Complaint volume
256 consumer-submitted complaints are matched to this model year. Treat the count as a research signal, then read the actual summaries for repeated symptoms.
Complaint records
256 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2018 Toyota Highlander, grouped by component category.
Buyer interpretation
Complaint records are most useful when they turn into inspection points, seller questions, and comparison checks against nearby model years.
256 consumer-submitted complaints are matched to this model year. Treat the count as a research signal, then read the actual summaries for repeated symptoms.
The most common categories are power train, service brakes, unknown or other. Use those categories as a test-drive checklist instead of judging the vehicle from the total count alone.
Enriched records include 21 crash reports, 1 fire report, 14 injury reports, and 0 fatality reports. These fields come from complaint records and should be read in context.
Mileage is available on 110 complaints, with an average reported failure mileage of 34,631 miles. Compare that with the mileage on the listing.
Build a buyer checklist to turn these issues into questions and inspection points.
256 total complaints on record
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 2021 | STEERING | 2018 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. CONSUMER WRITES REGARDING INABILITY TO HAVE RECALL PERFORMED DUE TO PARTS BEING UNAVAILABLE. *LD *JS | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2021 | FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V682000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED AND OCCASIONALLY CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL. TOYOTA OF ROCKWALL (1250 E I-30, ROCKWALL, TX 75087, (844) 358-4295) WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT NO REMEDY WAS AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 72,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. | Crash: No Fire: No | 72,000 |
| Feb 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 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. | Crash: No Fire: No | 5,000 |
| Feb 2021 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | OUR SUNROOF GLASS "EXPLODED" SUDDENLY WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT ON A SMOOTH ROAD - NO ROCKS OR DEBRIS AROUND AND NORMAL COOL WINTER DAY ~25F. DRIVING 70MPH ON MAINE I295 AT NOONTIME. WE HAD BEEN DRIVING FOR TWO HOURS PRIOR TO THIS EVENT ALSO IN GOOD WEATHER AND GOOD ROAD CONDITIONS. SOME GLASS BLEW OUTWARDS, AND MANY PIECES FELL ONTO THE PROTECTIVE COVER WHICH FORTUNATELY WAS CLOSED. WE EVENTUALLY SLID THE COVER OPEN TO LOOK UP AND DISCOVERED WHAT HAPPENED. | Crash: No Fire: No | 59,500 |
| Feb 2021 | FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 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 WAS DIAGNOSED HOWEVER, THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V682000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) AND BELIEVED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE RECALL. THE PARTS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. | Crash: No Fire: No | 80,000 |
| Jan 2021 | ENGINE | LIGHTS CAME ON FOR ENGINE WARNING -- LOW FUEL PUMP NEEDS TO BE REPLACED | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2021 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES | THE VEHICLE WAS IN MY DRIVEWAY BOTH TIMES THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED SO FAR. I WENT OUT FIRST THING IN THE MORNING TO START IT AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS EXTREMELY HARD WHEN I WENT TO PRESS THE PEDAL IN ORDER TO PUT THE ENGINE START BUTTON AND ALL OF THE ELECTRONICS TURNED ON BUT THE VEHICLE REFUSED TO START AND DISPLAYED A MESSAGE STATING "BRAKING POWER LOW, STOP IN A SAFE PLACE. I FOUND A RECALL NOTICE THAT WAS SHARED ON THE TOYOTA FORUMS FOR THIS EXACT REASON; HOWEVER, MINE ISN'T INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ALONG WITH MANY OTHER PEOPLE THAT WERE ALSO EXCLUDED AND ARE HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM, ACCORDING TO THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ON THE TOYOTA AND LEXUS FORUMS. I HAVE ATTACHED A COPY OF THE RECALL THAT WAS POSTED ON THE FORUM ALONG WITH THE MESSAGE THAT WAS DISPLAYED WHEN MY HIGHLANDER WOULDN'T START. I KEPT TRYING FOR 10 MINUTES AND FINALLY USED THE REMOTE START TO START IT (WHICH MADE THE BRAKE PEDAL SOFT ENOUGH TO PRESS DOWN). I THEN TURNED OFF THE REMOTE START AND WAS THEN ABLE TO START IT LIKE NORMAL. HAD I NOT HAD REMOTE START, I WOULD HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED. | Crash: No Fire: No | 64,324 |
| Jan 2021 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 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. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2020 | ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | VEHICLE WAS DRIVING ON STREET AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK VEHICLE TO SERVICE PROVIDER AND IS RELATED TO RECALL. NO REMEDY FOR RECALL HAS BEEN DEVELOPED -- CURRENTLY DRIVING A LOANER CAR. | Crash: No Fire: No | 32,000 |
| Oct 2020 | SERVICE BRAKES | AN INSPECTION FOUND MY LEFT REAR BRAKE WAS SEVERELY WORN AT ONLY 21000 MILES. THIS IS SO UNUSUAL I WANT TO REGISTER MY COMPLAINT. ALL OF THE THREE BRAKES WERE ONLY LIGHTLY WORN. | Crash: No Fire: No | 21,500 |
| Sep 2020 | POWER TRAIN,ENGINE | AS OF THIS DATE, MY 2018 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HAS DELAYED ACCELERATION, HESITATION, JERKING, LURCHING, ERRATIC THROTTLE RESPONSES, ETC. WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP. THIS HAS OCCURRED TWO TIMES TO DATE. I WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE, RESTART AND THEN THE VEHICLE PERFORMED PROPERLY AFTER THAT. MY CONCERN IS WHAT MAY HAPPEN WHEN IT DOES IT AGAIN. NOTHING TO SHOW IN A PHOTO. | Crash: No Fire: No | 43,100 |
| Sep 2020 | STRUCTURE | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HAULING A 2019 WINNEBAGO TRAVEL TRAILER. THE CONTACT NOTICED A LARGE CRACK ON THE TRAILER HITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BRENT BROWN TOYOTA (1400 SANDHILL RD, OREM, UT 84058) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT CAUSED THE CRACK TO THE HITCH ON THE TOYOTA. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 27,000. THE TRAILER MILEAGE WAS 1,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 27,000 |
| Sep 2020 | SEATS | I CONTACTED TOYOTA AND COMPLAINED ABOUT THE SEAT AS IT GAVE INSTANT PAIN IN THE SPINE AND NECK AND VERY HARD TO DRIVE SITTING ON THE DRIVERS OR DRIVER SIDE PASSENGER SEAT. BEING TOO CURVEY IS NEITHER AGRONOMIC FOR ANY STANDARD SIZE HUMAN BEING NOR ALLOWS ANY REST TO THE BACKBONE. THE HEADREST IS VERY TILTED FORWARD, WHICH STRAINS THE SPINE AND NECK IMMEDIATELY. I HAD A TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 2005, AND I DIDN'T PAY MUCH ATTENTION TO ANY TEST DRIVE BECAUSE THE SEAT ON THE HIGHLANDER 2005 WAS VERY COMFORTABLE. BUT 2018 IS HORRIBLE TO DRIVE. I'M VERY MUCH REGRETTING BUYING SUCH A CAR THAT I CAN'T DRIVE WITHOUT HURTING MY SPINE AND NECK. THE TOYOTA SUPPORT SUGGESTED USING A CUSHION BETWEEN THE SEAT AND DRIVERS BACK, AND THE VENDOR OFFERED NO TO FIX THE ISSUE. I DON'T THINK I'LL EVER BUY FROM A BUSINESS THAT PUNISHES THE CUSTOMER THROUGH SELLING HORRIBLE PRODUCTS AND DECLINE TO TAKE THE RESPONSIBILITY TO FIX IT. I ENDED UP PAYING ABOUT $35000 FOR A NOT RIDABLE VEHICLE, AND I'M FEELING MISERABLE ABOUT IT. | Crash: No Fire: No Injuries: 1 | Unknown |
| Aug 2020 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED SPONTANEOUSLY AT TWO YEARS OLD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT EVEN MOVING AND NEVER GOT STRUCK WITH A STONE OR A VEHICLE DEBRIS. THE CRACK IS VERY CLEAN AND LINEA WITHOUT ANY DENT AND STARTS FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDSHIELD ALL THE WAY TO ONE-FOURTH OF THE HEIGHT OF THE WINDSHIELD ON THE PASSENGER FRONT SIDE. NUMEROUS COMPLAINT ABOUT THIS PROBLEM IS LOGGED IN A TOYOTA CUSTOMER COMPLAINT WEBSITE ABOUT THE TOYOTA HIGHLANDER FROM 2016-2018 HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. PLEASE TELL TOYOTA TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. | Crash: No Fire: No | 38,000 |
| Aug 2020 | AIR BAGS | SUV WAS IN A CRASH AND HIT A TREE MID FRONT BUMPER WITH SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF SUV. DAMAGE APPEARS TO BE FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER COMPARTMENT FORWARD. DRIVER WAS WEARING SEATBELT AND NO AIRBAG DEPLOYED OF ANY KIND IN ANY AREA OF THE SUV. DRIVER HIT THE STEERING WHEEL AND WAS INJURED. VEHICLE WAS IN FORWARD MOTION AT AN UNKNOWN RATE OF SPEED . WAITING TO SEE IF SUV WILL BE A TOTAL LOSS VIA INSURANCE COMPANY. COMPONENT SYSTEM THAT APPEARS TO BE S CAUSE OF THIS SAFETY ISSUE IS THE AIR BAG SYSTEM. | Crash: Yes Fire: No Injuries: 1 Towed Medical attention | 17,500 |
| Aug 2020 | FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V012000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE CONTACT CALLED AN UNKNOWN TOYOTA DEALER, LOCATED IN FAIRFIELD, CA, AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2020 | ENGINE | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ROUTE 22 TOYOTA (109 US-22, HILLSIDE, NJ 07205, (973) 287-4741), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND REFERRED CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V012000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. | Crash: No Fire: No | 20,000 |
| Aug 2020 | SERVICE BRAKES | INTERMITTENTLY DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS, THERE EXISTS INSTANCES WHERE BRAKE HYDRAULIC FAILURE OCCURS. AT TIMES THE "BRAKE" INDICATOR LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE ASSOCIATED WITH INCREASED BRAKE PEDAL FEEL. BRAKING POWER IS REDUCED. ALSO, DRIVER DISPLAY SCREEN DISPLAYS "BRAKING POWER LOW" WARNING INDICATION. AFTER STOP AND PLACING IN PARK, BRAKE HYDRAULIC POWER RETURNS AND OPERATE AS NORMAL. | Crash: No Fire: No | 48,000 |
| Aug 2020 | FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 2018 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO FUEL PUMP SAFETY RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME COMPLETING THE RECALL REPAIR. *JS | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2020 | FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V012000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. AN UNKNOWN DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.*DT*JB | Crash: No Fire: No | 27,000 |
| Aug 2020 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE | MY 2018 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER EXPERIENCED 4 DIFFERENT EPISODES OF SPONTANEOUS ACCELERATION WHILE ON LOCAL HIGHWAYS, 3 BEING ON RESUMPTION OF SPEED WHILE USING CRUISE CONTROL AND THE 4TH NOT WHILE ON CRUISE CONTROL.THERE ARE 10 OTHER ELECTRONIC TYPES OF MALFUNCTIONS NOT INVOLVING SAFETY ISSUES. PER THE LEMON LAW OF WA STATE, THE MATTER WAS TAKEN TO ARBITRATION. THE ARBITRATER FOUND IN MY FAVOR AND AWARDED ME A NEW REPLACEMENT HIGHLANDER. TOYOTA HAS ASKED FOR A JURY TRIAL. I THEREFORE CONTINUE TO DRIVE A VEHICLE THAT COULD CAUSE A DANGEROUS, POTENTIALLY FATAL CAR. I CAN SUPPLY FURTHER DOCUMENTATION SHOULD YOU WANT IT. | Crash: No Fire: No | 4,500 |
| Jul 2020 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | AS MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING WITH THE SUNROOF CLOSED (THE GLASS AND MATERIAL PART). HE HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION. IT WAS THE SUNROOF IMPLODING. HE OPENED THE MATERIAL PART AND GLASSED RAINED DOWN. THERE WAS NO OBJECT THAT FELL DOWN, TO SHOW IT WAS HIT. ALSO, NO MARK FROM THE INSIDE TO INDICATE IT WAS HIT FROM INSIDE THE CAR. THIS TOOK PLACE WHILE MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING ON THE 794 BRIDGE IN MILWAUKEE, WI. | Crash: No Fire: No | 36,000 |
| Jul 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. | Crash: No Fire: No | 24,800 |
| Jul 2020 | FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,ENGINE | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V012000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE CONTACT STATED AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE IDLED ROUGH. THE LOW-PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED AVONDALE TOYOTA (10005 W, PAPAGO FWY, AVONDALE, AZ 85323, (877) 554-6890) AND WAS INFORMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS OFFERED A LOANER VEHICLE BUT DECLINED THE OFFER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. | Crash: No Fire: No | 9,000 |
| Jun 2020 | FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | THE RECALL WAS POSTED ON JANUARY 13. TOYOTA DID NOT NOTIFY US UNTIL MID MAY. THERE IS STILL NO REMEDY. IT IS MORE THAN 6 MONTHS. OUR HIGHLANDER IS SITTING IN A TOYOTA SERVICE CENTER FOR OVER A MONTH. WE NEED THEM TO REMEDY THE SITUATION IMMEDIATELY. TOYOTA RENTED A CAR FOR US BUT WE ARE PAYING EXTRA FOR INSURANCE ON THE RENTAL- $400 A MONTH. CAN YOU FIND OUT WHY IT'S TAKING THEM SO LONG TO COME UP WITH A REMEDY? THANK YOU. *TR | Crash: No Fire: No | 8,000 |