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BrakesPart report

2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Brakes Problems

Complaints
113about this part
Share
57%of 197 total for the year
Median mileage
119,000miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 113 complaints about the brakes of the 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, 57% of the 197 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 119,000 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“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

“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

“While have tires and brake pads changed, Toyota dealership noted ABS actuator not functioning properly and once I declined to have it replaced that day due to cost and time, vehicle is now alarming to get back to dealership and have ABS checked immediately. This alarm was not on before my service appointment. No abnormal noises were noted prior to appointment, either.”

NHTSA complaint #11003609, filed 2017-07, 169,790 miles

“We were driving the car normally on city streets, not even braking at the time when suddenly the ABS light and a couple others lit up on the dashboard along with a warning message on the screen about the ABS and vcs systems. Braking still worked as did everything else (less the ABS I assume).”

NHTSA complaint #11182645, filed 2019-02, 163,500 miles

“I am told I need to replace the brake actuator assembly on my 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. My research indicates that this component failure was a known problem for years and was actually covered in a recall for 2006-7 models. For reasons unknown the recall does not cover 2008 even though it is the exact same component. This is a serious safety issue and Toyota seems to be passing the cost off to the consumer.”

NHTSA complaint #11191596, filed 2019-03, 140,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Brakes: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2023111%
2022233%
202117%
2020222%
2018120%
2016350%
2013120%
2012111%
2011120%
2010627%
20092973%
200811357%
20074642%
200613737%

Other parts of the 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

Electrical system
35 complaintsElectronic stability control
25 complaintsVehicle speed control
18 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
11 complaintsEngine
10 complaintsOther or unknown
10 complaintsTires
9 complaintsHybrid propulsion system
8 complaintsFuel system
6 complaintsSteering
6 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaintsEngine cooling
3 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

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.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology