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.

2.8

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
50,370 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 lights problems

lights problem

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2008 Toyota Highlander Owner Comments

problem #3

Feb 272015

Highlander

  • 97,111 miles

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

Took my car to state inspection and failed because only left side rear brake light was not working. I replaced the bulbs and checked the fuse. Fuse is fine and had new bulbs and the light still do not work. Researched online and it seems like many people are having same problem. From what I read from people online, no one could figure out the cause and solution of the problem. Some people already took it into the dealer and "resolved the issue" by spending $400 but ended up with the same issue a year later. Seems to be going in the direction of electrical design defect. I need to get this issue resolved to pass the state safety inspection.

- Fairfax, VA, USA

problem #2

Aug 022012

Highlander

  • 54,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that the passenger side headlight lens were fogged and the headlight assembly failed. The failure occurred previously and both the driver and passenger side headlights were replaced. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the seal for the headlight assembly was defective and allowed water to enter. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who filed a report and did not offer any further assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 54,000 and the current mileage was 59,000.

- Stuart, FL, USA

problem #1

Apr 202009

Highlander

  • 0 miles
I bought a 2008 Toyota Highlander in December 2007. I did not test drive the vehicle at night. After a few weeks, I tried to back up at night. The lights are completely inadequate and they are a safety hazard. I have to get out of the vehicle every few feet and check to make sure there is nothing/no one in my path when backing up at night. I asked the dealer to check/repair the lights. They said this is a common complaint but there is nothing they can do to fix it. It is not safe to back up the vehicle at night because the lights do not illuminate enough to see if someone is in your path. I have asked the manufacturer for help fixing the problem but they said there is nothing they can do.

- Ooltewah, TN, USA

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