2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid problems
Owners have filed 272 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. Brakes is the most reported problem area, at 43% of complaints. After that come electrical system (13%) and stability control (9%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 272 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Brakes 43% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 6 and 7
- Injuries and deaths
- 7 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 113,000 miles 251 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 33 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 19 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 14 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 15 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 16 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 45 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 42 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 28 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 24 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 2 |
| 200k+ miles | 13 |
What the data shows
Among the 251 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 113,000 miles. For brakes specifically, the median reported mileage is about 118,000 miles (106 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 6 complaints mention a crash; 7 complaints mention a fire; 7 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2008 ranks 2nd most-complained-about out of 5 model years of the Toyota Highlander Hybrid with enough data (103 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 6 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Came to a complete stop on a neighborhood street to allow a car out of their driveway. My 2008 toyota highlander highlander hybrid (with 8000 miles) made a hissing or whistling type sound and just accelerated. ( I was at a stop) we went about 150 ft (according to the insurance investigator) and went right into a tree. I was released from the hospital that evening but my passenger is severely injured. My ins investigator suggest I ask you if there are any other circumstances like this.?? The truck is totaled.
2008 toyota highlander hybrid limited accelerated while pulling into my driveway and before I could stop vehicle I hit a frozen snow drift with the right front side. Damage occurred to vehicle and I hurt my back. This happened once.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota highlander hybrid. While driving approximately between 25-30 MPH, the contact smelled a burning odor and noticed smoke emitting from the front driver side door. The vehicle was driven to the side of the road. Immediately the driver side door was opened and the automatic window switch exhibited severe melting. The wires were disabled and removed from the switch. The vehicle was being taken to the dealer for diagnosis. The failure mileage was 178,000.
On june 15th, 2016 while over 200 miles from home on a family trip with my pregnant wife and 2 year old son in the car driving down a 2 lane highway with a semi truck behind us at approximately 45 MPH constant speed our 2008 highlander hybrid brakes locked up, a warning tone sounded, several lights lit up on the dash including brakes, ABS, vsc, (((!))), and /!\, and the car stopped completely in the highway with the engine still running.
Vsc, ABS, traction control error light. My mechanic identified this as a failer accumulator (ABS module), he said there is a TSB from toyota. I know there was a recall on this issue on this vehicle through year 2007. Concerned about possibility of total brake failure.