2018 Toyota Highlander: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2018 Toyota Highlander: 4 recalls, 268 owner complaints and up to 23 mpg combined.
Recalls
4 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 1 equipment/tire recall that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Equipment Vehicle recall #17V831000 · 2017 · 649 vehicles
What's wrong: 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."
Why it matters: An incorrect load information label can result in the operator overloading the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Toyota will notify owners and provide them with corrected labels, free of charge. The recall began on January 23, 2018.
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #18V211000 · 2018 · 6,046 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: A sudden loss of braking assist can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake booster vacuum pump, free of charge. The recall began on May 9, 2018.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #20V012000 · 2020 · 1,830,752 vehicles
What's wrong: 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…
Why it matters: If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began May 4, 2020.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #20V682000 · 2020 · 1,525,742 vehicles
What's wrong: The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank May fail.
Why it matters: If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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…
1 aftermarket equipment / tire recall replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Visibility (wipers, glass), Electrical Equipment recall #18E107000 · 2018 · 8,202 vehicles
What's wrong: The windshields have an attached wire harness that water May leak into, possibly causing damage to the vehicle's engine control module (ECM).
Why it matters: The ECM damage May result in the engine stalling, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 1 mention a fire, 25 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Transmission & drivetrain (68): the most common themes are noise or vibration (29), hard / delayed shifting (22), warning light on (16).
- Brakes (53): the most common themes are warning light on (8).
- Other / unknown (43): the most common themes are noise or vibration (4).
- Engine (33): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (10), warning light on (10).
The 2018 Toyota Highlander has 268 owner complaints, ranking #9 of 28 Highlander model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 205). Complaints peaked in 2020 (46 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 4 years old, at a median of 16,500 miles. Neighboring years: 2017 (270 complaints, 3 recalls), 2019 (492 complaints, 3 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S8) | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 27 | 23 | Regular |
| 2.7 L 4-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 24 | 22 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2018 Toyota Highlander.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2018 Toyota Highlander have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 vehicle recalls for the 2018 Toyota Highlander, plus 1 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2018 Toyota Highlander problems?
Owners have filed 268 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are transmission & drivetrain (68), brakes (53), other / unknown (43).
What gas mileage does the 2018 Toyota Highlander get?
EPA ratings run up to 23 mpg combined (3.5 L, Automatic (S8)), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2018 Toyota Highlander repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.