2018 Toyota Highlander power train problems
60 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the power train on the 2018 Toyota Highlander — 23% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“This vehicle has a UA80 8-speed transmission that has prematurely failed. This is a KNOWN issue to Toyota and they have refused to provide a fix. It is a safety hazard when all acceleration stops when attempting to merge into heavy traffic (as had happened to me last week) or on a highway traveling…”
filed Jul 28, 2026
“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
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Power Train problems in other Highlander years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 Highlander | 3 | 8% |
| 2023 Highlander | 16 | 9% |
| 2022 Highlander | 47 | 21% |
| 2021 Highlander | 199 | 41% |
| 2020 Highlander | 120 | 40% |
| 2019 Highlander | 187 | 40% |
| 2017 Highlander | 70 | 27% |
| 2016 Highlander | 1 | 1% |
| 2015 Highlander | 7 | 4% |
| 2014 Highlander | 8 | 6% |
| 2013 Highlander | 11 | 5% |
| 2012 Highlander | 7 | 4% |
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.