MYRModel Year Report

2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

○ Not enough data
2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:52:46.921Z

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
197
Recalls
8

Campaigns on file for 2008

Investigations
5

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Service brakes

59% of complaints

Complaints per year

2005: 1 complaint 2005 2006: 371 complaints 2007: 110 complaints 2008: 197 complaints 2008 197 2009: 40 complaints 2010: 22 complaints 2011: 5 complaints 2011 2012: 9 complaints 2013: 5 complaints 2014: 2 complaints 2014 2015: 4 complaints 2016: 6 complaints 2017: 3 complaints 2017 2018: 5 complaints 2019: 6 complaints 2020: 9 complaints 2020 2021: 15 complaints 2022: 6 complaints 2023: 9 complaints 2023 2024: 0 complaints 2025: 0 complaints
2005: 1 complaint 2005 2006: 371 complaints 2007: 110 complaints 2008: 197 complaints 2008 197 2009: 40 complaints 2010: 22 complaints 2011: 5 complaints 2011 2012: 9 complaints 2013: 5 complaints 2013 2014: 2 complaints 2015: 4 complaints 2015 2016: 6 complaints 2017: 3 complaints 2017 2018: 5 complaints 2019: 6 complaints 2019 2020: 9 complaints 2021: 15 complaints 2021 2022: 6 complaints 2023: 9 complaints 2023 2024: 0 complaints 2025: 0 complaints 2025
2005: 1 complaint 2005 2006: 371 complaints 2006 2007: 110 complaints 2007 2008: 197 complaints 2008 197 2009: 40 complaints 2009 2010: 22 complaints 2010 2011: 5 complaints 2011 2012: 9 complaints 2012 2013: 5 complaints 2013 2014: 2 complaints 2014 2015: 4 complaints 2015 2016: 6 complaints 2016 2017: 3 complaints 2017 2018: 5 complaints 2018 2019: 6 complaints 2019 2020: 9 complaints 2020 2021: 15 complaints 2021 2022: 6 complaints 2022 2023: 9 complaints 2023 2024: 0 complaints 2024 2025: 0 complaints 2025

2008: 197 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
20040
20051
2006371
2007110
2008197
200940
201022
20115
20129
20135
20142
20154
20166
20173
20185
20196
20209
202115
20226
20239
20240
20250

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Service brakes

59% · 116 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and electric.

CRASHFIREINJURY
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, 2018-08-20

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, 2018-07-29

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, 2018-01-15

Electrical system

18% · 35 reports

Most commonly citing speedometer/odometer.

CRASHFIRE
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, 2012-06-20

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated that it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale.

NHTSA ODI report, 2025-08-12

Electronic stability control (esc)

13% · 25 reports
INJURY

Vehicle speed control

9% · 18 reports
CRASHINJURY
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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2010-02-14

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, 2008-07-19

Power train

6% · 11 reports
INJURY

Safety timeline

8 recalls · 5 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2008-12-10Seat belts08V181000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    2009-05-04Equipment09E022000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2009-06-15Equipment09E028000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2009-09-18Equipment09V223000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2012-01-09Air bags11V245000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. I
    2012-02-06Preliminary evaluationClosed 2012-06-14 Power Window Master Switch Fire
  7. I
    2012-06-14Engineering analysisClosed 2013-02-12 Power Window Master Switch Fire
  8. R
    2012-11-05Visibility12V491000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. R
    2013-11-04Hybrid propulsion system13V396000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  10. R
    2015-11-25Visibility15V689000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  11. I
    2018-05-04Preliminary evaluationClosed 2018-11-20 Upper Steering Column Separation
  12. I
    2018-11-16Engineering analysisClosed 2024-04-02 Steering Column Separation
  13. I
    2023-01-27Defect petitionClosed 2023-08-07 Pedestrian alert sounds

Buy-smart checklist

2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Service brakes: 116 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 35 reports on file for this year.
  • Electronic stability control (esc): 25 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 08V181000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 09E022000 · Equipment
  • Recall 09E028000 · Equipment
  • Recall 09V223000 · Equipment
  • Recall 11V245000 · Air bags
  • Recall 12V491000 · Visibility
  • Recall 13V396000 · Hybrid propulsion system
  • Recall 15V689000 · Visibility
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 59% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid have?
8 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.