2008 Toyota Highlander Other or unknown Problems
- Complaints
- 18about this part
- Share
- 4%of 405 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 100,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 18 complaints about the other or unknown of the 2008 Toyota Highlander, 4% of the 405 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 100,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“On may 22, 2010 my Toyota Highlander sudden accelerated. I was at a full stop (red light) on 14th street at the intersection of castro heading west uphill. My foot was on the brake when my truck suddenly accelerated. The truck jerked forward even though my foot was on the brake. I reported it to san francisco Toyota service representative when I brought in my truck for the recall service on may 29, 2010. They completed the recall as required, but he dismissed my comment about the above incident. …”
NHTSA complaint #10334122, filed 2010-06, 5,000 miles“During a recent road trip visiting family, my son was riding in the third row seat in our Toyota Highlander. Shortly before arriving at his grandparents, he told me that he had become twisted in his seatbelt. As we were within 10 minutes of our destination, I told him that I would handle the situation when we arrived. A few minutes later he said that the belt was getting tighter and I asked him if I needed to stop and he said that would be a good idea. Before I could get stopped (less that a block), he indicated that he was having trouble breathing. …”
NHTSA complaint #10345693, filed 2010-07, 57,000 miles“Dear sir/madam the Toyota Highlander /camry and sienna have a oil cooler line which is made of rubber and explode due to the high temperature of the oil. All these vehicles have been causing oil to be leaked all over the roads of america with Toyota not having issued a recall. Years 2008 - 2013 .this issue is dangerous.”
NHTSA complaint #11328848, filed 2020-06, 78,000 miles“2008 Highlander caught fire and burned to a complete loss. None of the notification systems worked correctly to alert my wife. The car was in motion moving appx 20 miles per hour and the cabin filled with smoke and was engulfed in flames. Oil spray was noted and pictures taken on the roadway behind the vehicle to the burn site. There was a recall on an oil line for this vehicle in the past.”
NHTSA complaint #11171329, filed 2019-01, 125,500 miles“When you start up car there is a engine grinding noise for a few seconds. This has been reported by many people on the internet, just google 2008 Toyota Highlander start up engine noise and you will get a better look at what it sounds like. This could lead to severe engine damage . It is a defect in the engine.”
NHTSA complaint #10723756, filed 2015-06, 102,321 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11028712Jan 7, 2026Some 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate…
- 10207938Jan 6, 2022TI: LSC 90K Expired on December 31, 2021
- 10132721Jul 7, 2014TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE: July 7, 2014: This bulletin is now obsolete.
Other or unknown: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 20% |
| 2024 | 14 | 33% |
| 2023 | 40 | 21% |
| 2022 | 42 | 16% |
| 2021 | 70 | 13% |
| 2020 | 45 | 14% |
| 2019 | 83 | 16% |
| 2018 | 46 | 17% |
| 2017 | 55 | 20% |
| 2016 | 21 | 19% |
| 2015 | 43 | 22% |
| 2014 | 33 | 24% |
| 2013 | 23 | 11% |
| 2012 | 24 | 13% |
| 2011 | 14 | 8% |
| 2010 | 16 | 7% |
| 2009 | 7 | 5% |
| 2008 | 18 | 4% |
| 2007 | 10 | 8% |
| 2006 | 10 | 4% |
| 2005 | 8 | 4% |
| 2004 | 6 | 2% |
| 2003 | 11 | 4% |
| 2002 | 14 | 5% |
| 2001 | 5 | 4% |
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 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
18 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
16 complaintsElectronic stability control
15 complaintsFuel system
13 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2008 Toyota Highlander
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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