2018 Toyota Highlander: Reliability Data
Source: NHTSA — 328 complaints
328
Total Complaints
15,163mi
Median Mileage
Service Brakes
Top Issue
38
Crash Reports
When Do Complaints Happen?
Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.
6,327
25th Percentile
15,163
Median Mileage
36,000
75th Percentile
What Fails?
Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.
Service Brakes
53
Power Train
50
Unknown Or Other
39
Engine
31
Electrical System
24
Fuel/Propulsion System
20
Air Bags
18
Fuel System, Gasoline
12
Body
10
Steering
9
Severity Assessment
38
Crashes
1
Fires
36
Injuries
0
Deaths
Sample Complaint Reports
"I WAS TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY 78 BY STONE MOUNTAIN AND HEARD A LOUD BANG. THE CAR BEHIND ME SIGNALED TO ME TO STOP. HE SAID SOMETHING FLEW OFF MY CAR AND HIT HIS WINDSHIELD. I COULD NOT IMMEDIATELY FIGURE OUT WHAT HAD HAPPENED. I DECIDED TO LOOK AT THE SUNROOF AND DISCOVERED THAT IT HAD SHATTERED. THIS..."
"PCS (PRE COLLISION SYSTEM) AND PEDESTRIAN DETECTION SYSTEM DO NOT FUNCTION AS ADVERTISED BY THE MANUFACTURE AND ASSURED BY THE DEALER. THERE IS NO INDICATION OR ANY EVIDENCE THAT SUCH A SYSTEM EXISTS IN THE CAR. THEREFORE, IT GIVES YOU A FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY."
"TOOK MY 2018 HIGHLANDER TO HAVE THE 5000 MILE SERVICE DONE. UPON ENTERING THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT I SPOKE WITH ONE OF THE CERTIFIED TECHNICIANS. I TOLD HIM MY VEHICLES IS PULLING TO THE LEFT. THEY THEN DID A ALIGNMENT AND TIRE ROTATION. AFTER LEAVING MIKE WOOD TOYOTA OF UNIONTOWN I NOTICED THAT MY VE..."
Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.
When Were Complaints Filed?
Number of complaints by the year the issue occurred.
When Does Each Component Fail?
Median mileage at complaint for top components.
Service Brakes
53 complaints
25th: 3,750 mi
Median: 13,490 mi
75th: 21,375 mi
Power Train
50 complaints
25th: 16,000 mi
Median: 92,000 mi
75th: 107,000 mi
Unknown Or Other
39 complaints
25th: 1,933 mi
Median: 10,700 mi
75th: 18,625 mi
Engine
31 complaints
25th: 10,999 mi
Median: 14,800 mi
75th: 43,100 mi
Electrical System
24 complaints
25th: 9,631 mi
Median: 14,900 mi
75th: 49,000 mi
Where Are Complaints Coming From?
Top states by complaint count.
TX: 38
CA: 33
NY: 25
PA: 21
AZ: 19
WA: 15
NJ: 15
VA: 15
SC: 10
GA: 10
Who Files Complaints?
0.9%
Original Owners
99.1%
Second+ Owners
Toyota Highlander — Other Years
See how this model compares across different model years.
Active Recalls (5)
Federal safety recalls issued for this vehicle.
Fuel Pump
Campaign 20V682000 | 04/11/2020
If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
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 par
Fuel Pump
Campaign 20V012000 | 13/01/2020
If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
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
Electrical System
Campaign 18E107000 | 27/11/2018
The ECM damage may result in the engine stalling, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Labels
Campaign 17V831000 | 20/12/2017
An incorrect load information label can result in the operator overloading the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Vacuum
Campaign 18V211000 | 03/04/2018
A sudden loss of braking assist can increase the risk of a crash.
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.
Extend Your Brake Life
Based on the most common issues reported for this vehicle.
- Replace brake pads before they wear to the metal — rotors cost 3x more
- Flush brake fluid every 2-3 years regardless of mileage
- Don't ride the brakes downhill — use engine braking
- Address any grinding, pulsing, or pulling immediately
- Have brakes inspected during every tire rotation
Compare Toyota Highlander
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Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.
Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.
Data through: 2026-03-28