WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MILES PER HOUR, THE BRAKE LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD CAME ON, BRAKE PEDAL BEGAN GOING ALL THE WAY DOWN WHILE BRAKING, AND THE BRAKE PEDAL BEGAN MAKING NOISE. I STOPPED THE CAR, OPEN THE HOOD AND FOUND THAT ALL MY BRAKE FLUID WAS GONE. THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WAS NEARBY I DROVE THE CAR SLOWLY TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY CHECKED THE BRAKE SYSTEM ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT ALL THE BRAKE FLUID WA…
2008 Toyota Highlander brakes problems
severe 65 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450
Complaints
65
Recalls
0
Crashes
3
Avg fix
$450
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
AFTER RESEARCHING ONLINE, I HAVE NOTICED THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE AND TOYOTA ISSUED RECALLS OUT FOR 2006 & 2007 BUT HAS NOT ACKNOWLEDGED 2008 AS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. I WAS ALMOST IN AN ACCIDENT AND NOTICED THERE ARE OTHERS OUT THERE THAT HAVE BEEN IN ACCIDENTS. WHY IS IT THAT NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THIS? FIRST, I HEARD AN AIRY SOUND WHEN BRAKING THEN A SOFT BRAKE PEDAL BEFORE ALM…
The ABS ACTUATOR failed in my 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The screen inside the car flashed ABS // VSC // CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM. Vehicle is at 144,000 miles The component is out of stock nationwide and Toyota dealer has issued a warranty extension.
Common questions
How serious is the brakes problem on the 2008 Toyota Highlander?
It's a meaningful issue. 65 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $450 for brakes repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to brakes?
No active recalls currently cover brakes issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
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