Model year record
2018 Toyota Highlander Hybrid recalls & problems
The 2018 Toyota Highlander Hybrid has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA, and 5 owner complaints. The most-reported problem area is unknown or other (2 complaints).
Safety recalls
No safety recalls have been filed for the 2018 Toyota Highlander Hybrid.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
2018 Toyota Highlander Hybrid SUV AWD
| Frontal crash | ★★★★★ |
|---|---|
| Side crash | ★★★★★ |
| Rollover | ★★★★★ |
| Rollover risk | 16.9% |
Forward collision warning: Standard · Lane departure warning: Standard
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
Highlander Hybrid AWD LE Plus Hybrid
| City / highway | 30 / 28 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
3.5 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (AV-S6) · All-Wheel Drive · about $2,300/year to fuel
Highlander Hybrid AWD Hybrid
| City / highway | 29 / 27 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
3.5 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (AV-S6) · All-Wheel Drive · about $2,400/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| Unknown or other | 2 | — |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | — |
| Wheels | 1 | — |
| Engine | 1 | — |
| StructureBody | 1 | — |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 1 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
- Service brakes, hydraulic
The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated while coming to a complete stop and depressing the brake pedal, he heard abnormal squeaking and rubbing sounds. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure persisted while at a complete stop. The contact stated that upon inspecting under the hood of the vehicle while someone depressed the brake pedal, he noticed that the ABS pump was emitting abnormal humming sounds. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the ABS pump was defective with an abnormal humming sound. The ABS also remained running 6 seconds after the brake pedal was released. The local dealer…
- Structure › Body
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CHROME TRIM ON THE DASHBOARD SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED THE DRIVER'S VISIBILITY ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VIEW OF THE FRONT SIDE MIRRORS WERE OBSTRUCTED BY A SHINY GLARE THAT CREATED A BLINDING EFFECT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LACK OF VISIBILITY BECAME MORE PROMINENT AND PERSISTENT IN THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE MIRROR WHEN THE SUN WAS PRESENT. STEVINSON TOYOTA WEST (780 DENVER WEST COLORADO MILLS BLVD, LAKEWOOD, COLORADO 80401, (720) 259-2544) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO AN INDEPENDENT BODY REPAIR SHOP. THE VEHICLE WAS…
- Unknown or otherCrash
THE BRAKES FAILED WHEN BACKING UP AT ABOUT 4 MPH. CAR DIDN'T STOP UNTIL IT HIT A TREE. BRAKING ASSIST DIDN'T WORK. TWO FEET ON BRAKES COULD NOT STOP THE CAR.
- EngineFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A PARKING LOT, THE CONTACT WAS NOTIFIED BY THE FAIRFAX FIRE MARSHALL THAT THE VEHICLE SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT FIRE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FIRE STARTED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT CALLED A LOCAL DEALER (PRIORITY TOYOTA SPRINGFIELD, 7601 LOISDALE RD, SPRINGFIELD, VA 22150 (703) 269-1400) AND WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT INFORMED THE CONTACT TO CALL THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
- Fuel/propulsion system
VEHICLE IS DUE FOR AN INSPECTION AFTER 5000 MILES. A CERTIFIED INSPECTION IS TO BE PERFORMED BY NEW OWNER (XXXX) AT AN APPROVED CA INSPECTION SITE. PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Pedestrian alert soundsClosedLed to recall 22V063000
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review…