Vehicle Data Hub

2008 Toyota Highlander engine problems

Owners reported engine problems in 75 complaints for the 2008 Toyota Highlander, 15% of the complaints on file. It is the 2nd most reported problem area for this model year.

At a glance

Complaints
75 15% of this year's complaints
Typical mileage
101,000 miles 64 complaints with mileage
Crashes and fires
2 and 6
Injuries and deaths
2 and 1

Source: NHTSA owner complaints

When engine problems show up

Engine complaints by mileage, 2008 Toyota Highlander Complaints by odometer reading in 20,000-mile steps. The median is about 101,000 miles. 0k to 20k miles: 2 complaints 20k to 40k miles: 4 complaints 40k to 60k miles: 3 complaints 60k to 80k miles: 10 complaints 80k to 100k miles: 10 complaints 100k to 120k miles: 14 complaints 120k to 140k miles: 12 complaints 140k to 160k miles: 6 complaints 160k to 180k miles: 2 complaints 180k to 200k miles: 0 complaints 200k+ miles: 1 complaints 040k80k120k160k200k miles Typical: 101,000 miles
Based on 64 complaints that include mileage. 14% were reported before 60,000 miles. The amber marker shows the median: half of these complaints happened before that mileage.
View the numbers
MileageComplaints
0k to 20k miles2
20k to 40k miles4
40k to 60k miles3
60k to 80k miles10
80k to 100k miles10
100k to 120k miles14
120k to 140k miles12
140k to 160k miles6
160k to 180k miles2
180k to 200k miles0
200k+ miles1

What the data shows

Of the 64 engine complaints that report mileage, the median is about 101,000 miles, and 14% were reported before 60,000 miles.

These complaints mention 2 crashes, 6 fires, 2 injuries, 1 death.

What owners wrote

My father [xxx] was killed while driving a 2008 toyota highlander. He hit another car sustaining severe injuries to the driver. He left my house in georgetown, tx. Driving to rockport tx when it is reported that he left his lane, no indication that he tried to slow down. The accident occurred in goliad county, about an hour from his house. The autopsy could find no medical or physical cause for this accident. The accident is on file with the texas department of public safety and usaa insurance.

December 2008 CrashInjuryDeath

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.

Reported at 78,000 miles, June 2020

Other problems reported for the 2008 Toyota Highlander

Engine problems in other years

Engine problems across all Toyota models