Is the 2018 Toyota HIGHLANDER reliable?

The 2018 Toyota HIGHLANDER has 340 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.3x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: BRAKES problems.

What are common problems with the 2018 Toyota HIGHLANDER?

Top problems: BRAKES (58 complaints, avg repair $500); TRANSMISSION (58 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (40 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2018 Toyota HIGHLANDER?

Yes, there are 5 recall(s): FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM. Contact any Toyota dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2018 Toyota HIGHLANDER?

The 2018 Toyota HIGHLANDER gets 23 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2087. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2018 Toyota HIGHLANDER?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2018 Toyota HIGHLANDER is approximately $1,652/year (suv-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2018 Toyota HIGHLANDER

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2018 Toyota HIGHLANDER has 340 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.3x the segment average of 272. The most common issue is brakes problems (17% of all complaints), specifically: i was recently in a vehicle accident in my 2018 toyota highlander with the pre-collision system. the pre-collision system was working well through out our trip but unfortunately did not work when it was most needed. we were involved in a pile up on interstate i-5 going at least 45mph and noticed tha. There are 5 recalls issued for this model year.

33 crash reports 32 injuries

340

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

1.3x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

BRAKES

58 complaints

17%

• I WAS RECENTLY IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT IN MY 2018 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER WITH THE PRE-COLLISION SYSTEM. THE PRE-COLLISION SYSTEM WAS WORKING WELL THROUGH OUT OUR TRIP BUT UNFORTUNATELY DID NOT WORK WHEN IT WAS MOST NEEDED. WE WERE INVOLVED IN A PILE UP ON INTERSTATE I-5 GOING AT LEAST 45MPH AND NOTICED THA
• RECENTLY INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHEN GOING IN REVERSE. THE SRS ALARM MALFUNCTIONED AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE REVERSE BRAKING SYSTEM DID NOT INDICATED THAT I WAS CLOSE TO THE OBJECT.
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V211000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. P

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 9 crashes

“I WAS RECENTLY IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT IN MY 2018 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER WITH THE PRE-COLLISION SYSTEM. THE PRE-COLLISION SYSTEM WAS WORKING WELL THROUGH OUT OUR TRIP BUT UNFORTUNATELY DID NOT WORK WHEN IT WAS MOST NEEDED. WE WERE INVOLVED IN A PILE UP ON INTERSTATE I-5 GOING AT LEAST 45MPH AND NOTICED THA”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2018 Toyota HIGHLANDER

Based on 155 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 16K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

102

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

OTHER

In line with typicalmedian 11K mi · 28 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BRAKES

In line with typicalmedian 17K mi · 23 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 15K mi · 17 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

FUEL SYSTEM

In line with typicalmedian 27K mi · 13 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

In line with typicalmedian 92K mi · 13 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 15K mi · 11 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (5)

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP04/11/2020

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.

Risk: If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

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 should be available for all affected vehicles by late March 2021. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-012. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TA02. Lexus' number for this recall is 20LA01.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2018 Toyota HIGHLANDER

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,087

Per month

$174

Per mile

17.4¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,401/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,778/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2018 Toyota HIGHLANDER

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,652

Full coverage / month

$138

Liability only / year

$600

vs US avg

-1%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (suv-midsize)1.05x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating0.94x

× vehicle age1.00x

= Full coverage estimate$1652

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Toyota HIGHLANDER Service Intervals

Oil change

10K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

5K mi

Brake fluid

30 months

Transmission fluid

60K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

120K mi

Cabin air filter

30K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

60K mi

0W-20 synthetic oil recommended. ToyotaCare covers first 2 years / 25K miles of scheduled maintenance for new vehicles. Hybrid battery: 10 yr / 150K miles warranty.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Toyota New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

10 yr / 150K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

2 yr / 25K mi

Hybrid battery is 10yr/150K miles for 2020+ hybrids. ToyotaCare (2yr/25K miles complimentary maintenance) is included.

These are the terms for a new Toyota. If you're buying a used 2018 HIGHLANDER, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Toyota dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 340 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
BRAKES: I WAS RECENTLY IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT IN MY 2018 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER WITH THE PRE-COLLISION SYSTEM. THE PRE-COLLISION SYSTEM WAS WORKING WELL THROUGH OUT OUR TRIP BUT UNFORTUNATELY DID NOT WORK WHEN IT WAS MOST NEEDED. WE WERE INVOLVED IN A PILE UP ON INTERSTATE I-5 GOING AT LEAST 45MPH AND NOTICED THA
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: WHEN HIT BREAKS HARD... I HEAR A BANG/NOISE FROM REAR OF MY HIGHLANGER. ( DEALERSHIP ADMIT THIS IS ABNORMAL SOUND BUT THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT). TRANSMISSION SHIFT ROUGHLY, NOT SMOOTH SHIFTING. IF CAR IS IN DRIVE AND IM HOLDING BREAKS CAR REAR STARTS MAKING BANGING NOISE N START SHAKING. SO F
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: 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
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
FUEL SYSTEM: WHEN FILLING THE VEHICLE WITH GAS, AFTER THE GAS PUMP SHUTS OFF, GAS COMES SURGING BACK OUT OFF THE FILLER NECK WITH ENOUGH FORCE TO SPLASH ON WHOMEVER IS FILLING THE VEHICLE. THIS HAPPENS AT MULTIPLE GAS STATIONS AND DIFFERENT PUMPS WITH DIFFERENT FLOW RATES. EACH TIME, THE HANDLE IS EITHER BEING H
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 5 recalls have been completed — free at any Toyota dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)