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Electrical systemPart report

2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Electrical system Problems

Complaints
35about this part
Share
18%of 197 total for the year
Median mileage
123,000miles
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 35 complaints about the electrical system of the 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, 18% of the 197 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 123,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 3 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

“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

“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

“Vehicle hybrid/engine shut off while driving. Various warning lights lit up including vsc, hybrid system, and check engine. I was forced to change lanes with the car off but moving at about 40 MPH and pull over on a side street. I as able to restart the vehicle and continue my drive. The following day, even though the check engine light and all warnings had cleared, the car turned off again while I was driving and breaking at a red light. The car failed to properly restart after this second incident. …”

NHTSA complaint #11114691, filed 2018-07, 81,000 miles

“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.”

NHTSA complaint #10662559, filed 2014-12, 110,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2023111%
2022233%
202117%
2012111%
201029%
200938%
20083518%
20072825%
20067420%

Other parts of the 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

Brakes
113 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