What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2008 Toyota Highlander

Typical pattern

3.3% of complaints about the 2008 Toyota Highlander came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2008 vehicle — around the middle of the 262 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 7.1 yr in service. The most-reported system is service brakes (66 complaints), typically at 13.3 yr or about 155,000 miles.

Complaints
450
Median age at failure
7.1 yr
Median mileage
85,000 n=340
Crash / fire / tow
14.7% of reports
Safety recalls
10

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Service brakes
66 reports · 155,000 mi
13.3 yr
6.1%
Engine
58 reports · 113,000 mi
8.3 yr
17.2%
Air bags
57 reports · 80,000 mi
6.4 yr
22.8%
Electrical system
39 reports · 100,100 mi
6.8 yr
17.9%
Steering
38 reports · 100,000 mi
9.0 yr
5.3%
Speed control
28 reports · 48,700 mi
5.0 yr
50%
Tires
21 reports · 23,000 mi
2.3 yr
4.8%
Engine cooling
16 reports · 62,000 mi
4.4 yr
0%
Other
16 reports · 102,321 mi
11.2 yr
6.2%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

16V396000 2016-06-02
Seats:front assembly:seat heater/cooler

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.

If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.

15V689000 2015-10-22
Visibility:power window devices and controls

Toyota Motor Company (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Tundra, Sequoia, Corolla, Corolla Matrix and Scion xB, 2008-2011 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2007 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2009 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2006-2011 RAV4, 2006-2010 Yaris, and 2009-2010 Scion xD and Pontiac Vibe vehicles. During the manufacturing of the Power Window Master Switch (PWMS), grease lubricant may have been inconsistently applied to the sliding electrical contacts.

If the sliding electrical contacts are not protected by lubricant, debris and moisture that get into the switch may cause a short circuit and the switch assembly may overheat and melt, increasing the risk of a fire.

14V743000 2014-11-19
Seats:front assembly:seat heater/cooler

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Prius and Corolla, 2009-2011 Venza, 2006-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2005-2011 Sienna and Sequoia, 2006-2011 Tacoma 4x2 and 4x4, Camry, Highlander, Tundra 4x2 and 4x4, and 2007-2011 Rav4 and 4Runner. The affected vehicles may experience compression of the seat cushion which may damage the seat heater wiring.

Damage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and causing personal injury to the occupant.

14V168000 2014-04-09
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006-2008 RAV4, 2006-2010 Yaris, 2008-2010 Highlander, and 2009-2010 Tacoma, Corolla, Corolla Matrix and General Motors Pontiac Vibe vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the steering column assembly contains electrical connections to the driver's airbag module housed in a spiral cable assembly, which includes a Flexible Flat Cable (FFC). Due to the shape and location of the FFC's retainer, the FFC could become damaged when the steering wheel is turned.

If the FFC is damaged, connectivity to the driver's air bag module could be lost and the air bag deactivated. The failure of the driver's air bag to deploy in the event of a crash that typically necessitates deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver.

12V491000 2012-10-10
Visibility:power window devices and controls

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 Camry, Camry Hybrid, RAV4, Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Tundra, Sequoia, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Yaris, Scion xB, Scion xD and Pontiac Vibe vehicles. The power window master switch assemblies in some of these vehicles were built using a less precise process for lubricating the internal components of the switch assemblies. Irregularities in this lubrication process may cause the power window master switch assemblies to malfunction and overheat.

If the switch overheats, it may melt, possibly resulting in a fire.

11V245000 2011-04-21
Air bags

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 HIGHLANDER, HIGHLANDER HYBRID, AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2008 RAV4 VEHICLES. IN THE CURTAIN SHIELD AIRBAG (CSA) SYSTEM, THERE ARE TWO SENSORS IN THE AIRBAG SENSOR ASSEMBLY WHICH ARE DESIGNED TO DETECT VEHICLE ROLL ANGLE. IF ONE OF THESE SENSORS MALFUNCTIONS, THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT (MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT: MIL) WILL ILLUMINATE AND THE ROLL DETECTION SYSTEM WILL BE SUSPENDED; HOWEVER, THE AIRBAG CSA REMAINS AVAILABLE IN THE EVENT OF A SIDE CRASH. IF BOTH SENSORS FAIL NEARLY SIMULTANEOUSLY AFTER INITIAL AIRBAG SYSTEM CHECK, THE CSA AND THE SEAT BELT

INADVERTENT ACTIVATION OF THE CSA AND/OR THE SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER CAN CAUSE INJURY TO A VEHICLE OCCUPANT.

10V035000 2010-02-03
Equipment:other:labels

GULF STATES TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 AND JUNE 2, 2008 WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.

THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.

10V036000 2010-02-03
Equipment:other:labels

SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.

A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

10V023000 2010-01-27
Vehicle speed control:accelerator pedal

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2010 HIGHLANDER, MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 COROLLA, VENZA AND MATRIX PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CAN GET STUCK IN THE WIDE OPEN POSITION DUE TO ITS BEING TRAPPED BY AN UNSECURED OR INCOMPATIBLE DRIVER'S FLOOR MAT. THIS RECALL IS AN EXPANSION OF A CAMPAIGN OF 3.8 MILLION OTHER TOYOTA VEHICLES ANNOUNCED IN 2009 FOR THE SAME ISSUE (SEE 09V-388).

A STUCK OPEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY RESULT IN VERY HIGH VEHICLE SPEEDS AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO STOP THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH, SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

09V223000 2009-06-15
Equipment:other:labels

TOYOTA IS RECALLING 27,080 MODEL YEAR 2005 THROUGH 2010 PASSENGER CARS BUILT FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 TO MAY 4, 2009. THESE VEHICLES WERE NOT EQUIPPED WITH LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS."

INCORRECT LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS COULD RESULT IN THE VEHICLE BEING OVERLOADED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

In owners’ own words

Electrical system 8,192 mi 10 mo in service
USING A HIGHLANDER'S POWER-ADAPTER TO POWER MY IPHONE, A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF NOISE IS ADDED TO THE MUSIC OUTPUT. TOYOTA DEALER HAS CORRECTED MY PROBLEM BY INSTALLING SOME FILTERS IN LINE BEFORE THE POWER ADAPTER SOCKET. *TR
Electrical system 27,615 mi 2.8 yr in service
VEHICLE, TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 2008, WOULD NOT START USING THE ELECTRONIC IGNITION PUSHBUTTON. ON 7/22/2010 VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT INTO THE DEALER AND THE IGNITION/POWER SWITCH WAS REPLACED, CODE FOUND B2275. SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN AND DEALER REPLACED NEUTRAL SAFETY SWITCH PER T-SB-0348-09. SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN AND WAS TOWED TO DEALER ON 8/16/2010. THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS AND I HAVE HEARD NOTHING FURTHER FROM THEM AS OF 8/23/2010. I HAVE BEEN STRANDED SEVERAL TIMES WITH THE VEHICLE NOT STARTING, THE LAST TIME AT 9:00 PM ON SUNDAY, 8/15/2010. *TR
Electrical system 40,000 mi 3.3 yr in service
THE SENSOR LIGHTS FOR ABS AND VSC HAVE GONE ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY ON MY 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. SOMETIMES THE BRAKES ENGAGED THE SKID CONTROL, BRAKING CAPABILITY IS LOST AND OTHER TIMES THE SPEED NEEDLE DOES NOT GAGE PROPERLY. THE SYSTEM WAS INSPECTED BY TOYOTA, WHO INDICATED IT WAS DUE TO DAMAGE TO THE SENSOR FROM A ROPE. TOYOTA SUPPOSEDLY REPLACED THE SENSOR AND THEY STAYED OFF FOR A FEW WEEKS, BUT CONTINUE TO COME BACK. MY VEHICLE STILL HAS LESS THAN 50,000 MILES, AND TOYOTA IS AGAIN TELLING ME THEY HAVE TO LOOK INTO THE PROBLEM. *TR
Speed control 4,957 mi 11 mo in service crash / fire / tow
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE OUT OF A PARKING GARAGE, THE ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MAT SHIFTED UNDER THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND CAUSED IT TO STICK WHICH CAUSED HIM TO CRASH INTO THE GARAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A COLLISION CENTER AND REPAIRED AT AN ESTIMATED COST OF $4,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,957. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

Other Highlander model years

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