Defect 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 IS350, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500, 2018 Lexus LS500, 2019 Lexus LS500h, 2018-2019 Lexus LX570, 2017 Lexus RC200t, 2019 Lexus RC300, RC350, 2017 and 2019-2020 Lexus RX350, 2018-2020 RX350L, 2019 Lexus UX200, 2018-2019 Lexus NX300 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
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Executive Vehicle Verdict
The 2018 Toyota Highlander is associated with 268 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 5 safety recall campaigns in the federal safety database.
The most frequently reported component area is Powertrain, accounting for 53 reports (20% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 8 certified vehicle configurations spanning 3.5L 6-Cyl hybrid, 3.5l 6-cyl, and 2.7l 4-cyl configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 22 to 29 MPG combined. The 2018 Toyota Highlander belongs to the 3rd generation (XU50) Highlander platform spanning model years 2015–2019.
- • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 268 consumer reports filed
- • Safety Recall Campaigns: 5 official campaigns
- • Primary Defect Domain: Powertrain (53 / 20%)
- • Field Incident Signals: 24 crash / 2 fire / 15 injury reports
- • NCAP Crash Safety: 5 / 5 Stars Overall Laboratory Score
- • EPA Certified Range: 22–29 MPG across 8 powertrain trims
What is the fuel economy and range of the 2018 Toyota Highlander?
Official EPA laboratory test ratings, electric driving range, and annual energy cost estimates by certified vehicle variant
| Variant | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Highway | Combined | EV Range | Est. Annual Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highlander Hybrid AWD LE Plus Hybrid | 3.5L 6-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S6) | 30 MPG | 28 MPG | 29 MPG | — | $2,100 / yr |
| Highlander Hybrid AWD Hybrid | 3.5L 6-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S6) | 29 MPG | 27 MPG | 28 MPG | — | $2,200 / yr |
| Highlander LE/XLE/SE/LTD | 3.5L 6-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 21 MPG | 27 MPG | 23 MPG | — | $2,650 / yr |
| Highlander | 3.5L 6-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 20 MPG | 27 MPG | 23 MPG | — | $2,650 / yr |
| Highlander AWD LE | 3.5L 6-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 20 MPG | 27 MPG | 23 MPG | — | $2,650 / yr |
| Highlander | 2.7L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 20 MPG | 24 MPG | 22 MPG | — | $2,800 / yr |
| Highlander AWD | 3.5L 6-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 19 MPG | 26 MPG | 22 MPG | — | $2,800 / yr |
| Highlander AWD | 3.5L 6-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 20 MPG | 26 MPG | 22 MPG | — | $2,800 / yr |
What are the crash test safety ratings for the 2018 Toyota Highlander?
Official 5-Star Safety Ratings evaluated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
| Tested Drivetrain / Cab Variant | Overall Rating | Frontal Crash | Side Crash | Rollover Rating | Rollover Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUV FWD | 18.5% | ||||
| SUV AWD | 16.900000000000002% | ||||
| Hybrid SUV AWD | 16.900000000000002% |
Standard and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is documented as Standard in official NHTSA records for tested 2018 Toyota Highlander models.
What defect complaints are reported for the 2018 Toyota Highlander?
Summary of 268 verified consumer defect submissions filed with the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI)
Top Reported Problem Categories
Ranked by total consumer complaint submissions recorded by NHTSA
Data Attribution & Context: Complaints are self-reported by vehicle owners to NHTSA and represent unverified consumer submissions. Complaint volume does not equal a statistically controlled failure rate and is not adjusted for total vehicles sold or cumulative mileage driven.
View all 2018 Toyota Highlander problems & component breakdown (74 categories) →Are there open safety recalls on the 2018 Toyota Highlander?
Manufacturer safety recall campaigns monitored and recorded by NHTSA
Defect 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 and Lexus 2018 ES 350, 2018-2019 GS 300, 2013-2014 GS350, 2014-2015 GX 460, IS 350 and LX 570, 2014 IS F, 2018-2019 IS 350, LC 500H and LS 500H, 2013-2015 LS 460, 2015 NX 200T and RC350, 2017 RC 200T and RX 350. Toyota also removed the 2018-2019 Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser and 2018-2019 Lexus GX 460 and LX 570 and 2019 NX300 from inclusion in this recall. On March 19, 2020, Toyota expanded the recall to include 2015 Lexus GS350 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Defect 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).
Quick Answers: Key Questions Drivers Ask About the 2018 Toyota Highlander
Direct, deterministic answers synthesized from verified United States government databases for the 2018 Toyota Highlander
How many safety recalls does the 2018 Toyota Highlander have?
The 2018 Toyota Highlander is associated with 5 official NHTSA safety recall campaigns in AutoUtility's current federal records.
If your individual vehicle is affected by an open safety recall, NHTSA advises owners to contact an authorized franchised dealership for the recall remedy at no charge. Because recall campaigns apply to specific production runs and equipment batches, vehicle owners should verify their 17-digit VIN at NHTSA.gov.
What are the most common problems reported for the 2018 Toyota Highlander?
NHTSA records list 268 consumer defect complaints for the 2018 Toyota Highlander. The most frequently referenced vehicle system is Powertrain, appearing in 53 filings (20% of submissions).
Consumer complaints represent unverified owner submissions filed under federal reporting guidelines and describe reported component behavior rather than audited failure rates.
What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2018 Toyota Highlander?
Under the NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP), the 2018 Toyota Highlander earned an Overall Safety Rating of 5 out of 5 stars across 3 tested configuration(s).
Laboratory evaluations include a 35 mph frontal barrier crash, side barrier and pole impact tests, and static rollover resistance assessments.
What fuel economy (MPG) does the 2018 Toyota Highlander get?
Official EPA laboratory estimates for the 2018 Toyota Highlander range from 22 to 29 MPG combined (55% city / 45% highway weighted) depending on engine, transmission, and drivetrain configuration.
Using AutoUtility's standardized operating cost model (15,000 miles/year, $3.50/gal gas, $0.16/kWh electricity), annual energy expenditures range across certified configurations based on official EPA laboratory test baselines.
The specifications, safety ratings, defect reports, and recall campaigns published on this page are retrieved directly from official United States Government agency databases:
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI): Consumer complaints and defect reports.
- NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP): Frontal, side, and rollover 5-Star crash safety test ratings.
- U.S. EPA / FuelEconomy.gov: Standardized multi-cycle dynamometer fuel economy, MPGe, and electric driving range ratings.
Local Production Store Compiled: August 2026 • Deterministic Audited Dataset • Zero Dynamic External API Runtime Latency.