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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.

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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

Exterior Lighting complaints

5 reports
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Mileage unknown · Apr 21, 2024
Exterior LightingFuel/propulsion SystemSteering

Driving along [XXX] in Alabama to Mississippi, the Highlander completely shut off - the dash & radio were blank. The steering wheel locked up. Luckily there was no vehicles behind or beside us when this happened. Within seconds, the truck came back on. 15 minutes prior, we were sitting in a parking lot to eat lunch & while in id…

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Driving along [XXX] in Alabama to Mississippi, the Highlander completely shut off - the dash & radio were blank. The steering wheel locked up. Luckily there was no vehicles behind or beside us when this happened. Within seconds, the truck came back on. 15 minutes prior, we were sitting in a parking lot to eat lunch & while in idle, the truck shuddered a few times, like the gas pedal was pressed. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #11584292

5,000 miles · Feb 24, 2021
Exterior Lighting

AUTOMATIC HIGH BEAM SYSTEM SHUTS DOWN FOR NO REASON. THIS IS NOT THE NORMAL CYCLING (HIGH BEAMS ON/OFF WHEN TRAFFIC DETECTED) OF THE SYSTEM. ICON INDICATING SYSTEM IS ON DISAPPEARS AND CANNOT GET HIGH BEAMS TO OPERATE. THIS HAPPENS ON DARK STRAIGHT ROADS WITH NO OTHER TRAFFIC AROUND. DEALER STATES THAT THEY CANNOT EXPLAIN WHY TH…

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AUTOMATIC HIGH BEAM SYSTEM SHUTS DOWN FOR NO REASON. THIS IS NOT THE NORMAL CYCLING (HIGH BEAMS ON/OFF WHEN TRAFFIC DETECTED) OF THE SYSTEM. ICON INDICATING SYSTEM IS ON DISAPPEARS AND CANNOT GET HIGH BEAMS TO OPERATE. THIS HAPPENS ON DARK STRAIGHT ROADS WITH NO OTHER TRAFFIC AROUND. DEALER STATES THAT THEY CANNOT EXPLAIN WHY THIS HAPPENS BUT THEY WILL NOT ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. TOYOTA HAS REPAIRED THIS EXACT SAME ISSUE ON THEIR LEXUS LINE (REPLACE TURN SIGNAL STALK) BUT REFUSES TO ADDRESS IT FOR THEIR TOYOTA MODELS. THIS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A SAFETY ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #11397688

24,800 miles · Jul 17, 2020
Exterior Lighting

AUTOMATIC HIGH BEAM FUNCTION SHUTS DOWN ERRATICALLY LEAVING CAR WITH NO HIGH BEAMS. NECESSARY TO TURN OFF AUTOMATIC FUNCTION TO USE HIGH BEAMS. THIS HAPPENS WHILE IN MOTION @ 30-35 MPH ON A COMPLETELY DARK ROAD AND WITH NO ONCOMING OR LEADING TRAFIIC TO TRIGGER FUNCTION TO SHUT DOWN HIGH BEAMS.

NHTSA ODI #11339882

11,500 miles · Mar 21, 2019
Electrical SystemExterior LightingUnknown Or Other

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 LENGTHS IMME…

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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 LENGTHS IMMEDIATELY BEHIND ME IN THE SAME LANE. SHORTLY AFTER, THE CAUTION LIGHT CAME ON, BEEPED, THE ECO LIGHT CAME ON, IT BEEPED AGAIN AND THE ECO LIGHT WENT OFF. ABOUT 40 MINUTES LATER, I HAD THE BRIGHT HEADLIGHTS ON WITH THE AUTO DIM ENACTED. THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT, THE DASH LIGHTS WENT OUT, THE RADIO STAYED ON, AND THE NAVIGATION SCREEN GOT VERY BRIGHT. I HAD TO RETURN THE LIGHT CONTROL ON THE SIGNAL SWITCH AWAY FROM THE SETTING AND THEN BACK TO GET THE HEADLIGHTS AND DASH LIGHT TO COME BACK ON. ALL EVENTS EXCEPT HATCH WERE WHEN VEHICLE IN MOTION. HATCH OPENED WHILE PARKED AND EMPTY. ALL EVENTS WERE WITHIN APPROXIMATELY 2 HOURS OF EACH OTHER. 10000 MILE SERVICE HAD JUST BEEN COMPLETED 3/15/19 WITH NO CONCERNS NOTED.

NHTSA ODI #11190636

4,000 miles · Mar 11, 2019
Exterior Lighting

THE HEADLIGHTS ARE REALLY DIM MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO SEE AT NIGHT. WHEN I AM NEXT TO OTHER VEHICLES, THEIR HEADLIGHTS LIGHT UP THE ROAD IN FRONT OF ME AT LEAST 80% MORE THAN MY HEADLIGHTS. PHYSICALLY, THE HOUSING LOOKS DEFECTIVE BECAUSE IT IS CLOUDY. PERHAPS A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED. I HAVE HAD THE CAR SINCE MAY 2018 BUT NE…

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THE HEADLIGHTS ARE REALLY DIM MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO SEE AT NIGHT. WHEN I AM NEXT TO OTHER VEHICLES, THEIR HEADLIGHTS LIGHT UP THE ROAD IN FRONT OF ME AT LEAST 80% MORE THAN MY HEADLIGHTS. PHYSICALLY, THE HOUSING LOOKS DEFECTIVE BECAUSE IT IS CLOUDY. PERHAPS A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED. I HAVE HAD THE CAR SINCE MAY 2018 BUT NEVER DROVE DURING NIGHT / DARK HOURS UNTIL MY SHIFT RECENTLY CHANGED.

NHTSA ODI #11185734

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.