Is the 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid a bad year?
197 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Highlander Hybrid years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid are in line with other Highlander Hybrid years. Brakes stands out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2008 Highlander Hybrid owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 119,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| BrakesSTANDS OUT | 113 (57%) | 97k–144k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Electrical system | 35 (18%) | 94k–154k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Stability control | 25 (13%) | 108k–150k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Engine | 13 (7%) | 60k–125k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Hybrid system | 8 (4%) | 98k–127k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Speed control | 18 (9%) | 29k–115k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 11 (6%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Tires | 9 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 6 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Steering | 6 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Body structure | 5 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 119,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 197 complaints: 6 mention a crash · 4 mention a fire · 4 report an injury · 6 say the car was towed.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in Aug 2025.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
Recalls for the 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid: 8
During the manufacturing of the Power Window Master Switch (PWMS), grease lubricant may have been inconsistently applied to the sliding electrical contacts. 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.
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. The vehicle may enter a fail-safe/limp-home mode that limits the drivability of the vehicle.
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. If the switch overheats, it may melt, possibly resulting in a fire.
In the curtain shield airbag (Csa) system, there are two sensors in the airbag sensor assembly which are designed to detect vehicle roll angle. Inadvertent activation of the csa and/or the seat belt pretensioner can cause injury to a vehicle occupant.
These vehicles were not equipped with load carrying capacity modification labels which fails to conform with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "Tire selection and rims." Incorrect load carrying capacity modification labels could result in the vehicle being overloaded, increasing the risk of a crash.
Due to improper heat treatment during the manufacturing process, the original clamp used to secure the stainless steel exhaust tip to the exhaust pipe may develop microscopic cracks. Eventually the crack may expand causing the clamp to break. The original clamp and the Toyota stainless steel exhaust tip may fall off the vehicle's exhaust pipe and become a road hazard which would increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
Due to improper heat treatment during the manufacturing process, the original clamp used to secure the Toyota stainless steel exhaust tip to the exhaust pipe may develop microscopic cracks. Eventually the crack may expand causing the clamp to break. The original clamp and the Toyota stainless steel exhaust tip may fall off the vehicle's exhaust pipe and become a road hazard which would increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
These vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 208, "Occupant crash protection." However, for the two third row dsp's on these vehicles, the alr mode deactivates before the webbing is fully retracted, so that it will not lock when certain rear-facing crs's that have a short seat belt routing path are installed in the…
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Toyota: 70
Repair instructions Toyota sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Non-electric water pump leak inspection and diagnostic tips for some 2008 - 2025 model year Toyota vehicles
Some vehicles may exhibit a MIL ON condition with Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) P0A80/P1AC000 and/or P0A7F/P1A8000 stored due to dust or debris buildup…
The vehicle may be difficult to start or have an abnormally low or rough idle after the battery has been disconnected or power to the engine ECM has been…
Vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad tracks, train wheels…
NHTSA defect investigations: 5
Pedestrian alert sounds
Steering Column Separation
Upper Steering Column Separation
Power Window Master Switch Fire
Power Window Master Switch Fire
Neighbouring years
2007 Highlander Hybrid: 110 complaints, keep it · 2009 Highlander Hybrid: 40 complaints, keep it.
Every Toyota Highlander Hybrid year
2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · All Highlander Hybrid years side by side
Other Toyota models: Toyota 4Runner · Toyota Avalon · Toyota C-HR · Toyota Camry · Toyota Camry Hybrid · Toyota Camry Solara · Toyota Celica · Toyota Corolla · Toyota Corolla Cross · Toyota Corolla Matrix · Toyota Echo · Toyota FJ Cruiser · Toyota Grand Highlander · Toyota Highlander · Toyota Matrix · Toyota Prius · Toyota Prius c · Toyota Prius v · Toyota RAV4 · Toyota RAV4 Hybrid · Toyota RAV4 Prime · Toyota Sequoia · Toyota Sienna · Toyota Sienna Hybrid · Toyota Tacoma · Toyota Tundra · Toyota Venza · Toyota Venza Hybrid · Toyota Yaris. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid a bad year?
197 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Highlander Hybrid years. At 119,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: brakes (113), electrical system (35), stability control (25), engine (13), hybrid system (8).
How many recalls does the 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid have?
8 recall campaigns list this model year: Visibility and wipers (NHTSA 15V-689), Hybrid system (NHTSA 13V-396), Visibility and wipers (NHTSA 12V-491), Air bags (NHTSA 11V-245) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.