2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID

272 complaints filed with NHTSA.

272
Complaints
6
Crashes
7
Fires
7
Injuries
0
Deaths

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
SERVICE BRAKES94
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM34
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)25
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL18
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC13
POWER TRAIN11
UNKNOWN OR OTHER10
ENGINE10
TIRES9
HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM: INVERTER7
STEERING6
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC6
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM5
STRUCTURE:BODY3
WHEELS3

Recalls (8)

09E02200027/04/2009

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 THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS, THE ORIGINAL CLAMP USED TO SECURE THE TOYOTA STAINLESS STEEL EXHAUST TIP TO

15V68900022/10/2015

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

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, 2006-2010 Yaris, and 2009-2010 Scion xD and Pontiac Vib

11V24500021/04/2011

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 SENSOR ASSEMBLY WHICH ARE DESIGNED TO DETECT VEHICLE ROLL ANGLE. IF ONE OF THESE SENSORS MALFUNCTIONS, T

08V18100018/04/2008

SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER

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 SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." THE NON-DRIVER DESIGNATED SEATING POSITIONS (DSP)

09V22300015/06/2009

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

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 WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE S

09E02800014/05/2009

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 TREATMENT DURING THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS, THE ORIGINAL CLAMP USED TO SECURE THE STAINLESS STEEL EX

12V49100010/10/2012

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

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. The power window master switch assemblies in some of these vehicles were built using a less preci

13V39600004/09/2013

HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM: INVERTER

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 m

Recent Complaints

20180820CrashSERVICE BRAKES

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

Mileage: 134,400

20180729CrashSERVICE BRAKES

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. I HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM IN MY 2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. IN THAT CASE, TOYOTA ISSUED A WARRANTY EXTENSION AND THE BRAKES WERE FIXED BY THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. I HAD NOT YET DECIDED WHAT TO DO ABOUT MY CURRENT BRAKE PROBLEM. I HAD JUST GOTTEN ALL FOUR

Mileage: 179,000

20180115CrashSERVICE BRAKES

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. AFTER WHICH I WAS INFORMED THAT THE ABS ACTUATOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED FOR ABOUT $4500. SO I ASKED IF THE CAR WAS DRIVABLE AND IF THE BREAKS ARE STILL OK AND WORKING, THEY SAID IT WAS FINE TO DRIVE BUT TO REPLACE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. I WAS ABOUT TO GO ON A VACATION SO DIDNT HAVE (THE TIME )OR MONEY TO SPEND ON A PA

Mileage: 102,000

20170927FireSTRUCTURE:BODY

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

Mileage: 137,000

20170927FireSERVICE BRAKES

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

Mileage: 137,000

20170927FireUNKNOWN OR OTHER

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

Mileage: 137,000

20160831POWER TRAIN

2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER EXPERIENCED HYBRID SYSTEM FAILURE. IT TURNS OUT ITS A INVERTER ASSEMBLY FAILURE. THERE WAS CLASS LAW SUIT FILED IN 2006 FOR THE SAME FAILURE HTTPS://TOPCLASSACTIONS.COM/LAWSUIT-SETTLEMENTS/LAWSUIT-NEWS/1074-TOYOTA-HIGHLANDER-HYBRID-CLASS-ACTION-LAWSUIT/ MY CAR 2008 MODEL EXPERIENCED SAME FAILURE BUT IT WAS NEVER RECALLED. I HAD NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCE DRIVING THIS CAR WHEN IT CAME TO ABRUPT HALT PLEASE REVIEW THIS AND CONSIDER THESE MODEL CAR FOR RECALL BEFORE THEY R

Mileage: 70,000

20160629FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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 HIGH

Mileage: 150,000

20160629FireSTEERING

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 HIGH

Mileage: 150,000

20151112SERVICE BRAKES

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. BRAKES IMMEDIATELY SEIZED AND THE CAR STARTED TO SKID. I RELEASED THE BRAKES, THEN TRIED AGAIN, SAME RESULT. I PULLED TO SIDE OF FWY AND STOPPED. I DROVE SURFACE STREETS USING THE PARKING BRAKE WHEN I NEEDED TO STOP, UNTIL I GOT TO MY HOUSE. THAT EVENING AND THE NEXT MOR

Mileage: 115,000

20151112ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

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. BRAKES IMMEDIATELY SEIZED AND THE CAR STARTED TO SKID. I RELEASED THE BRAKES, THEN TRIED AGAIN, SAME RESULT. I PULLED TO SIDE OF FWY AND STOPPED. I DROVE SURFACE STREETS USING THE PARKING BRAKE WHEN I NEEDED TO STOP, UNTIL I GOT TO MY HOUSE. THAT EVENING AND THE NEXT MOR

Mileage: 115,000

20151112VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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. BRAKES IMMEDIATELY SEIZED AND THE CAR STARTED TO SKID. I RELEASED THE BRAKES, THEN TRIED AGAIN, SAME RESULT. I PULLED TO SIDE OF FWY AND STOPPED. I DROVE SURFACE STREETS USING THE PARKING BRAKE WHEN I NEEDED TO STOP, UNTIL I GOT TO MY HOUSE. THAT EVENING AND THE NEXT MOR

Mileage: 115,000

20120620FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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. THE DRIVER PULLED THE VEHICLE INTO A PARKING LOT AND EXITED. THE VEHICLE IGNITED INTO FLAMES AND WAS DESTROYED. THE FIRE INSPECTOR STATED THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED FROM THE FUSE BOX. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A HOLDING AREA FOR THE MANUFACTURER TO EXAMINE. THE CAUSE OF THE FI

Mileage: 32,000

20101129CrashELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. WHILE STOPPED AT A RAILROAD CROSSING, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED CAUSING A TRAIN TO HIT IT. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE VEHICLE WAS AWAITING INSPECTION. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO ARRANGED AN INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 25,000.

Mileage: 25,000

20101014FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 25-30 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED A BURNING ODOR AND NOTICED SMOKE EMITTING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. IMMEDIATELY THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WAS OPENED AND THE AUTOMATIC WINDOW SWITCH EXHIBITED SEVERE MELTING. THE WIRES WERE DISABLED AND REMOVED FROM THE SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 178,000.

Mileage: 178,000

20100214VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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

Mileage: 7,986

20100204CrashSERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE HIGHLANDER IN THE FIRST WEEK WE HAD THE CAR. SHE WAS DRIVING IN SLOW MOVING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC IN CAMBRIDGE MA AT LESS THAN 15 MPH. WHEN A CAR IN FRONT OF HER STOOPED QUICKLY, SHE HIT THE BRAKES WHICH INITIALLY STOPPED, BUT ON THEIR OWN RELEASED FOR A FRACTION OF A SECOND AND THEN RE-ENGAGED. THIS CAUSED HER TO HIT THE BACK OF ANOTHER CAR. INITIALLY WE REPORTED THIS TO TOYOTA AND WERE TOLD THAT IT HAD TO WITH THE HYBRID BRAKING SYSTEM. THIS TYPE OF BRAKE RELEASE H

Mileage: 200

20080719CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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. ( I WAS AT A STOP) WE WENT ABOUT 150 FT (ACCORDING TO THE INSURANCE INVESTIGATOR) AND WENT RIGHT INTO A TREE. I WAS RELEASED FROM THE HOSPITAL THAT EVENING BUT MY PASSENGER IS SEVERELY INJURED. MY INS INVESTIGATOR SUGGEST I ASK YOU IF THERE ARE ANY OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES LIKE THIS.?? THE TRU

Mileage: 8,200