Problems · NHTSA complaints
2018 Toyota Highlander Hybrid problems
Owners filed 5 complaints about the 2018 Toyota Highlander Hybrid with NHTSA between Jul 2018 and Nov 2022. The most-cited component is service brakes, hydraulic (1).
Complaints
5
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Service brakes, hydraulic1
- Structure1
- Engine1
- Wheels1
- Fuel/propulsion system1
- Other / unknown2
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
4
0
0
0
1
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 4 |
| 2019 | 0 |
| 2020 | 0 |
| 2021 | 0 |
| 2022 | 1 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Service brakes, hydraulic
1 report
“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.”
Structure
1 report
“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.”
Engine
1 report1 fire
“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.”
Wheels
1 report
“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).”
Fuel/propulsion system
1 report
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.