There’s not a whole lot wrong with the 2018 Toyota Highlander, but a handful of issues include recalls for potential fuel pump failure, a parts shortage related to those recalls, and electrical features simply failing to turn on.
Key Points
- The 2018 Toyota Highlander has been recalled twice for faulty fuel pumps, with many drivers still waiting on those repair parts, as dealers have reported a shortage.
- Much of the reason behind the parts shortage is that over 1.5 million Toyota models were affected, a tall order even for an auto giant.
- The Highlander has suffered a seemingly random assortment of electrical issues pointing to computer modules in need of an update.
2018 Highlander Faced Two Recalls for Fuel Pump Failure, which Affected Over 1.5 Million Toyota Models
Part of the reason we don’t have much to complain about with the 2018 Highlander is that Toyota has already addressed the SUV’s biggest concern with a pair of recalls at the beginning and end of 2020, each covering over 1.5 million 2018-2019 Toyotas, and each for potential fuel pump failure.
Worst case scenario, its failure leads to your car losing power, which can be dangerous while driving.
This problem makes the top of our list, even though it’s already been recalled, simply because it is pretty important that you get it taken care of as soon as possible. Recalls are free, and valid for the lifetime of your car, no matter when your warranty runs out. Don’t put it off.
Parts Shortage on Fuel Pump Recall Means Most Affected 2018 Highlander Owners will Have to Be Patient
The 2018 Highlander has only had 100 or so registered National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints in its three to four years on the road, which isn’t bad. The clearest pattern here is found across 17 engine complaints, 14 fuel system complaints, and 12 propulsion complaints that mostly point to a parts shortage with the aforementioned fuel pump recall.
We can rest easy knowing that the parts are on the way, and the recall has already been issued. This isn’t a repair that’s going to have to come out of your pocket.
Still, the most recent report, as of the time of this writing, came through in September of 2021. For drivers to still be waiting for replacement parts nearly two years after the first recall was issued, while not a bad sign, is a bit disheartening.
Fortunately, the incident rate here is pretty low when you consider that nearly 2,000,000 drivers were affected in the last recall alone. Most Highlanders are getting the parts that they need, but some aren’t.
If you happen to be one of the unlucky few they told to wait, the good news is that you don’t need to worry about covering thousands in repairs out of pocket if you did your best to get the recall addressed. Toyota covers the repair costs in the event that they are unable to fix the issue.
But, that doesn’t do much for your peace of mind when you’re driving your Highlander at highway speeds and hoping that the fuel pump doesn’t go out on you. No matter who pays for the repairs, nobody wants to be in an accident. If you have a backup car, you may want to stick to short trips in the Toyota for now and stay off the highway.
Toyota’s 2018 Highlander also Struggles with Faulty Brakes, Forward Collision-avoidance Issues & Electrical Concerns
The most common issues not related directly to the fuel pump recall have to do with the 2018 Highlander’s electrical system. We have 13 complaints for electrical systems, 22 for service brakes, and one for forward collision avoidance. These issues may seem unrelated at a glance, but add them up, and they clearly point to some problems with the car’s onboard computer and wiring systems.
A driver in Texas reports that they got a dash warning, and soon after, “All electronic features failed and [the] vehicle did not turn on at all. [The] vehicle wouldn’t even lock.”
An Ohio driver reports, “[The] starting battery is defective. My Toyota dealer stated this is a known issue … but replacement batteries are unavailable.” They report that while this is covered under warranty, the car cannot even be started until the new battery comes in.
A Virginia driver was driving when their Highlander, “started swiveling to the left, and the traction became very wobbly.” This driver also mentioned that the brakes would not work.
The reports are all over the place, from loss of power steering to radios and interior lights failing, but the most concerning complaints have to do with braking. Just over eight thousand 2018 Highlanders were recalled when it was found that water could trickle down into the wire harness and short-circuit the electrical system.
It’s worth checking your VIN to see if this recall affects you, but if you’re experiencing electrical problems, it could be an unrelated issue, so you might want to review related technical service bulletins for matching reports.
Don’t Avoid the 2018 Toyota Highlander, it’s a Reliable SUV with a Solid Reputation
Yes, five recalls isn’t the lowest number compared to other models in its class, but the 2018 Highlander only has 100 or so complaints, where some competitors have more than double that.
When combined with an Owner Review rating of 4.6 stars out of five here at Vehicle History across more than 500 reviews, it quickly becomes clear that while not perfect, the 2018 Highlander is a safe pick in its class.
Photos: Toyota