2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Service Brakes (86) · Vehicle Speed Control (18) · Electrical System (11)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Toyota Highlander Hybrid model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
180 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (4)
Visibility:power Window Devices And Controls 2015-10-22 · campaign 15V689000 · 1,814,284 vehicles
Defect: Toyota Motor Company (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Tundra, Sequoia, Corolla, Corolla Matrix and Scion xB, 2008-2011 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2007 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2009 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2006-2011 RAV4, 2006-2010 Yaris, and 2009-2010 Scion xD and Pontiac Vibe vehicles. During the manufacturing of the Power Window Master Switch (PWMS), grease lubricant may have been inconsistently applied to the sliding electrical contacts.
Risk: If the sliding electrical contacts are not protected by lubricant, debris and moisture that get into the switch may cause a short circuit and the switch assembly may overheat and melt, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the switch, applying a lubricant if no abnormality is found. If abnormality is found, the PWMS circuit board will be replaced, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin December 20, 2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is C0M.
Hybrid Propulsion System: Inverter 2013-09-04 · campaign 13V396000 · 133,081 vehicles
Defect: Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid vehicles manufactured February 16, 2005, through July 29, 2010; and model year 2006-2008 Lexus RX400h vehicles manufactured February 23, 2005, through December 2, 2008. The Intelligent Power Module (IPM) inside the inverter module may contain transistors that have higher operating temperatures than the solder can support and the transistors may be heat damaged by the solder. If this occurs, various warning lamps, including the
Risk: The vehicle may enter a fail-safe/limp-home mode that limits the drivability of the vehicle. It is possible that the hybrid system will shut down while the vehicle is being driven, causing the vehicle to stall unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the IPM free of charge. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331. Vehicles that had their IPM replaced under recall 11V-342 are not affected by this campaign.
Visibility:power Window Devices And Controls 2012-10-10 · campaign 12V491000 · 2,519,424 vehicles
Defect: Toyota is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 Camry, Camry Hybrid, RAV4, Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Tundra, Sequoia, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Yaris, Scion xB, Scion xD and Pontiac Vibe vehicles. The power window master switch assemblies in some of these vehicles were built using a less precise process for lubricating the internal components of the switch assemblies. Irregularities in this lubrication process may cause the power window master switch assemblies to malfunction and overheat
Risk: If the switch overheats, it may melt, possibly resulting in a fire.
Fix: Toyota will notify its owners, and dealers will inspect the switch and apply a special grease that inhibits heat build up or replace any switch damaged by the defect, free of charge. Toyota owners that experience a problem with a switch should not attempt to make repairs, but should contact their Toyota dealer or the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331. General Motors will contact the Pontiac Vibe owners affected by this recall and GM dealers will inspect and repair switches
Air Bags:side/Window 2011-04-21 · campaign 11V245000 · 307,848 vehicles
Defect: TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 HIGHLANDER, HIGHLANDER HYBRID, AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2008 RAV4 VEHICLES. IN THE CURTAIN SHIELD AIRBAG (CSA) SYSTEM, THERE ARE TWO SENSORS IN THE AIRBAG SENSOR ASSEMBLY WHICH ARE DESIGNED TO DETECT VEHICLE ROLL ANGLE. IF ONE OF THESE SENSORS MALFUNCTIONS, THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT (MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT: MIL) WILL ILLUMINATE AND THE ROLL DETECTION SYSTEM WILL BE SUSPENDED; HOWEVER, THE AIRBAG CSA REMAINS AVAILABLE IN THE EVENT OF A SIDE CRASH. IF
Risk: INADVERTENT ACTIVATION OF THE CSA AND/OR THE SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER CAN CAUSE INJURY TO A VEHICLE OCCUPANT.
Fix: TOYOTA WILL REPLACE THE AIRBAG SENSOR ASSEMBLY WITH A NEW ONE CONTAINING IMPROVED ROLL RATE SENSORS, FREE OF CHARGE. TOYOTA INTENDS TO SEND AN INTERIM OWNER NOTIFICATION TO OWNERS EARLY TO MID-MAY, 2011 WHEN SUFFICIENT PARTS AND REMEDY BECOMES AVAILABLE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
Service bulletins (114)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Engine 2026-02-13 · T-SB-0009-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin includes basic procedures for performing a rescue charge on ni-mh high voltage (hv) batteries. this bulletin should be used in conjunction with the applicable model and model year repair manual while performing a rescue charge. the grx-5100 should be used wherever the repair manual ref
Engine 2026-02-13 · T-SB-0119-15 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
obsolete notice february 13, 2026: this bulletin is now obsolete. please see t-sb-0009-26.
Unknown Or Other 2026-01-07 · T-SB-0055-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2005 – 2026 toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. the purpose of this service bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0039-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. if these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicle surface, especially the horizonal areas of the hood, roof,
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0038-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
to prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. the purpose of the wheel film is to shield the disc brake rotor from weather elements and initial rust before the vehicle is delivered to the customer.
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0035-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. if these acidic compounds settle on an exposed vehicle, especially the horizontal areas such as the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage to the painted surfa
Showing the 6 most recent of 114 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2025-08-12 · Electrical System:instrument Panel:speedometer/Odometer · 212,000 mi“odometer fraud. the contact purchased a 2008 toyota highlander hybrid. the contact stated that it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. the vehicle was a private sale. at the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 92,000, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 212,000.…”
2025-04-15 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 227,000 mi“the contact owns a 2008 toyota highlander hybrid. the contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the master, brake system, abs warning, and traction control warning lights illuminated. additionally, the message "brake system malfunction - stop in safe place immediately”, check abs/vsc system, and check braking system"…”
2021-12-01 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 162,000 mi“the contact owns a 2008 toyota highlander hybrid. the contact stated while driving 45 mph, the brake malfunction and abs warning lights were illuminated. the contact stated that when she started the vehicle, she was unable to depress the brake pedal to the floor and started to hear an abnormal noise. the contact called the local dealer and made the…”
2019-08-15 · Hybrid Propulsion System: Inverter · 185,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota highlander hybrid. the contact received a recall notice for nhtsa campaign number: 13v396000 (hybrid propulsion system: inverter). while in a parking lot, the vehicle went into fail safe limp home mode and the vehicle stalled. there were no warning indicators illuminated. the vehicle was towed to newark toyota wor…”
2019-05-29 · Service Brakes · 121,000 mi“all warning lights are on to check brakes, abs. abnormal leak in acumulator - abs brake actuator needs to be replaced. i was sent a recall on this problem with my 2012 prius (although it is fine) but the highlander has the exact problem. when googling this i found many 2008 highlanders with the exact same problem. toyota wants $3600 to replace …”
2019-05-22 · Service Brakes · 158,000 mi“brake actuator assembly on my 2008 toyota highlander hybrid has been failing. know issue. i've taken excellent care of this vehicle and had it serviced at the dealership. the manufacturing is replace the previous years, but not the 2008 which is the exact same component. please let me know why this is happening. not just to me, but others too. plea…”
2019-05-06 · Steering · 139,000 mi“abs pump and actuator failure. warning lights on the dash buzzer, and nearly complete loss of stopping power, reduced fuel economy. we own a 2008 toyota highlander hybrid which confirmed by the dealer has a 100% failure rate which is the exact failure previously recalled on 2006-07 highlander hybrids, and 08-09 camry hybrids. this failure throws th…”
2019-03-26 · Service Brakes · 140,000 mi“i am told i need to replace the brake actuator assembly on my 2008 toyota highlander hybrid. my research indicates that this component failure was a known problem for years and was actually covered in a recall for 2006-7 models. for reasons unknown the recall does not cover 2008 even though it is the exact same component. this is a serious safet…”
2019-03-17 · Unknown Or Other“takata recall .. my car start getting an error light in my dashboard.. it says brake malfunction , vsc system and abs system .. my car runs fine but sometime when i press the phrase pedal car doesn't break right away and making noise.…”
2019-03-04 · Service Brakes · 78,000 mi“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.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.