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Model Year Problem Record

Toyota Highlander Hybrid 2008 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

197Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints
6Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls
11Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations
13Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Brakes116 complaints

116 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Electrical System35 complaints

35 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Driver Assistance and Stability Systems25 complaints

25 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control18 complaints

18 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Engine13 complaints

13 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train11 complaints

11 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other10 complaints

10 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires9 complaints

9 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Hybrid and Electric Propulsion8 complaints

8 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 13V396000.

Steering6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Air Bags2 complaints

2 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 11V245000.

Visibility2 complaints

2 complaints; 2 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 12V491000, 15V689000.

Seat Belts1 complaints

1 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 08V181000.

Suspension1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment1 complaints

1 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 09V223000.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

08V181000Reported April 18, 2008 - 90,189 vehicles potentially affected

Seat Belts. Recall covering the seat belts system, reported to NHTSA on April 18, 2008. The campaign covers an estimated 90,189 vehicles across all affected models.

09V223000Reported June 15, 2009 - 27,080 vehicles potentially affected

Equipment. Recall covering the equipment system, reported to NHTSA on June 15, 2009. The campaign covers an estimated 27,080 vehicles across all affected models.

11V245000Reported April 21, 2011 - 307,848 vehicles potentially affected

Air Bags. Recall covering the air bags system, reported to NHTSA on April 21, 2011. The campaign covers an estimated 307,848 vehicles across all affected models.

12V491000Reported October 10, 2012 - 2,519,424 vehicles potentially affected

Visibility. Recall covering the visibility system, reported to NHTSA on October 10, 2012. The campaign covers an estimated 2,519,424 vehicles across all affected models.

13V396000Reported September 4, 2013 - 133,081 vehicles potentially affected

Hybrid and Electric Propulsion. Recall covering the hybrid and electric propulsion system, reported to NHTSA on September 4, 2013. The campaign covers an estimated 133,081 vehicles across all affected models.

15V689000Reported October 22, 2015 - 1,814,284 vehicles potentially affected

Visibility. Recall covering the visibility system, reported to NHTSA on October 22, 2015. The campaign covers an estimated 1,814,284 vehicles across all affected models.

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

DP22005Opened January 27, 2023 - Closed August 7, 2023

Pedestrian alert sounds. Resulted in recall campaign 22V063000.

EA12006Opened June 14, 2012 - Closed February 12, 2013

Power Window Master Switch Fire. Resulted in recall campaign 12V491000.

EA12006Opened June 14, 2012 - Closed February 12, 2013

Power Window Master Switch Fire. Resulted in recall campaign 12V491000.

EA12006Opened June 14, 2012 - Closed February 12, 2013

Power Window Master Switch Fire. Resulted in recall campaign 12V491000.

EA18006Opened November 16, 2018 - Closed April 2, 2024

Steering Column Separation. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

EA18006Opened November 16, 2018 - Closed April 2, 2024

Steering Column Separation. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE12002Opened February 6, 2012 - Closed June 14, 2012

Power Window Master Switch Fire. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE12002Opened February 6, 2012 - Closed June 14, 2012

Power Window Master Switch Fire. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE12002Opened February 6, 2012 - Closed June 14, 2012

Power Window Master Switch Fire. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE18005Opened May 4, 2018 - Closed November 20, 2018

Upper Steering Column Separation. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE18005Opened May 4, 2018 - Closed November 20, 2018

Upper Steering Column Separation. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

20083
20097
201036
20112
20129
201317
20148
20158
201621
201731
201842
201910
20211
20252
How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.