2008 Toyota Highlander

◆ Worse than typical

2008 Toyota Highlander
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

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

2008: 403 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1997	1
1998	1
1999	0
2000	0
2001	137
2002	301
2003	258
2004	286
2005	224
2006	274
2007	123
2008	403
2009	134
2010	216
2011	181
2012	181
2013	205
2014	133
2015	186
2016	109
2017	260
2018	254
2019	463
2020	298
2021	471
2022	219
2023	162
2024	39
2025	7
2026	1

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

SERVICE BRAKES 16%

16% of complaints: service brakes — 66 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH AND APPLYING THE BRAKES TO AVOID HITTING A DEER, THE BRAKES SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120814

ENGINE 14%

14% of complaints: engine — 58 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

The contact owned a 2008 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 20 MPH, an abnormal, booming sound was emitted from the vehicle as heavy, black smoke entered her vehicle.

NHTSA ODI report, 20260306

AIR BAGS 14%

14% of complaints: air bags — 55 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

I was in a car accident yesterday two cars hit me from behind my daughter was in the third row and my other kids in the second row.

NHTSA ODI report, 20240112

I HAVE A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING A SIDE CITY STREET, ON A SLIGHT CURVE, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND COULD NOT BE TURNED. AS A RESULT, MY DAUGHTER HIT A TREE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180523

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH AND APPLYING THE BRAKES TO AVOID HITTING A DEER, THE BRAKES SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120814

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 10%

10% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 42 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATH

Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY INCREASED ACCELERATION.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120919

ON AUGUST 13, 2009 MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER LIMITED, 4WD SUV WHEN SHE SUDDENLY LOST CONTROL AND CRASHED INTO A WOODEN TELEPHONE POLE, TOTALING THE CAR.

NHTSA ODI report, 20091130

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20091008

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 10%

10% of complaints: electrical system — 41 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE

Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WINDOW WOULD SOMETIMES NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY AND THERE WAS A BURNING ODOR WHEN UTILIZED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED BEFORE THE FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180228

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2008 — complaint volume: 403

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 20100330 — vehicle speed control

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 IT

Remedy: TOYOTA WILL MODIFY OR REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR PEDALS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES. FLOOR SURFACE MODIFICATIONS ARE ALSO BEING CONSIDERED AND WILL BE INCLUDED FOR ANY MODEL FOR WHICH IT IS DEEMED APPROPRIAT

Campaign 10V023000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20100527 — equipment

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."

Remedy: DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT S

Campaign 10V036000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20100527 — equipment

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 VE

Remedy: DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. DEALERS WILL ALSO CORRECT THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE SAFETY RECAL

Campaign 10V035000 — 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

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 20141027 — air bags

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.

Remedy: Toyota will notify the Toyota vehicle owners, and General Motors will notify the Pontiac Vibe owners. Toyota sent owners an interim notification letter in May 2014 to advise owners of the recall.

Campaign 14V168000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20150129 — seats

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...

Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the heaters with copper strand heating elements and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory, free of charge. The recall is expected to began in January 2015.

Campaign 14V743000 — 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

R 20160714 — seats

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,...

Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226.

Campaign 16V396000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20180504 — PE (closed 20181120)

Upper Steering Column Separation

I 20181116 — EA (closed 20240402)

Steering Column Separation