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.
The "upscale" JBL audio system would go dead when the weather started to get cooler each fall.
It would usually come back ( LCD display and controls would become functional ) after a period of time. Each time, however, that this happened, it would take longer to fix itself, the last time it took almost a week. At this point I was looking into replacing the "head unit" at a cost of $1200.00 !!!
The replacement, guess what, would be the same head unit from Toyota with the same problems just delayed for a couple of years possibly.
Obviously I did not replace it and sold the vehicle.
I had major issues with this vehicle, tie rod, climate control, audio system and major loose components inside the dash. These ranged from rattles that became increasingly worse to groans and loud grinding type noises when travelling over slightly rough terrain.
This Limited Highlander was a lemon.
Thanks Toyota !!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
The "upscale" JBL audio system would go dead when the weather started to get cooler each fall. It would usually come back ( LCD display and controls would become functional ) after a period of time. Each time, however, that this happened, it would take longer to fix itself, the last time it took almost a week. At this point I was looking into replacing the "head unit" at a cost of $1200.00 !!! The replacement, guess what, would be the same head unit from Toyota with the same problems just delayed for a couple of years possibly. Obviously I did not replace it and sold the vehicle. I had major issues with this vehicle, tie rod, climate control, audio system and major loose components inside the dash. These ranged from rattles that became increasingly worse to groans and loud grinding type noises when travelling over slightly rough terrain. This Limited Highlander was a lemon. Thanks Toyota !!
- Robert H., Maple Ridge, BC, Canada