2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID Complaints and Recall Information
The 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID has 2 complaints and 5 recalls filed with NHTSA. Owners most frequently report warning lights related to the brake and traction control systems illuminating during driving. There is also an issue reported involving odometer mileage discrepancies discovered after purchase.
Common Issues- Brake system warnings. Master brake system, ABS, and traction control warning lights illuminate while driving, accompanied by messages advising to stop safely and check ABS/VSC and braking systems.
- Odometer discrepancy. A purchase revealed a mileage inconsistency, with the vehicle showing higher mileage at registration than at the time of sale.
There are 5 recalls that address various safety and operational systems including airbag sensors, power window switch assemblies, and the hybrid propulsion inverter module. These affect components related to occupant safety and electrical systems.
Recalls- Airbag sensor assembly. NHTSA recall 11V245000 affects 307,848 vehicles. Faulty roll angle sensors may cause the curtain shield airbag or seat belt pretensioner to activate inadvertently, risking occupant injury. Toyota will replace the sensor assembly with improved components free of charge.
- Power window master switch. Recall 12V491000 involves 2,519,424 vehicles. Improper lubrication may cause switches to malfunction and overheat, potentially leading to fire. Dealers will inspect and apply special grease or replace damaged switches at no cost.
- Hybrid inverter module. Recall 13V396000 covers 133,081 vehicles. Heat damage to the Intelligent Power Module may cause warning lights and limp-home mode or sudden hybrid shutdown, increasing crash risk. Toyota will replace the IPM free of charge.
- Power window master switch (additional). Recall 15V689000 affects 1,814,284 vehicles. Inconsistent grease application may allow shorts and overheating, raising fire risk. Dealers will inspect and lubricate or replace the circuit board free of charge.
Owners with repeated repairs, unresolved recall issues, or safety defects may have rights under their state’s lemon law. Consulting an attorney familiar with these matters could help determine available remedies.
2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID Summary
2008
Model Year
2
Total Complaints
4
Total Recalls
4774637
Vehicles Affected
Recalls
2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID
1814284 vehicles affected
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
Toyota Motor Company (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Tundra, Sequoia, Corolla, Corolla Matrix and Scion xB, 2008-2011 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2007 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2009 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2006-2011 RAV4, 2006-2010 Yaris, and 2009-2010 Scion xD and Pontiac Vibe vehicles. During the manufacturing of the Power Window Master Switch (PWMS), grease lubricant may have been inconsistently applied to the sliding electrical contacts.
Risk: If the sliding electrical contacts are not protected by lubricant, debris and moisture that get into the switch may cause a short circuit and the switch assembly may overheat and melt, increasing the risk of a fire.
2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID
133081 vehicles affected
HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM: INVERTER
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid vehicles manufactured February 16, 2005, through July 29, 2010; and model year 2006-2008 Lexus RX400h vehicles manufactured February 23, 2005, through December 2, 2008. The Intelligent Power Module (IPM) inside the inverter module may contain transistors that have higher operating temperatures than the solder can support and the transistors may be heat damaged by the solder. If this occurs, various warning lamps, including the malfunction indicator lamp, slip indicator light, brake system warning light, and master warning light, will be illuminated on the instrument panel.
Risk: The vehicle may enter a fail-safe/limp-home mode that limits the drivability of the vehicle. It is possible that the hybrid system will shut down while the vehicle is being driven, causing the vehicle to stall unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.
2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID
2519424 vehicles affected
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 Camry, Camry Hybrid, RAV4, Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Tundra, Sequoia, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Yaris, Scion xB, Scion xD and Pontiac Vibe vehicles. The power window master switch assemblies in some of these vehicles were built using a less precise process for lubricating the internal components of the switch assemblies. Irregularities in this lubrication process may cause the power window master switch assemblies to malfunction and overheat.
Risk: If the switch overheats, it may melt, possibly resulting in a fire.
2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID
307848 vehicles affected
AIR BAGS
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 HIGHLANDER, HIGHLANDER HYBRID, AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2008 RAV4 VEHICLES. IN THE CURTAIN SHIELD AIRBAG (CSA) SYSTEM, THERE ARE TWO SENSORS IN THE AIRBAG SENSOR ASSEMBLY WHICH ARE DESIGNED TO DETECT VEHICLE ROLL ANGLE. IF ONE OF THESE SENSORS MALFUNCTIONS, THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT (MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT: MIL) WILL ILLUMINATE AND THE ROLL DETECTION SYSTEM WILL BE SUSPENDED; HOWEVER, THE AIRBAG CSA REMAINS AVAILABLE IN THE EVENT OF A SIDE CRASH. IF BOTH SENSORS FAIL NEARLY SIMULTANEOUSLY AFTER INITIAL AIRBAG SYSTEM CHECK, THE CSA AND THE SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER COULD BE INADVERTENTLY ACTIVATED.
Risk: INADVERTENT ACTIVATION OF THE CSA AND/OR THE SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER CAN CAUSE INJURY TO A VEHICLE OCCUPANT.
Complaints
2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID
ID: 2119408ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated that it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 92,000, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 212,000.
2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID
ID: 2082559SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the master, brake system, ABS warning, and traction control warning lights illuminated. Additionally, the message "Brake System Malfunction - Stop in Safe Place Immediately”, check ABS/VSC system, and check braking system" messages were displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic several times, but was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 227,000.