CarComplaints.com Notes: 2008 is the first year of the 2nd generation Highlander, & it may be a model year to avoid as Toyota most likely worked out some production quality issues with the new model.

The 2009 Highlander is the has far fewer complaints.

2.1

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
75,225 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2008 Toyota Highlander windows / windshield problems

windows / windshield problem

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2008 Toyota Highlander Owner Comments

problem #2

Feb 082020

Highlander

  • 144,450 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owned a 2008 Toyota Highlander. Water leaked into the vehicle's cabin on the driver's side causing the rugs to become drenched an independent mechanic determined that the vehicle's draining system for the sunroof was clogged the contact was concerned about her shoes getting wet and applying the wrong pedal while driving, causing an accident the contact opened the driver's side door and noticed that the carpet was drenched. The vehicle was purchased in January 2020. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer, but an independent mechanic that determined that the water was entering the cabin through the sunroof. The channel that drained the sunroof was cleared, but that did not correct the issue. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 144,450.

- Auspell, GA, USA

problem #1

Dec 212007

Highlander 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 6,000 miles
While driving on highway the sunroof exploded and sent glass fragment everywhere. Fortunately the shade was pulled closed otherwise glass would have been blown into the driver and passenger compartment at 55 mph. Glass was completely distributed throughout the headliner and it had to be removed to ensure glass would not interfere with air bag operation or become a projectile if the air bag actuated. The sunroof is made of tempered glass and not safety glass. When it exploded, the glass was not held captive by the safety film. Only a two inch border of glass remained in the sun roof frame. This is a very significant safety oversight. If the sun roof shade had been open, the driver would have been hit with glass and an accident would likely have occurred.

- Richland, WA, USA

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