2008 Toyota Highlander Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 1%of 405 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 75,556miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2008 Toyota Highlander, 1% of the 405 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 75,556 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.
“Took my car to state inspection and failed because only left side rear brake light was not working. I replaced the bulbs and checked the fuse. Fuse is fine and had new bulbs and the light still do not work. Researched online and it seems like many people are having same problem. From what I read from people online, no one could figure out the cause and solution of the problem. Some people already took it into the dealer and resolved the issue by spending $400 but ended up with the same issue a year later. Seems to be going in the direction of electrical design defect. …”
NHTSA complaint #10692826, filed 2015-03, 97,111 miles“I bought a 2008 Toyota Highlander in december 2007. I did not test drive the vehicle at night. After a few weeks, I tried to back up at night. The lights are completely inadequate and they are a safety hazard. I have to get out of the vehicle every few feet and check to make sure there is nothing/no one in my path when backing up at night. I asked the dealer to check/repair the lights. They said this is a common complaint but there is nothing they can do to fix it. It is not safe to back up the vehicle at night because the lights do not illuminate enough to see if someone is in your path. …”
NHTSA complaint #10267713, filed 2009-05Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 12 | 5% |
| 2021 | 8 | 2% |
| 2019 | 4 | 1% |
| 2018 | 5 | 2% |
| 2017 | 4 | 1% |
| 2016 | 9 | 8% |
| 2015 | 10 | 5% |
| 2014 | 2 | 1% |
| 2013 | 5 | 2% |
| 2012 | 2 | 1% |
| 2011 | 5 | 3% |
| 2010 | 12 | 6% |
| 2009 | 2 | 1% |
| 2008 | 3 | 1% |
| 2006 | 7 | 3% |
| 2005 | 9 | 4% |
| 2004 | 14 | 5% |
| 2003 | 15 | 6% |
| 2002 | 12 | 4% |
| 2001 | 2 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2008 Toyota Highlander
81 complaintsAir bags
58 complaintsEngine
58 complaintsVehicle speed control
45 complaintsElectrical system
44 complaintsSteering
40 complaintsTires
25 complaintsEngine cooling
18 complaintsOther or unknown
18 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
18 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
16 complaintsElectronic stability control
15 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2008 Toyota Highlander
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