ON DECEMBER 10TH, 2014, AROUND 8:15AM, OUR 2008 HIGHLANDER SPORT AWD SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AT FULL THROTTLE WHEN APPROACHING A STOP SIGN, ENTERED THE CROSS SECTION AND CRASHED WITH INCOMING SUV ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE CAR KEPT GOING AT HIGH SPEED AFTER RUNNING A CURB AND FLATTENED ALL 4 TIRES ON STRAIGHT LINES AND EVENTUALLY STOPPED IN A NEIGHBOR'S YARD, MADE DEEP TRENCH INTO THE LAWN. THE OTH…
2008 toyota Highlander cruise control problems
critical 33 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $600
Complaints
33
Recalls
0
Crashes
17
Avg fix
$600
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
I WAS PARKED IN FRONT OF A SUBWAY RESTAURANT IN A STRIP MALL AT APPROXIMATELY 7:30 P.M. AFTER EATING, MY FAMILY AND I LEFT THE RESTAURANT AND GOT INTO OUR TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE AND BACKED OUT OF MY PARKING SPOT JUST A FEW FEET. (IT IS A VERY NARROW PARKING LOT AND FACES A VERY BUSY STREET.) I BUMPED INTO A CONCRETE POLE THAT WAS BEHIND ME, THAT I COULD NOT SEE BECAUSE OF …
Common questions
How serious is the cruise control problem on the 2008 toyota Highlander?
It's a serious issue. 33 complaints have been filed, including 17 reports involving a crash and 1 fatality(ies). We've classified it as critical based on NHTSA's reported outcomes.
At what mileage does the cruise control 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 $600 for cruise control 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 cruise control?
No active recalls currently cover cruise control 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.
Some links on this page are affiliate links.