MYRModel Year Report

2008 Toyota Highlander

◆ Worse than typical
2008 Toyota Highlander
BUILT 2026-10-10

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
403
Recalls
13

Campaigns on file for 2008

Investigations
2

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Service brakes

20% of complaints

Complaints per year

1997: 1 complaint 1997 1998: 1 complaint 1999: 0 complaints 2000: 0 complaints 2001: 137 complaints 2001 2002: 301 complaints 2003: 258 complaints 2004: 286 complaints 2005: 224 complaints 2006: 278 complaints 2007: 124 complaints 2008: 403 complaints 2008 403 2009: 134 complaints 2010: 216 complaints 2011: 181 complaints 2012: 182 complaints 2013: 207 complaints 2013 2014: 136 complaints 2015: 192 complaints 2016: 111 complaints 2017: 269 complaints 2017 2018: 267 complaints 2019: 490 complaints 2020: 317 complaints 2021: 527 complaints 2021 2022: 257 complaints 2023: 181 complaints 2024: 42 complaints 2025: 9 complaints 2025 2026: 1 complaint
1997: 1 complaint 1997 1998: 1 complaint 1999: 0 complaints 1999 2000: 0 complaints 2001: 137 complaints 2001 2002: 301 complaints 2003: 258 complaints 2003 2004: 286 complaints 2005: 224 complaints 2005 2006: 278 complaints 2007: 124 complaints 2008: 403 complaints 2008 403 2009: 134 complaints 2010: 216 complaints 2011: 181 complaints 2011 2012: 182 complaints 2013: 207 complaints 2013 2014: 136 complaints 2015: 192 complaints 2015 2016: 111 complaints 2017: 269 complaints 2017 2018: 267 complaints 2019: 490 complaints 2019 2020: 317 complaints 2021: 527 complaints 2021 2022: 257 complaints 2023: 181 complaints 2023 2024: 42 complaints 2025: 9 complaints 2025 2026: 1 complaint
1997: 1 complaint 1997 1998: 1 complaint 1999: 0 complaints 1999 2000: 0 complaints 2001: 137 complaints 2001 2002: 301 complaints 2003: 258 complaints 2003 2004: 286 complaints 2005: 224 complaints 2005 2006: 278 complaints 2007: 124 complaints 2008: 403 complaints 2008 403 2009: 134 complaints 2010: 216 complaints 2011: 181 complaints 2011 2012: 182 complaints 2013: 207 complaints 2013 2014: 136 complaints 2015: 192 complaints 2015 2016: 111 complaints 2017: 269 complaints 2017 2018: 267 complaints 2019: 490 complaints 2019 2020: 317 complaints 2021: 527 complaints 2021 2022: 257 complaints 2023: 181 complaints 2023 2024: 42 complaints 2025: 9 complaints 2025 2026: 1 complaint

2008: 403 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19971
19981
19990
20000
2001137
2002301
2003258
2004286
2005224
2006278
2007124
2008403
2009134
2010216
2011181
2012182
2013207
2014136
2015192
2016111
2017269
2018267
2019490
2020317
2021527
2022257
2023181
202442
20259
20261

Known problem areas

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

Service brakes

20% · 82 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and electric.

CRASHFIREINJURY
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, 2012-08-14

Also filed under Air bags

Engine

14% · 58 reports
CRASHFIREINJURY
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, 2026-03-06

Air bags

14% · 58 reports

Most commonly citing side/window and frontal.

CRASHINJURY
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, 2024-01-12

Also filed under Seat belts

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, 2018-05-23

Vehicle speed control

11% · 45 reports

Most commonly citing accelerator pedal and throttle.

CRASHFIREINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Toyota Highlander. While driving approximately 5 MPH, the vehicle unexpectedly increased acceleration.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-09-19

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, 2009-11-30

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, 2009-10-08

Electrical system

11% · 43 reports

Most commonly citing software and speedometer/odometer.

CRASHFIRE
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, 2018-02-28

Also filed under Visibility/wiper

Safety timeline

13 recalls · 2 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. ▮
    2008Complaint volume 403 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. 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 →

  3. 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 →

  4. 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 →

  5. 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 →

  6. R
    2010-03-30Vehicle speed control10V023000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2010-05-27Equipment10V036000 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    2010-05-27Equipment10V035000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. 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 →

  10. 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 →

  11. R
    2014-10-27Air bags14V168000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  12. R
    2015-01-29Seats14V743000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  13. 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 →

  14. R
    2016-07-14Seats16V396000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  15. I
    2018-05-04Preliminary evaluationClosed 2018-11-20 Upper Steering Column Separation
  16. I
    2018-11-16Engineering analysisClosed 2024-04-02 Steering Column Separation

Buy-smart checklist

2008 Toyota Highlander — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Service brakes: 82 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine: 58 reports on file for this year.
  • Air bags: 58 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 10V023000 · Vehicle speed control
  • Recall 10V036000 · Equipment
  • Recall 10V035000 · Equipment
  • Recall 11V245000 · Air bags
  • Recall 12V491000 · Visibility
  • Recall 14V168000 · Air bags
  • Recall 14V743000 · Seats
  • Recall 15V689000 · Visibility
  • Recall 16V396000 · Seats
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2008 Toyota Highlander reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2008 Toyota Highlander is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Toyota Highlander?
The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 20% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2008 Toyota Highlander have?
13 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.