2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid: 6 recalls, 197 owner complaints and up to 26 mpg combined.
Recalls
6 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 2 equipment/tire recalls that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Seat belts Vehicle recall #08V181000 · 2008 · 90,189 vehicles
What's wrong: These vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 208, "occupant crash protection." the non-driver designated seating positions (dsp) on these vehicles is equipped with seat belt assemblies that have a feature that converts the retractor from an emergency locking retractor (elr) to an automatic locking retractor (alr). The belts convert to the alr mode after the webbing…
Why it matters: 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…
The fix: Dealers will install a newly designed seat belt component free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on or about December 18, 2008.
Equipment Vehicle recall #09V223000 · 2009 · 27,080 vehicles
What's wrong: These vehicles were not equipped with load carrying capacity modification labels which fails to conform with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 110, "tire selection and rims."
Why it matters: Incorrect load carrying capacity modification labels could result in the vehicle being overloaded, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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.
Airbags, Airbags Vehicle recall #11V245000 · 2011 · 307,848 vehicles
What's wrong: 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 both sensors fail nearly…
Why it matters: Inadvertent activation of the csa and/or the seat belt pretensioner can cause injury to a vehicle occupant.
The 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.
Visibility (wipers, glass) Vehicle recall #12V491000 · 2012 · 2,519,424 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: If the switch overheats, it May melt, possibly resulting in a fire.
The 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…
Hybrid system Vehicle recall #13V396000 · 2013 · 133,081 vehicles
What's wrong: 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 malfunction indicator lamp, slip indicator light, brake system warning light, and master warning light, will be illuminated on the instrument panel.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ipm free of charge.
Visibility (wipers, glass) Vehicle recall #15V689000 · 2015 · 1,814,284 vehicles
What's wrong: During the manufacturing of the power window master switch (pwms), grease lubricant May have been inconsistently applied to the sliding electrical contacts.
Why it matters: 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.
The 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.
2 aftermarket equipment / tire recalls replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Equipment Equipment recall #09E022000 · 2009 · 39,100 vehicles
What's wrong: Due to improper heat treatment during the manufacturing process, the original clamp used to secure the Toyota stainless steel exhaust tip to the exhaust pipe May develop microscopic cracks. Eventually the crack May expand causing the clamp to break.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Toyota will notify owners and replace the clamp free of charge. The safety recall began on May 4, 2009.
Equipment Equipment recall #09E028000 · 2009 · 3,499 vehicles
What's wrong: Due to improper heat treatment during the manufacturing process, the original clamp used to secure the stainless steel exhaust tip to the exhaust pipe May develop microscopic cracks. Eventually the crack May expand causing the clamp to break.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Southeast Toyota will notify owners and replace the clamp free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during May/June 2009.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 4 mention a fire, 5 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Brakes (94): the most common themes are warning light on (31), noise or vibration (12).
- Electrical (35): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (15), electrical failure (11), warning light on (9).
- Stability control (25): the most common themes are warning light on (6), leaks (6).
- Speed control / throttle (18): the most common themes are warning light on (4), sudden acceleration (2).
The 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid has 197 owner complaints, ranking #2 of 22 Highlander Hybrid model years for complaints (5.3× the average Highlander Hybrid year). Complaints peaked in 2018 (42 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 8 years old, at a median of 110,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2007 (110 complaints, 2 recalls), 2009 (40 complaints, 4 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.3 L 6-cyl hybrid | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 27 | 25 | 26 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid.
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FAQ
Does the 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 6 vehicle recalls for the 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, plus 2 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid problems?
Owners have filed 197 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are brakes (94), electrical (35), stability control (25).
What gas mileage does the 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid get?
EPA ratings run up to 26 mpg combined (3.3 L, Automatic (variable gear ratios)), across 1 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.