2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 3%of 197 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 115,570miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the fuel system of the 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, 3% of the 197 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 115,570 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“My wife and three small kids were on the way to the airport, car just shut off while we were in motion driving on a 40mph street. Display says check hybrid system. Luckily we did not get hit and were able to swerve to side of road (although it was all the way from the middle lane to right side of road) as it is a very busy street, luckily there was no car in the right lane at the time of incident. The dealer says it is an hybrid inverter failure. …”
NHTSA complaint #10509523, filed 2013-04, 130,000 miles“I purchased a new 2008 Highlander Hybrid. Though I had no problems, in november 2013, the inverter was recalled at 79,000 miles, and replaced. We had no problems with the car for the next 22 months. On september 6, 2015, the car stalled and could not be restarted. We had the car towed 55 miles to the dealership. Investigation of the car over 2 days was unsuccessful in discovering the cause. On september 9, I asked if it was the inverter. I was told it was not. The service manager had contacted Toyota, who recommended taking apart the hybrid system to look for a shorted wire. …”
NHTSA complaint #10765062, filed 2015-09, 108,000 miles“While trying to get back on the freeway, the indicator lights for the ABS system, the vsb system, the 4wd system and anti-skid system came on and the vehicle lost all drive power. It defaulted to failsafe/limp mode even though the engine was still running. The car will start and move but within 60 seconds reverts to fail safe mode.”
NHTSA complaint #10761919, filed 2015-09, 111,141 miles“The car completely shut off when driving, without any warning! Luckily, the driver was not rear- ended!! The car was towed to Toyota where we were told that the inverter needs to be replaced for $9000! The car is in otherwise great shape and has been serviced at Toyota regularly . The last check up was last month at 118,000 miles! This is exactly the same problem reported for the 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, which was recalled.”
NHTSA complaint #10499789, filed 2013-02, 120,000 milesFuel system: other model years
Other parts of the 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
113 complaintsElectrical 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 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 Nov 1, 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