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.
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.
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 BulletinT-SB-0043-14Jan 2024
OBSOLETE NOTICE January 22, 2024: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0057-18.
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.
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.
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
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting
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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 — 2 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.
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.