2018 Toyota Highlander engine problems
33 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the engine on the 2018 Toyota Highlander — 13% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“While driving my 2018 Toyota Highlander Limited, the check engine light began flashing off and on. I was near an exit and drove off the freeway. I could feel the car (near the gas pedal) start shaking, then the power went down quickly... as I was trying to find a safe place to go. The farther I…”
filed Jul 16, 2026
“I just got my vehicle inspected and successfully passed with no codes on 07/07/2026. Today 07/10/2026 as I was driving to work my vehicle began to jerk/ jitter and when into limp mode. I took it to a shop to have the codes checked on it and they said it was something to do with the transmission and…”
filed Jul 10, 2026
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Engine problems in other Highlander years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 Highlander | 4 | 10% |
| 2023 Highlander | 27 | 16% |
| 2022 Highlander | 10 | 4% |
| 2021 Highlander | 44 | 9% |
| 2020 Highlander | 16 | 5% |
| 2019 Highlander | 69 | 15% |
| 2017 Highlander | 44 | 17% |
| 2016 Highlander | 9 | 8% |
| 2015 Highlander | 9 | 5% |
| 2014 Highlander | 3 | 2% |
| 2013 Highlander | 31 | 15% |
| 2012 Highlander | 17 | 9% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2018 Toyota Highlander
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.