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2018 Toyota Highlander brakes problems

severe 45 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →

Failure mileage
Complaints
45
Recalls
1
Avg fix
$450
3crashes
2injuries

Related recalls

severe NHTSA 18V211000 April 3, 2018

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

A sudden loss of braking assist can increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake booster vacuum pump, free of charge. The recall began on May 9, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371, or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are J0K/JLD.

What owners are reporting 2 most recent

brakes · filed 12/29/2023

Driving down the street when an alarm went off stating "braking power low" and to "stop immediately". Vehicle to be towed and taken to local car dealership. Over the phone, the dealership claims no braking element has been recalled for my particular vehicle, however other highlanders from the same year model were recalled for braking issues (vacuum pump.) have been having issues with the…

brakes · filed 12/02/2023

I’ve always had issues with my breaks since I purchased my car. Today when I tried to turn on my car I received a message stating breaking power low. I did not have that issue last night nor had I seen it before. My car will not start

Had brakes trouble with your 2018 Toyota Highlander? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.

Common questions

How serious is the brakes problem on the 2018 Toyota Highlander?

It's a meaningful issue. 45 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.

At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?

Across the 15 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most brakes failures cluster between 14,100 and 46,000 miles, with the median around 27,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 14,100; a quarter make it past 46,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.

What does it cost to fix?

Independent shops typically charge around $450 for brakes repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.

Are there any recalls related to brakes?

Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover brakes issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.

Related

Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2018/Toyota/Highlander. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.
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