Is the 2018 Toyota Highlander a bad year?
275 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 74, 7.4× a quiet Highlander year.
Keep it, but watch the transmission
The transmission draws 7.4× the complaints of a quiet Highlander year, spread over 13k–88k miles, so there's no single mileage to plan around.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2018 Highlander owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 39,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 74 (27%) | 13k–88k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Engine | 36 (13%) | 7k–43k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Electrical system | 24 (9%) | 6k–44k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| BrakesSTANDS OUT | 58 (21%) | 11k–33k miles · mostly behind | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Fuel system | 36 (13%) | 5k–26k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Air bags | 19 (7%) | 6k–29k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Body structure | 12 (4%) | 5k–31k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Speed control | 9 (3%) | 6k–20k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Steering | 10 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Collision avoidance | 9 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Suspension | 6 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 6 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 5 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 39,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 275 complaints: 23 mention a crash · 1 mentions a fire · 15 report an injury · 20 say the car was towed.
60 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Nov 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
Recalls for the 2018 Toyota Highlander: 5
The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail. If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail. If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The windshields have an attached wire harness that water may leak into, possibly causing damage to the vehicle's Engine Control Module (ECM). The ECM damage may result in the engine stalling, increasing the risk of a crash.
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. A sudden loss of braking assist can increase the risk of a crash.
These vehicles may have incorrect load carrying capacity modification labels. An incorrect load information label can result in the operator overloading the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Toyota: 142
Repair instructions Toyota sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2018 Toyota Highlander. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Non-electric water pump leak inspection and diagnostic tips for some 2008 - 2025 model year Toyota vehicles
Some vehicles may exhibit a knocking noise from the vacuum pump at idle
Some vehicles may experience an engine oil leak condition from the No.2 Oil pan
The purpose of this Tech Tip is to provide diagnostic tips to prevent misdiagnosis of the following DTC's and prevent repeat repairs
Neighbouring years
2017 Highlander: 272 complaints, keep it, but watch the transmission · 2019 Highlander: 509 complaints, keep it, but watch the transmission.
Every Toyota Highlander year
2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All Highlander years side by side
Other Toyota models: Toyota 4Runner · Toyota Avalon · Toyota C-HR · Toyota Camry · Toyota Camry Hybrid · Toyota Camry Solara · Toyota Celica · Toyota Corolla · Toyota Corolla Cross · Toyota Corolla Matrix · Toyota Echo · Toyota FJ Cruiser · Toyota Grand Highlander · Toyota Highlander Hybrid · Toyota Matrix · Toyota Prius · Toyota Prius c · Toyota Prius v · Toyota RAV4 · Toyota RAV4 Hybrid · Toyota RAV4 Prime · Toyota Sequoia · Toyota Sienna · Toyota Sienna Hybrid · Toyota Tacoma · Toyota Tundra · Toyota Venza · Toyota Venza Hybrid · Toyota Yaris. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2018 Toyota Highlander a bad year?
275 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 74, 7.4× a quiet Highlander year. At 39,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the transmission. The transmission draws 7.4× the complaints of a quiet Highlander year, spread over 13k–88k miles, so there's no single mileage to plan around.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Toyota Highlander?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: transmission and drivetrain (74), engine (36), electrical system (24), brakes (58), fuel system (36). Half of the transmission complaints were filed between 13k–88k miles.
How many recalls does the 2018 Toyota Highlander have?
5 recall campaigns list this model year: Fuel system (NHTSA 20V-682), Fuel system (NHTSA 20V-012), Visibility and wipers (NHTSA 18E107000), Brakes (NHTSA 18V-211) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.