2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/30/2018· SERVICE BRAKES

  I RECENTLY HAD A NUMBER OF SERVICE LIGHTS APPEAR ON THE DASHBOARD OF MY 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID, INCLUDING THE BRAKE,VSC, AND ABS. THERE WAS A MESSAGE STATING THAT I SHOULD TAKE IT TO A DEALER FOR SERVICE IMMEDIATELY. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY DETERMINED IT WAS AN OPEN CIRCUIT IN THE BRAKE ACTUATOR (ABS). TO MY SURPRISE THIS IS A $3,000 PLUS FIX AND WHEN I RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM ONLINE O FOUND OUT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE SAME PART FOR THE 2008 TOYOTA CAMERY HYBRID AND MANY COMPLAINT POSTERS SUGGESTING THAT I VOICE MY CONCERN HERE.

• 12/30/2015· ENGINE

  THE PRIMARY ISSUE OF CONCERN IS REGARDING THE VEHICLES VALVE SPRINGS. AS A RESULT OF THE VALVE SPRING WHICH WAS IN PLACE, THE VEHICLE IN WHICH I DROVE, STALLED MULTIPLE TIMES WHILE IN MOTION ON A HIGHWAY, BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO GET IT CHECKED. IN ORDER TO RECTIFY THIS IT COST OVER $2,000.00 IN REPAIRS. THIS ISSUE IS OF GRAVE CONCERN, AS A FAULTY VALVE SPRING, IF IT WERE TO HAPPEN ON A HIGHWAY, COULD RESULT IN THE DEATH OF A DRIVER, PASSENGERS, AND OTHER VEHICLES. THIS ISSUE IS SIMILAR TO THE 2010 VALVE SPRING ISSUE WHICH AFFECTED LEXUS VEHICLES. IN THAT 2010 ISSUE, TOYOTA ADMITTED FAULT AND RECALLED ISSUES FOR 2006 TO 2008 LEXUS MODELS. GIVEN THAT THE ISSUE HAPPENED TO OTHER BRANDS OWNED BY TOYOTA THE DOT SHOULD SEE WHETHER THE ISSUE IS MORE WIDESPREAD, AND WHETHER MY VEHICLE FALLS UNDER THIS ISSUE AS WELL. *JS

• 12/30/2010· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

  THE SENSOR LIGHTS FOR ABS AND VSC HAVE GONE ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY ON MY 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. SOMETIMES THE BRAKES ENGAGED THE SKID CONTROL, BRAKING CAPABILITY IS LOST AND OTHER TIMES THE SPEED NEEDLE DOES NOT GAGE PROPERLY. THE SYSTEM WAS INSPECTED BY TOYOTA, WHO INDICATED IT WAS DUE TO DAMAGE TO THE SENSOR FROM A ROPE. TOYOTA SUPPOSEDLY REPLACED THE SENSOR AND THEY STAYED OFF FOR A FEW WEEKS, BUT CONTINUE TO COME BACK. MY VEHICLE STILL HAS LESS THAN 50,000 MILES, AND TOYOTA IS AGAIN TELLING ME THEY HAVE TO LOOK INTO THE PROBLEM. *TR

• 12/30/2010· TIRES

  THIS REPORT CONCERNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER LIMITED THAT WAS PURCHASED NEW AS A DEALER LEFTOVER. THE VEHICLE HAS JUST OVER 20,000 MILES AND THE TOYO OPEN COUNTRY A20 TIRES ARE SHREDDING AND HAVE PIECES OF THE TREAD MISSING. THIS IS ON ALL FOUR TIRES. THE TIRES ARE P245/55R19 WITH A DOT NUMBER CXHH-DK80508. I HAVE NOT YET CONTACTED TOYO, HOWEVER FROM OTHER COMPLAINTS NOTED, IT DOES NOT SEEM THAT THE MANUFACTURER WILL WILLINGLY ACCEPT THE DEFECT OF PREMATURE WEAR OF THIS TIRE. THE TIRE SIZE IS UNIQUE, WHICH CAUSES THE REPLACEMENT COST TO BE MUCH HIGHER THAN MORE STANDARD SIZES. *TR

• 12/29/2014· STEERING

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INTERMEDIATE DRIVESHAFT DETACHED FROM THE MOUNT DUE TO A FAILED SPIRAL CABLE ASSEMBLY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

• 12/28/2019· STEERING,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),SERVICE BRAKES

  BRAKE ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY AND BRAKE BOOSTER PUMP ASSEMBLY (PROBLEM KNOWN TO TOYOTA FOR THIS AND OTHER MODELS,) FAILED, LEADING TO DASH MESSAGES: MASTER WARNING, ABS WARNING, BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING (BRAKE MALFUNCTION: STOP THE VEHICLE IN A SAFE PLACE IMMEDIATELY AND CONTACT A DEALER), SLIP INDICATOR. BRAKE PEDAL FUNCTION SEEMS LIMITED, AND DANGEROUS. ALL WARNINGS COME BACK UPON SHUTTING OFF AND RESTARTING VEHICLE.

• 12/28/2015· ENGINE

  ENGINE OIL COOLING (RUBBER) HOSE BURST WHILE DRIVING AND DUMPED ALL OF MY OIL ... TOYOTA HAS SINCE REPAIRED THIS PART WITH A SERIES OF METAL PIPES, WHICH SUGGESTS TO ME THAT THEY REALIZE THAT THIS IS A DEFECT BUT IT IS NOT ACKNOWLEDGED AS A RECALL

• 12/28/2015· STEERING

  IN MOTION ON CITY STREETS STEERING COLUMN MAKES CLUNK NOISE WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT, ALSO ON HIGHWAY STEERING COLUMN RATTLES. IT STARTED 6-15-2014 UNTIL PRESENT DAY 12-28-2015.

• 12/27/2013· SERVICE BRAKES

  WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MILES PER HOUR, THE BRAKE LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD CAME ON, BRAKE PEDAL BEGAN GOING ALL THE WAY DOWN WHILE BRAKING, AND THE BRAKE PEDAL BEGAN MAKING NOISE. I STOPPED THE CAR, OPEN THE HOOD AND FOUND THAT ALL MY BRAKE FLUID WAS GONE. THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WAS NEARBY I DROVE THE CAR SLOWLY TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY CHECKED THE BRAKE SYSTEM ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT ALL THE BRAKE FLUID WAS IN THE BRAKE BOOSTER. MY SERVICE ADVISER TOLD ME THE BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED DUE TO BAD SEALS BETWEEN THE MASTER CYLINDER AND THE BRAKE BOOSTER. NOW THE MASTER CYLINDER AND BRAKE BOOSTER NEED TO BE REPLACED. I PURCHASED THE HIGHLANDER BRAND NEW IN 2008. THE VEHICLE IS ONLY 5 YEARS OLD WITH APPROXIMATELY 78,420 MILES ON IT AND HAS BEEN SERVICED EVERY 5,000 MILES EVER SINCE I PURCHASED IT. THIS SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN TO A VEHICLE THAT HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED. IT'S A SERIOUS SAFETY MATTER, AND MY BRAKES HAD JUST BEEN REPLACED ALONG WITH THE BRAKE FLUID AT THE SAME DEALERSHIP ON OCTOBER 02, 2013. *TR

• 12/23/2018· STEERING

  TOYOTA HIGHLANDER SPORT AWD 2008 MAKES CLUNKING NOISE WHEN TURNING. RESEARCHED ISSUE ONLINE AFTER TAKING TO MULTIPLE SHOPS THINKING IT WAS TRANSMISSION ISSUES AND LEARNED ABOUT FAULTY INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT. I HAVE TO PAY $536 THROUGH LOCAL MECHANIC FOR FIX BECAUSE TOYOTA WONT ISSUE RECALL OF KNOW DEFECTIVE PART DESIGN.

• 12/23/2016· STEERINGCrash

  AS I WAS MAKING A SLOW RIGHT TURN ONTO A SIDE STREET, THE STEERING WHEEL GAVE OUT AND I HIT A PARKED CAR. THEN MY DASHBOARD LIGHT INDICATOR FOR THE STEERING WHEEL LIT UP.

• 12/22/2017· SERVICE BRAKES

  UPON STARTING CAR, BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON, PLUS WARNING MESSAGES SAYING BRAKE MALFUNCTION, CHECK ABS, AND CHECK VSC SYSTEM. TOOK TO DEALER. DEALER SAYS IT NEEDS NEW ABS ACTUATOR WHICH WILL COST $3,300 WITH INSTALLATION. I WAS ALSO TOLD PART IS ON NATIONAL BACKORDER, AND MAY TAKE 1-2 MONTHS TO RECEIVE. DIDN'T TAKE MUCH EFFORT TO LEARN ON THE INTERNET THAT THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM, AND THAT OTHER TOYOTA CARS AROUND THE SAME PERIOD HAD RECALLS ON THIS PART. WHY NO RECALL ON THIS MODEL AND YEAR?

• 12/22/2016· SERVICE BRAKES

  CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM WARNINGS; CODE TRACED TO ACCUMULATOR NOT HOLDING PRESSURE (C1391 ABNORMAL LEAK OF ACC PRESS). $2,500+ REPAIR. THIS SAME PART WAS ALREADY COVERED UNDER A WARRANTY EXTENSION FOR THE CAMRY HYBRID AND THEY ARE BUILT ON THE SAME PLATFORM. SHOULD BE COVERED FOR THE HIGHLANDER AS WELL.

• 12/22/2008· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  USING A HIGHLANDER'S POWER-ADAPTER TO POWER MY IPHONE, A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF NOISE IS ADDED TO THE MUSIC OUTPUT. TOYOTA DEALER HAS CORRECTED MY PROBLEM BY INSTALLING SOME FILTERS IN LINE BEFORE THE POWER ADAPTER SOCKET. *TR

• 12/21/2015· AIR BAGS

  PASSENGER AIRBAG IS ON ALL THE TIME EVEN WHEN NOBODY SITTING THERE.

• 12/20/2018· SERVICE BRAKES

  I WAS DRIVING SLOWLY IN TRAFFIC WHEN SEVERAL DASHBOARD LIGHTS CAME ON AND ERROR MESSAGE BEGAN ROTATING THROUGH THE CENTER SCREEN. "BRAKE MALFUNCTION - STOP THE VEHICLE IN A SAFE PLACE IMMEDIATELY, AND CONTACT A DEALER,' "CHECK ABS - HAVE YOUR VEHICLE CHECKED BY A DEALER," AND "CHECK VSC SYSTEM - HAVE YOUR VEHICLE CHECKED BY A DEALER." AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE AND HAVING THE CAR SCANNED BY A MECHANIC, THE PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE THE BRAKE ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY, AND THIS APPEARS TO BE A WELL-DOCUMENTED PROBLEM FOR TOYOTA. THEY HAVE THIS EXACT ISSUE COVERED UNDER A WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM FOR THE 2006-2007 MODELS OF THIS CAR, BUT FOR SOME REASON HAVE FAILED TO INCLUDE THE 2008 MODEL DESPITE THE SAME ISSUE WITH THOSE. I HAVE FOUND SEVERAL EXAMPLES OF OTHERS WITH THE SAME VEHICLE AND SAME ISSUES ONLINE. CLEARLY TOYOTA KNOWS THIS IS A FAULTY PART AND YET THEY CONTINUE TO USE IT AND DREW AN ARBITRARY LINE IN THE SAND ON WHICH ONES THEY WOULD FIX. THIS PART IS NOT FUNCTIONING AS IT SHOULD, THEY KNOW IT IS BAD AND SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE TO FIX IT. I AM VERY CONCERNED BY THE SAFETY FACTORS THIS MALFUNCTION REPRESENTS.

• 12/18/2018· SERVICE BRAKES

  AFTER RESEARCHING ONLINE, I HAVE NOTICED THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE AND TOYOTA ISSUED RECALLS OUT FOR 2006 & 2007 BUT HAS NOT ACKNOWLEDGED 2008 AS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. I WAS ALMOST IN AN ACCIDENT AND NOTICED THERE ARE OTHERS OUT THERE THAT HAVE BEEN IN ACCIDENTS. WHY IS IT THAT NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THIS? FIRST, I HEARD AN AIRY SOUND WHEN BRAKING THEN A SOFT BRAKE PEDAL BEFORE ALMOST COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE. THE HIGHLANDER TRULY FELT LIKE IT WAS NOT STOPPING. I LITERALLY HAD TO PUT MY COMPLETE BODY WEIGHT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO FINALLY GET IT TO STOP AS IT KEEPS SURGING FORWARD. IT WAS SCARY, TO SAY THE LEAST. I WAS IN A HEAVY POPULATED PARKING LOT. I COULD'VE HIT A PEDESTRIAN OR HIT ANOTHER CAR BECAUSE I COULDN'T GET THE CAR TO STOP FROM SURGING FORWARD. AFTER ALL THIS, FINALLY, LIGHTS APPEARED. (ENGINE LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT, VSC LIGHT & SKID LIGHTS CAME ON). WOULDN'T YOU THINK AFTER JUST BEING FULLY SERVICED AT A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP, SOMETHING WOULD'VE BEEN NOTICEABLE? I REACHED OUT TO TOYOTA CORP. AND AGAIN I WAS TOLD THIS IS NOT COMMON AND NO RECALLS HAVE BEEN ISSUED. I SAW A VERY COMMON DENOMINATOR THAT ONCE THE HIGHLANDER HITS A CERTAIN MILEAGE THIS HAPPENS AND A VERY COSTLY MASTER CYLINDER AND BRAKE BOOSTER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. A PARKING LOT AND IN MOTION.

• 12/16/2021· SERVICE BRAKES

  The ABS ACTUATOR failed in my 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The screen inside the car flashed ABS // VSC // CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM. Vehicle is at 144,000 miles The component is out of stock nationwide and Toyota dealer has issued a warranty extension.

• 12/16/2014· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HAVE PRACTICED PUTTING THE CAR IN NEUTRAL WHILE ROLLING AND RESTARTING THE CAR. *MW THE CONSUMER OFFERED HIS SUGGESTION ON HOW TO HANDLE THE IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEM. *JB

• 12/15/2014· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  ON DECEMBER 10TH, 2014, AROUND 8:15AM, OUR 2008 HIGHLANDER SPORT AWD SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AT FULL THROTTLE WHEN APPROACHING A STOP SIGN, ENTERED THE CROSS SECTION AND CRASHED WITH INCOMING SUV ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE CAR KEPT GOING AT HIGH SPEED AFTER RUNNING A CURB AND FLATTENED ALL 4 TIRES ON STRAIGHT LINES AND EVENTUALLY STOPPED IN A NEIGHBOR'S YARD, MADE DEEP TRENCH INTO THE LAWN. THE OTHER PARTIES WERE TAKEN TO HOSPITAL FOR MEDICAL EXAM AND THEIR SUV WAS BADLY DAMAGED TO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. WE HAVE PHOTOS FROM VARIOUS ANGLES SHOWING THAT THIS CAR WAS NOT STOPPABLE BY A HUMAN AT THE MOMENT. WE WERE TOLD OUR CAR WILL BE A TOTAL LOSS BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. OUR EVIDENCE INDICATED THE CAR'S DEFECTS WAS THE PRIMARY CAUSE OF FULL THROTTLE ACCELERATION WHICH HAS BEEN THE CASE FOR MANY OTHER TOYOTA CAR OWNERS FOR THE LAST FEW YEARS. WE NEED TO HOLD TOYOTA RESPONSIBLE AND ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS AND OTHER ACCIDENTS AND TO BE INVESTIGATED THOROUGHLY BY THE NHTSA. OUR LOSS SHOULD BE PROPERLY COMPENSATED BY TOYOTA. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION. CASE:TOYOTA HIGHLANDER UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION ACCIDENT ON 12/10/2014 CASE NUMBER:[XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

• 12/15/2012· STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  MY STEERING LOCKS WHEN I WAS DRIVING. I REPORTED THIS ISSUE BEFORE TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY FIGURE OUT THAT THE COMPUTER HAS A PROBLEM AFTER THE BIG ISSUE. *TR

• 12/14/2020· ENGINE

  I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE ON A SHORT TRIP ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY EIGHT YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WHEN A HOSE ON THE ENGINE OIL COOLING ASSEMBLY BURST. THIS RESULTED IN ALL OF THE OIL IN THE VEHICLE BEING DRAINED IN A VERY SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME. NO WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AS A RESULT OF THIS. I DIDN'T DISCOVER THE ISSUE UNTIL PULLING BACK INTO MY DRIVEWAY IN WHICH THERE IS AN INCLINE. THEN THE LIGHT INDICATING LOW OIL PRESSURE FINALLY CAME ON. I OPENED THE HOOD AND FOUND THE DIPSTICK TO BE COMPLETELY DRY. I ALSO FOUND A SLOW DRIP OF OIL UNDER THE CAR (ONLY SLOW SINCE IT WAS ONLY A SMALL AMOUNT OF OIL REMAINING). I THEN DISCOVERED THAT THE ENTIRE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE AS WELL AS THE BACK HATCH OF THE VEHICLE WERE COVERED WITH OIL. MY DAUGHTER AND I ARE VERY FORTUNATE THAT THE OIL THAT COVERED THE VEHICLE DID NOT CATCH FIRE AND AS FAR AS I KNOW THE OIL SLICK ON THE HIGHWAY DID NOT CAUSE ANY ACCIDENTS. I AM NOW BEING TOLD BY TOYOTA THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE, BUT IT IS NOT LISTED AS A RECALL. NOT ONLY DID THEIR KNOWN ENGINEERING ISSUE PUT MY FAMILY AND OTHER FAMILIES' LIVES IN DANGER, THEY ARE ALSO NOT WILLING TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS OF THE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE THAT THEIR KNOWN DEFECT CAUSED. THERE IS A "WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT" THAT WAS ISSUED BY TOYOTA FOR THIS DEFECT. ACCORDING TO TOYOTA THE WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT NOTICE WAS ISSUED TO THE PREVIOUS OWNER OF MY VEHICLE AND I WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. I HAVE ALSO HAD OTHER WORK PERFORMED AT THE DEALERSHIP SINCE THEN AND WAS NEVER MADE AWARE OF THE DEFECT OR WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT. I AM TRYING TO UNDERSTAND HOW A MANUFACTURER CAN KNOW A DEFECT EXISTS THAT CAN POTENTIALLY CAUSE ENGINE SEIZURE, FIRE AND ACCIDENTS, BUT NOT ISSUE A RECALL. INSTEAD THEY LIMIT THE NOTICE TO A "WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT" WHICH ISN'T CAUGHT BY THE DEALERSHIP FROM A VIN CHECK.

• 12/14/2011· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  I WAS PARKED IN FRONT OF A SUBWAY RESTAURANT IN A STRIP MALL AT APPROXIMATELY 7:30 P.M. AFTER EATING, MY FAMILY AND I LEFT THE RESTAURANT AND GOT INTO OUR TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE AND BACKED OUT OF MY PARKING SPOT JUST A FEW FEET. (IT IS A VERY NARROW PARKING LOT AND FACES A VERY BUSY STREET.) I BUMPED INTO A CONCRETE POLE THAT WAS BEHIND ME, THAT I COULD NOT SEE BECAUSE OF THE DARKNESS. I THEN PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE, SO THAT I COULD PULL BACK UP INTO MY ORIGINAL PARKING SPOT AND RENEGOTIATE HOW I WAS GOING TO BACK OUT. AS SOON AS I APPLIED A LITTLE PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR, THE CAR SUDDENLY SEEMED TO JUMP FORWARD. BEFORE I COULD EVEN PROCESS WHAT WHAT HAPPENING, THE CAR ACCELERATED VERY, VERY QUICKLY AND I SLAMMED INTO THE BRICK WALL OF THE SUBWAY. THERE WAS NOT EVEN TIME FOR ME TO THINK ABOUT APPLYING THE BRAKE, IT HAPPENED SO FAST. I FELT LIKE I HAD LOST COMPLETE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THANKFULLY, NO ONE WAS HURT, BUT THERE WAS PROPERTY DAMAGE TO THE BUILDING AND SOME TO MY CAR. I'VE BEEN DRIVING FOR 25 YEARS AND HAVE NO HISTORY OF TICKETS OR ACCIDENTS. I DO NOT DRINK AND WAS NOT DRINKING ON THE NIGHT THIS HAPPENED. I WAS NOT UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ANY KIND OF MEDICATION OR ILICIT SUBSTANCES. *TR

• 12/14/2011· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  I WAS ON A SLIGHT INCLINE, AS I WAS APPROACHING A TRAFFIC LIGHT, I HIT THE BRAKES. WHILE I THOUGHT THE VEHICLE WAS GOING TO STOP, IT BEGAN TO ACCELERATE. I HIT THE BRAKES NUMEROUS TIMES AND EVENTUALLY CAME TO A STOP. WHEN I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE TO TOYOTA, THEY SIMPLY DISMISSED THE ISSUE INDIRECTLY SAYING I DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO DRIVE. I WAS THEN LOWBALLED WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO SELL THE VEHICLE BACK TO THEM. I'VE NOTICED [XXX] HAS BEEN ABLE TO RECREATE THE INCIDENT. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).*TR

• 12/12/2019· VISIBILITY/WIPER

  THE DRIVER SIDE SUNVISOR WILL NOT STAY UP OUT OF PLACE WHEN NOT NEEDED. WHEN DRIVER IS DRIVING ESPECIALLY IF BRAKES ARE USED THE VISOR FALLS BLOCKING VIEW AND IS QUITE DANGEROUS. VISOR WILL NOT STAY UP.

• 12/12/2016· SERVICE BRAKES

  WHILE BRAKING TO STOP CAR IN A SCHOOL PICK UP LINE, WARNING LIGHTS AND MESSAGES BEGAN FLASHING. WARNING LIGHTS STATED BRAKE MALFUNCTION, ABS SYSTEM ETC. DEALER RAN DIAGNOSTIC, STATED THERE IS AN INTERNAL LEAK OF BRAKE ACTUATOR, REPAIR COSTS $5500. LIGHTS WERE RESET AND 2 WEEKS LATER WHILE DRIVING LIGHTS AND WARNINGS CAME BACK ON. TOYOTA HAS RECALL FOR 2006AND 2007BUT NOT 2008. *TR

• 12/12/2014· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE IDLING AT A STOP SIGN, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED UNKNOWN INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE INSURANCE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

• 12/12/2013· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  IN EARLY NOVEMBER I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM TOYOTA INSTRUCTING ME TO ARRANGE FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE INTELLIGENT POWER MODULE. THE LETTER INDICATED THAT THIS REPLACEMENT IS URGENT AND THAT I WOULD BE IN VIOLATION OF CALIFORNIA REGULATIONS IF I DID NOT DO THIS REPAIR. I CALLED MY LOCAL DEALER, TOYOTA OF SANTA CRUZ, THE NEXT DAY TO SCHEDULE THE APPOINTMENT. I WAS TOLD THAT TOYOTA RATIONS THE PARTS FOR THESE REPAIRS AND THAT I WOULD BE PUT AN A WAITING LIST AND TO EXPECT A CALL IN 2-3 WEEKS. A MONTH LATER I CALLED AGAIN AND WAS TOLD THAT I WAS STILL ON A WAITING LIST AND IT WOULD BE 2-3 WEEKS AT THE EARLIEST BEFORE I COULD SCHEDULE THE REPAIR. I FEEL THAT TOYOTA (OR THE DEALERSHIP) IS NOT FULFILLING ITS OBLIGATION TO ITS CUSTOMERS BY FAILING TO SUPPLY PARTS FOR THIS REPAIR IN A TIMELY MANNER. *TR

• 12/10/2009· SEATSCrash

  THE DRIVER'S SEAT DOES NOT RISE UP ENOUGH TO SEE OVER THE OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR. ALSO, THE OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR IS LARGE AND CONTINUOUS TO THE DOORPOST PRODUCING A VISUAL BLOCK FROM WINDSHIELD SIDE OF THE DOORPOST TO THE FAR END OF THE OUTSIDE MIRROR - ABOUT 16 INCHES. PROJECT THIS VISUAL BLOCK-OUT ACROSS TO A SIDE-STREET INTERSECTION AND IT BLOCKS THE VIEW OF THE ENTIRE SIDE-STREET INTERSECTION AND THEN SOME WHEN TRAVELING ON A FOUR LANE STREET WITH A MERIDIAN IN THE MIDDLE. THIS IS GROSS HAZARD FOR ME AND A VEHICLE IN THE INTERSECTION AND FOR PEDESTRIANS. I HAD ONE COLLISION WHEN LEAVING A CHURCH PARKING LOT ONTO A TWO LANE RURAL ROAD - TRAVELING ABOUT 10 MPH AND THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS STOPPED IN HIS LANE. OCCURRED IN SPRING OF 2008, ABOUT 5 PM - CLEAR SUNNY DAY. I DID NOT SEE HIS CAR - AND THE COLLISION REPAIR COST FOR HIS VEHICLE WAS $2,500 AND FOR MY REPAIR COST WAS $4,000 +-. ALSO, I HAVE HIT THE LOW CONCRETE DIVIDER WITH MY LEFT FRONT TIRE - LOCATED UNDER THE FREEWAY OVERPASS WHEN TURNING - THIS TURN I HAVE DONE 5 DAYS A WEEK FOR 5 YEARS ON THE WAY TO WORK WITH NO PROBLEM UNTIL DRIVING THIS 2008 HIGHLANDER. ALSO, I HAVE HAD SEVERAL NEAR COLLISIONS WITH UNSEEN VEHICLES AND PEDESTRIANS. AT NIGHT WITH VEHICLE BEHIND ME THE LIGHT GLARE IN THE OUTSIDE MIRROR IS SUCH THAT IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE OVER OR AROUND TO SEE A SIDE-STREET INTERSECTION. SIMILAR PROBLEMS EXIST FOR THE RIGHT OUTSIDE MIRROR. TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM THE MIRROR NEEDS TO BE LOWERED. ALSO, A GAP BETWEEN THE EDGE OF THE MIRROR AND THE DOORPOST WOULD BE A MAJOR GREAT HELP. MY HEIGHT IS 5'-5" NOT TOO SHORT - BY PUSHING HARD WITH MY LEFT FOOT ON THE FLOORBOARD STEP I AM ABLE TO SEE OVER THE OUTSIDE MIRROR AND GAIN A REASONABLE VIEW OF THE SIDE-STREET INTERSECTION - BUT THIS MOVEMENT TAKES AWAY FROM MY CONCENTRATION AND AGILITY TO DRIVE ON. *TR

• 12/09/2020· STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES

  STEERING WENT OUT ALL OF ASUDDEN WITHOUT NOTICE,ALMOST CAUSING ME TO CRASH,,MY SPEED WAS LEGAL SPEED IN TEXAS 80MPH,,,ALSO A THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND FELT LIKE BRAKES WERE GOING TO BE APPLIED,,TURNED ENGINE OFF, RESTARTED CAR AND ABS BRAKE LIGHT WENT OFF

• 12/09/2012· STEERING

  BOTH MY WIFE AND I HAVE NOTICED THE STEERING IN OUR 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID PROGRESSIVELY GETTING WORSE. WE HEAR KNOCKING AND NOISES COMING OUT OF TURNS AND THE STEERING IS MUCH LOOSER THAN WHEN WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. THE KNOCKING BEGAN ABOUT A EIGHT MONTHS AGO AND HAS BECOME MORE AND MORE FREQUENT. IT FIRST MADE THE STRANGE KNOCK COMING OUT OF A SLOW RIGHT HAND TURN, BUT NOW IT DOES IT COMING OUT OF A TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION. SOMETIMES IT WILL MAKE THE NOISE DURING A QUICK ACCELERATION. LIKE MANY OF THE SAME COMPLAINTS, WE TO CAN FEEL THE KNOCK IS THE STEERING WHEEL. I AM BEGINNING TO THINK THIS CAR IS UNSAFE AND DO NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE TAKING IT ON THE HIGHWAY. *TR

• 12/08/2018· STEERING

  THIS VEHICLE HAS A KNOCKING/CLUNKING/CLANKING/THUMPING SOUND WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. IT SOUNDS DANGEROUS AND I WONDER IF THE STEERING COLUMN WILL BREAK APART WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR A WHILE, BUT THE DEALERS ARE ALWAYS UNABLE TO REPLICATE IT, SOME SAY THAT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM. IT HAS BECOME WORSE RECENTLY.

• 12/08/2016· SERVICE BRAKES

  CHECK BRAKE SYSTEMS, CHECK VSC LIGHTS, BRAKE MALFUNCTION ETC LIGHTS HAVE COME ON

• 12/07/2019· ENGINE

  ON MY WAY HOME ON SATURDAY NIGHT, ABOUT 2 TO 3 STREETS FROM MY HOUSE, MY DASH STARTED TO SAY LOW FUEL. I CONTINUED TO DRIVE HOME BECAUSE I WAS SO CLOSE. I GET HOME AND JUMPED OUT OF THE VEHICLE TO LISTEN TO MY CAR AND EVERYTHING SOUNDED GOOD. I SHUT THE CAR OFF. ON MONDAY MORNING, I WALKED OUT AND NOTICED ALL THE OIL IN THE CAR HAD LEAKED OUT OF THE CAR ONTO MY DRIVEWAY. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED TOYOTA AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD SEND A TOW TRUCK. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER ARRIVED AND CHECKED THE OIL WITH THE DIP STICK. SINCE THERE WAS NO OIL IN THE VEHICLE, WE DID NOT START THE ENGINE. HE TOWED THE CAR TO TOYOTA (WHERE I HAVE ALL MY WORK DONE INCLUDING INSPECTIONS-WHICH THE LAST ONE WAS DONE 3 WEEKS PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT). THE TOYOTA MECHANICS LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE. THEY CALLED ME AND SAID A HOSE UNDER THE ENGINE HAD CRACKED CAUSING THE OIL TO LEAK OUT. THEY HAD TO ORDER THE PART AND IT WOULD FIXED AND READY BY TUESDAY. THE PART DIDN'T COME IN AS EXPECTED AND THE CAR WAS NOT FIXED UNTIL WEDNESDAY. I LEFT WORK ON MY BREAK TO PICK UP THE VEHICLE WEDNESDAY NIGHT WHEN THEY CALLED AND SAID IT WAS READY. I PICKED UP THE VEHICLE FROM TOYOTA AND DROVE BACK TO WORK. ON THE WAY, I NOTICED A NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE BUT ASSUMED IT WAS OK SINCE IT WAS JUST FIXED. AFTER MY SHIFT (THURSDAY MORNING), I CAME OUT AND STARTED THE CAR. IMMEDIATELY AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, A LOUD BANGING NOISE CAME FROM THE ENGINE. I CALLED TOYOTA AND HAD THEM TOW THE VEHICLE BACK TO TOYOTA. THEY LOOKED AT THE CAR AND CALLED ME AND STATED THE ENGINE HAD BLOWN AND THAT IT WOULD COST $7000 TO REPLACE. THEY SAID I COULD KEEP THE VEHICLE THERE UNTIL I DECIDE WHAT TO DO.

• 12/07/2014· VISIBILITY/WIPER

  DRIVER'S SUN VISOR DOES NOT STAY UP, FALLING WITHOUT WARNING AT ANYTIME AND BLOCKING THE DRIVER'S VIEW. THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAFETY CONCERN POSTED ONLINE. TOYOTA HAS REDESIGNED THE REPLACEMENT VISOR TO CORRECT THIS KNOWN SAFETY ISSUE; HOWEVER HAS NOT OFFERED A RECALL. *TR

• 12/07/2013· AIR BAGS

  SPIRAL CABLE FAILED AT ABOUT 107,406 MILES ON MY 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER, CAUSING AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE STEADY AND WAS ADVISED BY THE DEALER THAT THE AIRBAG SYSTEM WOULDN'T BE FUNCTIONING. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED BY MANUFACTURER OR THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL ON THIS. THE CAR HASN'T BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENTS. THE COST OF REPLACEMENT (PART AND LABORS) IS $544. TOYOTA NEEDS TO REIMBURSE CUSTOMERS FOR SUCH A COST AS IT IS OF NO DRIVER'S FAULT AND OBVIOUSLY A COMMON ISSUE. THERE IS ANOTHER 2008 RECALL ON THE AIRBAG SYSTEM BUT DIDN'T APPLY TO MY CAR. *TR

• 12/06/2022· AIR BAGSCrash

  Airbag failed to deploy in a front-left collision with another vehicle. The other vehicle's airbags did deploy. The vehicle is totalled and not available for inspection. The lack of deployment resulted in a head injury and whiplash. There was no advanced warning of this being a problem.

• 12/06/2014· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  THE BATTERY IS IN NEW CONDITION. WHILE I WAS MAKING A CALL IN MY CAR FOR 20 MINUTES, THE WHOLE SYSTEM SHUTDOWN, THE 12V BATTERY HAD TO BE JUMPED AND RECHARGED. CONCERNED THIS COULD HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING ETC. *TR

• 12/06/2013· SERVICE BRAKES

  AFTER STARTING CAR AND PUTTING IT IN GEAR, CAR STARTS DRIVING EVEN THOUGH BRAKE IS FULLY ENGAGED. WARNING LIGHTS FLASH ON AND TURN OFF REGARDING BRAKE FAILURE BUT DON'T STAY ON LONG ENOUGH TO READ. THE BRAKES CATCH AFTER A SECOND OR TWO AND OPERATE NORMALLY BUT THEN WILL SUDDENLY PAUSE DURING USE - TAKING A SECOND OR TWO TO CATCH. CHECKED BRAKE FLUID - IT IS FINE. BRINGING CAR TO TOYOTA DEALERSHIP TOMORROW. HAVE SINCE READ BLOGS/REPORTS FROM OTHER 2008 HIGHLANDER HYBRID OWNERS EXPERIENCING SAME UNPREDICTABLE, INSTANTANEOUS, MOMENTARY BRAKE FAILURE. *TR

• 12/05/2016· ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),SERVICE BRAKES

  BRAKING BECAME ERRATIC. PEDAL WAS SQUISHY AND ABS LIGHTS CAME ON. THIS OCCURRED OVER SEVERAL MONTHS BUT ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. LIGHTS WOULD GO OFF FOR A WHILE THEN COME BACK ON.

• 12/04/2018· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  SUNROOF SHATTERED

• 12/04/2012· STRUCTURE

  THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE ASSIST HANDLE BROKE IN TWO PLACES. THIS HANDLE IS ATTACHED OVER THE DOOR, INSIDE THE CAR, NEAR THE EDGE OF THE ROOF. THE CAUSE APPEARS TO BE METAL FATIGUE DUE TO SIGNIFICANT STRESS ON THE HANDLE OVER (3+) YEARS OF USE BY THE PASSENGER WHILE ENTERING AND EXITING. *TR

• 12/03/2021· SERVICE BRAKES

  On November 26, 2021 my 2008 Highlander Hybrid started displaying Check ABS, Check VSC System, Check Brake System and Brake Malfunction, errors on the display screen. I could feel the the grinding noise and brake pedal seemed different than normal. The Brake Malfunction error was displayed with a warning to "Stop the vehicle in a safe place immediately, and contact a dealer". I bought a vehicle diagnosis code reader and it showed C1391 (Abnormal Leak in Accumulator Pressure). I received the same code late last year in 2020 and took my vehicle to dealer. They told me that I was not driving my vehicle due to pandemic and the 12V battery went bad. They removed the errors and I replaced the battery from Walmart. I did not see the error code again until now (after 1 year). I received a Customer Support Program Bulletin letter (POL19-06) from Toyota in 2019 or early 2020 which mentioned C1391 as a verification of problem in vehicle. I showed it to the dealership during my 2020 visit and they said my vehicle is not covered. I believed them since I did not see the error again after replacing the 12V battery. Now I am having the same problem again. The ABS error was displayed on 11/26/2021. I was able to read and reset the ABS error code C1391 on 11/30/2021. The ABS error showed up again on 12/2/2021 while I was driving the car with my family in it. I had to reset it to reach home safely. It ABS error came back ON again before reaching home. I am unable to get it fixed because the extended warranty provided by Toyota for this known safety issue expired on 12/31/2020 and now I am billed for the replacement parts and labor ($4000). Toyota should have opened a recall for this faulty ABS system or should not have an expiry date to this program. After searching the internet I am also surprised that this problem is not only with Highlander Hybrid but though out Toyota and Lexus product lines. I request you to please ask Toyota to open a recall on this life threatening issue.

• 12/03/2020· ENGINEFire

  WHILE DRIVING ON I40 NEAR TEXAS/NM STATE LINE, OIL COOLER LINE FAILED RESULTING IN THE HIGHLANDER DUMPING OIL ON THE ROADWAY FOR OVER A MILE BEFORE IT WAS NOTICED. PULLED OFF IMMEDIATELY, SAW OIL POURING OUT FROM BOTTOM PASSENGER SIDE OF ENGINE COVER. EXTERIOR LOWER PASSENGER SIDE AND REAR OF VEHICLE WERE ALSO COVERED IN OIL. NO DASH INDICATOR LIGHTS EVER WARNED OF ISSUE. THIS LEFT US STRANDED ON SIDE OF BUSY INTERSTATE WITH HEAVY SEMI TRAFFIC FOR HOURS WHILE WAITING FOR A TOW TO A SHOP FOR REPAIRS, WHERE WE HAD TO WAIT A DAY FOR THE PART. COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE TOYOTA KNEW OF A DEFECTIVE DESIGN THAT COULD LEAD TO ACCIDENTS AND DEATH, AND CHOSE NOT TO ISSUE A RECALL! WILL BE SEEKING LEGAL ACTION.

• 12/02/2017· ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),SERVICE BRAKES

  ABS SYSTEM MALFUNCTION,STATIONARY,WENT ONLINE FOUND NUMEROUS ACCOUNTS

• 12/01/2021· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,SERVICE BRAKES, AIR

  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 them aware of the failure. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed that the brake booster pump assembly and brake actuator assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 162,000.

• 11/30/2018· SERVICE BRAKES

  CAR HAS BEEN KEPT ON A GARAGE AND WELL TAKEN CARE OF. WE HAVE FOLLOWED THE MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE ON IT METICULOUSLY. HOWEVER, TODAY WE FOUND OUT THAT THE BRAKE ACTUATOR IS LEAKING AND COULD CAUSE CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM ON MANY CARS FROM THIS YEAR, AND OBVIOUSLY FROM PREVIOUS YEARS SINCE A RECALL WAS ALREADY ORDERED FOR YEARS 2007 AND 2006. THIS SEEMS TO BE AN OBVIOUS PROBLEM WITH THIS COMPONENT.

• 11/30/2009· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  ON AUGUST 13, 2009 MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER LIMITED, 4WD SUV WHEN SHE SUDDENLY LOST CONTROL AND CRASHED INTO A WOODEN TELEPHONE POLE, TOTALING THE CAR. ACCORDING TO HER, THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND SHE COULDN'T STOP THE VEHICLE. *TR

• 11/29/2010· ELECTRICAL SYSTEMCrash

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. WHILE STOPPED AT A RAILROAD CROSSING, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED CAUSING A TRAIN TO HIT IT. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE VEHICLE WAS AWAITING INSPECTION. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO ARRANGED AN INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 25,000.

• 11/27/2007· STRUCTURE,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 2008 LIMITED CAN BE PUT IN REVERSE WITH NO VISIBLE OR AUDIBLE WARNING THAT A DOOR IS OPEN. RESULTED IN BACKING OUT OF GARAGE AND CAUSING PROPERTY DAMAGE. *TR HIGHLANDER HAS LCD SCREEN TO DISPLAY WARNINGS AND OTHER MESSAGES TO THE DRIVER. SAME SCREEN IS USED TO SHOW REAR CAMERA IMAGE IN REVERSE. WHEN CAR IS IN REVERSE, REAR CAMERA IMAGE SUPERSEDES WARNING MESSAGE GIVING THE DRIVER THE IMPRESSION THAT ALL SYSTEMS ARE GO AND IT IS OK TO BACK-UP. TOYOTA NEEDS TO REPROGRAM ONBOARD COMPUTER SO THAT IF ANY DOOR IS OPEN, OR IF ANY OTHER WARNINGS (PERHAPS SEATBELTS) ARE ENGAGED THE REAR CAMERA VIEW DOES NOT SHOW ON THE LCD SCREEN SO THAT THE WARNINGS CAR BE DISPLAYED. GIVEN THE LCD SCREEN AND AFTER HAVING THE CAR FOR ONLY TWO MONTHS, IT IS CLEAR THAT DRIVERS WILL LOOK TO THAT SCREEN FOR INFORMATION AND NOT SO MUCH USE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS.