2018 Toyota Highlander Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 24about this part
- Share
- 9%of 270 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 14,850miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 24 complaints about the electrical system of the 2018 Toyota Highlander, 9% of the 270 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 14,850 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Phone system cuts out and doesn't download contacts. Being told Toyota is doing update. This has been told to me 6-8 times. I continually take the car in for service. I was never contacted about a fuel pump recall that can cause a crash. I found the recall myself. To this date I have not received notice of the recall. I forced Toyota to give me a rental car and not a Toyota. That was on march 16th. To this date there is no fix and my car is sitting in florida. Toyota refused to allow me to leave it at the dealership even though I live in delaware. …”
NHTSA complaint #11321401, filed 2020-04, 36,000 miles“Early today, 3/21/19, was alerted that my hatchback was open. The car had been locked for several hours, but when I came outside I was told by a friend that the hatch had just opened on it's own. About an hour later, I was driving after dark and received a blindside mirror alert--the closest car was at least two car lengths immediately behind me in the same lane. Shortly after, the caution light came on, beeped, the eco light came on, it beeped again and the eco light went off. About 40 minutes later, I had the bright headlights on with the auto dim enacted. …”
NHTSA complaint #11190636, filed 2019-03, 11,500 miles“Issues with hands-free device working intermittently. Phone being used is iphone 11 max and when connected it seems that radio and hands free will go off until they reboot themselves.”
NHTSA complaint #11315649, filed 2020-03, 14,900 miles“Driving on I75 at 75mph, while trying to adjust the steering wheel, as soon I unlocked steering wheel lock and put the steering all the way to lowest position it just stalled on highway. Lucky enough I was alone and was able to pull over safely. There is seriously something wrong with steering wheel electrical or ignition system or something with else.”
NHTSA complaint #11542479, filed 2023-09“I have a power steering warning light. Steering is harder than normal. I believe this vehicle is having the same power steering problem that Toyota Tundra and sequoias are having. I want it to be recalled and paid for by the manafacturer. This is ridiculous a well maintained vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #11480554, filed 2022-08Related service bulletins
- 11022964Aug 20, 2025Some 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, 2025The 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…
- 10238157May 30, 2023TSB: The Immobilizer and Smart Key Reset is a feature that allows the registration of new keys when all master keys are lost. Once the system is reset, all previously registered…
- 10224111Jun 20, 2022TT: Some 17-22MY Highlander and 17-20MY Sienna vehicles may experience a MIL ON condition with DTC(s) P042000, and/or P043000. This issue could involve deteriorated catalyst…
- 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…
- 10220177Jun 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…
- 10211830Apr 29, 2022Some 2016 ? 2018 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with Entune? Audio (version 01013E), Entune? Audio Plus (version 010156 or 01015C), or Entune? Premium Audio (versions…
- 10210373Mar 8, 2022TT: When customers have a concern about a discharged battery, no start, or general battery concern, the DCA-8000 is the only appropriate tool to use for diagnosis
- 10207963Jan 28, 2022TSB This Service Bulletin includes guidelines meant to help determine whether to repair or replace a wire harness assembly based on damage type. This Service Bulletin should be…
- 10198153May 26, 2021TSB: Some 2017 ? 2018 model year Highlander and Sienna, 2018 model year Camry, and 2019 model year Avalon vehicles with and without the stop and start feature may exhibit a MIL…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 10% |
| 2024 | 6 | 14% |
| 2023 | 12 | 6% |
| 2022 | 23 | 9% |
| 2021 | 28 | 5% |
| 2020 | 18 | 6% |
| 2019 | 56 | 11% |
| 2018 | 24 | 9% |
| 2017 | 46 | 17% |
| 2016 | 14 | 13% |
| 2015 | 52 | 27% |
| 2014 | 35 | 26% |
| 2013 | 26 | 13% |
| 2012 | 29 | 16% |
| 2011 | 23 | 13% |
| 2010 | 53 | 25% |
| 2009 | 20 | 15% |
| 2008 | 44 | 11% |
| 2007 | 23 | 19% |
| 2006 | 26 | 9% |
| 2005 | 25 | 11% |
| 2004 | 18 | 6% |
| 2003 | 15 | 6% |
| 2002 | 13 | 4% |
| 2001 | 5 | 4% |
Other parts of the 2018 Toyota Highlander
69 complaintsBrakes
58 complaintsOther or unknown
45 complaintsFuel system
36 complaintsEngine
35 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 27, 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