2018 Toyota Highlander: Oil leak from timing chain cover
Common wear/failure (not a recall)
Symptoms
Owners of the 2018 Highlander report: oil leak from timing chain cover. CarComplaints.com lists 1 owner complaints, average mileage 48,500 miles.
NHTSA has 35 owner complaints for the 2018 Highlander in this area. Examples:
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11771987 (filed 10/18/2026): “My transmission had to be replaced at 30,000 miles and a year and two weeks later it needs replaced again at 42000 miles. toyota will only cover 1/2 the replacement the second time and nothing the first.…”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11750828 (filed 07/16/2026): “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 fin…”
Likely causes
Sources do not establish a single root cause; diagnosis is needed. Owner-reported fixes are listed below.
Fix, in plain English
Most common owner-reported solutions on CarComplaints.com: none clearly reported. Check for open recalls and extended warranty coverage with a dealer before paying out of pocket.
DIY difficulty: Pro
Internal engine work (lifters, oil consumption, fuel dilution diagnosis) requires engine teardown or dealer software/tests. (Our assessment.)
Cost
CarComplaints.com owners report a typical repair cost of about $3,000 (owner-reported average, not a quote).
Typical parts (search links, no affiliate codes)
AutoZone · O'Reilly · Advance · RockAuto
Sources
- CarComplaints.com: Oil leak from timing chain cover (2018 Highlander)
- NHTSA complaints API, 2018 Highlander
Page last updated .