repaired · 2017 Q1
Visibility: power window devices and controls
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…
2008 Toyota Highlander HybridProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 197 owner complaints about the 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, most often about the service brakes. It is covered by 6 safety recalls, and for recall 15V-689 the manufacturer reports only 46% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through August 12, 2025. Updated daily. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.
Complaints by system
Where the 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid has problems
197 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
94Service brakes5 crash/fire/injury
35Electrical system4 crash/fire/injury
25Electronic stability control (ESC)1 crash/fire/injury
18Vehicle speed control3 crash/fire/injury
14Service brakes, hydraulic
11Power train
10Engine
9Tires
8Hybrid propulsion system
3714 other systems3 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 94 | 5 |
| Electrical system | 35 | 4 |
| Electronic stability control (ESC) | 25 | 1 |
| Vehicle speed control | 18 | 3 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 14 | 0 |
| Power train | 11 | 1 |
| Engine | 10 | 0 |
| Tires | 9 | 0 |
| Hybrid propulsion system | 8 | 0 |
| 14 other systems | 37 | 3 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
6 recalls
2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
no report yet
Hybrid propulsion system: inverter
Risk. The vehicle may enter a fail-safe/limp-home mode that limits the drivability of the vehicle.
repaired · 2015 Q1
Visibility: power window devices and controls
Risk. If the switch overheats, it may melt, possibly resulting in a fire.
no report yet
Air bags
Risk. INADVERTENT ACTIVATION OF THE CSA AND/OR THE SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER CAN CAUSE INJURY TO A VEHICLE OCCUPANT.
Show 2 more recalls
no report yet
Other: labels
Risk. INCORRECT LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS COULD RESULT IN THE VEHICLE BEING OVERLOADED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
no report yet
Seat belts: rear/other
Risk. 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…
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Toyota.
Mileage at failure
When do service brakes problems start?
126kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 84 service brakes complaints. 15% were reported before 100,000 miles.
1under 30k miles13under 100k miles71100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs
What owners say repairs cost
Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.
Service brakes
41 owners mentioned a cost$4,000median
Middle half: $3,000 – $5,000
Electrical system
8 owners mentioned a cost$8,502median
Middle half: $8,244 – $9,230
If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.
Best & worst years
2008 vs. every other Highlander Hybrid year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Highlander Hybrid median. How we score
'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid safety ratings
2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid 4-DR. w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
- Rollover: 4 stars (17.4% risk)
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
5 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, and the recalls they led to.
- Pedestrian alert soundsLed to recall 22V-063
- Power Window Master Switch FireLed to recall 12V-491
- Steering Column SeparationNo recall
- Power Window Master Switch FireNo recall
- Upper Steering Column SeparationNo recall
In owners' words
What Highlander Hybrid owners report
Recent service brakes complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
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…
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…
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…
Own a 2008 Highlander Hybrid?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.