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2008 Toyota Highlander equipment problems

moderate Owners of the 2008 Toyota Highlander have filed 3 NHTSA complaints about the equipment at roughly $500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See equipment across all vehicles →

Complaints
3
Recalls
5
Avg fix
$500
equipment complaints on the Toyota Highlander, by model year
Model yearequipment complaints
2005 Highlander 3
2008 Highlander (this page) 3
2010 Highlander 3

Related recalls

moderate NHTSA 10V035000 February 3, 2010

Gulf states Toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no

This does not meet the standard requirements.

Fix: Dealers will mail to consumers the corrected label or the customer will have the option for dealers to install the label free of charge. Dealers will also correct the owner's manual. The safety recall began on may 27, 2010. Owners may contact gulf states Toyota at 713-580-3300.
severe NHTSA 09E028000 May 14, 2009

Southeast Toyota is recalling 3,499 stainless steel exhaust tips sold by southeast Toyota as an optional accessory for use on my 2008 highlander and highlander hybird vehicles

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.

Fix: Southeast Toyota will notify owners and replace the clamp free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during may/june 2009. Owners may contact southeast Toyota customer loyalty department at 1-800-301-6859.
severe NHTSA 09E022000 April 27, 2009

Toyota is recalling 39,100 stainless steel exhaust tips sold by Toyota as an optional accessory for use on my 2008 highlander and highlander hybrid vehicles

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.

Fix: Toyota will notify owners and replace the clamp free of charge. The safety recall began on may 4, 2009. Owners may contact Toyota customer experience center at 1 888-270-9371 monday through friday, 5:00 am to 6:00 pm, saturday 7:00 am through 4:00 pm pacific time.
severe NHTSA 10V036000 February 3, 2010

Southeast Toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 passenger vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no

A driver may overload a vehicle which may increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will mail to consumers the corrected label or the customer will have the option for dealers to install the label free of charge. The safety recall began on may 27, 2010. Owners may contact southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
severe NHTSA 09V223000 June 15, 2009

Toyota is recalling 27,080 model year 2005 through 2010 passenger cars built from september 1, 2005 to may 4, 2009

Incorrect load carrying capacity modification labels could result in the vehicle being overloaded, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Toyota will notify owners and provide them with a new, accurate label to be installed over the inaccurate label free of charge. The safety recall began on august 18, 2009. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-888-270-9371.

Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins

The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering equipment on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.

Service Bulletin T-SB-0043-14 Jan 2024

OBSOLETE NOTICE January 22, 2024: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0057-18.

full bulletin at NHTSA ↗
Service Bulletin TSB003220 Aug 2023

TSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most 1979 ? 2023 model year vehicles may be available provided the requests meet the criteria listed in this Service Bulletin. Follow the Procurement Procedure in this bulletin to request a replacement certification label or VIN plate.

full bulletin at NHTSA ↗
Service Bulletin T-SB-0057-18 May 2023

TSB: The Immobilizer and Smart Key Reset is a feature that allows the registration of new keys when all master keys are lost. Once the system is reset, all previously registered keys will be erased. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to reset a vehicle Immobilizer or Smart Key system.

full bulletin at NHTSA ↗
Service Bulletin TSB009421Rev1 May 2022

TSB: Some 2005 ? 2022 model year Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty smell is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures for odor remediation. This service bulletin provides a guide on how to prepare the interior of the vehicle prior to an odor remediation being performed, as well as contact information for an approved vendor who will arrange the remediation, and instructions on how to prepare the interior of the vehicle for reassembly once the remediation has been completed. Refer to all model and

full bulletin at NHTSA ↗
Service Bulletin ZKG_Paint_Repair Apr 2022

CSP: Customer Support Program ZKG - Paint Repair Process Operation Flow Chart

full bulletin at NHTSA ↗

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.

What owners are reporting 0 most recent

Had equipment trouble with your 2008 Toyota Highlander? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.

Common questions

How serious is the equipment problem on the 2008 Toyota Highlander?

It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 3 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.

At what mileage does the equipment typically fail?

Based on the 3 complaints filed, equipment issues most often appear around 60,500 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.

What does it cost to fix?

Independent shops typically charge around $500 for equipment 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 equipment?

Yes — 5 active recall(s) cover equipment issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.

Related

Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2008/Toyota/Highlander. 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.
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