Skip to content
Toyota Highlander HybridModel year report

2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Problems

Complaints
197filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
110,000miles, 180 complaints with mileage
Recalls
6campaigns on record
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
26 mpgcombined, 3.3L 6-cyl · hybrid 4WD/AWD · 27 city / 25 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often report brake-system problems, particularly failures of the ABS actuator and brake booster pump, which commonly produce warning lights, an internal alarm, a hard or unresponsive pedal, and reduced braking assist. Many of these reports come in at high mileage, and several owners note that a customer support program and related bulletins exist for the brake actuator assembly on 2008-2010 Highlander Hybrids. Smaller groups of complaints describe inverter failures with loss of power, premature tire wear at low mileage, and steering-column noises.

  1. Brakes

    ABS actuator / brake booster pump failure

    • 80 complaints (41%)
    • median 126,500 mi at 10.2 yrs old (72 state mileage)
    • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • owner-quoted repair $3,900 (median of 46 quotes)
    • filed 2014–2025

    Complaints describe the brake, ABS, VSC and traction-control lights lighting up together, often with an internal alarm tone and a message to stop and contact a dealer. Owners report the brake pedal becoming hard to press or requiring heavy foot pressure, the brakes grabbing or failing to slow the vehicle, and in some cases brake fluid leaking at the pump. Diagnosis is frequently an ABS actuator or brake booster pump assembly replacement, and several owners mention repair quotes ranging from roughly $3,000 to over $5,000. Most reports in the sample come between roughly 100,000 and 170,000 miles, with a few at much lower mileage.

    7 related service bulletins

    What to check: Ask whether the ABS actuator and brake booster pump were ever replaced or covered under a Toyota customer support program, and have a mechanic scan for stored ABS codes and check for fluid seepage at the pump before purchase.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “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. Please help us. Thanks”

    NHTSA complaint #11209225, filed 2019-05, 158,000 miles

    “My 2008 highlander ABS is failed and that put our family and others in danger because of the ABS is not working properly. The lights keep staying on, doesn't matter what you do, reset it or not. The brakes stopped working, the siren inside the vehicle making buzzy noise when opening the door or attempting to start the vehicle. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11124721, filed 2018-09, 125,000 miles
  2. Brakes

    Braking hesitation at slow speeds / regen-to-friction

    • 20 complaints (10%)
    • median 24,000 mi at 2.4 yrs old (20 state mileage)
    • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2009–2018

    Owners describe a brief moment where braking seems to let go, or the vehicle lurches forward, when slowing at low or moderate speeds, particularly when the car passes over a small bump or pothole. Some report the car briefly driving forward after being started and put in gear with the brake pedal applied, and others note a delay of a second or two before brakes take hold. Several say the pedal then requires noticeably more pressure than before the pause. Reported from very low mileage up to about 30,000 miles, often during slow-speed or downhill braking.

    What to check: Drive the car on an uneven or downhill surface at low speed and see whether the pedal feels inconsistent or the braking pauses; ask the seller whether any hybrid brake software updates were applied.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “I have a 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. Ever since it was new, it has inconsistent braking at slow speeds, like 20 MPH and slower. When braking at slow speeds, if I hit even a small bump or pothole, the brakes momentarily release, and then will re-apply but will require much greater pedal pressure to get the same braking force. I had the dealer look at it but said nothing was wrong.”

    NHTSA complaint #10306073, filed 2010-02, 5,000 miles

    “Shortly after commencing braking, brakes briefly seem to let go or slip. The sensation is of the car lurching forward, almost accelerating. Then braking resumes. Please note that this is not a one-time incident; I notice it every time I drive at slow or moderate speeds, and then need to brake--most recently, today. 2008 model Highlander Hybrid was purchased in march 2009; we have owned it for 11 months.”

    NHTSA complaint #10308184, filed 2010-02, 200 miles
  3. Other or unknown

    Hybrid inverter failure and loss of power

    • 29 complaints (15%)
    • median 123,500 mi at 5.8 yrs old (28 state mileage)
    • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • owner-quoted repair $8,552 (median of 12 quotes)
    • filed 2011–2019

    Complaints describe a pop or abrupt deceleration while driving, followed by the engine or hybrid system shutting down and multiple warnings such as check hybrid system, check VSC and check brake system appearing. Owners report the vehicle losing power in traffic and needing a tow, with diagnosis narrowing to the inverter assembly. Several owners note that an inverter recall covers other model years and ask whether it applies to this one. Mostly reported between about 70,000 and 155,000 miles, while driving at highway or city speeds.

    Recall 13V396000

    What to check: Ask whether the inverter was replaced and whether recall 13V396000 was performed; if the vehicle is offered with a recent inverter replacement, look for the service record.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “I entered a gas station and my car just stopped. It would not restart and was towed to northridge Toyota (northridge,ca) where I was informed the inverter failed, and only replacement by a Toyota service center may be made due to internal component high voltage parts, at a cost of $8,244.00 + labor in the amount of $660.00. I investigated on-line and discovered numerous complaints of the same inverter failure . …”

    NHTSA complaint #10534678, filed 2013-08, 123,000 miles

    “The car just stopped moving - engine was running & all systems were on. The warning systems starting displaying the following messages: check hybrid system, check vsc system, check brake system, check 4wd system. The car had no 'limp' mode, and I was fortunate enough to coast to a parking space. Prior to this the car was running fine with no signs of failure. I had it towed to the shop and was told the hybrid inverter had gone out. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10537929, filed 2013-08, 124,000 miles
  4. Tires

    Premature tire wear

    • 11 complaints (6%)
    • median 16,000 mi at 2.5 yrs old (11 state mileage)
    • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2009–2018

    Owners report original tires wearing out far earlier than expected, with tread near the wear limit at roughly 10,000 to 25,000 miles and one owner describing uneven shredding. Complaints mention dealers telling owners nothing was wrong with the vehicle, while some tires were replaced as a goodwill measure. Reported at low mileage, generally under 25,000 miles.

    What to check: Inspect tread depth across all four tires and the wear pattern, and ask whether an alignment and tire rotation history is available.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “I own a 2008 Toyota highlander vehicle and the front tires have almost all treads worn down already after just 10,000 miles on the vehicle which indicates this vehicle is just chewing tires right up so I am worried about early tire failure. Other owners must have the same problem. Can NHTSA check this out for all owners?”

    NHTSA complaint #10269827, filed 2009-05, 10,000 miles

    “My 2008 Highlander Hybrid limited has about 16k miles on it. I just had my tires inspected by a shop that changes my oil. My tires are almost worn down to 2/32's! They mentioned that this was very abnormal and these tires were no longer safe to drive on.”

    NHTSA complaint #10341083, filed 2010-07, 16,000 miles

Buying note. The brake actuator and booster pump are the most frequently reported concern, so a pre-purchase scan for ABS codes, a check for fluid leaks and confirmation of any open service campaigns are worth the effort. Also ask about inverter replacement and recall history, and budget for tires and brake work given the age and typical mileage of these vehicles.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.

NHTSA recorded 197 consumer complaints for the 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. 180 of the complaints include a mileage, and 27% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 110,000 miles. Of all complaints, 6 involved a crash, 4 a fire, 5 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns and 114 technical service bulletins for this model year.

Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Steering (6), Body and structure (5), Engine cooling (3), Wheels (3), Air bags (2), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (2), Equipment (1), Seat belts (1), Suspension (1).

Example complaints

Brakes: “I was driving on the highway and the brake light and ABS came on and started beeping. When the brake is engaged, it's hard to stop and very hard to depress the pedal, inspection for the operation of the braking system- fail. The mechanic stated we have to replace power brake booster and the ABS actuator assembly. $6,000”

NHTSA complaint #11113089, filed 2018-07, 140,000 miles

Electrical system: “Car dome light was left on and battery died. Battery was 3 years old so I replaced with new battery and car started and drove short distance. Couple of days later I attempted to start car but it would not start. Checked battery and it was good. While attempting to start car, I get messages about contacting dealer for the problem along with brake warning etc.”

NHTSA complaint #10870446, filed 2016-05, 148,000 miles

Electronic stability control: “I was on the highway when my car gave a warning to pull over safely due to a brake malfunction and to take to the dealer. The vsc system light also came on. I see Toyota recalled this in the 2006 and 2007 but not the 2008 Highlander Hybrid. This is a $2000.00 fix for the accumulator brake actuator assembly. If this is such a know problem why is there no recall for 2008.”

NHTSA complaint #11076792, filed 2018-03, 145,000 miles

Vehicle speed control: “In august of 2017 we were driving our 20088 Toyota Highlander Hybrid and all of sudden the display warned of ABS vsc malfunction and to pull over or take car to nearest dealer, the brake pedals lost compression or pressure and the brake was not working hardly. Took to the mechanic shop that has been doing the regular maintenance, they performed diagnostics and stated ABS module needed to be replaced. They advise car was not safe to drive. …”

NHTSA complaint #11076663, filed 2018-03, 159,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

27% of the 180 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 41,000 and 140,000 miles.

9%0–1010%10–258%25–508%50–757%75–10039%100–15019%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (180 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 110,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

’09’11’13’15’1742’19’25
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Highlander Hybrid · sedan AWDnot rated5 / 4——4 · 17.4% risk

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Highlander Hybrid 4WD3.3L 6-cyl · hybridCVT272526$2,600

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 114 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 114 bulletins →

Other model years of the Toyota Highlander Hybrid

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2023913,0006535—Too new
2022632,5004535—Not enough data
20211527,3004535—Rising
2020928,5004535—Not enough data
201966,8000529—Not enough data
201858500529—Not enough data
2016647,0120528—Not enough data
2013547,6000—28—Not enough data
2012986,0000—28—Not enough data
2011572,0001—28—Not enough data
20102243,5004—26—Stable
20094063,1004—26Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Stable
2008197110,0006—26Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Rising
2007110105,0002—26Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200637093,5506—27Not compared (before 2008)Stable

All Toyota Highlander Hybrid model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid?

Owners of this model year most often report brake-system problems, particularly failures of the ABS actuator and brake booster pump, which commonly produce warning lights, an internal alarm, a hard or unresponsive pedal, and reduced braking assist. The issues reported most often: ABS actuator / brake booster pump failure; Braking hesitation at slow speeds / regen-to-friction; Hybrid inverter failure and loss of power.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid have?

NHTSA recorded 197 consumer complaints for the 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid is reported most often?

Brakes is named most often, in 113 complaints (57% of the total), followed by electrical system with 35.

Has the 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid been recalled?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid get?

The EPA rates the 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid (Highlander Hybrid 4WD, 3.3L 6-cyl · hybrid) at 26 mpg combined, 27 city and 25 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,600 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid reported?

Among the 180 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 110,000 miles and the middle half falls between 41,000 and 140,000 miles; 27% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.