2018 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Problems
- Complaints
- 5filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 850miles, 5 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- 5 / 5stars overall
- EPA fuel economy
- 29 mpgcombined, 3.5L 6-cyl · hybrid AWD · 30 city / 28 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2018 Toyota Highlander Hybrid (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 2018 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The part named most often is other or unknown, with 2 complaints (40% of the total), followed by brakes (1) and engine (1). 5 of the complaints include a mileage, and 100% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 850 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 106 technical service bulletins for this model year. Other or unknown complaints overlap with 2 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Brakes complaints overlap with 4 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Other or unknown2 40%
- Brakes1 20%
- Engine1 20%
- Fuel system1 20%
- Body and structure1 20%
- Wheels1 20%
Example complaints
Other or unknown: “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.”
NHTSA complaint #11132353, filed 2018-09, 850 milesBrakes: “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. …”
NHTSA complaint #11493057, filed 2022-11, 36,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
100% of the 5 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 36 and 6,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2018 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highlander Hybrid · SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | 4 / 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 · 16.9% risk |
Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2018 model year: forward collision warning standard, lane departure warning standard, automatic emergency braking standard.
Neighbouring years: 2017: same overall rating; 2019: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2018 Toyota Highlander Hybrid version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highlander Hybrid AWD | 3.5L 6-cyl · hybrid | CVT | 29 | 27 | 28 | $2,400 |
| Highlander Hybrid AWD LE Plus | 3.5L 6-cyl · hybrid | CVT | 30 | 28 | 29 | $2,300 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2018 Toyota Highlander Hybrid in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 106 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11029893Feb 13, 2026Engine. This bulletin includes basic procedures for performing a rescue charge on Ni-MH high voltage (HV) batteries. This bulletin should be used in conjunction with the applicable model and model year…
- 11029892Feb 13, 2026Engine. OBSOLETE NOTICE February 13, 2026: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0009-26.
- 11028712Jan 7, 2026Other or unknown. Some 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and…
- 11022964Aug 20, 2025Electrical system. Some customers may experience echoing on the line calling the vehicle when using Bluetooth Hands Free. This is caused by the phone Hands Free volume being too low.
- 11020657Jun 13, 2025Electrical system. The air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the location of air conditioning refrigerant leaks. The procedures outlined in this Service Bulletin aid in…
- 11014219Jan 30, 2025Brakes. Although the Brake Booster and Brake Booster Pump Assemblies are covered by Toyota’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 3 years or 36,000 miles (whichever comes first), we at Toyota care about the…
- 11014218Jan 30, 2025Brakes. Although the Brake Booster and Brake Booster Pump Assemblies are covered by Toyota’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 3 years or 36,000 miles (whichever comes first), we at Toyota care about the…
- 11014208Jan 29, 2025Brakes. Some 2017 – 2019 model year Highlander Hybrid vehicles may exhibit a condition in which the brake, ABS, and/or TRAC warning lights are on and/or a Check VSC message displays. One or more of the…
- 11012744Dec 6, 2024Body and structure. The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. If these…
- 11012743Dec 6, 2024Body and structure. To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. The purpose of the wheel film is to shield the…
Other model years of the Toyota Highlander Hybrid
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 9 | 13,000 | 6 | 5 | 35 | — | Too new |
| 2022 | 6 | 32,500 | 4 | 5 | 35 | — | Not enough data |
| 2021 | 15 | 27,300 | 4 | 5 | 35 | — | Rising |
| 2020 | 9 | 28,500 | 4 | 5 | 35 | — | Not enough data |
| 2019 | 6 | 6,800 | 0 | 5 | 29 | — | Not enough data |
| 2018 | 5 | 850 | 0 | 5 | 29 | — | Not enough data |
| 2016 | 6 | 47,012 | 0 | 5 | 28 | — | Not enough data |
| 2013 | 5 | 47,600 | 0 | — | 28 | — | Not enough data |
| 2012 | 9 | 86,000 | 0 | — | 28 | — | Not enough data |
| 2011 | 5 | 72,000 | 1 | — | 28 | — | Not enough data |
| 2010 | 22 | 43,500 | 4 | — | 26 | — | Stable |
| 2009 | 40 | 63,100 | 4 | — | 26 | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Stable |
| 2008 | 197 | 110,000 | 6 | — | 26 | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Rising |
| 2007 | 110 | 105,000 | 2 | — | 26 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2006 | 370 | 93,550 | 6 | — | 27 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
All Toyota Highlander Hybrid model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2018 Toyota Highlander Hybrid have?
NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 2018 Toyota Highlander Hybrid as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2018 Toyota Highlander Hybrid is reported most often?
Other or unknown is named most often, in 2 complaints (40% of the total), followed by brakes with 1.
Has the 2018 Toyota Highlander Hybrid been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
How did the 2018 Toyota Highlander Hybrid do in NHTSA crash tests?
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2018 Toyota Highlander Hybrid 5 out of 5 stars overall. Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.
What gas mileage does the 2018 Toyota Highlander Hybrid get?
The EPA rates the 2018 Toyota Highlander Hybrid (Highlander Hybrid AWD LE Plus, 3.5L 6-cyl · hybrid) at 29 mpg combined, 30 city and 28 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,300 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2018 Toyota Highlander Hybrid reported?
Among the 5 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 850 miles and the middle half falls between 36 and 6,000 miles; 100% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.