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BrakesPart report

2018 Toyota Highlander Brakes Problems

Complaints
58about this part
Share
21%of 273 total for the year
Median mileage
16,500miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 58 complaints about the brakes of the 2018 Toyota Highlander, 21% of the 273 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 16,500 miles. 9 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“The vehicle was in my driveway both times that this has happened so far. I went out first thing in the morning to start it and the brake pedal was extremely hard when I went to press the pedal in order to put the engine start button and all of the electronics turned on but the vehicle refused to start and displayed a message stating braking power low, stop in a safe place. …”

NHTSA complaint #11389968, filed 2021-01, 64,324 miles

“MY 2018 Toyota Highlander XLE had a break malfunction April 15, 2022. The Brake light illuminated, low brake power flashed briefly and the pedal became stiff and unable to press for braking. I swerved to avoid rear ending the car in front of me. Brought it in to Toyota and they want $2000 to fix the break booster vacuum, and said it is not covered by warranty. My car only has 46k miles! This part is clearly faulty and Toyota should replace it. …”

NHTSA complaint #11461662, filed 2022-04, 46,000 miles

“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

“Slowly (3-5mph) moving toward exit ramp from hospital parking lot. Tried to brake before turning right onto ramp, but service brake didn't respond -- felt like I was just pounding the floor. Vehicle continued to coast. I turned it onto exit ramp. During coast down ramp the multi-function display showed low brake power or brake power low . Vehicle speed remained relatively constant. I shifted into r (reverse), think that no harm would come to transmission at that speed, but nothing happened; coast remained constant. …”

NHTSA complaint #11297298, filed 2020-01, 12,880 miles

“An inspection found my left rear brake was severely worn at only 21000 miles. This is so unusual I want to register my complaint. All of the three brakes were only lightly worn.”

NHTSA complaint #11365828, filed 2020-10, 21,500 miles

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Brakes: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2025220%
2024819%
20232011%
20224015%
20216813%
20204113%
2019204%
20185821%
20172911%
20161917%
2015158%
201432%
2013178%
2012148%
2011179%
20103014%
20092619%
20088120%
20073629%
200610237%
20052411%
2004248%
20033313%
2002124%
20011914%

Other parts of the 2018 Toyota Highlander

Transmission and drivetrain
72 complaintsOther or unknown
46 complaintsEngine
36 complaintsFuel system
36 complaintsElectrical system
24 complaintsAir bags
19 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 30, 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