RoadVitals

2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
197
Latest Aug 12, 2025
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
14
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
10

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

113
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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. Additionally, the message "Brake System Malfunction - Stop in Safe Place Immediately”, check ABS/VSC system, and check braking system" messages were displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic several times, but was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 227,000.

NHTSA ID 11654687 · filed Apr 15, 2025

The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the brake malfunction and ABS warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that when she started the vehicle, she was unable to depress the brake pedal to the floor and started to hear an abnormal noise. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed that the brake booster pump assembly and brake actuator assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 162,000.

NHTSA ID 11442260 · filed Dec 1, 2021
All 113 reports naming brakes

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

40
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

BRAKE ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY ON MY 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID HAS BEEN FAILING. KNOW ISSUE. I'VE TAKEN EXCELLENT CARE OF THIS VEHICLE AND HAD IT SERVICED AT THE DEALERSHIP. THE MANUFACTURING IS REPLACE THE PREVIOUS YEARS, BUT NOT THE 2008 WHICH IS THE EXACT SAME COMPONENT. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHY THIS IS HAPPENING. NOT JUST TO ME, BUT OTHERS TOO. PLEASE HELP US. THANKS

NHTSA ID 11209225 · filed May 22, 2019

VSC, ABS, TRACTION CONTROL ERROR LIGHT. MY MECHANIC IDENTIFIED THIS AS A FAILER ACCUMULATOR (ABS MODULE), HE SAID THERE IS A TSB FROM TOYOTA. I KNOW THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE ON THIS VEHICLE THROUGH YEAR 2007. CONCERNED ABOUT POSSIBILITY OF TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE.

NHTSA ID 11183916 · filed Mar 4, 2019
All 40 reports naming driver assistance

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

35
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 92,000, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 212,000.

NHTSA ID 11680234 · filed Aug 12, 2025

BRAKE ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY ON MY 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID HAS BEEN FAILING. KNOW ISSUE. I'VE TAKEN EXCELLENT CARE OF THIS VEHICLE AND HAD IT SERVICED AT THE DEALERSHIP. THE MANUFACTURING IS REPLACE THE PREVIOUS YEARS, BUT NOT THE 2008 WHICH IS THE EXACT SAME COMPONENT. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHY THIS IS HAPPENING. NOT JUST TO ME, BUT OTHERS TOO. PLEASE HELP US. THANKS

NHTSA ID 11209225 · filed May 22, 2019
All 35 reports naming electrical

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

13
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ID 10978953 · filed Apr 17, 2017

I WAS DRIVING TO AN OFF RAMP WHEN MY 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID JUST STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF A VERY BUSY TRAFFIC! IT ALMOST CAUSED A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT. I HAD IT TOWED AND THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED IT AS AN INVERTER CONVERTER PROBLEM AND WILL CAUSE ME $11000 (YES, ELEVEN THOUSAND DOLLARS) TO REPLACE IT. THIS APPEAR TO BE AN ENGINEERING DEFECT FAULT. OF ALL THE WARNING IN PLACE IT SEEMS TO INFORM THE DRIVER, SUCH AS THE ABS LIGHT, LOW GAS GAUGE, LOW AIR, OIL MAINTENANCE WARNING, WHY NOT THE 'INVERTER PROBLEM DETECTED, BRING YOUR CAR TO THE DEALER NOW?'. I FEEL THAT TOYOTA IS BEING IRRESPONSIBLE IN DESIGNING A CAR THAT JUST SIMPLY STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY OR ON ANY STREET WITHOUT WARNING. THIS ERROR IS SUPER DANGEROUS AND CAN CAUSE INNOCENT LIVES AND TOYOTA SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY IN CORRECTING THE WRONG INSTEAD OF HIDING BEHIND THE SCENE. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THERE ARE OTHER SUCH PROBLEM BUT THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE SAID THAT MY VEHICLE ID NUMBER IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST. WHO INCLUDE MY VEHICLE ON THE RECALL LIST ANYWAY? CERTAINLY THIS IS A PROBLEM AFTER ALL IT IS AFFECTING VEHICLES 2006 TO 2012? PLEASE HELP.

NHTSA ID 10956638 · filed Feb 23, 2017
All 13 reports naming engine

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

11
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V396000 (HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM: INVERTER). WHILE IN A PARKING LOT, THE VEHICLE WENT INTO FAIL SAFE LIMP HOME MODE AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO NEWARK TOYOTA WORLD (230 E CLEVELAND AVE, NEWARK, DE 19711, (302) 368-6262) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. ADDITIONALLY, DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WOULD COST $600. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 185,000.

NHTSA ID 11244155 · filed Aug 15, 2019

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

NHTSA ID 11073201 · filed Feb 16, 2018
All 11 reports naming other / unspecified

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

11
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

VEHICLE HYBRID/ENGINE SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. VARIOUS WARNING LIGHTS LIT UP INCLUDING VSC, HYBRID SYSTEM, AND CHECK ENGINE. I WAS FORCED TO CHANGE LANES WITH THE CAR OFF BUT MOVING AT ABOUT 40 MPH AND PULL OVER ON A SIDE STREET. I AS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND CONTINUE MY DRIVE. THE FOLLOWING DAY, EVEN THOUGH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND ALL WARNINGS HAD CLEARED, THE CAR TURNED OFF AGAIN WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND BREAKING AT A RED LIGHT. THE CAR FAILED TO PROPERLY RESTART AFTER THIS SECOND INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WHICH SPECIFIED THAT THE ISSUE IS THE HYBRID INVERTER. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS ABOUT 81,000 MILES AND ACCORDING TO TOYOTA A RECALL HAD ALREADY BEEN PERFORMED ON THE INTELLIGENT POWER MODULE FOR THE INVERTER IN 2014.

NHTSA ID 11114691 · filed Jul 30, 2018

VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, DEPARTING FROM PARKED LOT. VEHICLE LOST ALL DRIVE POWER, AND INSTRUMENT PANEL WARNING LIGHTS TURNED ON. AFTER SHUTTING VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTING, WARNING MESSAGE TO CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM, AND CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM ILLUMINATED. ALSO ALL WARNING INDICATORS ACTIVATED IN THE GUAGE CLUSTER PANEL. THANKFULLY, WE WERE NOT DRIVING FAST WHEN THE VEHICLE BECAME DISABLED, OTHERWISE IT COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO NEAREST TOYOTA DEALERSHIP, WHERE THEY ADVISE "THE POWER INVERTER ASSEMBLY FAILED." TOYOTA REFUSES TO HELP, EVEN THOUGH THIS EXACT PROBLEM HAS BEEN RECALLED FOR OTHER VIN NUMBERS MATCHING MY VEHICLE. THESE ARE UNSAFE CONDITIONS AND PROVES THAT TOYOTA HAS NOT DONE A THOROUGH JOB OF RECALLING ALL AFFECTED UNITS.

NHTSA ID 11011595 · filed Jul 31, 2017
All 11 reports naming powertrain (other)

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

9
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I HAD A TIRE BLOWOUT ON INTRASTATE HIGHWAY DAMAGING WHEEL. THAT HIGHWAY IS RECENTLY REPAIRED AND THERE WERE NO ROAD HAZARDS IN SIGHT AT THE TIME OF THE BLOWOUT. TIRE HAD ONLY 15,000 MILES OF WEAR AND IS FILLED WITH NITROGEN. I PERSONALLY INSPECTED THIS TIRE AND THERE IS NO DAMAGE TO THE THREAD. THE TIRES HAVE BEEN ROTATED TWICE CONSISTENT ON AVERAGE WITH TIRE MANUFACTURE RECOMMENDATION OF EVERY 7500 MILES. ALSO AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT THE WEATHER 50 DEGREES AND THE ROADWAY WAS CLEAN AND DRY. THE TIRE LINE IS OPEN COUNTRY A20 AND CANNOT BE ENTERED BECAUSE ITS NOT ON THE DROP DOWN LIST. A BRAND NEW TIRE AND WHEEL MUST BE PURCHASED. *TR

NHTSA ID 10365368 · filed Nov 11, 2010

TOYO OPEN COUNTRY A20 TIRES 245/55/19 WHICH CAME AS STANDARD EQUIPMENT ON 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID WORE SIGNIFICANTLY AND PREMATURELY. AT 18000 MILES THESE TIRES WERE WORN NEARLY TO THE WEAR BARS RESULTING IN EXTREMELY POOR WET AND SNOW TRACTION LEADING TO SLIDING AND HYDROPLANING. THE TREAD ALSO BEGAN TO PEEL ON ONE TIRE. I DID NOT NOTICE THE WEAR UNTIL IT WAS POINTED OUT BY A MECHANIC AS THEY LOOKED GOOD FROM A DISTANCE AND I DIDN'T THINK TO CHECK THE TREAD ON A 60,000 MILE WARRANTY TIRE AT ONLY 18000 MILES. TOYOTA STATES THAT THIS IS NORMAL WEAR AND TOYO DOES NOT HONOR A MILEAGE WARRANTY ON OEM TIRES. THESE ARE DANGEROUS TIRE AS THEY WERE SOLD ON ONE OF THE BEST SELLING FAMILY VEHICLES IN THE INDUSTRY AND COULD RESULT IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT ESPECIALLY COMING INTO THE WINTER MONTHS AS OWNERS OF LOW MILEAGE VEHICLES MAY NOT REALIZE THAT THE TIRES ARE ACTUALLY COMPLETE WORN OUT ALREADY. *TR

NHTSA ID 10364241 · filed Nov 6, 2010
All 9 reports naming tires & wheels

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

VEHICLE HYBRID/ENGINE SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. VARIOUS WARNING LIGHTS LIT UP INCLUDING VSC, HYBRID SYSTEM, AND CHECK ENGINE. I WAS FORCED TO CHANGE LANES WITH THE CAR OFF BUT MOVING AT ABOUT 40 MPH AND PULL OVER ON A SIDE STREET. I AS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND CONTINUE MY DRIVE. THE FOLLOWING DAY, EVEN THOUGH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND ALL WARNINGS HAD CLEARED, THE CAR TURNED OFF AGAIN WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND BREAKING AT A RED LIGHT. THE CAR FAILED TO PROPERLY RESTART AFTER THIS SECOND INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WHICH SPECIFIED THAT THE ISSUE IS THE HYBRID INVERTER. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS ABOUT 81,000 MILES AND ACCORDING TO TOYOTA A RECALL HAD ALREADY BEEN PERFORMED ON THE INTELLIGENT POWER MODULE FOR THE INVERTER IN 2014.

NHTSA ID 11114691 · filed Jul 30, 2018

I PURCHASED A NEW 2008 HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THOUGH I HAD NO PROBLEMS, IN NOVEMBER 2013, THE INVERTER WAS RECALLED AT 79,000 MILES, AND REPLACED. WE HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR FOR THE NEXT 22 MONTHS. ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2015, THE CAR STALLED AND COULD NOT BE RESTARTED. WE HAD THE CAR TOWED 55 MILES TO THE DEALERSHIP. INVESTIGATION OF THE CAR OVER 2 DAYS WAS UNSUCCESSFUL IN DISCOVERING THE CAUSE. ON SEPTEMBER 9, I ASKED IF IT WAS THE INVERTER. I WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT. THE SERVICE MANAGER HAD CONTACTED TOYOTA, WHO RECOMMENDED TAKING APART THE HYBRID SYSTEM TO LOOK FOR A SHORTED WIRE. ON THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, I WAS TOLD THAT THEY FOUND A WIRE, WOULD BUT THE SYSTEM BACK TOGETHER, AND WOULD TAKE IT FOR A TEST DRIVE. ON FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, THE CAR STALLED AND DIED ON THE THIRD TEST DRIVE. AT THIS TIME, I WAS INFORMED IT WAS THE INVERTER. THE SERVICE MANAGER AGREED WITH ME IN FEELING THAT SINCE TOYOTA HAD TAKEN OUT AN INVERTER THAT WAS SEEMINGLY WORKING FINE, AND REPLACED WITH ONE THAT FAILED IN LESS THAN 2 YEARS, THAT TOYOTA WOULD TAKE CARE OF ME. ON TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, I WAS INFORMED THAT THE COST FOR THE PART WAS $8800, AND THAT THE REGIONAL SERVICE/PARTS MANAGER, OFFERED TO PAY HALF OF THE COST FOR REPLACEMENT. I WAS NOT HAPPY WITH THIS OFFER, AS IT STILL LEFT ME WITH A BILL OF SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR A PART THAT FAILED IN LESS THAN 2 YEARS AFTER THE RECALL. AT THIS TIME, I HAVE NOT ACCEPTED THE OFFER. I WAS TOLD TO CALL CUSTOMER SERVICE. I WAS INFORMED THAT BECAUSE THE REGIONAL MANAGER HAD MADE ME AN OFFER, THERE WAS NOTHING ELSE SHE COULD DO. MY FRUSTRATION IS THAT TOYOTA RECALLED MY VEHICLE FOR THE INVERTER. AND I BELIEVE A BAD INVERTER WAS PUT IT THE CAR INSTEAD. THIS CURRENT INVERTER, THAT TOYOTA TOLD ME TO PUT IN THE CAR, LASTED APPROXIMATELY 29,000 MILES AND 22 MONTHS. THIS SEEMS LIKE A FAR CRY FROM THE EXPECTED LIFE OF AN INVERTER.

NHTSA ID 10765062 · filed Sep 18, 2015

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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

NHTSA ID 11205787 · filed May 6, 2019

MY CAR HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AS DESCRIBED HERE AND IN MANY PLACES ONLINE AND TOYOTA REFUSED TO INCLUDE MY VEHICLE FOR RECALL. THE PROBLEM AS DESCRIBED BY NHTSA AS FOLLOWS REPORT RECEIPT DATE: SEP 04, 2013 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V396000 COMPONENT(S): HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM ALL PRODUCTS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS RECALL EXPAND DETAILS CLOSE 12 ASSOCIATED DOCUMENTS EXPAND MANUFACTURER: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING SUMMARY: 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. THE INTELLIGENT POWER MODULE (IPM) INSIDE THE INVERTER MODULE MAY CONTAIN TRANSISTORS THAT HAVE HIGHER OPERATING TEMPERATURES THAN THE SOLDER CAN SUPPORT AND THE TRANSISTORS MAY BE HEAT DAMAGED BY THE SOLDER. IF THIS OCCURS, VARIOUS WARNING LAMPS, INCLUDING THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP, SLIP INDICATOR LIGHT, BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT, AND MASTER WARNING LIGHT, WILL BE ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. CONSEQUENCE: THE VEHICLE MAY ENTER A FAIL-SAFE/LIMP-HOME MODE THAT LIMITS THE DRIVABILITY OF THE VEHICLE. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE HYBRID SYSTEM WILL SHUT DOWN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL UNEXPECTEDLY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. REMEDY:

NHTSA ID 10881657 · filed Jun 29, 2016

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30K / HR ON SEPTEMBER 22, AROUND 6PM. LITTLE TRAFFIC AS THE ROAD LEADS DEEP TO THE COUNTRY. NO RAIN, GREAT VISIBILITY. WE'D JUST STOPPED TO FOLLOW SOMEONE TO A REMOTE LOCATION AND HAD NOT GOTTEN OUT OF THE CAR AT THAT TIME AS THE FRIEND CAME TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. A FEW MINUTES LATER, AN ALARM SOUNDED AND THE INDICATOR DISPLAYED "BRAKE MALFUNCTION". THE BRAKES WERE NOT WORKING AND AT THE SAME MOMENT, SMOKE BEGAN FILLING THE VEHICLE FROM THE FRONT VENTS. AT THIS TIME YOU COULD ALSO SEE SMALL FLAMES FROM THE FRONT HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. WE IMMEDIATELY EXITED THE CAR ONCE IT CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP (FORCED TO PARK POSITION). FLAMES COULD BE SEEN FALLING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT END. MY HUSBAND SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE. WE RAN AROUND A NED IN THE ROAD TO GET TO SAFETY. WITHIN MINUTES (5-7 MAX) THE CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE GENTLEMAN WE WERE FOLLOWING TURNED AROUND TO SEE WHERE WE WERE WHEN HE REALIZED THAT THE CAR WAS IN FLAMES. TOYOTA CES HAS BEEN CONTACTED AS WE WERE HOPING FOR HELP WITH AN INVESTIGATION. WE ARE A MILITARY FAMILY, STATIONED OVERSEAS. THE VEHICLE WAS SHIPPED HERE 2.5 YEARS AGO AT GOVERNMENT EXPENSE ONCE WE RECEIVED NEW ORDERS. TOYOTA HAS BEEN LESS THAN ACCOMMODATING WITH PROVIDING ANY INFORMATION. THIS HAPPENED WITH LITTLE TIME TO GET TO SAFETY. MY HOPE IS INFORMATION CAN BE GATHERED FROM OTHER CONSUMERS THAT MAY HAVE EXPERIENCED SIMILAR SITUATIONS. LIVES COULD POTENTIALLY BE SAVED IF WE WORK TOGETHER TO GET FACTS DOCUMENTED. STATESIDE NUMBER PROVIDED. WE CAN BE REACHED AT +34 642 47 0598

NHTSA ID 11030100 · filed Sep 27, 2017

THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE ASSIST HANDLE BROKE IN TWO PLACES. THIS HANDLE IS ATTACHED OVER THE DOOR, INSIDE THE CAR, NEAR THE EDGE OF THE ROOF. THE CAUSE APPEARS TO BE METAL FATIGUE DUE TO SIGNIFICANT STRESS ON THE HANDLE OVER (3+) YEARS OF USE BY THE PASSENGER WHILE ENTERING AND EXITING. *TR

NHTSA ID 10487351 · filed Dec 4, 2012

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

DRIVER'S SUN VISOR DOES NOT STAY UP, FALLING WITHOUT WARNING AT ANYTIME AND BLOCKING THE DRIVER'S VIEW. THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAFETY CONCERN POSTED ONLINE. TOYOTA HAS REDESIGNED THE REPLACEMENT VISOR TO CORRECT THIS KNOWN SAFETY ISSUE; HOWEVER HAS NOT OFFERED A RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ID 10662685 · filed Dec 7, 2014

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THE CONTACT PURCHASED HIS VEHICLE FIFTEEN DAYS AGO. THE WINDSHIELD REMAINS FOGGED. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED WHEN HE ACTIVATED THE DEFOGGER. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD HAD TO BE REPAIRED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE DEALER WOULD NOT MAKE THE REPAIR FOR FREE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,500.

NHTSA ID 10226336 · filed Apr 30, 2008

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE ABS ,VSC ,CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON WHEN ACCELERATING. STATING TO PARK VEHICLE AND TAKE IT TO THE DEALER.

NHTSA ID 11110097 · filed Jul 8, 2018

SRS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AFTER STARTING VEHICLE AND WON'T GO OUT. TRIED RESETTING TO NO AVAIL. HAVE SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM.INDICATIONS ARE THAT IT IS A SPIRAL CABLE AND THE PART IS NOT AVAILABLE. TOYOTA NEEDS TO ISSUE A RECALL TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM. WE NEED THE HELP OF THE NHTSA .

NHTSA ID 10824102 · filed Feb 3, 2016

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE DEALER HAS TRIED SEVERAL TIMES TO REPAIR THE MIDDLE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT WITHOUT SUCCESS. THE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RETRACT AND THE PASSENGER WAS NOT SECURE IN THE VEHICLE. IN ORDER FOR THE SEAT BELT TO BE CLOSED, IT HAD TO BE EXTENDED TO THE FULL LENGTH IN ORDER TO RETRACT. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY RISK BECAUSE THE PASSENGER WAS NOT SECURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55000. UPDATED 07/01/10 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE SEAT BELT PROBLEM WAS RESOLVED. UPDATED 07/02/10.*JB

NHTSA ID 10324341 · filed Apr 7, 2010

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. CONSUMER STATES EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR, PROBABLY DUE TO SUSPENSION PROBLEM. *TGW

NHTSA ID 10344408 · filed Jul 21, 2010

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .