15 of the 502 complaints about the 2008 Toyota Highlander are about the fuel system — 3% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 102,900 miles.
15
Complaints
1
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
The Hybrid inverter failed on the car instantly stopping the car without any sort of warning what so ever. Car did not have a limp mode or any way to get the car off to the side of the road. It stopped in the traffic lane and had to be pushed out of harm's way. A search shows like it's becoming a common problem, $12,000.00 to fix it is another problem.
NHTSA complaint #11509101 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
No nothing has been inspected I didn’t even know it had a recall all my lights on my truck are on now
NHTSA complaint #11475598 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
On January 19, 2021, after driving for about two hours, I suddenly started to hear an unusual knocking noise from the engine. I slowed down, but I was unable to pull over immediately because I was driving on a very dark two lane highway, with no safe shoulder. After the same noise continued for about five to ten minutes, a light began to flash indicating extremely low oil pressure, and warning that the car should stop immediately. At that point, fortunately, I was able to pull over at a gas station, where I discovered that oil was gushing from my engine onto the ground. I checked my oil dipstick and noted that the car had no oil, and was thus inoperable. I was extremely concerned that the engine had been damaged while being driven with little to no oil. In 2014, Toyota issued a notice of a Warranty Enhancement Program – ZE2, related to extending warranty coverage for repairs related to a leaking or seeping engine oil cooler pipe. I never received any owner notification of this issue in 2014. Toyota refused to pay for the repair in 2021, and now in November 2021, the engine has quit due to the damage incurred in January 2021. The engine oil cooler pipe is defective and my family could have been seriously injured or killed by its catastrophic failure.
NHTSA complaint #11440269 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
2008 HIGHLANDER HYBRID LIMITED CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND SHOWED CODE P0A1B - DRIVE MOTOR 'A' CONTROL MODULE, THE CODE WAS CLEARED MANUALLY AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT OFF, THE NEXT DAY THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 3 MILES THEN PARKED. THE NEXT DAY THE LIGHT WENT OFF ON ITS OWN AS WE TOOK IT TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND HAS NOT BEEN BACK ON SINCE DRIVING IT THERE AND BACK, THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY DROVE AROUND A LITTLE AND THE LIGHT NEVER CAME ON, WE BROUGHT IT HOME AND HAVE DRIVEN ABOUT 7 MILES WITHOUT THE LIGHT COMING ON. ACCORDING TO THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND CORPORATE TOYOTA THERE ARE NO RECALLS FOR OUR VIN BUT IT IS SHOWING ALL SIGNS OF THE INVERTER ASSEMBLY RECALL THAT AFFECTED 235,000 VEHICLES IN THE RECALL. TOYOTA QUOTED THE REPAIR AT $9000+ AND EVEN THOUGH IT HAS THE SYMPTOMS OF THE RECALLED VEHICLES THEY WILL NOT FIX IT BECAUSE IT IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST AND THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. THE REPAIR COST IS MORE THAN THE VALUE OF THE CAR.
NHTSA complaint #11355261 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
HIGHLANDER HYBRID 2008 WE WERE DRIVING ON A COUNTRY BACK ROAD. IN IDAHO, WE HAD JUST STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN AND WENT TO DRIVE FORWARD AFTER GOING AROUND 100-200 METERS AND THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND THEN THE SCREEN WITH ALL THE WARNINGS BEGAN GOING OFF. ALL OF THEM SAYING PULL OVER TOT THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THAT ALL THE SYSTEMS WERE FAILING. ALL THE WARNINGS SAID THINGS TO TAKE THE CAR TO DEALER. WE PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THEN TRIED TO GET THE CAR TO MOVE FORWARD BY PUTTING IT IN DRIVE AND YOU COULD HEAR THE CAR TRYING TO DO SOMETHING BUT NOTHING HAPPENED. THE CAR DID TURN ON BUT THAT WAS IT.
NHTSA complaint #11338931 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE STRAIGHT (SHE BELIEVES SHE WAS TRAVELING UNDER 25 MPH AS SHE CAME TO A RED LIGHT) ON A BUSY ROAD THE VEHICLE MADE A BEEPING ALERT SOUND AND THE DISPLAY ROTATED THROUGH THE FOLLOWING MESSAGES: " (!) CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM- HAVE YOUR VEHICLE CHECKED BY A DEALER, BRAKE BRAKE MALFUNCTION- STOP THE VEHICLE IN A SAFE PLACE IMMEDIATELY AND CONTACT DEALER, ABS CHECK ABS- HAVE YOUR VEHICLE CHECKED BY A DEALER, CHECK VSC SYSTEM- HAVE YOUR VEHICLE CHECKED BY A DEALER." LUCKILY SHE WAS WITHIN A MILE OR TWO OF MY HOME AND WAS ABLE TO GET IT THERE SAFELY. SHE TOOK PHOTOS OF THE WARNING LIGHTS WITH HER CELL PHONE. THEY ARE ATTACHED. WE DROVE IT TO A LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND THEY INFORMED US THAT THE ABS ACCUMULATOR/ACTUATOR WAS INTERNALLY LEAKING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WE DROVE IT HOME WHERE WE PARKED IT FOR SEVERAL WEEKS. IN THE MEANTIME, I CALLED TOYOTA'S CUSTOMER SERVICE AND EXPLAINED THE ISSUE AND THAT I HAD SEEN RECALLS ONLINE FOR THE PREVIOUS TWO YEAR MODELS AND ASKED IF THE REPLACEMENT WOULD BE COVERED ON OUR 2008. THE TOYOTA REPRESENTATIVE AGREED TO SUBMIT INFORMATION TO THE LOCAL DEALER TO COVER $1000.00 OF THE COST AS A WARRANTY SERVICE. THEY INFORMED ME THAT IF THERE WERE MANY COMPLAINTS AND A RECALL ISSUED THAT WE COULD LATER BE REIMBURSED FOR THE REMAINING AMOUNT. I UNDERSTOOD THAT MY INFORMING THEM OF THE ISSUE WOULD BE PASSED ON TO THOSE WHO INVESTIGATE THESE MATTERS TO DETERMINE WHAT WOULD BECOME A RECALL ITEM BUT WE NOW SEE THAT OUR COMPLAINT IS NOT LISTED ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE, THUS THE SLOW REPORTING OF THIS ISSUE. THE REPAIR COST WAS $3273.78 FOR PARTS (AFTER THE $1000.00 ASSISTANCE DISCOUNT) AND $490.50 FOR LABOR, PLUS A $40 ENVIRO FEE AND TAX.
NHTSA complaint #11072446 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
IT WAS RAINING AND THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR WAS TAKING IN WATER. TOYOTA CLAIMED FROM CRACKED TAIL LIGHT BUT TAIL LIGHT HAD NOT BEEN LEAKING BEFORE. WATER IN BACK OF CAR RUINED HYBRID BATTERY AND TRANSITORS. AFTER LOOKING UP ISSUE. FOUND OTHERS WHO HAVE HAD SAME PROBLEM. THE CAR JUST SHUT OFF AFTER THE DASH WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. LUCKY MY WIFE HAD JUST PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT.
NHTSA complaint #10979143 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP FAILING WAS A KNOWN ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN PUT THROUGH A STRESS TEST AND THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT KEPT AND DROVE THE VEHICLE. THE SERVICE MANAGER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT THE FUEL PUMP AND THAT THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITHIN THE SYSTEM ONCE THE VEHICLE WARMED UP THAT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
NHTSA complaint #10716697 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM: INVERTER
AS WAS PULLING OUT PARKING SPACE, CAR STOPPED MOVING EVEN THOUGH ENGINE RUNNING. HAD TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, DIAGNOSED WITH FAILURE OF HYBRID INVERTER.
NHTSA complaint #10525905 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM: INVERTER
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MERGED TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND POWER OFF AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE INVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 124,000. UPDATED 3/13/13
NHTSA complaint #10496829 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #10380388 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
LEASED THE CAR NEW. ON THE ODOMETER IT HAD OVER 60 MILES REGISTERED. FROM THE FIRST DAY, THE VALVES WERE SOUNDING LOUDLY. THE VALVES ARE STILL SOUNDING LOUDLY, AT 15, 000 MILES. I INFORMED THE SERVICE DEPT, BUT REALLY NOTHING WAS DONE. WHEN WARMING UP THE CAR, WHEN I FIRST HAD IT, THE CAR WAS RUNNING VERY ROUGH. THE SERVICE DEPT. CORRECTED THIS. AT 15,000 MILES A FUEL INJECTOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. SERVICE CONSULTANT STATES HE WILL CHECK THIS IN ONE YEAR. I WANTED TO KNOW HOW COME THE FUEL INJECTOR HAD TO BE REPLACE AND WAS THIS NORMAL IN OTHER CAR. NEW FUEL INJECTOR WAS INSERTED. OLD PART IS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10363417 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER FAILS TO SHIFT INTO GEAR. MOST OCCURRENCES AT LOW SPEED AFTER SLOWING TO 5MPH VEHICLE DOES NOT RESPOND TO GAS PEDAL - OR WILL NOT ENGAGE INTO GEAR AND MOVE FORWARD. THIS OCCURS OR IS MOST NOTICEABLE AT SLOW SPEEDS WHEN THE GAS PEDAL IS PUSHED AFTER HAVING SLOWED DOWN OR IN THE MIDST OF A SLOW DOWN (NOT A COMPLETE STOP) USUALLY TO WAIT FOR TRAFFIC TO CLEAR. OCCURRED WITH EVERY DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE (4). MOST NOTABLE (SCARY) WHILE MY DAUGHTER WAS TURNING AND TRYING TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OF TRAFFIC. CAR WOULD NOT ENGAGE IN GEAR, RPM INCREASE, CAR REVES UP, BUT WILL NOT MOVE FORWARD OUT OF THE WAY OF TRAFFIC. MY DAUGHTER SCREAMED. TAKEN TO DEALER AT LEAST TWICE. AND CONTINUE TO CALL AND COMPLAIN. DEALER STATES THEY HAD EXPERTS LOOK AT CAR, REBOOTED COMPUTER (BECAUSE CAR RESPONDS TO DRIVER THAT DRIVES THE MOST!). SAID NOTHING IS WRONG OR CAN BE DONE. DEALER HAS ADMITTED THAT ENGAGING IS SLOW, NOTICEABLE. FAILURE TO ENGAGE OCCURS DAILY. CONSEQUENCE - IN DANGER OF NOT BEING ABLE TO MOVE CAR OUT OF THE WAY OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. NOTHING WAS DONE TO REPAIR. COMPUTER RE-SET. (THIS IS WHAT I WAS TOLD) VEHICLE ALSO HAS EXPERIENCED TROUBLE WHILE DRIVING UP HILL. RPM WENT TO 4000 + AND WOULD NOT CHANGE GEARS. ON FREEWAY AND SLOWING DOWN. HAD 6 HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS IN CAR. ALSO HAS "DROPPED" INTO GEAR HEAVILY.
NHTSA complaint #10308598 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
DRIVING MY NEW 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER LEASED DEC. 2008. ON 4-5 SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ON I ACCELERATED AND THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY WENT TO FULL RACE. PEDAL WAS NOT STUCK. COULD NOT TURN OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL. SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL CAUSED UNCONTROLLED MAXIMUM RPMS. TURNING THE KEY OFF AND BACK ON NUMEROUS TIMES DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. EVENTUALLY AFTER ABOUT 20-30 SECONDS THE PROBLEM RESOLVED, ENGINE SLOWED WITH NO SIGN THERE HAD EVER BEEN A PROBLEM. THIS HAS NOT HAPPENED AGAIN SINCE SPRING 2009 BUT THAT SPRING THE 4-5 EPISODES HAPPENED WITHIN A FEW WEEKS.
NHTSA complaint #10307434 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER FUEL TANK DAMAGE. CONSUMER STATES ENGINE CHECK LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND WOULD NOT ACCEPT GAS WHEN TRYING TO FILL THE TANK. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE OVR VALVE AND CHARCOAL FILTER WERE DAMAGED.
NHTSA complaint #10223935 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.