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Toyota · NHTSA safety record

2018 Toyota Highlander

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

Owners have filed 266 safety complaints about the 2018 Toyota Highlander with the US government. Of those, 23 describe a crash, 1 mentions a fire, 25 people were injured and no death is recorded. 4 recall campaigns are open against it.

The most complained-about system is the power train, named in 66 complaints, 25% of the total. The typical failure was reported at 16,250 miles, the median across the 110 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers January 2018 to September 2026 · How this is counted

What is on file

266 complaints on file

266

Complaints

23

Describe a crash

1

Mention fire

25

People injured

0

Deaths

A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.

Complaints rose by half year on year: 47 in the twelve months to 2026-Q2, against 27 in the twelve before.

A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free. Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a model year.

Which system owners named

Complaints naming each system
POWER TRAIN 66 · 25%
SERVICE BRAKES 53 · 20%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 43 · 16%
ENGINE 33 · 12%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 24 · 9%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 22 · 8%
AIR BAGS 19 · 7%
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 14 · 5%
STRUCTURE 12 · 5%
STEERING 10 · 4%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 9 · 3%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 9 · 3%
0 27 54

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 266.

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2020 at 46.

52 39 26 13
18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure happened. The range runs from 2018 to 2026, the last of them a part year, which is why its column is drawn faint.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program

NHTSA crashes a car into a barrier and a pole and measures what happens to the dummies inside. This is what it awarded the 2018 Toyota HIGHLANDER, and it is a separate question from what owners report going wrong later.

Test SUV AWD SUV FWD
Overall
Frontal crash
Frontal, driver
Frontal, passenger
Side crash
Side barrier
Side pole
Rollover
Chance of rollover 16.9% 18.5%
Stability control standard Forward collision warning standard Lane departure warning standard

A rating belongs to a tested body style and drivetrain, not to the model as a whole, which is why more than one is listed. A dash means NHTSA did not rate that test for this vehicle.

Recall campaigns

4 on file

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

20V682000 · November 4, 2020

The defect
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.
The risk
If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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 · up to 1,525,742 vehicles across all model years covered

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

20V012000 · January 13, 2020

The defect
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.
The risk
If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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.

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing · up to 1,830,752 vehicles across all model years covered

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM

18V211000 · April 3, 2018

The defect
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.
The risk
A sudden loss of braking assist can increase the risk of a crash.
The 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 · up to 6,046 vehicles across all model years covered

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

17V831000 · December 20, 2017

The defect
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."
The risk
An incorrect load information label can result in the operator overloading the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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.

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing · up to 649 vehicles across all model years covered

In owners’ own words

Quoted from the complaint file

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

AIR BAGS

4 injured · crash · towed · 33,000 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A STANDSTILL, ANOTHER VEHICLE DRIVING AT 50 MPH CRASHED INTO THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE 5 INJURED REPORTED AND 3 NEEDED MEDICAL TREATMENT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO POLICE LOT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 33,000.

NHTSA complaint 11398708. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

3 injured · crash · towed · 140,000 miles

The contact owned a 2018 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, occupied with her children in the rear passenger seats, the contact was attempting to merge onto the intersection, and a state trooper failed to yield at 55-60 MPH vehicle crashed into the front driver's side of the vehicle, causing the whole front end of the vehicle to detach from the vehicle. The contact stated that no air bags were deployed in her vehicle. The contact stated that she and her children sustained injuries, however under direct legal advice, she cannot disclose this information. Medical attention was required. The contact stated that a police report was filed. The contact mentioned

NHTSA complaint 11731139, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

2 injured · crash · towed · 22,000 miles

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 IMPACT WAS SO HEAVY THAT IT CAUSED MY BODY TO PROJECT FORWARD AND UPWARDS. MY SON'S GLASSES FLEW OFF HIS FACE AND ALL CUPS IN CUP HOLDERS FLEW ACROSS THE CAR. MY SON COMPLAINED OF THE SEATBELT HURTING HIS SHOULDER, AND I SUSTAINED BRUISES ON MY LEGS AND ARMS. UPON THIS IMPACT, NO AIRBAGS WERE DEPLOYED. THIS CAR WAS DETERMINED BY THE ADJUSTER TO BE A TOTAL LOSS. THE INSURANCE

NHTSA complaint 11302878, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

2 injured · crash · towed · 23,340 miles

WE WERE INVOLVED IN A MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT ON 01/25/2020 WHERE WE EXPERIENCED A FRONT IMPACT COLLISION, AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. WE WERE IN MOTION IN THE LEFT TURNING LANE OF A TWO LANE ROAD, THE ADVERSE VEHICLE PULLED OUT FROM A PARKING LOT ON THE RIGHT, CROSSED TWO LANES OF TRAFFIC RIGHT INTO THE FRONT OF OUR VEHICLE CAUSING US TO COLLIDE. THE FORCE OF THE COLLISION WAS SO HARD THAT THE ENGINE MOUNT ON THE TOP SIDE HAS BROKEN AWAY FROM THE ENGINE, I PROJECTED FORWARD AND MY GLASSES FLEW FROM MY FACE. MY WIFE AND I HAVE BUMPS AND BRUISES, ISSUES WITH OUR BACKS, SHOULDER AND WRIST PAIN. DURING THE IMPPACT THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER HAS DECLARED THE VEHICLE

NHTSA complaint 11307214, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN
I would like to report a transmission problem with my 2018 Toyota Highlander XLE which I purchased in XXX with 108,000 miles. Since about mid-XXX it has been making a noticeable whine under acceleration in the speed range of about 35-50 mph. I had the noise diagnosed on XXX at the Toyota of [XXX] dealership; they confirmed it and said it cannot be fixed except to replace the entire transmission at a cost of $9900 (estimate attached). I also called the national Toyota customer service center and was told there is no recall, customer support program, or warranty extension available for my vehicle. It is a UA80F (AWD) transmission which have a history of failing prematurely in a variety of

NHTSA complaint 11767263, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN
Whining noise in the transmission

NHTSA complaint 11764063. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN
whining sound in the transmission, including high-pitched whining, erratic shifting, clunks, hesitation, and premature failure. These vehicles are equipped with the UA80F (AWD) and UA80E (FWD) 8-speed automatic transmissions.

NHTSA complaint 11760890. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN
Transmission failure happened suddenly. I pulled out of a car wash and car would not accelerate. I was in heavy traffic and car wouldn’t move.

NHTSA complaint 11760164. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The position of the screen monitor for the backup camera is hard to see when the sun creates a glare on the front windshield.

NHTSA complaint 11759618. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

crash

The Pre-Collision System (PCS) failed to engage the automatic emergency braking during a stop-and-go traffic, thereby, resulting in rear-ending the vehicle ahead of our 2018 Highlander Limited vehicle. Our Highlander was at a complete stop, then when the traffic moved slowly forward, we too started moving forward but didn't realize the vehicle ahead of us had suddenly stopped again. Our Highlander alerted us with high-pitched beep-beep-beep sound, but it didn't stop before colliding with the rear of the vehicle ahead of us. The speed couldn't have been more than 10 MPH since it started out from a complete stop and the distance traveled before the collision was about 40 feet. There were no

NHTSA complaint 11758854, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Toyota Highlander

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2025 10 3 —
2024 42 7 —
2023 182 9 —
2022 259 5 1
2021 522 4 —
2020 317 4 —
2019 486 3 —
2017 267 3 —
2016 110 2 —
2015 192 1 —
2014 136 4 1
2013 207 3 —
2012 182 2 —
2011 181 5 —
2010 216 10 —

Other 2018 Toyota models

Camry 743 RAV4 331 C-HR 322 Tacoma 206 Corolla 134 Tundra 100 Sienna 72 4Runner 58

Complaints on file, same model year.

Every Toyota on this site — 281 vehicles.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst