2018 Toyota Highlander Safety Report
2018 Toyota Highlander Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2018 Toyota Highlander
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2018 Toyota Highlander. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | High (5) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | High (242) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 0 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Power Train | Compare power train issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2016 | Compare against the 2016 Toyota Highlander with 109 complaints and 3 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2019 | Check the 2019 Toyota Highlander before buying across this generation. |
Toyota Highlander Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Toyota Highlander years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Toyota Highlander | 428 | 3 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2017 Toyota Highlander | 245 | 4 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2020 Toyota Highlander | 266 | 4 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2016 Toyota Highlander | 109 | 3 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2021 Toyota Highlander | 406 | 4 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2015 Toyota Highlander | 184 | 2 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
2018 Toyota Highlander Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2018 Toyota Highlander, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Power Train
41 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train issues Toyota onlyService Brakes
33 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Service Brakes issues Toyota onlyUnknown Or Other
22 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Toyota onlyFuel/Propulsion System
13 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Fuel/Propulsion System issues Toyota onlyEngine
13 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Toyota onlyFuel System, Gasoline
11 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Fuel System, Gasoline issues Toyota onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2018 Toyota Highlander
Reliability Score
The 2018 Toyota Highlander receives a reliability score of 5 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates below-average reliability. Significant issues have been reported by owners and should be carefully evaluated before purchase.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2018 Toyota Highlander
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2018 Toyota Highlander
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2018 Toyota Highlander:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel System, Gasoline: Delivery: Fuel Pump Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing has recalled certain 2018-2019 4Runner and Highlander models due to potential fuel pump issues. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Electrical System Fujian Wanda Automobile Glass Industry has recalled aftermarket replacement windshields due to potential electrical system issues. |
Low | Occasional | N/A miles |
| Equipment: Labels Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing has recalled certain 2017-2018 4Runner and Highlander models due to potentially misleading labels. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Transmission Multiple reports indicate transmission issues, including whining noises, hard shifting, and complete failure. Toyota is aware of these issues. |
High | Common | 80k-120k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2018 Toyota Highlander:
Transmission issues are the most common problem, affecting 23% of vehicles.
Fuel pump issues are a significant concern, affecting 11% of vehicles.
Hydraulic power assist issues are a notable concern, affecting 8% of vehicles.
Electrical system issues are a common problem, affecting 9% of vehicles.
Recall Details for the 2018 Toyota Highlander
The following 5 recalls have been issued for the 2018 Toyota Highlander by NHTSA:
Summary: 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 I...
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 cust...
Summary: 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...
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.
Summary: 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: 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.
Summary: 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).
Consequence: The ECM damage may result in the engine stalling, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Summary: 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: 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.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2018 Toyota Highlander
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2018 Toyota Highlander with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Vehicle makes a whining noise like a siren when accelerating at 40mph or more when you let go of the accelerator the noise stops. I've been told by a mechanic its the transfer case or related transmission component. Toyota should declare a recall since it can cause an accident if the car stops in the middle of the highway.
2018 toyota highlander awd. Whining noise when gas is pressed. Whining stops when gas pedal not engaged. Started at 116000 mileage. Regular service done at dealer. Slippage/ delay in gear shifting (automatic). No light on dash to show there may be an issue. Bought a toyota, because they are supposed to be great cars that run long time. Not real happy to hear that they know they have quality and tr...
The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made grinding sounds while accelerating. Additionally, the vehicle jerked while shifting into gear. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the transmission fluid was dirty and that the transmission assembly and torque converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle w...
I purchase a 2018 Toyota Highlander in 2021. The vehicle had just over 8000 miles when purchased. The vehicle had manufacturers warranty but I purchased additional extended warranty in addition. I can review and find the dates but I don’t have it at the time I’m filling out this form. In any case, there was an issue with the passenger side door lock actuator not properly functioning. The door woul...
2018 Toyota Highlander Platinum started with a whine noise, vibration, and went into limp mode. The transmission has been noted to needing to be replaced. I am currently at 75,453 miles and started to hear the whine at around 65,000 miles. This car is not safe to drive.
Transmission whining, hard shifting on 1 and 2 and 3 JP Pauley toyota claim my 2018 Highlander is not part or TBD and neew transmission is required to fix issue quote $7300. to repair current mileage 156K
My 2018 Toyota Highlander with 143k miles has poor acceleration shift lag and a whining noise from transmission. Dealer diagnosed and found transmission is failing and in need of replacement. They quoted $9624.00 to replace and the part is on backorder and could take months to get. Toyota customer assistance has declined any assistance with the repair even though they have a extended warranty prog...
Transmission was slipping and hesitating from 50,000 miles up until it went completely out at 96,956. The day it went out, I pulled out onto the highway and there was no acceleration, it wouldn't move. It was flashing "traction control turned off" "check engine visit dealer" "check awd system" and the check engine light was on as well as the orange triangle with explanation point. Toyota said my v...
The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving at 58 MPH, there was an abnormal popping sound coming from the sunroof, and it was discovered that the sunroof glass had shattered. Neither an independent mechanic nor a dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notifi...
Failed UA80/F Transmission needs replacement for poor manufacturing
The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was idling roughly with an abnormal sound. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact ordered the parts to re...
The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while attempting to turn left or right, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle lost power. The contact waited for several minutes before being able to restart the vehicle. The check engine warning light remained illuminated. The failure had occurred several times and...
Transmission starting making a wining noise, and was told it will fail. Toyota is well aware of this issue.
The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Highlander. While operating the vehicle, there was a whining sound coming from the engine compartment. The sound was also heard through the dashboard. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic, who diagnosed that the transmission was faulty and needed to be repaired or replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of th...
TANSMISSION DIED AT 102,000 MILES, 2,000 MILES OVER THE WARRANTY. Toyota said it will pay $6,000 for parts. I HAVE TO PAY TAX AND LABOR. I have been waiting over a MONTH for the parts, while my HIGHLANDER SITS ON THE Toyota DEALER'S LOT IN RIVERHEAD, NY. My wife took the car there, since the "check engine" light had turned on. After the inspection, We were afraid to take it out of the parking lot....
The transmission has started making a whining sound just like the cars/transmissions effected buy the TSB from Toyota related to 8-speed auto transmission failures. My dealer said they have seen a lot of them and mine sounds like it, but they claim I'm not part of the TSB allowing for replacement. Toyota has a real problem with the transmissions in 2018 highlanders but they refuse to fix the pro...
Transaxle (Transmission) failure. Whining noise then failed while driving freeway. Towed to dealer/mechanic and confirm failure. There was a whining sound but no engine light warnings prior to complete failure. Toyota put out a TSB for this but was never informed - POL19-04. Toyota needs to expand CSP ZJC coverage to all UA80F/UA80E-equipped vehicles exhibiting symptoms, regardless of VIN rang...
1)The following components failed:Symptoms and Diagnostic Trouble Codes TRANSMISSION P0741 - Torque Converter Clutch Circuit Performance/Stuck Off P2757 - Torque Converter Clutch Pressure Control Solenoid Control Circuit Performance/Stuck Off P2714 - Pressure Control Solenoid 'D' Performance/Stuck Off P2817 - Pressure Control Solenoid 'H' Performance/Stuck Off P08BB - Pressure Control Solenoid 'L'...
On 11/22/2025, We were done shopping and when we tried to open the trunk it made weird squeaky sounds and we tried to close it but it suddenly self destructed. There was a loud noise and it shattered instantly and there was glass everywhere.
Vehicle’s 8 speed transmission started a low pitch whine when pressing the accelerator around 90,000 miles. Transmission has begun shifting roughly since 105,000 miles. Vehicle is outside of Toyota’s manufacture date deadline for T-SB-0008-21 but this issue sounds exactly like what is described in Toyota’s TSB.
Showing 20 of 242 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2018 Toyota Highlander
Has the 2018 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER been recalled?
Yes, the 2018 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER has 5 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2018 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER have?
The 2018 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER has 242 complaints filed with NHTSA. None of the complaints involved crashes. 21 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2018 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER?
The 2018 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 4/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2018 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER involve power train (41 complaints), service brakes (33 complaints), unknown or other (22 complaints). Other affected components include fuel/propulsion system, engine, fuel system, gasoline.
How many crash reports does the 2018 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER have?
There are no crash reports associated with the 2018 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER in the NHTSA database.
How many fire reports does the 2018 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER have?
There are no fire reports for the 2018 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2018 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2018 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER.
How many injuries are reported for the 2018 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER?
21 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2018 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2018 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2018 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER is research thoroughly before purchasing. It has 242 complaints, 5 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2018 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER?
The components with the most failures on the 2018 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER are: 1. POWER TRAIN (41 complaints), 2. SERVICE BRAKES (33 complaints), 3. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (22 complaints), 4. FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (13 complaints), 5. ENGINE (13 complaints). POWER TRAIN is the single most-reported problem area with 41 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2018 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER?
Be aware of potential transmission and fuel pump issues, and ensure regular maintenance to address these concerns. The 2018 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER has 242 NHTSA complaints and 5 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2018 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER?
The 2018 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER receives a reliability score of 5/100, indicating below-average reliability. This is based on 242 owner complaints, 5 recalls, and 0 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Fuel System, Gasoline: Delivery: Fuel Pump and Electrical System.
What are the known issues with the 2018 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER?
Known issues with the 2018 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER include: Fuel System, Gasoline: Delivery: Fuel Pump, Electrical System, Equipment: Labels, Transmission. These are based on patterns found across 242 NHTSA complaints. 5 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
What are the most common issues with the 2018 Toyota Highlander?
The most common issues are transmission problems and fuel pump issues.
Are there recalls for the 2018 Toyota Highlander?
Yes, there are recalls for fuel pump and label issues.
What should I do if I notice a whining noise from my transmission?
Have the transmission checked by a professional to determine the cause.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be aware of potential transmission and fuel pump issues, and ensure regular maintenance to address these concerns.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2018 Toyota Highlander
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2018 Toyota Highlander. The data includes 242 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 5 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 21 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2018 Toyota Highlander an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 4 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16