10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
59,550 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 Hybrid miscellaneous problems

miscellaneous problem

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2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Owner Comments

problem #10

Mar 162019

Highlander Hybrid

  • miles

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

Takata recall.. my car start getting an error light in my dashboard.. it says brake malfunction, vsc system and ABS system.. my car runs fine but sometime when I press the phrase pedal car doesn't break right away and making noise.

- Long Beach, CA, USA

problem #9

Oct 212018

Highlander Hybrid

  • miles
Brake safety brake actuator assembly faliar to function and almost locked when I am driving in the highway thank

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #8

Feb 152018

Highlander Hybrid

  • 162,000 miles
While driving 40 mph, my dashboard lit up with 'brake brake malfunction', 'ABS chevk ABS', and 'check vsc system'. all dash lights lit up also. Drove to the repair shop and had codes run. No codes were present. This is related to the C1391 code that has a recall on 06&07 highlanders, and 08 camy's. the front right of the engine is making a clicking sound every 20 seconds from the brake stabilizer. Just prior to this for the last 2 weeks, the vehicle has had difficulty obtaining a 'ready' light. Battery has been pulled and bench tested, and all connections were checked. It would appear that in the last two months many 08 owners are presenting with this problem, with a range of proposed repair expense from $3,300 to $6,500. Seeing as this is a known problem with the 08 Camry', resulting in brake failure in both Camry's and highlander, this ought to be a recall for both vehicles.

- Gulf Breeze, FL, USA

problem #7

Sep 212017

Highlander Hybrid

  • miles

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

Severe strong bitter smell inside the car, mainly when the engine is running.

- Covington, LA, USA

problem #6

Sep 222017

Highlander Hybrid

  • 137,000 miles
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

- Fpo, AE, USA

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problem #5

Jul 102016

Highlander Hybrid

  • 111,000 miles
Failed ABS brake accuator assembly. This is a known issue and Toyota has paid for Camry owners to have theirs fixed free of charge. The dealer wants $3800 to replace mine. With as many complaints as there are out there coupled with the danger involved with this part failing there should be a recall. It caused us to very nearly have an accident due to loss of braking power. I hope Toyota doesnt wait for someobe to be killed before they act on this.

- Bakersfield, CA, USA

problem #4

Nov 082015

Highlander Hybrid

  • 32,500 miles

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

After the vehicle is driven to a stop and turned off while still in drive, reverse or neutal, there is no audible or visual warning that the car is not in safely in park. When you take your foot off the brake pedal, the car will roll away if it's on an incline.

- Portola Valley, CA, USA

problem #3

Aug 142013

Highlander Hybrid

  • 124,000 miles
The car just stopped moving - engine was running & all systems were on. The warning systems starting displaying the following messages: Check hybrid system, check vsc system, check brake system, check 4WD system. The car had no 'limp' mode, and I was fortunate enough to coast to a parking space. Prior to this the car was running fine with no signs of failure. I had it towed to the shop and was told the hybrid inverter had gone out. Upon researching this it appears to be a common problem with the highlander's, and there was a recall on the 2006/07 models. I purchased in Jan of 2008, and by VIN research it appears my vechicle came from the same manufacturing facility as the recalled models. Also, searching on-line I found several incidents of this now in the 2008 models. I feel fortunate that I was not on the freeway, as it appears this can happen anywhere at any speed. I find it very sad that Toyota knows this hazard exists and still is not notifying or replacing these parts that they know are defective (not only not replacing, but asking consumers to pay 10K plus to repair).

- Hayward, CA, USA

problem #2

Apr 082010

Highlander Hybrid

  • miles
Toyota Highlander hybrid 2008 requires frequent jumping due to dead battery, this has been since I bought it, but more recently I have had to jump the car once a week.

- Pembroke, MA, USA

problem #1

Jan 172010

Highlander Hybrid

  • 29,000 miles
I own a 2008 Toyota hybrid highlander.I have experienced a "lag" before the brakes kick in and it seems like the car is accelerating as I am braking. It ifeels as if when it happens I am hitting the brake and gas pedal at the same time. It is somewhat frightening. It has happened at least 5 times since I have owned the car. I believe it is the same issue as the preius. It feels like a brief surge. Please investigate as Toyota is not recalling the hybrid highlander. I believe it is the same technology and issue the preius is experiencing

- Coplay, PA, USA

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