TroubleCAR
74
Trouble

2008 Toyota Highlander

Complaints: 403Avg mileage: 81,422 miSince: Nov 2007
2 deathsCrashFire42 injured

Problem Areas

Service Brakes
66
Engine
58
Air Bags
55
Vehicle Speed Control
42
Electrical System
41
Steering
40
Tires
23
Unknown or Other
16
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)
15
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
12

Complaints Over Time

Recent Complaints

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
33,000 miFeb 3, 2010OMAHA, NE
1 deathCrashFire

TL* THE CONTACT'S SISTER OWNED A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT'S SISTER WAS DRIVING AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ACROSS THE INTERSTATE, HIT AN EMBANKMENT AND WAS STRUCK BY SEMI TRUCK. THE VEHICLE BURNED AND THE DRIVER WAS KILLED AS A RESULT OF THE ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED BUT THERE WAS NO INVESTIGATION INTO THE CAUSE FOR THE ACCIDENT. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER BUT WAS NOT ABLE TO GET IN TOUCH WITH ANY REPRESENTATIVES. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 33,000. UPDATED 03/10/10 *BF UPDATED 07/07/10.*JB UPDATE 9/19/2011*CW

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Feb 24, 2010GEORGETOWN, TX
1 deathCrash1 injured

INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) MY FATHER [XXX] WAS KILLED WHILE DRIVING A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. HE HIT ANOTHER CAR SUSTAINING SEVERE INJURIES TO THE DRIVER. HE LEFT MY HOUSE IN GEORGETOWN, TX. DRIVING TO ROCKPORT TX WHEN IT IS REPORTED THAT HE LEFT HIS LANE, NO INDICATION THAT HE TRIED TO SLOW DOWN. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED IN GOLIAD COUNTY, ABOUT AN HOUR FROM HIS HOUSE. THE AUTOPSY COULD FIND NO MEDICAL OR PHYSICAL CAUSE FOR THIS ACCIDENT. THE ACCIDENT IS ON FILE WITH THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND USAA INSURANCE. *TR

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
23,000 miJan 29, 2011MUNSTER, IN
CrashFire1 injured

I WAS INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT ON 08/17/2010 WHILE DRIVING MY 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER THAT HAS 23000 MILES ON IT. THE ACCIDENT CAUSED ME TOTAL DAMAGE TO MY CAR AND PUT MY LIFE IN DANGER DUE TO FAILURE IN THE BREAK/ACCELERATION SYSTEM ON THE CAR. THE CAR DID NOT STOP BUT ACCELERATED EVEN THOUGH WHEN I WAS PRESSING THE BREAK WHICH CAUSED ME TO HIT A TRUCK THAT WAS PASSING IN FRONT OF ME. I EXPLAINED TO THE EMERGENCY CREW THAT THE ACCIDENT WAS BECAUSE OF FAILURE OF THE BREAK/AND ACCELERATION SYSTEM ON THE TOYOTA CAR AND I EXPLAINED THE SAME THING TO THE POLICE OFFICER WHO WAS PRESENTED ON THE SCENE. I LIKE TO MENTION HERE THAT THE TOYOTA DEALER SENT ME A NOTE OF DEFECTION ABOUT MY CAR PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT AND I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER SHOP AND SPENT 2 HOURS THERE TO HAVE IT FIXED. THE CAR NOW IS AT THE STATE FARM INSURANCE AND I CAN EMAIL/SEND YOU THE CAR PICTURES AFTER THE ACCIDENT.

AIR BAGS
Jan 12, 2024Chula Vista, CA
Crash3 injured

I was in a car accident yesterday two cars hit me from behind my daughter was in the third row and my other kids in the second row. The air bags didn't deploy and my daughters seatbelt in the third row didn't lock when the cars impacted my vehicle her seat belt kept going forward with her. Also my seat belt unlocked and came off upon impact of car

AIR BAGS
Dec 6, 2022Bridgeport, CT
Crash1 injured

Airbag failed to deploy in a front-left collision with another vehicle. The other vehicle's airbags did deploy. The vehicle is totalled and not available for inspection. The lack of deployment resulted in a head injury and whiplash. There was no advanced warning of this being a problem.

AIR BAGS
144,000 miSep 22, 2015MONTICELLO, KY
Crash3 injured

2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER INVOLVED IN A REAR/SIDE CRASH SITTING STILL; HIT BY OTHER VEHICLE AT 60 MPH; 3 OCCUPANTS INSIDE VEHICLE ALL INJURED; NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED IN VEHICLE AT TIME OF CRASH; IF AIRBAGS ONLY ARE TO DEPLOY ON A FRONTAL IMPACT CRASH WHAT GOOD R THEY IN OTHER CRASHES TO HELP THE OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE?

AIR BAGS
Sep 2, 2015ELIZABETH, NJ
Crash4 injured

I WAS DRIVING THE TOYOTA HIGHLANDER WHEN I GOT STRUCK ON MY FRONT LEFT SIDE . I WAS HIT PRETTY HARD MY HEAD WAS CAUGHT BETWEEN THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE WINDSHIELD . AND THE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED I WAS RUSHED TO THE HOSPITAL ALONG WITH 2 OTHER PEOPLE . AND ON THE SCREEN IT SAID CHECK SYSTEM AIR BAG FAILURE .

AIR BAGS
130,000 miJul 21, 2015INMAN, SC
Crash1 injured

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, ANOTHER DRIVER RAN A LIGHT AND CRASHED HEAD ON INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED SHOULDER INJURIES, BUT DID NOT RECEIVE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V168000 (AIR BAGS), BUT HAD NOT YET MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. ..UPDATED 08/26/15 *BF

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
49,000 miDec 15, 2014BRYN MAWR, PA
Crash4 injured

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 OTHER PARTIES WERE TAKEN TO HOSPITAL FOR MEDICAL EXAM AND THEIR SUV WAS BADLY DAMAGED TO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. WE HAVE PHOTOS FROM VARIOUS ANGLES SHOWING THAT THIS CAR WAS NOT STOPPABLE BY A HUMAN AT THE MOMENT. WE WERE TOLD OUR CAR WILL BE A TOTAL LOSS BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. OUR EVIDENCE INDICATED THE CAR'S DEFECTS WAS THE PRIMARY CAUSE OF FULL THROTTLE ACCELERATION WHICH HAS BEEN THE CASE FOR MANY OTHER TOYOTA CAR OWNERS FOR THE LAST FEW YEARS. WE NEED TO HOLD TOYOTA RESPONSIBLE AND ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS AND OTHER ACCIDENTS AND TO BE INVESTIGATED THOROUGHLY BY THE NHTSA. OUR LOSS SHOULD BE PROPERLY COMPENSATED BY TOYOTA. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION. CASE:TOYOTA HIGHLANDER UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION ACCIDENT ON 12/10/2014 CASE NUMBER:[XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
50,000 miDec 12, 2014BRYNMAWR, PA
Crash1 injured

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE IDLING AT A STOP SIGN, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED UNKNOWN INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE INSURANCE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

AIR BAGS
72,000 miApr 2, 2014FREMONT, CA
Crash4 injured

WHILE DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY 17 SOUTH TOWARDS SANTA CRUZ, CALIFORNIA ON A RAINING WEDNESDAY MORNING, I SUDDENLY FELT MY VEHICLE LOOSING CONTROL IN A SLIPPERY DOWNHILL HIGHWAY AND I HIT THE CENTER DIVIDER WITH THE LEFT FRONT OF VEHICLE AND CAR SPUN MULTIPLE TIMES AND HITTING THE LEFT REAR BUMPER TO THE WALL FACING THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THERE ARE 4 OF US IN THE VEHICLE ALL WEARING SEAT BELTS AND SUFFERED INJURIES. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM DID NOT ACTIVATE. MY INSURANCE COMPANY DECLARED THE VEHICLE TOTAL LOST. I WAS ADVISED TO CONTACT TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN FREMONT TO INVESTIGATE THE REASONS WHY THE AIR BAG AND ABS DID NOT ACTIVATE. I AM ABOUT TO CALL THE DEALERSHIP ONCE THEY OPEN IN FEW MINUTES. *TR

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
63,000 miSep 19, 2012CHICAGO, IL
Crash1 injured

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY INCREASED ACCELERATION. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED THERE WAS NO IMMEDIATE RESPONSE WHICH RESULTED TO THE VEHICLE CRASHING INTO A CEMENT WALL. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED BRUISES TO THE BODY AND INJURED THE LEFT LEG. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A COLLISION CENTER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND PLANNED TO LAUNCH AN INVESTIGATION REGARDING THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000.

AIR BAGS
70,000 miAug 14, 2012BOONENVILLE, AR
Crash2 injured

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH AND APPLYING THE BRAKES TO AVOID HITTING A DEER, THE BRAKES SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. AS A RESULT, THE DRIVER AND A PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AWAY FROM THE SCENE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000. UPDATED 11/01/12*LJ UPDATED 11/02/12

AIR BAGS
63,000 miJul 15, 2011WILMINGTON, NC
Crash1 injured

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED DURING THE FAILURE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE DRIVER WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL TO TREAT MINOR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INSURANCE LOT WHERE THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, AND THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A RESPONSE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 63,000.

AIR BAGS
70,000 miMar 7, 2011MOORESVILLE, NC
Crash1 injured

I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT IN MY 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER ON FRIDAY 3/4/11. I HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE WHILE TRAVELING 35MPH. MY HIGHLANDER HAS SIGNIFICANT FRONT END DAMAGE BUT NOT ONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. I SUFFERED A KNEE INJURY, A NECK INJURY, A SHOULDER INJURY, AND A CONCUSSION. I AM VERY UPSET AND CONCERNED THAT NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AS THEY SHOULD HAVE ACCORDING TO THE OWNER'S MANUAL. I AM HESITANT TO HAVE ANY REPAIRS MADE TO MY VEHICLE UNTIL WE FIND OUT THE CAUSE OF THE DEFECT. PLEASE LET ME KNOW HOW TO PROCEED... *TR

SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
80,000 miAug 21, 2010MARLBORO, NJ
Crash1 injured

I RECEIVED A VSC ERROR CODE, ON A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER, NOT THE HYBRID MODEL, BUT A LIMITED TOP OF THE LINE MODEL. THE VEHICLE STARTS TO ACCELERATE BY ITSELF & THEN WHEN YOU SLAM ON THE BRAKES TO TRY TO STOP IT, IT FAILS TO STOP. IN ORDER TO AVOID SLAMMING INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME & TO THE RIGHT OF ME, I CHOSE TO TURN LEFT HARD & RUN INTO THE CONCRETE DIVIDER. THIS WAS THE 2ND OCCASION THAT THIS TYPE OF FAILURE HAS HAPPENED TO ME. THE 1ST TIME WAS ON DECEMBER 15, 2010 & I ALSO CHOSE TO TURN LEFT HARD & STRIKE THE DIVIDER INSTEAD OF REAR ENDING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF OR SIDE SWIPING THE VEHICLE TO THE RIGHT OF ME. ON THE 1ST OCCASION, NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED & BECAUSE OF THAT I ENDED UP STRIKING MY HEAD ON THE EITHER THE DRIVERS SIDE GLASS OR SOME HARD OBJECT AND LOSING MY SHORT TERM MEMORY. THE VEHICLE & THEN CROSSED 3 LANES OF TRAFFIC, FINALLY OFF OF AN EXIT RAMP & CAME TO REST AFTER STRIKING A FENCE POLE. THE 2ND TIME IT HAPPENED WAS ON AUGUST 16, 2010. I ALSO CHOSE TO STRIKE THE CONCRETE DIVIDER AS OPPOSED TO STRIKING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME OR TO THE RIGHT OF ME. THEN SOMEHOW I ALSO CROSSED 3 LANES OF HIGHWAY & FINALLY COMING TO REST AFTER STRIKING A LIGHT POLE. THE DRIVER SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG DID DEPLOY THIS TIME SO I DID NOT LOSE CONSCIOUSNESS NOR DID I LOSE MY SHORT TERM MEMORY. IT WAS AT THAT POINT THAT I NOTICED THAT A 2ND ERROR CODE ALSO CAME UP STATING BRAKE FAILURE. *TR

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
15,000 miMay 18, 2010BENSALEN, PA
Crash1 injured

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN. WHEN HE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL A SECOND TIME, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE AHEAD OF HIM. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE INTO THE PRECEDING VEHICLE EVERY TIME THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE SAME VEHICLE THREE TIMES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. BOTH OF THE DRIVERS OF THE VEHICLE WERE ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING NORMALLY AFTER THE CRASH OCCURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 15,100.

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
3,792 miMar 6, 2010WHITTIER, CA
Crash1 injured

SUDDEN ACCELERATION OF NEW HIGHLANDER 2008 MODEL. I HAD REPORTED FOR THE FIRST TIME I FEB 19, 2009 WHEN I TOOK THE CAR FOR SERVICE THAT THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH ACCELERATION, AS IT RUNS AT A HIGHER SPEED. THEY CHECKED & I WAS TOLD THERE IS NOTHING WRONG BY THE DEALER.MY WIFE WHO NEVER HAD ANY ACCIDENTS GOT INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT ON DEC. 21,2009 WHEN AS SHE WAS PARKING THE CAR ACCELERATED SUDDENLY & HIT THE BUILDING IN FRONT. THE IMPACT WAS SO GREAT THE PEOPLE THAT WERE WORKING IN THAT BUILDING CAME OUT TO SEE WHAT HAPPENED. INSPITE OF WEARING SEAT BELTS, HER CHEST HIT THE STEERING WHEEL SHE WAS IN SEVERE PAIN. AFTER EMERGENCY VISIT, SHE DID NOT HAVE ANY FRACTURES, BUT BRUISES OF RIBS. SHE WAS SO SCARED SHE WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE FOR WEEKS. IT TOOK MORE THAN 8K FOR REPAIRS.THE CAR STILL HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS &WE ARE AT A LOSS WHAT TO DO. SHE IS DRIVING WITH CAUTION LOCALLY UNTIL THIS PROBLEM IS RESOLVED. WHEN WE CONTACTED 2 DEALERS, WE ARE TOLD THE CAR IS MANUFACTURED IN JAPAN & IT IS NOT ON RECALL LIST. WE TRY TO CONTACT NUMEROUS TIMES WITHOUT SUCCESS. NEED HELP IN RETURNING THIS CAR TO TOYOTA , AS IT IS A SERIOUS HAZARD . *TR

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
13,000 miFeb 23, 2010SUMMERVILLE, SC
Crash3 injured

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. ON FEBRUARY 10, 2008 WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WHEN SHE PUT HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN. SHE LOST CONTROL AND SWERVED THE INTO THE LEFT LANE AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLES REAR BUMPER CAUSING THAT VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF THEM. SHE SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HER RIBS. THE OTHER TWO DRIVERS ALSO SUSTAINED INJURIES. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS IN THE PROCESS OF INVESTIGATING THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 13,000. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. UPDATED 03/30/10. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THERE MAY HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE STEERING PROBLEMS AS WELL. ACCORDING TO THE POLICE REPORT, THE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING TOO FAST FOR THE ROAD CONDITIONS. UPDATED 06/28/10*JB

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
2,000 miFeb 2, 2010READING, PA
Crash3 injured

CRASH AND INJURY ON DATED 12/21/2008 WHERE I THOUGHT MY 2008 HIGHLANDER WHICH I BOUGHT A MONTH AGO SKID ON A DRY ROAD IN BROAD DAY LIGHT. SPEED WAS BELOW 20 MPH 1000 FT AWAY FROM MY HOME INSIDE THE NEIGHBERHOOD OF READING, PA 19606. WE WERE GOING TO SEE A MOVIE ON A WEEKEND. ON LYNN AVE MY CAR SKID AND HIT A PARKED TRAILER BEHIND. I COULD NOT GET TIME TO PRESS THE BRAKE AT ALL. ALL I THOUGHT IS SNOW/ BLACK ICE. MYSELF AND ATTENDING POLICE OFFICER DID NOT FIND ANY ICE ON THE ROAD. SO, AS USUAL HUMAN ERROR WAS BLAMED. BUT MY 14 YR SON NOTICED THE SKID BEFORE INCIDENT. MY WIFE AND SON BOTH WERE INJURED IN THE CRASH. IN OVER ONE YEAR I COULD NOT GET SATISFIED WITH THE POLICE REPORT WHICH SAID MY SPEEDING WAS TO BLAME. WE ALL KNEW I WAS NOT SPEEDING NEAR MY HOME. THE CONTROL OF MY CAR WENT AWAY FROM MY HAND. THE CAR SPED UP AND BEFORE ANY REALIZATION IT HIT THE BACK OF THE TRAILER. IF YOU SEE THE CAR AND THE WAY IT HIT, ONLY REASON YOU WILL BELIEVE THAT THE DRIVER MUST HAVE BEEN DRUNK. BUT I WAS NOT. NOW I KNOW WHAT REALLY HAPPENED THAT DAY. IT IS THE REASON WHY THE RECALL HAPPENED. *TR

Other Highlander Years

Other Toyota Models