Skip to content
Forward collision avoidancePart report

2018 Toyota Highlander Forward collision avoidance Problems

Complaints
9about this part
Share
3%of 272 total for the year
Median mileage
77,500miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the forward collision avoidance of the 2018 Toyota Highlander, 3% of the 272 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 77,500 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

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

“Approaching a stop light brakes didn’t work. The automatic system activated and the car stopped right before I rear-ended the car in front of me. I took it to a Toyota dealership and they diagnosed a faulty brake booster pump with a price of $2500 to replace. I see this isn’t a unique problem for the 2018 Highlander but after talking with Toyota they denied any coverage since my vehicle has 48,000 miles and is out of warranty.”

NHTSA complaint #11464075, filed 2022-05

“The Pre-Collision System (PCS) failed to engage the automatic emergency braking during a stop-and-go traffic, thereby, resulting in rear-ending the vehicle ahead of our 2018 Highlander Limited vehicle. Our Highlander was at a complete stop, then when the traffic moved slowly forward, we too started moving forward but didn't realize the vehicle ahead of us had suddenly stopped again. Our Highlander alerted us with high-pitched beep-beep-beep sound, but it didn't stop before colliding with the rear of the vehicle ahead of us. …”

NHTSA complaint #11758854, filed 2026-08

“I am having an issue with my brake assist in my 2018 Toyota Highlander. This car was purchased new and has had regular service/ maintenance with the dealership since purchased. 1st incident was minor in nature. My brake was gently applied and the ABS feature turned on and brake system engaged without any need. 2nd incident brake was applied and at the halfway point the brake stopped working. It felt like it locked. I could not stop my car as I was approaching another car. Car stopped at the last possible moment before impact. …”

NHTSA complaint #11472855, filed 2022-07

“On a trip to NC on June 27 2024, then on to Hilton Head SC on 6/29, multiple system warning lights suddenly appeared on the dash including ABS, Lane Departure Warning, BSM, notifying me that those safety features were not available on the vehicle. Sometimes the the lights would disappear, especially if the vehicle was stopped and the engine was turned off at a rest area. Because the check engine light was not lit, I continued to our NC destination. We continued our trip on 6/29 to Hilton Head, and the lights continued to appear, sometimes staying on for an hour or more. …”

NHTSA complaint #11600127, filed 2024-07

“The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated while driving at approximately 45 MPH, and later at various speeds, the Forward Collision Avoidance failed to operate properly. The contact was unable to turn off the system. The contact stated that under certain driving conditions, while driving and following a curve in the roadway, the system would activate and start braking the vehicle, even though there was no danger of a frontal collision. The contact stated that the failure was persistent. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a dealer or an independent mechanic. …”

NHTSA complaint #11575372, filed 2024-03, 79,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Forward collision avoidance: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2025220%
202412%
202353%
2022228%
2021122%
202072%
2019112%
201893%
201741%
201633%
201221%
201111%
201021%
200911%
200711%
200621%
200310%

Other parts of the 2018 Toyota Highlander

Transmission and drivetrain
71 complaints
Brakes
58 complaints
Other or unknown
46 complaints
Engine
36 complaints
Fuel system
36 complaints
Electrical system
24 complaints
Air bags
19 complaints
Body and structure
12 complaints
Steering
10 complaints
Vehicle speed control
9 complaints
Suspension
6 complaints
Visibility (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 29, 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