Recalls
4campaigns
2 fuel pump · 1 brake · 1 equipment
Source: NHTSA
Complaints
268filed
Owner reports, 2014–2023 shown
Source: NHTSA ODI
Crash tests
5★overall
★★★★★ Frontal 4★ · Side 5★ · Rollover 4★
Source: NHTSA NCAP
Fuel economy
29mpg combined
$2,252/yr at this week's prices
Source: EPA · EIA
Specs
3.5 L 6-cyl· AV-S6 CVT
7 engine and transmission configurations
Source: NHTSA vPIC
Recalls (4)
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2018 Toyota Highlander. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗Listed for 2018 Toyota Highlander. Not checked against your VIN.
Fuel Pump May Fail
Fuel system, gasoline · delivery · fuel pump
Official NHTSA text
- 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.
- Consequence
- If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- 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.
92.2% repairedof 1,525,742 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 20V682000
Listed for 2018 Toyota Highlander. Not checked against your VIN.
Fuel Pump May Fail
Fuel system, gasoline · delivery · fuel pump
Official NHTSA text
- 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.
- Consequence
- If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began May 4, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 20TB02 and 20TA02 for Toyota vehicles and 20LB01 and 20LA01 for Lexus vehicles.
91.8% repairedof 1,830,752 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 20V012000
Listed for 2018 Toyota Highlander. Not checked against your VIN.
Brake Assist Vacuum Pump may Fail
Service brakes, hydraulic · power assist · vacuum
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018 Toyota Camry and Highlander vehicles, 2017 Toyota Sienna and Tacoma vehicles and 2017 Lexus RX350 vehicles. 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.
- Consequence
- A sudden loss of braking assist can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake booster vacuum pump, free of charge. The recall began on May 9, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371, or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are J0K/JLD.
88.7% repairedof 6,046 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 18V211000
Listed for 2018 Toyota Highlander. Not checked against your VIN.
Incorrect Load Information on Label/FMVSS 110
Equipment · other · labels
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Toyota 4Runner and Tundra, 2018 Toyota Highlander, RAV4 and Lexus GX460 and 2017 Toyota Sienna and Tacoma vehicles. 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."
- Consequence
- An incorrect load information label can result in the operator overloading the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Toyota will notify owners and provide them with corrected labels, free of charge. The recall began on January 23, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are H0Z for Toyota vehicles, and HLF for Lexus vehicles.
93.2% repairedof 649 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 17V831000
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (268)
268 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The power train is mentioned most often.
23involved a crash
1involved a fire
25injuries reported
0deaths reported
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 268 |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 68 | 25.4% |
| Service brakes | 58 | 21.6% |
| Unknown or other | 43 | 16% |
| Engine | 33 | 12.3% |
| Electrical system | 24 | 9% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 22 | 8.2% |
| Air bags | 19 | 7.1% |
| Fuel system | 14 | 5.2% |
| Structure | 12 | 4.5% |
| Steering | 10 | 3.7% |
How 2018 compares with other Highlander years
Best and worst Highlander years →2014136
2015192
2016111
2017268
2018268
2019490
2020319
2021527
2022259
2023182
| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 136 | 4 |
| 2015 | 192 | 1 |
| 2016 | 111 | 2 |
| 2017 | 268 | 3 |
| 2018 | 268 | 4 |
| 2019 | 490 | 3 |
| 2020 | 319 | 4 |
| 2021 | 527 | 4 |
| 2022 | 259 | 5 |
| 2023 | 182 | 9 |
This year (2018)Other yearsStill collecting reports
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Crash tests: 5 stars overall
Overall★★★★★
Frontal crashDriver 4★ · Passenger 5★★★★★☆
Side crashDriver 5★ · Passenger 5★★★★★★
Side pole★★★★★
RolloverRollover risk 18.5%★★★★☆
Compare fairly. Compare stars only between vehicles of similar size and weight. Ratings apply to the tested configuration.
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), 2018 Toyota Highlander suv fwd, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 29 mpg combined
29
mpg combined
30
city
28
highway
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $2,300
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 305 g/mi
- EPA class
- Standard Sport Utility Vehicle
What it costs you to run
$2,252per year
$188per month
517gallons a year
Miles ÷ 29 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 L 6-cyl · AV-S6 CVT | All-Wheel Drive | 30 / 28 / 29 | $2,300 | 305 |
| 3.5 L 6-cyl · 8-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 / 27 / 23 | $2,900 | 384 |
| 3.5 L 6-cyl · 8-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 / 27 / 23 | $2,900 | 391 |
| 3.5 L 6-cyl · 8-speed automatic | All-Wheel Drive | 20 / 27 / 23 | $2,900 | 390 |
| 2.7 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 / 24 / 22 | $3,050 | 407 |
| 3.5 L 6-cyl · 8-speed automatic | All-Wheel Drive | 19 / 26 / 22 | $3,050 | 403 |
| 3.5 L 6-cyl · 8-speed automatic | All-Wheel Drive | 20 / 26 / 22 | $3,050 | 398 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2018 Highlander for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2018 Toyota Highlander FAQ
How many recalls does the 2018 Toyota Highlander have?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns: 20V682000 (fuel pump), 20V012000 (fuel pump), 18V211000 (brake), 17V831000 (equipment). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2018 Toyota Highlander problems?
Owners filed 268 complaints with NHTSA. Power train (68), Service brakes (58), Unknown or other (43) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2018 Toyota Highlander get?
EPA rates the 3.5 L 6-cyl · AV-S6 CVT version at 30 city, 28 highway and 29 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
What safety rating did the 2018 Toyota Highlander get?
NHTSA rated the 2018 Toyota Highlander suv fwd 5 stars overall, with 4 stars frontal, 5 stars side and 4 stars rollover (18.5% rollover risk).
How does the 2018 Highlander compare with other years?
Among the 2014–2021 Toyota Highlander model years at least five years old, the 2016 drew the fewest complaints (111) and the 2021 the most (527). The 2018 drew 268. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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