2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER — Owner-Reported Problems
Verdict & Safety Summary
- Crashes 49
- Fires 18
- Injuries 47
- Deaths 2
Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.
Component Problem Distribution
Share of owner complaints filed for each vehicle system (unaffected by sales volume)
UNKNOWN OR OTHER is an NHTSA classification artifact and is always listed last.
View component data as a table
| System / Component | Complaints | Share of Reports | Safety Reports (Crashes / Fires) |
|---|---|---|---|
| SERVICE BRAKES | 153 | 26.8% | 8 crashes · 0 fires |
| ENGINE | 79 | 13.8% | 2 crashes · 6 fires |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 54 | 9.4% | 3 crashes · 4 fires |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 51 | 8.9% | 22 crashes · 2 fires |
| AIR BAGS | 45 | 7.9% | 7 crashes · 0 fires |
| STEERING | 42 | 7.3% | 3 crashes · 1 fires |
| POWER TRAIN | 18 | 3.2% | 1 crashes · 0 fires |
| VISIBILITY | 18 | 3.2% | 0 crashes · 2 fires |
| FUEL SYSTEM | 9 | 1.6% | 0 crashes · 0 fires |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 131 | 22.9% | 9 crashes · 4 fires |
Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.
Problem & Recall Timeline
Observed complaint volume and manufacturer recall actions over time
- Campaign 09V223000 was reported 566 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
- Campaign 10V023000 was reported 557 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
- Campaign 10V035000 was reported 799 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
- Campaign 10V036000 was reported 799 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
- Campaign 12V491000 was reported 1,697 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
- Campaign 13V396000 was reported 2,108 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
- Campaign 14V168000 was reported 1,490 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
- Campaign 14V743000 was reported 2,549 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
- Campaign 15V689000 was reported 2,804 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
- Campaign 16V396000 was reported 3,110 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
View timeline records as a table
| Date | Record type | Count | Record identifier |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007-Q4 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2008-Q1 | Owner reports | 2 | |
| 2008-Q2 | Owner reports | 4 | |
| 2008-Q3 | Owner reports | 3 | |
| 2008-Q4 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2009-Q1 | Owner reports | 3 | |
| 2009-Q2 | Owner reports | 4 | |
| 2009-Q3 | Owner reports | 4 | |
| 2009-Q4 | Owner reports | 4 | |
| 2010-Q1 | Owner reports | 59 | |
| 2010-Q2 | Owner reports | 16 | |
| 2010-Q3 | Owner reports | 9 | |
| 2010-Q4 | Owner reports | 5 | |
| 2011-Q1 | Owner reports | 5 | |
| 2011-Q2 | Owner reports | 8 | |
| 2011-Q3 | Owner reports | 3 | |
| 2011-Q4 | Owner reports | 5 | |
| 2012-Q1 | Owner reports | 7 | |
| 2012-Q2 | Owner reports | 4 | |
| 2012-Q3 | Owner reports | 7 | |
| 2012-Q4 | Owner reports | 8 | |
| 2013-Q1 | Owner reports | 12 | |
| 2013-Q2 | Owner reports | 14 | |
| 2013-Q3 | Owner reports | 20 | |
| 2013-Q4 | Owner reports | 10 | |
| 2014-Q1 | Owner reports | 13 | |
| 2014-Q2 | Owner reports | 16 | |
| 2014-Q3 | Owner reports | 9 | |
| 2014-Q4 | Owner reports | 13 | |
| 2015-Q1 | Owner reports | 7 | |
| 2015-Q2 | Owner reports | 9 | |
| 2015-Q3 | Owner reports | 12 | |
| 2015-Q4 | Owner reports | 12 | |
| 2016-Q1 | Owner reports | 9 | |
| 2016-Q2 | Owner reports | 6 | |
| 2016-Q3 | Owner reports | 9 | |
| 2016-Q4 | Owner reports | 12 | |
| 2017-Q1 | Owner reports | 9 | |
| 2017-Q2 | Owner reports | 17 | |
| 2017-Q3 | Owner reports | 15 | |
| 2017-Q4 | Owner reports | 6 | |
| 2018-Q1 | Owner reports | 15 | |
| 2018-Q2 | Owner reports | 13 | |
| 2018-Q3 | Owner reports | 16 | |
| 2018-Q4 | Owner reports | 15 | |
| 2019-Q1 | Owner reports | 12 | |
| 2019-Q2 | Owner reports | 6 | |
| 2019-Q3 | Owner reports | 10 | |
| 2019-Q4 | Owner reports | 8 | |
| 2020-Q1 | Owner reports | 9 | |
| 2020-Q2 | Owner reports | 3 | |
| 2020-Q3 | Owner reports | 9 | |
| 2020-Q4 | Owner reports | 5 | |
| 2021-Q1 | Owner reports | 2 | |
| 2021-Q2 | Owner reports | 5 | |
| 2021-Q3 | Owner reports | 4 | |
| 2021-Q4 | Owner reports | 4 | |
| 2022-Q1 | Owner reports | 5 | |
| 2022-Q2 | Owner reports | 3 | |
| 2022-Q3 | Owner reports | 5 | |
| 2022-Q4 | Owner reports | 3 | |
| 2023-Q1 | Owner reports | 5 | |
| 2023-Q2 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2023-Q3 | Owner reports | 2 | |
| 2024-Q1 | Owner reports | 7 | |
| 2024-Q3 | Owner reports | 3 | |
| 2024-Q4 | Owner reports | 2 | |
| 2025-Q2 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2025-Q3 | Owner reports | 6 | |
| 2026-Q1 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 08V181000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 09E022000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 09E028000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 09V223000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 10V023000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 10V035000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 10V036000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 11V245000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 12V491000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 13V396000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 14V168000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 14V743000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 15V689000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 16V396000 | |
| Defect investigation | 1 | PE12002 | |
| Defect investigation | 1 | EA12006 | |
| Defect investigation | 1 | PE18005 | |
| Defect investigation | 1 | PE18005 | |
| Defect investigation | 1 | EA18006 | |
| Defect investigation | 1 | EA18006 | |
| Defect investigation | 1 | DP22005 |
Safety Recalls (14)
Official safety recall campaigns filed with NHTSA
-
Manufacturer action
Recall campaign 08V181000
- Report date
- Component:
- SEAT BELTS
- Consequence:
- HOWEVER, FOR THE TWO THIRD ROW DSP'S ON THESE VEHICLES, THE ALR MODE DEACTIVATES BEFORE THE WEBBING IS FULLY RETRACTED, SO THAT IT WILL NOT LOCK WHEN CERTAIN REAR-FACING CRS'S THAT HAVE A SHORT SEAT BELT ROUTING PATH ARE INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE. THIS CAN ALLOW THE SEAT BELT WEBBING TO SPOOL OUT DURING NORMAL DRIVING MANEUVERS, WHICH COULD AFFECT THE STABILITY OF A CHILD RESTRAINT INSTALLED AT THOSE SEATING POSITIONS. AS SUCH, THIS COULD DISCOURAGE THE USE OF A CHILD RESTRAINT AND IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE CHILD MAY NOT BE ADEQUATELY PROTECTED POSSIBLY RESULTING IN INJURY.
- Remedy:
- DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEWLY DESIGNED SEAT BELT COMPONENT FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT DECEMBER 18, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
-
Manufacturer action
Recall campaign 09E022000
- Report date
- Component:
- Not available in the source record
- Consequence:
- THE ORIGINAL CLAMP AND THE TOYOTA STAINLESS STEEL EXHAUST TIP MAY FALL OFF THE VEHICLE'S EXHAUST PIPE AND BECOME A ROAD HAZARD WHICH WOULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
- Remedy:
- TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE CLAMP FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 4, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE CENTER AT 1 888-270-9371 MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY, 5:00 AM TO 6:00 PM, SATURDAY 7:00 AM THROUGH 4:00 PM PACIFIC TIME.
-
Manufacturer action
Recall campaign 09E028000
- Report date
- Component:
- Not available in the source record
- Consequence:
- THE ORIGINAL CLAMP AND THE TOYOTA STAINLESS STEEL EXHAUST TIP MAY FALL OFF THE VEHICLE'S EXHAUST PIPE AND BECOME A ROAD HAZARD WHICH WOULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
- Remedy:
- SOUTHEAST TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE CLAMP FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY/JUNE 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA CUSTOMER LOYALTY DEPARTMENT AT 1-800-301-6859.
-
Manufacturer action
Recall campaign 09V223000
- Report date
- Component:
- EQUIPMENT
- Consequence:
- INCORRECT LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS COULD RESULT IN THE VEHICLE BEING OVERLOADED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
- Remedy:
- TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND PROVIDE THEM WITH A NEW, ACCURATE LABEL TO BE INSTALLED OVER THE INACCURATE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 18, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-888-270-9371.
-
Manufacturer action
Recall campaign 10V023000
- Report date
- Component:
- VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Consequence:
- A STUCK OPEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY RESULT IN VERY HIGH VEHICLE SPEEDS AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO STOP THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH, SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
- Remedy:
- TOYOTA WILL MODIFY OR REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR PEDALS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES. FLOOR SURFACE MODIFICATIONS ARE ALSO BEING CONSIDERED AND WILL BE INCLUDED FOR ANY MODEL FOR WHICH IT IS DEEMED APPROPRIATE. INITIALLY, DEALERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED ON HOW TO RESHAPE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FOR THE REPAIR. AS REPLACEMENT PARTS WITH THE SAME SHAPE AS THE MODIFIED PEDAL BECOME AVAILABLE, THEY WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE DEALERS FOR THE REPAIR. CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE HAD THE PEDAL RESHAPE REMEDY COMPLETED WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO RECEIVE A NEW PEDAL IF THEY DESIRE, AFTER REPLACEMENT PEDALS BECOME AVAILABLE. IN ADDITION, TOYOTA WILL REPLACE ANY TOYOTA ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MAT IN A SUBJECT VEHICLE WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED MAT, FREE OF CHARGE. FOR THOSE CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE THE PREVIOUS DESIGN ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MAT BUT DO NOT NEED OR WANT THE NEWLY DESIGNED ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MAT, TOYOTA WILL RECOVER THE PREVIOUS DESIGN ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MAT AND REIMBURSE ITS PRICE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN MARCH 30, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
-
Manufacturer action
Recall campaign 10V035000
- Report date
- Component:
- EQUIPMENT
- Consequence:
- THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.
- Remedy:
- DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. DEALERS WILL ALSO CORRECT THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GULF STATES TOYOTA AT 713-580-3300.
-
Manufacturer action
Recall campaign 10V036000
- Report date
- Component:
- EQUIPMENT
- Consequence:
- A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
- Remedy:
- DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.
-
Manufacturer action
Recall campaign 11V245000
- Report date
- Component:
- Not available in the source record
- Consequence:
- INADVERTENT ACTIVATION OF THE CSA AND/OR THE SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER CAN CAUSE INJURY TO A VEHICLE OCCUPANT.
- Remedy:
- 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.
-
Manufacturer action
Recall campaign 12V491000
- Report date
- Component:
- VISIBILITY
- Consequence:
- If the switch overheats, it may melt, possibly resulting in a fire.
- Remedy:
- 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 as necessary. Those owners may contact Pontiac Customer Care at 1-800-762-2737.
-
Manufacturer action
Recall campaign 13V396000
- Report date
- Component:
- HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Consequence:
- 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.
- Remedy:
- 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.
-
Manufacturer action
Recall campaign 14V168000
- Report date
- Component:
- AIR BAGS
- Consequence:
- If the FFC is damaged, connectivity to the driver's air bag module could be lost and the air bag deactivated. The failure of the driver's air bag to deploy in the event of a crash that typically necessitates deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver.
- Remedy:
- Toyota will notify the Toyota vehicle owners, and General Motors will notify the Pontiac Vibe owners. Toyota sent owners an interim notification letter in May 2014 to advise owners of the recall. Toyota will mail owners a second letter when remedy parts are available. General Motors sent Pontiac Vibe owners an Interim letter on June 20, 2014 notifying them that parts are currently unavailable. General Motors sent notices to the Pontiac Vibe owners on September 15, 2014, that a remedy is available. The recall began on October 27, 2014. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-762-2737.
-
Manufacturer action
Recall campaign 14V743000
- Report date
- Component:
- SEATS
- Consequence:
- Damage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and causing personal injury to the occupant.
- Remedy:
- SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the heaters with copper strand heating elements and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory, free of charge. The recall is expected to began in January 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226.
-
Manufacturer action
Recall campaign 15V689000
- Report date
- Component:
- VISIBILITY
- Consequence:
- 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.
- Remedy:
- 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.
-
Manufacturer action
Recall campaign 16V396000
- Report date
- Component:
- SEATS
- Consequence:
- If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
- Remedy:
- SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET number for this recall is SET16B.
Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.
Complaint Narrative Explorer
Verbatim owner-reported defect narratives from NHTSA public records
Estimated Ownership Cost
EPA fuel economy ratings and annual operating cost estimates
Adjacent Model Years
Immediate preceding and succeeding model year records
Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.
Methodology & Data Integrity
Data sourced from NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Snapshot date: 2026-08-21.