CarRecallWatchThe 2008 Toyota Highlander has 11 safety recalls on file with NHTSA.
Owners have filed 405 complaints with NHTSA, including 44 crashes, 14 fires, 42 injuries.
The most-reported problem area is Service Brakes (66 reports).
2008 Toyota Highlander recalls
Aftermarket Seat Heaters May Short Circuit and Cause Fire
Certain vehicles were equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters that have a copper strand heating element.
Power window switch may overheat and cause a fire
Some Toyota vehicles may have a power window master switch where grease was inconsistently applied to the sliding electrical contacts during manufacturing.
Most common 2008 Toyota Highlander problems
Problem areas named in the 405 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.
| Problem area | Reports |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes | 66 |
| Air Bags | 59 |
| Engine | 58 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 45 |
| Electrical System | 44 |
| Steering | 40 |
| Tires | 25 |
| Power Train | 20 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 18 |
| Unknown Or Other | 16 |
What owners report
We own a 2008 Toyota Highlander. The SRS airbag warning light on the dash is lit. It is a sensor issue that has been fixed once. It is a safety issue because, as I understand it, the airbags will not deploy when this warning light is on. I would like to know if this is an issue with other 2008 Highlanders. This has happened twice since we have owned the vehicle. The dealership fixed the issue the first time but has no record of the repair. This time the repair could be over $1000.00 for me to drive a safe vehicle. I believe this should be looked into to see if it is an issue with other 2008 Toyota Highlanders.
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2008 Toyota Highlander. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. The contact stated that at the time of purchase the mileage was 106,000. After obtaining a Carfax report, the contact became aware that the mileage listed was 264,000.
The contact owned a 2008 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 20 MPH, an abnormal, booming sound was emitted from the vehicle as heavy, black smoke entered her vehicle. Due to the smoke, the contact's vision became obstructed, and the contact immediately shifted into park and jumped out of her vehicle for safety. It was unknown if there were any warning lights. As a result, the contact injured her right hip and strained her vocal cords. The vehicle quickly became engulfed in flames as authorities were called to the scene. The fire department extinguished the flames as both a fire and a police report were filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mech
THERE WAS NO INCIDENT. WHEN THE BRAKE MALFUNCTION SCREEN DISPLAYED, I DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE NEAREST TOYOTA DEALER IN PUEBLO, COLORADO. I RECEIVED THE ATTACHED SERVICE MESSAGE AND PICKING TICKET; 17june2025. IT ALSO NEEDS NEW BRAKE PADS, ROTOR ADJUSTMENT, AND 5 NEW TIRES. TOTAL~$6000. WAY TOO PRICY! I PAID FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST, AND DROVE HOME CAREFULLY! THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SITTING IN MY CARPORT SINCE, AND I AM WALKING THE CITY LIMITS FOR ALL PURPOSES. THE 12V BATTERY DIED MID-JULY, WITHOUT REPLACEMENT SINCE. I LIVE IN LA JUNTA, 70 MILES EAST OF THE DEALER. SO WE'RE LOOKING AT 99,000 TOTAL MILES AS IT SITS.
My 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid is having severe issues with the ABS system. Toyota is reporting that it needs an ABS actuator and ABS pump replacements. These were a part of Toyota's previous Customer Support Program, but the program expired before I owned the vehicle. That is EXTREMELY dangerous and the issue with the ABS system should be considered a Safety Recall that is ALWAYS available to Toyota customers to rectify and paid for by Toyota. It is a BRAKING ISSUE. It is not just brake pads, or normal wear and tear. This is a known issue and regardless of the timeline, Toyota should absolutely pay for the repair.
2008 Toyota Highlander questions
Does the 2008 Toyota Highlander have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 11 safety recalls for the 2008 Toyota Highlander: Aftermarket Seat Heaters May Short Circuit and Cause Fire; Power window switch may overheat and cause a fire; Seats:Front Assembly:Seat Heater/Cooler; Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module; Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Toyota Highlander?
Based on 405 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Service Brakes (66), Air Bags (59), Engine (58).
How do I check if a recall on my 2008 Toyota Highlander has been fixed?
Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.