2018 Toyota Highlander Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 19about this part
- Share
- 7%of 273 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 21,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 19 complaints about the air bags of the 2018 Toyota Highlander, 7% of the 273 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 21,000 miles. 15 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Slammed on the breaks and the car kept going and crashed into another car infront of me. There was at least 300 feet distance from the time I slammed on the breaks till the crash. I was going on highway about 50 MPH.”
NHTSA complaint #11312018, filed 2020-02, 21,000 miles“We were involved in a motor vehicle accident on 01/25/2020 where we experienced a front impact collision, and the airbags did not deploy. We were in motion in the left turning lane of a two lane road, the adverse vehicle pulled out from a parking lot on the right, crossed two lanes of traffic right into the front of our vehicle causing us to collide. The force of the collision was so hard that the engine mount on the top side has broken away from the engine, I projected forward and my glasses flew from my face. …”
NHTSA complaint #11307214, filed 2020-02, 23,340 miles“I was involved in a motor vehicle accident on 1/28/20 where I sustained a direct, front impact collision, and the airbags failed to deploy. I was in motion on a city street, accelerating forward through a green-lit intersection when a large dodge ram truck turned in front of me causing our vehicles to collide. The impact was so heavy that it caused my body to project forward and upwards. My son's glasses flew off his face and all cups in cup holders flew across the car. My son complained of the seatbelt hurting his shoulder, and I sustained bruises on my legs and arms. …”
NHTSA complaint #11302878, filed 2020-01, 22,000 miles“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 that the pre-collision system that is so much being advertised did not work at all. There was no warning what so ever and definitely did not break on it's own as advertised. At the time of the hit the airbags deployed a little to late at least the passenger one where I was sitting. …”
NHTSA complaint #11105159, filed 2018-07, 3,000 miles“Suv was in a crash and hit a tree mid front bumper with significant damage to the front of SUV. Damage appears to be from the front passenger compartment forward. Driver was wearing seatbelt and no airbag deployed of any kind in any area of the SUV. Driver hit the steering wheel and was injured. Vehicle was in forward motion at an unknown rate of speed . Waiting to see if SUV will be a total loss via insurance company. Component system that appears to be s cause of this safety issue is the air bag system.”
NHTSA complaint #11352156, filed 2020-08, 17,500 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10244113Aug 17, 2023TSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most…
- 10235217Feb 9, 2023DL: On December 20, 2022, a settlement of claims for certain low pressure fuel pumps was approved by the federal court. The settlement includes Toyota?s agreement to provide a…
- 10227898Nov 23, 2022TSB: Some 2005 ? 2022 model year Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty smell is present. Follow the procedures in this…
- 10224102Jun 3, 2022TSB: Some 2016 ? 2018 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with Entune? Audio (version 01013E), Entune? Audio Plus (version 010156 or 01015C), or Entune? Premium Audio (versions…
- 10190460Mar 17, 2021Toyota Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 12 | 6% |
| 2022 | 32 | 12% |
| 2021 | 42 | 8% |
| 2020 | 32 | 10% |
| 2019 | 14 | 3% |
| 2018 | 19 | 7% |
| 2017 | 9 | 3% |
| 2016 | 10 | 9% |
| 2015 | 8 | 4% |
| 2014 | 2 | 1% |
| 2013 | 17 | 8% |
| 2012 | 10 | 5% |
| 2011 | 8 | 4% |
| 2010 | 14 | 6% |
| 2009 | 8 | 6% |
| 2008 | 58 | 14% |
| 2007 | 2 | 2% |
| 2006 | 12 | 4% |
| 2005 | 9 | 4% |
| 2004 | 9 | 3% |
| 2003 | 9 | 3% |
| 2002 | 13 | 4% |
| 2001 | 10 | 7% |
Other parts of the 2018 Toyota Highlander
72 complaintsBrakes
58 complaintsOther or unknown
46 complaintsEngine
36 complaintsFuel system
36 complaintsElectrical system
24 complaintsBody and structure
12 complaintsSteering
10 complaintsForward collision avoidance
9 complaintsVehicle speed control
9 complaintsSuspension
6 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
6 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2018 Toyota Highlander
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology