 (August 7, 2019)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 16,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11242252 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11389732 · 2021-01-25 (January 25, 2021)
STARTING BATTERY IS DEFECTIVE. MY TOYOTA DEALER STATED THE "THIS IS A KNOW ISSUE WITH TOYOTA. THEY HAD A DEFECTIVE BATCH OF BATTERIES". THE ISSUE IS THAT THE REPLACEMENT BATTERIES ARE UNAVAILABLE, RENDERING THE CAR USELESS AS IT CANNOT BE STARTED. THE BATTERY DOES NOT HOLD A CHARGE. THIS IS COVERED UNDER THE NEW VEHICLE WARRANTY.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11389732 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11395551 · 2021-02-10 (February 10, 2021)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE MOVING FROM A STOPPED POSITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT OCCASIONALLY A JUMP WAS NEEDED TO START THE VEHICLE. OCCASIONALLY, THE VEHICLE WOULD RESTART AFTER WAITING FOR SEVERAL HOURS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE REPLACED THE BATTERY HOWEVER THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHCILE WAS TAKEN TO TOYOTA PLAZA MALL (2721 NOSTRAND AVE, BROOKLYN, NY 11210) WHERE NO FAILURE WA…
Owner-reported narrative. 80,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11395551 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11326062 · 2020-05-26 (May 26, 2020)
I OWN A 2018 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER, ME AND MY FAMILY INCLUDING MY 4 YEAR OLD SON WERE TAKING A DRIVE UP TO NEVADA CITY. WE LIVE IN CALIFORNIA AND WHEN WE GOT ON THE ROAD AND TRIED TO COME TO A STOP ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE STEERING WHEEL AND BRAKES STARTED TO SHAKE. WE DECIDED TO PULL OVER AND AS WE PULLED OVER THE CAR STALLED, WE PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND TRIED TO TURN IT ON WITH NO LUCK LEFT IT OFF FOR A COUPLE MINUTES AND STILL NO LUCK AN ERROR CAME ON THAT SAID LOW BREAKING POWER. WE HAD RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE SO WE CALLED TOYOTA AND THEY STATED…
Owner-reported narrative. 37,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11326062 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11321401 · 2020-04-17 (April 17, 2020)
PHONE SYSTEM CUTS OUT AND DOESN'T DOWNLOAD CONTACTS. BEING TOLD TOYOTA IS DOING UPDATE. THIS HAS BEEN TOLD TO ME 6-8 TIMES. I CONTINUALLY TAKE THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE. I WAS NEVER CONTACTED ABOUT A FUEL PUMP RECALL THAT CAN CAUSE A CRASH. I FOUND THE RECALL MYSELF. TO THIS DATE I HAVE NOT RECEIVED NOTICE OF THE RECALL. I FORCED TOYOTA TO GIVE ME A RENTAL CAR AND NOT A TOYOTA. THAT WAS ON MARCH 16TH. TO THIS DATE THERE IS NO FIX AND MY CAR IS SITTING IN FLORIDA. TOYOTA REFUSED TO ALLOW ME TO LEAVE IT AT THE DEALERSHIP EVEN THOUGH I LIVE IN DELA…
Owner-reported narrative. 36,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11321401 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11323354 · 2020-05-05 (May 5, 2020)
TOYOTA HAS NO REMEDY FOR FUEL PUMP RECALL.WITH AIRLINE TRAVEL NO GOOD WITH COUVID19,HOW CAN I SAFELY DRIVE 700-880 MILES KNOWING CAR COULD STALL AT HIGH SPEEDS? I COULD GET REAR ENDED ON INTERSTATE! WHY CAN'T TOYOTA COME UP WITH QUICK REMEDY? NOTHING HAS HAPPENED YET TO THE VEHICLE!! *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11323354 at NHTSA ↗