2018 Toyota Highlander brake problems
59 of the 271 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2018 Toyota Highlander name the brakes (NHTSA’s “Service Brakes” heading — the hydraulic brakes, ABS and brake assist). Filed under the same heading: 1 recall. Every figure below is a document in a federal file, linked; none is a failure rate, and none is a verdict on any one car.
What owners filed about the brakes
Source: NHTSA complaint database9 of the 59 reports a crash · 0 a fire · 4 injuries. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2018: 4 · 2019: 7 · 2020: 5 · 2021: 8 · 2022: 14 · 2023: 11 · 2024: 8 · 2025: 2
Half of the 23 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the brake problem between 12,000 and 33,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
271 complaints in all about the 2018 Toyota Highlander, 2 filed in 2025. The whole picture, every system →
Counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many of these were sold; nothing here is a rate. NHTSA groups complaints coarsely, so “Service Brakes” means the same area of the vehicle, not one fault.
Across model years: Toyota Highlander brake problems, every year on file →
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the brakes. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
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.
Intermittently during normal driving conditions, there exists instances where brake hydraulic failure occurs. At times the "brake" indicator light will illuminate associated with increased brake pedal feel. Braking power is reduced. Also, driver display screen displays "braking power low" warning indication.
While driving, the vehicle was having issues braking as it would not want to come to a stop. The engine light would turn on indicating issue but would disappear from dashboard. There was at times that accident would almost occur due to not being able to properly stop. During the time of driving this occurred on a highway while in motion.
Slowly (3-5mph) moving toward exit ramp from hospital parking lot. Tried to brake before turning right onto ramp, but service brake didn't respond -- felt like I was just pounding the floor. Vehicle continued to coast. I turned it onto exit ramp.
Our Toyota Highlander started showing symptoms of "soft brake pedal" in 4.2019 - nothing was found on diagnostic at dealership. Symptoms of "soft brake pedal continued to happen. Vehicle went into dealership again in 7.2019 and was diagnosed w/master cylinder brake fitting loose - fitting tightened and brake system flushed.
What is on file about the brakes
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall filed under this heading
- 18V211000 HighApr 3, 2018 · 6,046 vehicles
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018 Toyota Camry and Highlander vehicles, 2017 Toyota Sienna and Tacoma vehicles and 2017 Lexus RX350 vehicles. During the manufacturing process, the oil galley in the rotor for the brake booster vacuum pump assembly may have been improperly machined possibly resulting in a sudden loss of brake assist.
Trouble codes named on this system
C1253 C1256 P0171 C1252 C1391 P0087 P0174
Codes a bulletin or an owner’s complaint about the 2018 Toyota Highlander names on this model year; a code with a record of its own links it.
Other systems with a record on the 2018 Toyota Highlander
Source: the same files- transmission and drivetrain problems 66 complaints
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre brake problems common on the 2018 Toyota Highlander?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 59 owner complaints naming the brakes on this model year (22% of everything owners filed about it), and 1 recall is filed under the same heading. Whether it is a problem on one particular car is a diagnosis, not a count, and a count says nothing about how many were sold.
Is there a recall for the brakes on the 2018 Toyota Highlander?
Yes — one campaign is filed under this heading: 18V211000. A recall is matched by VIN; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do brake problems show up on the 2018 Toyota Highlander?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 21,000 miles; half of them between 12,000 and 33,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Service Brakes" heading cover?
The hydraulic brakes, ABS and brake assist. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.