The 2018 Toyota Highlander has had its share of issues, averaging a recall a year since its release. But with fewer than 150 complaints on file at present, plus a Top Safety Pick from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, it’s a fairly safe, reliable SUV.
- The 2018 Toyota Highlander has five NHTSA recalls on file, with 147 complaints and zero investigations.
- There have been two recalls for the 2018 Highlander’s low pressure fuel pump.
- Brake assist vacuum pump issues have resulted in a recall, with a handful of complaints having been registered since the recall went into effect.
- An assortment of engine and electrical problems may stem from a windshield leak resulting in a damaged wire harness.
- The IIHS awarded the 2018 Highlander a Top Safety Pick, with the NHTSA giving the SUV mostly perfect scores, excepting four star ratings for rollover and overall front impact.
The 2018 Highlander Has Been Recalled Twice for Fuel Pump Failure
A pair of recalls issued in 2020 resulting in more than three million notifications being issued to Toyota owners saw 2018 Highlander drivers being called into the shop both times for issues with the low pressure fuel pumps and stalling engines.
Malfunctions in either fuel pump will likely result in engine stall, but the low pressure fuel pump in particular is tasked with moving fuel from the gas tank into the engine. The high pressure fuel pump than takes that fuel and administers it into the combustion system.
There have been a few reports of engine stall since the recalls went into effect, but not many. There was just one fuel/propulsion complaint in 2022, and just three in 2021, plus a handful of stalling complaints filed in the engine category. So, a few outliers aside, the recalls seem to have done their job.
When shopping for a used Highlander, it’s not a bad idea to check the VIN. If you get this recall taken care of right away, you should have no issues. But leave it pending and you’re going to have debris building up in the engine and causing permanent damage.
Brake Assist Vacuum Pump Failure Recall Leaves a Few Units Unaddressed
A recall was issued in 2018 for just over 6,000 units affected by failing brake booster vacuum pumps. The issue here came down to problems at a manufacturing level. That is, as soon as the part itself rolled off the conveyor belt, it was destined to fail at some point.
If you have issues with your brake assist vacuum pump, you’re going to have weak brakes, sometimes with kind of a spongy feel, like stepping on a pile of dish scrubbers, one air bubbles move their way into the lines. In some instances you’re going to have total brake failure.
Unfortunately, there have been more than thirty complaints since the recall went into effect. Whether these are drivers who didn’t get the notification, ignored the notification, or whose vehicles were not included in the recall in the first place, we can’t say.
Your best course of action here is to check the VIN, and take the vehicle on a comprehensive test drive. Feel the brakes out at various speeds and see how it feels. If the brakes feel hesitant, weak, or soft, you might as well hand the keys back, thank them for their time, and check out the next car on the list.
Windshield Leak May Result in Electrical Issues
A recall was issued in 2018 for a potential leak in the windshield gasket that could result in water coming into contact with a wiring harness connected to the engine control module, which is the onboard computer that manages all the important engine functions.
This could lead into all sorts of electrical and engine issues from stalling and sputtering to startup failure and total loss of locomotive power. The ECM is basically your car’s brain. If it’s not functioning properly, almost nothing else will.
The recall covered just over 8,000 units, all 2014-2018 Highlanders, and specifically those with aftermarket windshields courtesy of Fujian Wanda Automobile Glass Industry. You can call the NHTSA or Wanda at 1-864-281-2760 to get the recall taken care of.
Symptoms of a damaged ECM may be electrical in nature, but they might not appear electrical on the surface. If you’re getting engine sputtering and stall, that might not be an engine problem, it might have to do with the ECM. So check the VIN and see if the vehicle is covered.
Small Recalls and Few Complaints Make for a Reliable Mid-Size Crossover
The 2018 Highlander has seen its share of recalls, but nothing out of the ordinary for a mid-size crossover SUV. You’ll want to check the VIN and run a comprehensive test drive before you hand any money over, but, assuming it’s in good condition, you could do a lot worse than a 2018 Toyota Highlander.
