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:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
80,767 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 miscellaneous problems

miscellaneous problem

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2008 Toyota Highlander Owner Comments

problem #15

Jun 252019

Highlander

  • miles

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

This vehicle has had ongoing issues with the O2 sensors not working, I have researched online for years and have read that there are several online forums of 2008 Highlander owners complaining of the same issue. The problem that I (we all) face with this, is that it constantly fails, never being able to know if there is an actual issue becuase of the faulty sensors or wiring causing the sensors to go out. I am always frightened that something is wrong with the car and spent hundreds and continue to spend having my car checked. I am a single mom who lost my job at the beginning of the pandemic, I have two school aged kids. Having them in a car that I can not be sure we are safe in, is scary. The cost to replace the sensors as there are 3 that have been a constant pain of not working correctly is insane! It is going to be in upwards of $600 to repair! I absolutely can't afford that, being an unemployed single mother of two. Even when I was employed, living paycheck to paycheck to have to pay out almost a thousand dollars when from what I've read from others that replacing will still result in it failing again. So I have to drive around in a car that has all the sensor lights on, something really bad could happen to the car and since all the sensor lights remain on, I'll never know if something is wrong with the car- something bad could happen to me and my children while we are driving in the car. How can someone replace the sensors only for them to keep going out. This is a serious problem, I've dealt with this for years, only today did I learn that I could report this after receiving a recall letter from Toyota today regarding the paint on my car.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #14

Jan 102022

Highlander

  • miles
The drivers door either locks or doesn-€™t when hitting the lock button it shake (unlocks an locks rapidly.

- Butte, MT, USA

problem #13

Jan 012022

Highlander

  • miles
The driver door lock either won-€™t unlock or won-€™t lock it does a back n forth montion

- Butte , MT, USA

problem #12

Jul 062020

Highlander 6-cyl

  • 236,000 miles

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

Driving down the road when the traction sensor came on. Followed by a warning of check hybrid system and vcs system. And car shut completely off in the middle of traffic.

- Hudson, FL, USA

problem #11

Jun 122020

Highlander 6-cyl

  • 78,000 miles
Dear sir/madam the Toyota Highlander /Camry and sienna have a oil cooler line which is made of rubber and explode due to the high temperature of the oil. All these vehicles have been causing oil to be leaked all over the roads of America with Toyota not having issued a recall. Years 2008 - 2013.this issue is dangerous.

- Teaneck, NJ, USA

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problem #10

Jan 022019

Highlander

  • 125,500 miles
2008 Highlander caught fire and burned to a complete loss. None of the notification systems worked correctly to alert my wife. The car was in motion moving appx 20 miles per hour and the cabin filled with smoke and was engulfed in flames. Oil spray was noted and pictures taken on the roadway behind the vehicle to the burn site. There was a recall on an oil line for this vehicle in the past.

- Lewisburg, WV, USA

problem #9

Nov 202018

Highlander

  • 278,177 miles

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

Sunroof shattered

- Bloomsburg, PA, USA

problem #8

Jan 152018

Highlander

  • miles
Brake booster and actuator per Toyota dealership of fayetteville Arkansas failed on this car although same system used on same year Camry that were tecalled

- Fayetteville, AR, USA

problem #7

Feb 082016

Highlander

  • 100,000 miles
The driver's side sun visor does not stay in its upright flat position. It falls partway down to the point of being aimed directly at the forehead. This not only impedes visibility but also is dangerous if you involved in an accident which would throw you forward. It also will not stay down and pushed all the way forward in order to avoid the hazard of having it angled at your forehead. Having the vehicle in motion on stationary has not effect of this problem.

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #6

Oct 302014

Highlander

  • 120,000 miles
Vibration

- Santiago De Queretaro, NM, USA

problem #5

Aug 262015

Highlander

  • 70,000 miles

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

Factory alarm goes off randomly.. hood latch sensor problem?

- Torrance, CA, USA

problem #4

Mar 012015

Highlander

  • 96,500 miles
While driving driver's sun visor falls in front of driver. If there was an accident the driver could be injured by the visor.

- Owasso, OK, USA

problem #3

Jun 012014

Highlander

  • 102,321 miles
When you start up car there is a engine grinding noise for a few seconds. This has been reported by many people on the internet, just google 2008 Toyota Highlander start up engine noise and you will get a better look at what it sounds like. This could lead to severe engine damage. It is a defect in the engine.

- Glenview, IL, USA

problem #2

Dec 012014

Highlander

  • miles
2008 Toyota Highlander have practiced putting the car in neutral while rolling and restarting the car. The consumer offered his suggestion on how to handle the ignition switch problem.

- Sycamore, IL, USA

problem #1

May 222010

Highlander

  • 5,000 miles
On May 22, 2010 my Toyota Highlander sudden accelerated. I was at a full stop (red light) on 14th street at the intersection of castro heading West uphill. My foot was on the brake when my truck suddenly accelerated. The truck jerked forward even though my foot was on the brake. I reported it to san francisco Toyota service representative when I brought in my truck for the recall service on May 29, 2010. They completed the recall as required, but he dismissed my comment about the above incident. I believe the real issue is the electronic or software programming of vehicle controls and wish to have this documented if a more serious problem occurs.

- San Francisco, CA, USA

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