MYRModel Year Report

2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

○ Not enough data
2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
RENDERED 2026-08-02T10:34:59.146Z

Not enough comparison years on file yet for a fair verdict.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Toyota Highlander Hybrid Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2008 highlighted. 2004: 0 complaints 2004 2005: 1 complaints 2006: 370 complaints 2007: 110 complaints 2007 2008: 197 complaints 2008 2009: 40 complaints 2010: 22 complaints 2010 2011: 5 complaints 2012: 9 complaints 2013: 5 complaints 2013 2014: 2 complaints 2015: 4 complaints 2016: 6 complaints 2016 2017: 3 complaints 2018: 5 complaints 2019: 6 complaints 2019 2020: 9 complaints 2021: 15 complaints 2022: 6 complaints 2022 2023: 8 complaints 2024: 0 complaints 2025: 0 complaints 2025
2008: 197 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
20040
20051
2006370
2007110
2008197
200940
201022
20115
20129
20135
20142
20154
20166
20173
20185
20196
20209
202115
20226
20238
20240
20250

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

SERVICE BRAKES 48%

48% of complaints: service brakes — 94 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

BRAKING POWER ASSIST FAILURE CAUSED FENDER BENDER IN PARKING LOT, LEAKING BRAKE FLUID FOUND AT BRAKE PUMP. DASH WARNING LIGHTS APPEARED THE NEXT DAY.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180820

LIGHTS APPEARED ON DASH "BRAKE MALFUNCTION", "CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM", "CHECK VSC SYSTEM". TOOK MY 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID TO MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID THAT IT WAS THE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM AND IT WOULD COST $6000 TO REPAIR.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180729

I WAS DRIVING TO WORK WHEN SUDDENLY MY DASHBOARD DISPLAYED THE ABS VSC WARNING LIGHTS. I BROUGHT MY CAR TO TOYOTA DEALERSHIP FOR THEM TO RUN THE DIAGNOSTICS ON IT, WHICH COST ME $ 100.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180115

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 17%

17% of complaints: electrical system — 34 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SMELLED SMOKE WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER THEN LOOKED DOWN NEAR HER KNEE AND NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A FIRE COMING FROM THE FUSE BOX.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120620

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 13%

13% of complaints: electronic stability control (esc) — 25 distinct reports on file.

INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

WHILE DRIVING ABS, VSC AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, I CONTINUED DRIVING (WAS 10 MILES FROM HOME ON FWY). FIVE MINUTES LATER I ENCOUNTERED TRAFFIC, TRAVELING AT 40-50 MPH I TOOK FOOT OFF GAS AND BEGAN TO APPLY BRAKES.

NHTSA ODI report, 20151112

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 9%

9% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 18 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID LIMITED ACCELERATED WHILE PULLING INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND BEFORE I COULD STOP VEHICLE I HIT A FROZEN SNOW DRIFT WITH THE RIGHT FRONT SIDE. DAMAGE OCCURRED TO VEHICLE AND I HURT MY BACK. THIS HAPPENED ONCE. *TR

NHTSA ODI report, 20100214

CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP ON A NEIGHBORHOOD STREET TO ALLOW A CAR OUT OF THEIR DRIVEWAY. MY 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HIGHLANDER HYBRID (WITH 8000 MILES) MADE A HISSING OR WHISTLING TYPE SOUND AND JUST ACCELERATED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20080719

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 7%

7% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 13 distinct reports on file.

Show complaint excerpts

The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the master, brake system, ABS warning, and traction control warning lights illuminated.

NHTSA ODI report, 20250415

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20081210 — seat belts

TOYOTA IS RECALLING 90,189 MY 2008 HIGHLANDER AND HIGHLANDER HYBRID PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A THIRD ROW SEAT. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFE

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEWLY DESIGNED SEAT BELT COMPONENT FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT DECEMBER 18, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

Campaign 08V181000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090504 — equipment

TOYOTA IS RECALLING 39,100 STAINLESS STEEL EXHAUST TIPS SOLD BY TOYOTA AS AN OPTIONAL ACCESSORY FOR USE ON MY 2008 HIGHLANDER AND HIGHLANDER HYBRID VEHICLES. DUE TO IMPROPER HEAT TREATMENT DURING TH

Remedy: TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE CLAMP FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 4, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE CENTER AT 1 888-270-9371 MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY,

Campaign 09E022000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090615 — equipment

SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING 3,499 STAINLESS STEEL EXHAUST TIPS SOLD BY SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AS AN OPTIONAL ACCESSORY FOR USE ON MY 2008 HIGHLANDER AND HIGHLANDER HYBIRD VEHICLES. DUE TO IMPROPER HEAT

Remedy: SOUTHEAST TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE CLAMP FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY/JUNE 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA CUSTOMER LOYALTY DEPARTMENT

Campaign 09E028000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090918 — equipment

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 WH

Remedy: TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND PROVIDE THEM WITH A NEW, ACCURATE LABEL TO BE INSTALLED OVER THE INACCURATE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 18, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA

Campaign 09V223000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20120109 — 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 SENSO

Remedy: TOYOTA WILL REPLACE THE AIRBAG SENSOR ASSEMBLY WITH A NEW ONE CONTAINING IMPROVED ROLL RATE SENSORS, FREE OF CHARGE. TOYOTA INTENDS TO SEND AN INTERIM OWNER NOTIFICATION TO OWNERS EARLY TO MID-MAY, 2

Campaign 11V245000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20120206 — PE (closed 20120614)

Power Window Master Switch Fire

I 20120614 — EA (closed 20130212)

Power Window Master Switch Fire

R 20121105 — visibility

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

Remedy: Toyota will notify its owners, and dealers will inspect the switch and apply a special grease that inhibits heat build up or replace any switch damaged by the defect, free of charge. Toyota owners th

Campaign 12V491000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20131104 — hybrid propulsion system

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid vehicles manufactured February 16, 2005, through July 29, 2010; and model year 2006-2008 Lexus RX400h vehicles manufactured February 23, 2005, through December 2, 2008.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the IPM free of charge. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331. Vehicles that had their IPM replaced under recall 11V-342 are not affected by this campaign.

Campaign 13V396000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20151125 — visibility

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,...

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the switch, applying a lubricant if no abnormality is found. If abnormality is found, the PWMS circuit board will be replaced, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin December 20, 2015.

Campaign 15V689000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20180504 — PE (closed 20181120)

Upper Steering Column Separation

I 20181116 — EA (closed 20240402)

Steering Column Separation

I 20230127 — DP (closed 20230807)

Pedestrian alert sounds

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (94 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (34 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electronic stability control (esc) issues (25 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 08V181000 (seat belts) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E022000 (equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E028000 (equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09V223000 (equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 11V245000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 12V491000 (visibility) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 13V396000 (hybrid propulsion system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 15V689000 (visibility) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

FAQ

Is the 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid reliable?

There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid?

The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 48% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid have?

8 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.