2018 Toyota Highlander: adaptive cruise control problems

Filed Oct 28, 2025 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · GA

1. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The issue involves the Dynamic Radar Cruise Control system (vehicle-to-vehicle distance control mode) in my 2018 Toyota Highlander. This system automatically cancels when the vehicle’s speed drops to approximately 25 mph (40 km/h) or below. The system disengages without driver input during normal driving conditions such as heavy traffic or congestion. The component remains functional but poses a safety concern due to its operational design. The vehicle and system are available for inspection upon request. 2. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? This malfunction creates a significant safety risk when driving in stop-and-go or congested traffic. The sudden loss of adaptive speed control forces the driver to quickly resume manual braking and acceleration, which can cause delayed reactions and potential rear-end collisions. The unexpected disengagement may also confuse drivers, especially those relying on the system to maintain safe following distances. This behavior increases cognitive load and the chance of driver error, particularly for elderly or less experienced drivers. 3. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes. The issue has been observed and replicated multiple times during normal driving conditions, such as during city traffic or highway slowdowns. It is also acknowledged in the vehicle owner’s manual, which specifies that the system automatically cancels below approximately 25 mph. However, this design flaw has not been formally addressed or corrected by Toyota dealerships or service centers as a safety concern. 4. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? The vehicle has not been inspected specifically for this concern by Toyota or other third parties. However, the condition is consistent across the same model and year,

Filed Oct 5, 2022 · Engine, Fuel system · SC

Engine light came on, took to auto parts store and they checked for the code. Was told it was an issue with the fuel pump/ vacuum. Reset engine light, stopped to fill up with gas and car would not restart. The steering wheel locked and car would not crank. Was jumped off by a bystander, still would not turn over. After sitting for approx 15 minutes, I tried to restart vehicle again and it cranked. One week later, on vacation, car would not start after getting gas. Once again, took it to auto part store and same code and check engine light was on. Reset engine light, drove fine. Once check engine light is on, I am unable to use cruise control, this was very inconvenient since we were traveling! I have had this same issue happen about 5 times now! Making appointment with dealership to see if this weill be covered by my warranty and hopefully it is a simple fix.

Filed Mar 27, 2021 · Driver assistance, Fuel system · 30,000 miles · WA · crash

1) biggest issue: I bought my SUV new. It was advertised 30/28 mpg. My average mpg since I bought it is 22-23. 2) it slides with barely any ice or rain. It is awful. It slide backward down a small hill last year & caused me to crash. Police responded but were too busy with other incidents to write a report. I had thousands of dollars in damages & rental car fees for the 5-6 weeks it took to have it repaired. I live in the pnw and have driven in snow 35 years. I've never had such bad performance. I had to by michelin ice tires this year bc our SUV is so bad in snow & ice. 3) I was in a minor collision in a parking lot bc I didn't see another car backing out at the same time and the collision sensor didn't go off. My sensors were clean 4) when the sensors have even the smallest layer of snow they stop working. That makes the cruise control system stop working too. Very frustrating. The result of these issues is an increase by $800/mo of my auto insurance. Before this SUV I hadn't even had a speeding ticket in 14 years. Date of accident listed is approximation. Now I have 2 collisions. Wish I had purchased something else.

Filed Aug 12, 2020 · Electrical, Engine · 4,500 miles · WA

My 2018 toyota highlander experienced 4 different episodes of spontaneous acceleration while on local highways, 3 being on resumption of speed while using cruise control and the 4th not while on cruise control.there are 10 other electronic types of malfunctions not involving safety issues. Per the lemon law of wa state, the matter was taken to arbitration. The arbitrater found in my favor and awarded me a new replacement highlander. Toyota has asked for a jury trial. I therefore continue to drive a vehicle that could cause a dangerous, potentially fatal car. I can supply further documentation should you want it.

Filed Jan 13, 2020 · Acceleration, Electrical · 14,800 miles · WA

Problems with my 2018 toyota highlander ([xxx]) 1 ) lane depart indicator:sometimes doesn't work until I've driven 1 or 2 or 4 miles. Sometimes in every trip stops working as well as activates when maybe a foot from lane markers on both sides of the car 2) climate control: usually does not retain memory of fan speed, control of passenger side temp, and air flow direction when restarting the car. When temp set on, e.g. 69 temp in car is ~76-80. When airflow shows the flow aimed at windshield & feet, most of the air flow comes to my torso with minimal flow to other 2 sites. 3) need coffee break message: has come on twice when on a long trip, disappearing after ~ a minute, but several times came on after driving only 2-4 miles. 4) faulty resumption of speed: when the speed control was set at 50 MPH (once) or 60 MPH (once) and I toggled the control to resume set speed the car sped up well beyond what it was set at. I had to disengage the speed controller to stop the acceleration. Happened again ~3 weeks ago when speed set at 35, and when I toggled it resume speed it roared ahead until it reached 45 MPH. 5) door handle locking mechanism; not as sensitive to locking when touched as it was when car was new. Unlocking when touching handle works fine. 6) motor turnoff when at stoplight: seldom works. When it does it turns itself off after as little as 30 seconds even tho pressure on brake pedal is constant. 8) (non-electronic problem) the transparent plastic cover over the dash control settings is deteriorating - - can?t see thru it very well in certain ways the light hits it 9) speedometer reading problem: when cruise control is working, the digital readout for the speed is usually 1-2 MPH lower than what the speedometer dial says it is. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Jul 9, 2019 · Visibility · 6,437 miles · NV

Spontaneously exploding panoramic sunroof.I was driving on a two-lane highway alone on the road may 31, 2019 at approximately 4:30pm.I had my sunroof cover closed and was traveling the posted speed limit of 65 MPH with cruise control turned on.I heard a very loud and sharp noise, I thought it might be a gunshot.it startled me quite a bit, I was lucky to be the only car on the road because if I had been in traffic and had swerved from the shock of the noise,I might have been involved in an accident.I looked around and checked all of my windows, none were broken.I then thought a tire had blown, but I had not lost any handling, so I continued along the highway still wondering what had happened.about 10 minutes later I was stopped at a traffic light, surrounded by other cars and again heard a very loud and sharp gunshot sounding noise.I again looked all around my car and did not see any damage.but at this point I was sure something was wrong with my car and decided to pull over at the next spot to get out and inspect my car.when the light turned green and I drove away from the intersection, I heard a sound akin to ice cubes in a glass and knew that it was broken glass.again, I couldn't see any damage.I pulled over and looked at the roof of my car, the rear sunroof was shattered into tiny pieces laying on the sunroof cover.I believe the sunroof glass is defective or improperly engineered and feel it is a danger.the toyota dealership blamed it on a rock, but from the additional research I have done, it is not an isolated incident and there is growing concern surrounding the safety of these types of sunroofs in all types of automobiles.I filed an insurance claim to cover the damage; but feel that toyota should take responsibility for the damage and feel very anxious now driving my car.I do not feel it is safe and worry constantly about the glass spontaneously breaking again.

Filed Jan 15, 2019 · 15,000 miles · ID · crash

During the winter or when the road is wet or muddy, the radar controlled cruise control , and other safety features shut down. This results in danger to the passangers who are told on the in dash screen to stop and clean the sensors. My back up camera was clouded and did not show a car behind me and I backed into it resulting in costly repairs.

Filed May 22, 2018 · Acceleration · 12,000 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2018 toyota highlander. While driving 55 MPH, another vehicle pulled in front of the contact's vehicle in inclement weather and splashed water onto the front end of the vehicle. As a result, the cruise control malfunctioned and the contact's vehicle experienced unintended acceleration. The failure occurred without warning. The dealer (peruzzi toyota, 2601 bethlehem pike, hartfield, pa) was called and a diagnostic appointment was scheduled. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 12,000.