VinCanary

Reliability report · 2018 Toyota Highlander · Updated July 2026

The eight-speed's recovery year — a late-2018 build is the calmer third-gen buy.

2018 is the year the eight-speed automatic (UA80) got sorted: the mechanic community says Toyota revised the transmission internally and updated the software by mid-2018, so a late-build 2018 has 'the same transmission as a late 18 and 19' — the fixed version. Early-2018 builds can still fall in the trouble window, which is why build date matters here.

The rest of the third-gen picture carries over: the front timing-cover oil leak (a $2,000–$4,000 out-of-warranty reseal, mechanic estimate), the low-pressure fuel-pump recall, and — specific to 2018 — a brake-booster vacuum-pump recall that can cause sudden loss of brake assist. All the recall work is free; verify it was done.

Evidence: 259 NHTSA complaints · 5 recall campaigns · 6 mechanic & forum sources

Canary status

Chirping

What that means: 254 complaints on the gas Highlander plus 5 on the newly separate Hybrid (259 total), and five recalls. Toyota resolved the eight-speed's launch problems by mid-2018, so a later-build 2018 sidesteps the 2017 transmission trial — but the timing-cover oil leak and a brake-booster recall still apply.

CalmChirpingSquawkingFainted

This status assumes the riskiest common powertrain — see the Highlander engine guide.

259

Federal complaints

5

Recalls

$6,000–$11,000

Out-of-warranty UA80 replacement (owners' dealer quotes)

$0

Repair/replacement under warranty or extension

Known issues

Ranked by the cost of ignoring them. Every claim carries its source.

Eight-speed automatic — better, but check the build date

moderate

The UA80 eight-speed's launch problems (whine, harsh shifting, failures) were, per the mechanic source, 'resolved completely by mid-2018.' A late-2018 build carries the revised transmission and is the same unit as the 2019. An early-2018 build can still sit in the 2017–early-2018 defect window, so ask for the build date (on the driver's door jamb) and, either way, verify any transmission work in the history or remaining coverage by VIN. A high-pitch whine on acceleration is the tell.

What to check

Pink and cleanServiced. Proceed.

Dark brownDamage underway.

Repair/replacement under warranty or extension

$0

Out-of-warranty UA80 replacement (owners' dealer quotes)

$6,000–$11,000

Sources: NHTSA complaint database, 2018 Highlander + Highlander Hybrid · Independent mechanic channel transcripts (Car Care Nut 2014–2019 buying guide)

Front timing-cover oil leak (3.5L V6)major

Still the number-one third-gen issue: the 3.5-liter V6's front timing cover leaks oil and, because the engine must be dropped to reseal it, costs $2,000–$4,000 out of warranty (mechanic estimate). The federal engine cluster on 2018 cars independently shows valve-cover-to-cam-tower seal leaks. Inspect that the engine and timing-cover area are dry before buying; the vacuum pump on this V6 can also knock at idle (a TSB, not a safety item).

Sources: NHTSA manufacturer communications (recall documents, fuel-pump settlement, paint program) · Independent mechanic channel transcripts (Car Care Nut 2014–2019 buying guide)

$2,000–$4,000

Timing-cover reseal, out of warranty (mechanic estimate)

Brake-booster vacuum pump recall — sudden loss of brake assistmajor

Recall 18V-211 covers 2018 Camry and Highlander (and some 2017 Sienna/Tacoma and a Lexus RX350): the brake-booster vacuum-pump rotor's oil galley may have been improperly machined, which can cause a sudden loss of brake assist. The remedy is a free vacuum-pump replacement. This is the recall to confirm completed on any 2018 — it is a braking item, not a label.

Sources: NHTSA complaint database, 2018 Highlander + Highlander Hybrid · NHTSA manufacturer communications (recall documents, fuel-pump settlement, paint program)

$0

Recall vacuum-pump replacement

Low-pressure fuel pump recall — and the settlement programmoderate

The 2018 is covered by both the original (20V-012) and expanded (20V-682) Denso low-pressure fuel-pump recall: the in-tank pump can fail and stall the engine, remedied by a free replacement. The December 2022 court settlement also created a Customer Support Program — a quiet extended coverage — for certain 2014–2020 vehicles repaired under the recall. Verify the recall shows completed by VIN.

Sources: NHTSA complaint database, 2018 Highlander + Highlander Hybrid · NHTSA manufacturer communications (recall documents, fuel-pump settlement, paint program)

$0

Recall pump replacement

Known nuisances: rotors, bulbs, radio, paintminor

Warped front rotors under city braking (recurring), frequent brake-light/fog-light bulb replacements, infotainment reboots and Bluetooth drops, and Blizzard Pearl / Super White paint peeling (Toyota program for 2008–2018). Ordinary third-gen ownership texture, none of it structural.

Sources: NHTSA manufacturer communications (recall documents, fuel-pump settlement, paint program) · Independent mechanic channel transcripts (Car Care Nut 2014–2019 buying guide)

They updated the transmission physically inside and altered the software and resolved this problem completely by mid-2018.
6 mechanic & owner sources

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Open recalls

Free fixes at any Toyota dealer. Run the VIN — “completed” isn’t always completed.

  1. 18V-211Brake-booster vacuum pump rotor may be improperly machined (2018 Camry/Highlander among others), risking sudden loss of brake assist. Free vacuum-pump replacement.open
  2. 20V-012Denso low-pressure fuel pump (original campaign) can fail and stall the engine. Free pump replacement.open
  3. 20V-682Expansion of the low-pressure fuel-pump recall covering 2017–2019 Highlander among many models. Free improved-pump replacement.open
  4. 17V-831Incorrect load-carrying-capacity labels on certain 2018 Highlander/RAV4 and other models. Corrected labels provided free.open
  5. 18E-107Aftermarket Fujian Wanda replacement windshields (2014–2018 Highlander) have a wire harness water can leak into, risking engine-control-module (ECM) damage and stalling. Applies only if such a windshield was fitted; free.open

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