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.
10.0
really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
6 / 0
Average Mileage:
76,262 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.
The right front brake of my 2008 Toyota Highlander popped loudly when I backed up. It sounded and felt like the brake locked up. This problem seemed to have already existed since the day I purchased the brand-new vehicle in December 2008, and it got worse and worse. Therefore, I took the vehicle to a Toyota dealer for inspection and the they said, "there is nothing wrong with the brake. It is normal and is just that the break is shifting." However, I asked them why the popping sound "only" came from the right front brake. They avoided my question and did not answer. As my concerns over the brake grew more and more, I took my vehicle to the same dealer again, but they said, "my vehicle is out of warranty and I have to pay $45 to have it re-checked." I told them that when my vehicle was inspected for the problem the first time, it was still under warranty, and the problem never went away; instead, it became even worse. However, they still insisted that I had to pay in order to have it inspected again. I was so disappointed I left the dealership. At the time of this writing, the right front brake still makes a loud, annoying popping sound when I back up my vehicle, which makes me worry that the brake could malfunction anytime when I am on the road.
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving 55 mph and applying the brakes to avoid hitting a deer, the brakes seized and the vehicle failed to respond. As a result, the contact lost control of the vehicle and crashed. The contact mentioned that none of the air bags deployed. As a result, the driver and a passenger sustained minor injuries. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact was able to drive the vehicle away from the scene. The failure and current mileage was 70,000. Updated 11/01/12 updated 11/02/12
Vsc, tracking and ABS lights come on when driving. Sometimes on as soon as I reverse in the morning. Used to go off if I turned car off and restarted. Sometimes doesn't come on until I am almost home from work (30 miles) sometimes the brakes feel off and not gripping. Had brakes inspected and everything fine.
- Vermilion, OH, USA
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- Russellville, AR, USA