2018 Toyota Highlander hybrid problems

General information about Toyota-Highlander hybrid
Overview of popular issues
Analysis of common problems
Сomplaints list
Negative car reviews
Positive car reviews

The Toyota Highlander, also known as the Toyota Kluger (Japanese: トヨタ・クルーガー, Hepburn: Toyota Kurūgā), is a mid-size crossover SUV with three-row seating produced by Toyota since 2000.

Announced in April 2000 at the New York International Auto Show and arriving in late 2000 in Japan and January 2001 in North America, the Highlander became one of the first car-based mid-size SUV or mid-size crossovers. The Highlander is the crossover counterpart to the more rugged, truck-based mid-size 4Runner and became Toyota's best-selling SUV before being surpassed by the smaller RAV4 in 2006.

The first-generation model was sold in Japan as the Kluger, which was exclusive to dealership network called Toyota Netz as a larger alternative to the RAV4. The Kluger nameplate is also used in Australia because "Highlander" is a trademarked trim line name owned by Hyundai. The name is derived from the German word klug, which means smart or clever (Klüger – with diacritics – means "someone who is smarter than another" in German).

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Common 2018 Toyota Highlander hybrid problems

Based on the complaints from owners of the Toyota Highlander Hybrid 2018, several common problems have been reported. Here is a detailed list of these issues:

Engine Problems:
- Complaints include the vehicle becoming immobile when the Check Engine light illuminates, disabling the All-Wheel Drive system and stability control. There are reports of engine stalling during operation, attributed to the 2018 Toyota Highlander fuel pump recall. Engine failure can result from a damaged pump or windshield wiring harness failure.
Powertrain Jerking:
- Owners have reported the vehicle jerking during slow acceleration and shifting erratically. Despite dealership acknowledgment, a long-term fix or explanation has not been provided.
Tires Wearing Out:
- Numerous customers have experienced tires wearing out faster than expected, with no specific model or manufacturer mentioned. Dealerships have not provided a satisfactory response to this issue.
Banging Sounds:
- Some users have reported hearing banging noises from various parts of the vehicle. While dealerships have acknowledged the problem, they have not been able to provide a definitive explanation for its occurrence.
Brake Failure and Locking Up:
- Brake failure has led to accidents, with reports of brakes not stopping the vehicle despite sufficient time and space. The most common issue is brake locking up, with some users receiving messages like "Braking Power Low, Stop in a Safe Place." Toyota is aware of this problem caused by braking assist vacuum failure, and a recall has been issued.
Electrical Malfunction:
- Several complaints have been related to electrical malfunctions in the 2018 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. Specific details about these issues are not provided in the sources.
Windshield and Wipers Problems:
- The sources mention issues related to the windshield and wipers, but specific details are not elaborated upon.
Sunroof Explosion:
- There is a mention of sunroof explosions in the sources, but further details are not provided.

These problems highlight the importance of thorough research and consideration before purchasing a Toyota Highlander Hybrid 2018. Owners should be aware of these issues to ensure proper maintenance and timely repairs to avoid potential safety hazards and costly repairs.

Are there problems with Toyota Highlander Hybrid?

Toyota Highlander Hybrid Reliability Problems. Highlander Hybrid owners have made 122 complaints over 15 model years. Using our PainRank™ system we've ranked it 25th in overall reliability out of 33 Toyota models , with real brakes and engine concerns.

Are there any problems with 2018 Toyota Highlander?

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.

Is 2018 a good year for the Highlander?

Edmunds' Expert Rating

The 2018 Toyota Highlander is one of the best picks available for a versatile three-row crossover SUV. Thanks to a comfortable and quiet ride, abundant standard features and a just-right size, it should serve you well as a do-all family hauler.

What is the fuel system problem on the 2018 Toyota Highlander?

Toyota issued a recall on 2018 & 2019 Toyota Highlander SUVs due to a faulty fuel pump that can cause the engine to stall. Toyota issued a recall on 2015 Toyota Highland and Highlander Hybrid vehicles due to a achievable loss of power steering assist.

Are there any problems with 2018 Toyota Highlander?

Are there problems with Toyota Highlander Hybrid?

What is the fuel system problem on the 2018 Toyota Highlander?

Are there any recalls on 2018 Toyota Highlanders?

At the time of this writing, the 2018 Highlander is subject to two ongoing recalls according to the NHTSA. The first involves a brake assist vacuum pump. If it fails, the result could be a sudden loss of braking assist. This recall affects 6,046 vehicles in total.

2018 Toyota Highlander hybrid car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Toyota Highlander hybrid problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

Unknown or other problems
Service brakes problems
Hydraulic problems
Structure problems
Engine problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 2018 Toyota Highlander hybrid vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

2018 Toyota Highlander hybrid complaints

The NHTSA has received 5 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2018 Toyota Highlander hybrid.

2022-11-10

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2020-01-10
VIN: 5TDJGRFH6JS
Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Summary: The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated while coming to a complete stop and depressing the brake pedal, he heard abnormal squeaking and rubbing sounds. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure persisted while at a complete stop. The contact stated that upon inspecting under the hood of the vehicle while someone depressed the brake pedal, he noticed that the ABS pump was emitting abnormal humming sounds. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the ABS pump was defective with an abnormal humming sound. The ABS also remained running 6 seconds after the brake pedal was released. The local dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 36,000.

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2018-11-15

STRUCTURE PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2018-07-28
VIN: 5TDJGRFH2JS
Components: STRUCTURE
Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CHROME TRIM ON THE DASHBOARD SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED THE DRIVER'S VISIBILITY ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VIEW OF THE FRONT SIDE MIRRORS WERE OBSTRUCTED BY A SHINY GLARE THAT CREATED A BLINDING EFFECT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LACK OF VISIBILITY BECAME MORE PROMINENT AND PERSISTENT IN THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE MIRROR WHEN THE SUN WAS PRESENT. STEVINSON TOYOTA WEST (780 DENVER WEST COLORADO MILLS BLVD, LAKEWOOD, COLORADO 80401, (720) 259-2544) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO AN INDEPENDENT BODY REPAIR SHOP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36.

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2018-09-30

UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2018-09-21
Crash: 1
Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Summary: THE BRAKES FAILED WHEN BACKING UP AT ABOUT 4 MPH. CAR DIDN'T STOP UNTIL IT HIT A TREE. BRAKING ASSIST DIDN'T WORK. TWO FEET ON BRAKES COULD NOT STOP THE CAR.

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2018-07-09

ENGINE PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2018-07-04
Fire: 1
Components: ENGINE
Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A PARKING LOT, THE CONTACT WAS NOTIFIED BY THE FAIRFAX FIRE MARSHALL THAT THE VEHICLE SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT FIRE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FIRE STARTED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT CALLED A LOCAL DEALER (PRIORITY TOYOTA SPRINGFIELD, 7601 LOISDALE RD, SPRINGFIELD, VA 22150 (703) 269-1400) AND WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT INFORMED THE CONTACT TO CALL THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

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2018-07-02

WHEELS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2018-07-02
VIN: 5TDBGRFH2JS
Components: WHEELS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Summary: VEHICLE IS DUE FOR AN INSPECTION AFTER 5000 MILES. A CERTIFIED INSPECTION IS TO BE PERFORMED BY NEW OWNER (XXXX) AT AN APPROVED CA INSPECTION SITE. PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

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Negative 2018 Toyota Highlander hybrid car reviews

Layne Johnson 2024-08-16

We had some trouble with the 47 computers on board during the first week of owning it. I purchased the car for my wife, but now she feels uneasy about driving it.
Mathew Spinka 2024-04-11

The 3rd row seats are not very practical as they are difficult to climb into and uncomfortable, except for small children. The 2nd row seats are adequate but not great. The cargo room is not as spacious as other cars in its class, such as the 4Runner or even the compact Hyundai Elantra. The power rear door lift is slow and can be frustrating. The sun visors are not very high quality as they do not swivel to adjust the angle and there is no option to have both side and front visors like some other cars in this price range. The heated steering wheel is a nice feature, but it does not heat the 10 and 2 positions which can be disappointing. The warranty is only 3 years/36,000 miles which is not as good as other cars that offer 10/100,000. The information display has many redundant screens and lacks customization which can be overwhelming and distracting. The special Eco display app is not very clear and can be confusing. The Entune subscription fee is not worth it as you can do all the same things without it. The emergency assist is only available after the 1st year with a subscription which is not up to current industry standards that provide lifetime without a fee. The navigation system is less intuitive than other makes of cars I've driven. As a 40-year Toyota owner, I have some concerns about this model, but I still appreciate the brand.
Mathew Kunze 2024-01-27

My 2018 Highlander Hybrid has experienced a steady decrease in gas mileage over the life of the vehicle, going from 27 mpg to 21.5 mpg in less than 3 years. Despite repeated visits to Toyota service, they have been unable to identify any issues or offer a solution. However, I am confident that there must be a solution to this issue and I am hopeful that Toyota will be able to find it. While I am disappointed that my Hybrid is not performing as well as a conventional vehicle, I remain optimistic that this issue can be resolved.

Positive 2018 Toyota Highlander hybrid car reviews

Alexzander Reilly 2025-01-08

We may not recoup the extra cost of the Hybrid through fuel savings alone, but if oil prices rise to $90/barrel, it will bring us closer. The comfort is excellent, and the highway drive is incredibly smooth. I appreciate all the safety features, remote start, and cargo capacity. This SUV is slightly longer (by 1-3 inches) and lower (by 1-3 inches) than the 12-year-old Honda Pilot it replaced. The sound system is fantastic.
Orval Balistreri 2024-11-16

I'm so glad to hear that you love your hybrid highlander! It's great to know that you find it very comfortable to drive.
Adriel Morar 2024-11-03

The vehicle has a lot of pros, including being a dependable all-purpose vehicle with lots of space for hauling stuff. The seats are also easy to fold down flat, and it has good mileage for a vehicle this size, though it's nowhere near Prius levels of hybrid economy. However, there are some cons to consider. The passenger seat only has 4-way adjustability, which is ridiculous on a 40k+ vehicle (ours is the Hybrid Limited; only the highest level, Platinum, has full adjustability for front passenger). Additionally, the JBL stereo is mediocre, and the drivetrain kind of 'moos'. The navigation system UI is laughable, and it's hard to imagine why anyone would want to use it instead of their phone. Unfortunately, there's no Apple/Android integration in 2018. Lastly, the handling is a little wallowy, but then again, I didn't buy this expecting a sports car.
Elian Ortiz 2024-10-20

After purchasing this 2018 car, I drove it 5600 miles from Delaware to Seattle, Washington with my fit friends, English Springer Spaniel, and luggage. Despite the extra weight, it consistently gets 25 mpg. Driving it is a pleasure, thanks to the driver lumbar support, 2nd row captain's chairs, sturdy leather upholstery, and excellent sound system. I always keep the 3rd row down for cargo, dog crate, and my furry friend. I plan on enjoying this Highlander for many years to come!
Tavares Schroeder 2024-10-15

I owned my first Highlander Hybrid Limited for 9 years and wasn't planning on purchasing a new car, until we had an unexpected 'encounter' with the garage. ; ) We had the 2008 Highlander repaired but in the meantime, we decided to purchase a 2017 Highlander Hybrid Limited Platinum over Labor Day weekend. Toyota has really stepped up their game with the Highlanders, as my 2008 Limited trim level is now equivalent to the XLE. The 2017 Limited Platinum is loaded with everything you could imagine, and I absolutely love it! Overall, I am extremely pleased.

Additional sources

More sources of information about 2018 Toyota Highlander hybrid problems:

2018 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Problems | Kelley Blue Book

https://www.kbb.com/toyota/highlander-hybrid/2018/common-problems/

How reliable is the 2018 Toyota Highlander Hybrid? See the most common repairs performed and learn if your vehicle is at risk for major repairs in the next ...

Common problems on 4th Gen Highlanders? : r/ToyotaHighlander

https://www.reddit.com/r/ToyotaHighlander/comments/z8snf6/common_problems_on_4th_gen_highlanders/

Nov 30, 2022 ... ... common problems we may face with the Highlander? ... Highlander hybrid. That also has a TSB and ... pawnticket. • 1y ago. I got a 2018 new and we ...

2018 Toyota Highlander: A Dependable SUV, Despite Fuel Pump ...

https://www.vehiclehistory.com/articles/2018-toyota-highlander-a-dependable-suv-despite-fuel-pump-recalls-potential-electrical-problems

Oct 28, 2021 ... There's not a whole lot wrong with the 2018 Toyota Highlander, but a handful of issues include recalls for potential fuel pump failure, ...

Winter problems to be expected with the Toyota Highlander (Hybrid ...

https://www.reddit.com/r/ToyotaHighlander/comments/1279x0i/winter_problems_to_be_expected_with_the_toyota/

Mar 31, 2023 ... I have a Highlander Hybrid and live in Northern Ontario, which is even colder than Ottawa. I've never had or heard of any issues with Hybrids.