2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER Electrical System Problems

My 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid is having severe issues with the ABS system. Toyota is reporting that it needs an ABS actuator and ABS pump replacements. These were a part of Toyota's previous Customer Support Program, but the program expired before I owned the vehicle. That is EXTREMELY dangerous and the issue with the ABS system should be considered a Safety Recall that is ALWAYS available to Toyota customers to rectify and paid for by Toyota. It is a BRAKING ISSUE. It is not just brake pads, or normal wear and tear. This is a known issue and regardless of the timeline, Toyota should absolutely pay for the repair.

The Intelligent power module failed on the vehicle. I read this is common for my vehicle however there is no recall matching my VIN. Vehicle was purchased out of state one year ago. We took the vehicle to a Toyota dealership who suggested I inquire about the issue because it’s possible this VIN should have been included.

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2008 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 123,399, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 271,890.

Mileage: 271,890

Myself, and many other 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid owners, have a vehicle code labeled C1391 "Leak in Accumulator" wherein the vehicles brake actuator and brake booster pump malfunction. The dash of my vehicle has the following indicators on; Check ABS, Check Brake System, Check VSC System, Yellow Master Warning Light, Red Brake System Light & Buzzer, Yellow ABS Warning Light, and Yellow Slip Indicator Light. This has been a significant cause of concern for me over the past two-three years since purchasing this vehicle. This is a known issue throughout the Toyota Highlander Hybrid community and the dealership is not upholding their previous recall which occurred in late 2019 and ended in 2020, after I had purchased the vehicle. The cost of repairs is upwards of $4,000 and Toyota has not given the proper opportunity for recall repairs to owners. This is a significant safety issue because if the brakes fail, a severe crash may injure myself or others. The problem has been reproduced by several other owners, dealerships, and independent service centers (this is a well known and common issue). This vehicle is available for inspection if requested. I plead that you please insist on Toyota reopening their recall to provide service to the owners of this vehicle, this is an issue with their manufacturing and not on the owners/operators. This problem occurred immediately after receiving scheduled maintenance to my vehicle from a certified Toyota Dealership, whom have quoted me the above cost for repairs and may have caused the issue in the first place.

Air bag lights continue to show. Vehicle had not been in any accidents. Seat warms do not work light comes on when you turn them on. Driver window will go up half way occasionally. Back wiper motor makes loud noise and doesn’t work anymore. Tire sensor also comes out.

My 2008 toyota highlander gas pedal must be lose.because I barley push the gas and it takes on fast.i was driving home on the highway and the truck just died .the battery dies I couldn't turn my wheel I could not press the break

This vehicle has had ongoing issues with the O2 sensors not working, I have researched online for years and have read that there are several online forums of 2008 Highlander owners complaining of the same issue. The problem that I (we all) face with this, is that it constantly fails, never being able to know if there is an actual issue becuase of the faulty sensors or wiring causing the sensors to go out. I am always frightened that something is wrong with the car and spent hundreds and continue to spend having my car checked. I am a single mom who lost my job at the beginning of the pandemic, I have two school aged kids. Having them in a car that I can not be sure we are safe in, is scary. The cost to replace the sensors as there are 3 that have been a constant pain of not working correctly is insane! It is going to be in upwards of $600 to repair! I absolutely can't afford that, being an unemployed single mother of two. Even when I was employed, living paycheck to paycheck to have to pay out almost a thousand dollars when from what I've read from others that replacing will still result in it failing again. So I have to drive around in a car that has all the sensor lights on, something really bad could happen to the car and since all the sensor lights remain on, I'll never know if something is wrong with the car- something bad could happen to me and my children while we are driving in the car. How can someone replace the sensors only for them to keep going out. This is a serious problem, I've dealt with this for years, only today did I learn that I could report this after receiving a recall letter from Toyota today regarding the paint on my car.

ABS system failure for the second time after repair, cost $3400 to replace after causing complete loss of brakes. 4 years after incident same exact ABS warning and VCS system failure with message to immediately take vehicle to dealership. There is a class action lawsuit on other hybrid models but Toyota inspected and said it would cost another $3500 to fix because there is no recall on the part.

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.

Mileage: 151,000

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.

Mileage: 160,000

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN THE TRACTION SENSOR CAME ON. FOLLOWED BY A WARNING OF CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM AND VCS SYSTEM. AND CAR SHUT COMPLETELY OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC.

Mileage: 236,000

I SENT A LETTER TO TOYOTA MOTOR SALES USA AFTER BEING REFUSED SERVICE AT A LOCAL DEALER TO RESOLVE A SAFETY ISSUE, WITH NO REPLY. WHILE PRESSING BRAKE WHEN STARTING I GOT A COUPLE OF ERROR MESSAGES THAT SAID TO CONTACT A TOYOTA DEALER. I DID SOME VERY DETAILED RESEARCH INTO THIS PROBLEM AND WHAT OTHERS HAD ENCOUNTERED. I FOUND THE ERRORS WOULD ONLY SHOW WHEN THE 12 VOLT BATTERY WAS GETTING LOW ON CHARGE. THE BRAKE BOOSTER PUMP IS ONE OF THE SUSPECT ITEMS DRAINING THE BATTERY BECAUSE IT CONTINUES TO RUN LONG AFTER THE VEHICLE IS PARKED. SINCE I DON'T HAVE THE TOOLS TO CHECK THE CURRENT DRAW ON THIS OR IF IT IS EVEN SUPPOSED TO RUN LONG AFTER THE VEHICLE IS SHUT OFF, I WANTED MY TOYOTA DEALER TO CHECK THIS. THERE IS A " CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM NOTIFICATION - ZKC" RELATED TO THIS FOR THE BRAKE ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY AND BRAKE BOOSTER PUMP ASSEMBLY. I SPECIFICALLY REQUESTED THAT THEY CHECK OUT THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENT OF THE BRAKE BOOSTER PUMP EVEN IF NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. I ALSO TOLD THEM ABOUT THE ERRORS ONLY OCCURRING ON A LOW 12 VOLT BATTERY CHARGE. THEIR DIAGNOSIS SHOWED AN ERROR CODE OF POAA6 AND ONLY THE WARNING LIGHTS AND ERROR MESSAGE IN THE CAR DISPLAY. THEY NOT ONLY DECIDED THIS WAS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY BUT ALSO IGNORED MY SPECIFIC REQUEST TO TEST THE BRAKE SYSTEM AT MY EXPENSE. NO ATTEMPT AT CHECKING BRAKES OR 12 VOLT CHARGING SYSTEM. I WAS TOLD THEY WOULD HAVE TO OPEN THE INVERTER TO CHECK THAT WITH THE KNOWN OUTCOME THAT THIS INVERTER IS NOT REPAIRABLE BUT WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $10,000.. NEW 12V BATTERY INSTALLED. COMPUTERS CAN MALFUNCTION IF NOT GIVEN THE DESIGN OPERATING VOLTAGE! I HAVE TROUBLE BELIEVING THAT THERE IS A "HYBRID BATTERY VOLTAGE SYSTEM ISOLATION FAULT" DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE ON BOARD COMPUTER DOES NOT REPORT THIS MESSAGE WHEN OPERATING ON A FULLY CHARGED 12 VOLT SYSTEM - IN OTHER WORDS OPERATING UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS.

Mileage: 260,000

AT TOYOTA, WE ARE DEDICATED TO PROVIDING VEHICLES OF OUTSTANDING QUALITY AND VALUE. AS PART OF OUR CONTINUAL EFFORTS TO ENSURE CUSTOMER SATISFACTION, TOYOTA WOULD LIKE TO ADVISE YOU OF A VOLUNTARY CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM THAT HAS BEEN INITIATED FOR YOUR VEHICLE. TOYOTA HAS RECEIVED REPORTS REGARDING CERTAIN INTERNAL MALFUNCTIONS OF THE BRAKE ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY IN CERTAIN 2008-2010 MODEL YEAR HIGHLANDER HYBRID VEHICLES. IN THESE REPORTS, CUSTOMERS HAVE NOTED VARIOUS BRAKE SYSTEM RELATED WARNING LAMPS ARE ILLUMINATED. THIS CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM PROVIDES COVERAGE AS IT APPLIES TO THE BRAKE ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY AND BRAKE BOOSTER PUMP ASSEMBLY. THE SPECIFIC CONDITION COVERED BY THIS PROGRAM IS FOR CERTAIN INTERNAL MALFUNCTIONS OF THE BRAKE ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY. IF THE CONDITION IS VERIFIED, THE VEHICLE WILL BE REPAIRED WITH NEW BRAKE ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY AND BRAKE BOOSTER PUMP ASSEMBLY UNDER THE TERMS OF THIS CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM. IF THE FOLLOWING WARNING LAMPS ARE ILLUMINATED, THE VEHICLE MAY BE EXPERIENCING A CONCERN WITH THE BRAKE ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY AND BRAKE BOOSTER PUMP ASSEMBLY THAT IS COVERED BY THIS CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM. THE PART IS BACK ORDERED AND THEY DON'T KNOW WHEN THEY WILL BE AVAILABLE. I JUST PICKED THE VEHICLE FOR THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY WILL NOTIFY ME WHEN IT'S AVAILABLE. I'M STILL DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE I FIRST FILED 7 MONTHS AGO. IT'S FUNNY HAS THE PART IS AVAILABLE TO PURCHASE, BUT IT'S ON BACK ORDER FOR MY VEHICLE. THIS IS NOT RIGHT. LOOKS LIKE I'M GOING TO HAVE TO WAIT AGAIN. THANKS FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE IN THIS MATTER.

Mileage: 162,000

2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO DEFECTIVE SRS AIRBAG SYSTEM. *LD *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WINDOW WOULD SOMETIMES NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY AND THERE WAS A BURNING ODOR WHEN UTILIZED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED BEFORE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO STEVE LANDERS TOYOTA (10825 COLONEL GLENN RD, LITTLE ROCK, AR 72204) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER WINDOW MASTER SWITCH FAILED AND WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V689000 (VISIBILITY), BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

Mileage: 50,000

AT 5:00 PM ON MAY 16, 2017 I DROVE HOME FROM WORK (15 MINUTES OF IN-TOWN DRIVING) EVERYTHING WAS FINE. I PARKED IN THE GARAGE AND WENT INSIDE TO PREPARE TO LEAVE WITH MY FAMILY FOR MY SON'S SENIOR HONORS NIGHT. AT 5;45 PM WE GOT INTO THE CAR AND IMMEDIATELY MY MOM AND MY HUSBAND SAID, "WHAT'S BURNING?". IT SMELLED LIKE PAPER BURNING. BEFORE LEAVING THE HOUSE, MY HUSBAND POPPED THE HOOD TO MAKE SURE THERE WASN'T A WIRE OR SOMETHING ELSE BURNING UNDER THE HOOD OF THE CAR. WE DOVE 10 MINUTES TO TOWN TO EAT. WE STAYED IN RESTAURANT 30 MINUTES. WHEN WE RETURNED TO MY CAR, MY MOTHER GOT IN THE PASSENGER'S FRONT SEAT AND AND MY HUSBAND IN BACK AND WE ALL SMELLED A STRONG SMELL OF SOMETHING BURNING. I LOOKED AT MY MOM BEFORE STARTING THE CAR AND SAW THE BLACK, BURNT HEADREST. IT APPEARS THERE WAS AN ACTUAL FLAME AT SOME POINT. EVERYONE GOT OUT OF THE CAR, WE REMOVED THE HEADREST, BUT THE BACK LEFT SIDE OF THE PASSENGERS SEAT WAS STILL VERY HOT TO THE TOUCH. MY HUSBAND DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE FIRE STATION NEARBY, SINCE THE TOYOTA DEALER WAS ALREADY CLOSED. THE FIREFIGHTERS UNPLUGGED THE WIRES FROM THE SEAT. THE SEAT COOLED BACK DOWN.

Mileage: 144,000

CAR AUTOMATICALLY LOCKED MY YOUNG CHILD IN THE CAR. I USED THE FOB TO UNLOCK THE CAR. THEN I OPENED THE BACK DOOR TO PUT MY CHILD IN HIS CARSEAT AND PLACED MY KEYS ON THE DRIVER SEAT TO HAVE ACCESS TO BOTH MY HANDS FOR THE TASKS. ONCE MY CHILD WAS STRAPPED IN I SHUT THE BACK RIGHT DOOR TO GO GET IN THE DRIVER FRONT DOOR. AS SOON AS I SHUT THE BACK DOOR I HEARD A BEEP AND ALL THE DOORS LOCKED DOWN, LOCKING MY CHILD INSIDE WITH THE KEYS. AS IT WAS A HOT DAY IN MY TOWN, I IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE POLICE, WHO HAD TO COME AND JAMMED THE THE DOOR SO I COULD GET OUT MY SON. WE HAVE SINCE CHANGED THE KEYS IN THE FOB AND ON 9/25/2016 WHILE SEATED IN THE CAR IT AGAIN LOCKED ITSELF BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO PUT THE KEYS IN THE IGNITION

Mileage: 125,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. AFTER THE CONTACT PLACED THE 7 MONTH OLD CHILD IN THE BACK SEAT WITH THE SMART KEY INSIDE THE VEHICLE, ALL THE DOORS ERRONEOUSLY LOCKED. THE CHILD BECAME TRAPPED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE WINDOW HAD TO BE BROKEN IN ORDER TO UNLOCK THE DOORS. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE SMART KEY SAFETY FEATURE DID NOT PREVENT THE DOORS FROM BECOMING LOCKED WHILE THE SMART KEY WAS INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.

Mileage: 113,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE STOPPING THE VEHICLE AFTER PRESSING THE KEYLESS PUSH START SYSTEM, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO TRAVEL DOWN A HILL WHICH RESULTED IN A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Mileage: 160,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, SMOKE APPEARED UNDER THE DASHBOARD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE CONTACT DID NOT DISCLOSE IF A POLICE REPORT AND A FIRE REPORT WERE FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000.

Mileage: 84,000

THE SPIRAL CABLE IN THE STEERING WHEEL HAS CAUSED THE AIRBAG LIGHT TO COME ON, WHICH MEANS THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT OPERATE IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. ALSO THE HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL WILL NOT OPERATE. THESE ITEMS ARE ALL ASSOCIATED WITH THE SPIRAL CABLE. TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE SAID THEY KNOW OF THE SPIRAL CABLE PROBLEM BUT DO NOT HAVE A FIX FOR IT NOW. *TR

Mileage: 85,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER TURNING ON THE AIR CONDITIONER, IT EMITTED HOT AIR THROUGH THE VENTS AND WOULD CONTINUE TO DO SO ONCE THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS TURNED OFF. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT OFFER A REMEDY. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT A COMPUTER CHIP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE 63,000.

Mileage: 63,000

WE WERE STARTING OFF TO GO ON VACATION WHEN WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON THE DASHBOARD AND INFORMATION PANEL WITH HYBRID SYSTEM WARNINGS AND BRAKE WARNINGS THEN THE CAR COMPLETELY STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND STEERING WAS LOST. WE WERE ABLE TO GET OFF TO THE SIDE ENOUGH TO PREVENT CAUSING AN ACCIDENT HOWEVER WE WERE ON A BUSY STREET. HAD IT TOWED TO THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER AND THE DIAGNOSIS WAS A FAILED COIL. THEY REPLACED ALL 3 COILS SAYING THAT IT WOULD BE PRUDENT AS THE ENGINE WAS ALREADY APART (I AGREE). THEY ALSO SAID THAT THIS IS A RELATIVELY COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH SOME OF THE HIGHLANDER HYBRIDS. I HAVE THE PART AND IT LOOKS LIKE THE TOP OF THE COIL BECAME OVER HEATED AND BLEW OUT THE TOP PLASTIC COMPOUND. I CONSIDER MYSELF VERY LUCKY THAT THIS DID NOT HAPPEN WHILE ON A HIGHWAY ON A RAINY DAY WHERE THE VEHICLE ABRUPTLY STOPPING WOULD CERTAINLY HAVE CAUSED ME TO BE IN AN ACCIDENT. THIS IS CERTAINLY A FLAW THAT TOYOTA SHOULD ADDRESS FOR SAFETY REASONS AND IT MAKES ME HESITANT TO WANT TO PURCHASE ANOTHER TOYOTA PRODUCT AGAIN. *TR

Mileage: 141,451

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED TO WORK. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED ON NONE OF THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS WOULD WORK. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY OVER A PERIOD OF SIX YEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC; HOWEVER, THE DIAGNOSES WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,000. UPDATED 8/12/14*CN UPDATED 8/28/2017*CN

Mileage: 19,000

THE DRIVER'S SIDE BACK DOOR HAS STOPPED LOCKING/UNLOCKING WITH THE KEY FOB AS WELL AS THE ELECTRICAL LOCK. THE BEEP DOESN'T OCCUR WHEN I USE THE FOB TO LOCK THE DOORS BECAUSE THE DOOR ISN'T LOCKING, BUT DOES BEEP WHEN UNLOCKING THE VEHICLE ALTHOUGH THE BACK DOOR STILL REMAINS LOCKED. I DID HAVE THE RECALL ON THE WINDOW LOCK SWITCH COMPLETED, SO NOT SURE IF THAT IS FACTORING IN WITH THE PROBLEM OR NOT.. *TR

Mileage: 112,000

MY WINDSHIELD WIPER DEFROSTER STARTED TO CRACKLE AND SMOKE. I TURNED IT OFF AND BACK ON AND IT STARTED TO DO IT AGAIN. *TR

Mileage: 129,000

IN EARLY NOVEMBER I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM TOYOTA INSTRUCTING ME TO ARRANGE FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE INTELLIGENT POWER MODULE. THE LETTER INDICATED THAT THIS REPLACEMENT IS URGENT AND THAT I WOULD BE IN VIOLATION OF CALIFORNIA REGULATIONS IF I DID NOT DO THIS REPAIR. I CALLED MY LOCAL DEALER, TOYOTA OF SANTA CRUZ, THE NEXT DAY TO SCHEDULE THE APPOINTMENT. I WAS TOLD THAT TOYOTA RATIONS THE PARTS FOR THESE REPAIRS AND THAT I WOULD BE PUT AN A WAITING LIST AND TO EXPECT A CALL IN 2-3 WEEKS. A MONTH LATER I CALLED AGAIN AND WAS TOLD THAT I WAS STILL ON A WAITING LIST AND IT WOULD BE 2-3 WEEKS AT THE EARLIEST BEFORE I COULD SCHEDULE THE REPAIR. I FEEL THAT TOYOTA (OR THE DEALERSHIP) IS NOT FULFILLING ITS OBLIGATION TO ITS CUSTOMERS BY FAILING TO SUPPLY PARTS FOR THIS REPAIR IN A TIMELY MANNER. *TR

I OWN A 2008 HIGHLANDER SPORT THAT HAS A MAJOR ISSUE WITH THE DOOR LOCKS. THE REMOTE KEY FOB NO LONGER WORKS, AND NOW EVEN THE BUTTON INSIDE THE CAR STOPPED WORKING. I HAVE DONE A LOT OF RESEARCH AND IT APPEARS THAT MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE OWNED HIGHLANDERS HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE. MY CAR WAS RECALLED RECENTLY FOR THE POWER WINDOWS, AND NOW THE DOOR LOCKS NO LONGER WORK. I WOULD LIKE TO FILE THIS COMPLAINT WITH THE HOPE THAT ENOUGH PEOPLE COMPLAIN TO FORCE TOYOTA TO FIX THIS ISSUE. *TR

Mileage: 50,000

AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT DEPLOYED, AND REMAINED LIT FOR APPROXIMATELY THREE DAYS. TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AT PULLMAN, WA DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A FAULTY SPIRAL CABLE; THE SPIRAL CABLE ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED AT A COST OF $491.69. I WONDER WHY THERE WAS A RECALL DONE ON ~450,000 TACOMAS, BUT NOT ON THE HIGHLANDER. IT SOUNDS LIKE A SIMILAR PROBLEM: POOR ENGINEERING LEADS TO FRICTION, CAUSING A SHORT IN THE CABLE. WARNING LIGHT GOES ON, AND THE DRIVER AIR BAG MAY NOT DEPLOY DURING A WRECK. I COULD THINK OF 1001 BETTER WAYS TO SPEND $500!!! *JB

Mileage: 93,255

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON STARTING THE IGNITION, THE ENGINE FAILED TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES WHERE AND BATTERY WAS REPLACED ON EACH RECURRENCE. MOST RECENTLY, A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED AND THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETECT A TROUBLE CODE. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH ROAD MILEAGE TO COULD CONTRIBUTE TO THE DEFECT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

Mileage: 30,000

MY STEERING LOCKS WHEN I WAS DRIVING. I REPORTED THIS ISSUE BEFORE TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY FIGURE OUT THAT THE COMPUTER HAS A PROBLEM AFTER THE BIG ISSUE. *TR

Mileage: 61,000

I WAS DRIVING MY 2008 HIGHLANDER ON NOVEMBER 11, 2012 AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. THE FOLLOWING DAY I WENT ONLINE TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE TOYOTA WEBSITE. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE AIRBAG LIGHT FOR THE SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG SYSTEM. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO MY TOYOTA DEALER TO HAVE THE RECALL WORK DONE ON NOVEMBER 14. THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS STILL ON AFTER THE RECALL WORK. I LEFT THEM THE VEHICLE SO THEY COULD DO FURTHER DIAGNOSTICS. THEY SAID THE SQUIB CIRCUIT ON THE SPIRAL CABLE FOR THE AIRBAG SYSTEM ON THE STEERING COLUMN HAD A SHORT IN IT. TOYOTA PART NUMBER 84306-22010. IT WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT IF A REPAIR WAS NOT DONE THERE WAS A GOOD CHANCE THAT THE AIRBAG SYSTEM WOULD NOT WORK IN AN ACCIDENT. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THE AIRBAG LIGHT WOULD LIGHT UP INTERMITTENTLY IF I DIDN'T REPAIR IT AND THAT THEY WERE PRETTY SURE THE AIRBAG WOULDN'T GO OFF ON ITS OWN. MY CHOICE WAS FIX IT OR PARK IT. I HAD THEM DO THE REPAIR, $276.63 FOR THE SPIRAL CABLE AND $150.00 FOR THE LABOR, $443.22 TOTAL WITH SALES TAX. I HAVE OVER 122,000 MILES ON MY VEHICLE AND THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN PERFORMING THE MAINTENANCE ON THE VEHICLE. I HAVE TWO OTHER VEHICLES (NOT TOYOTA) AND NEITHER HAS EVER HAD AN AIRBAG SYSTEM PROBLEM AND EACH ONE HAS OVER 100,000 MILES. THE WIRING FOR THE AIRBAG SYSTEM SHOULD NEVER GO BAD. PLEASE HAVE SOMEONE LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 122,856

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC STOP, SHE NOTICED SMOKE EMITTING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO ALLOW A SAFE DISTANCE BETWEEN HER AND THE VEHICLE AS IT QUICKLY BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED AND DETERMINED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS ELECTRICAL. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 100,100.

Mileage: 100,100

THE SPIRAL CABLE WENT BAD CAUSING THE AIR BAG LIGHT TO COME ON MAKING THE AIRBAGS INOPERABLE. *TR

Mileage: 69,000

DEALER CLAIMED " THIS IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. ACCESS AND TRACED ALL RELATED WIRING TO INSIDE THE FUSE/RELAY PANEL. FOUND SOMETHING HAD CHEWED AND SHORTED OUT THE WIRING" THEY WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY PROOF. I NOTIFIED TOYOTA MOTORS AND GOT NO HELP FROM THEM. *TR

Mileage: 63,367

THE SENSOR LIGHTS FOR ABS AND VSC HAVE GONE ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY ON MY 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. SOMETIMES THE BRAKES ENGAGED THE SKID CONTROL, BRAKING CAPABILITY IS LOST AND OTHER TIMES THE SPEED NEEDLE DOES NOT GAGE PROPERLY. THE SYSTEM WAS INSPECTED BY TOYOTA, WHO INDICATED IT WAS DUE TO DAMAGE TO THE SENSOR FROM A ROPE. TOYOTA SUPPOSEDLY REPLACED THE SENSOR AND THEY STAYED OFF FOR A FEW WEEKS, BUT CONTINUE TO COME BACK. MY VEHICLE STILL HAS LESS THAN 50,000 MILES, AND TOYOTA IS AGAIN TELLING ME THEY HAVE TO LOOK INTO THE PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 40,000

VEHICLE, TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 2008, WOULD NOT START USING THE ELECTRONIC IGNITION PUSHBUTTON. ON 7/22/2010 VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT INTO THE DEALER AND THE IGNITION/POWER SWITCH WAS REPLACED, CODE FOUND B2275. SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN AND DEALER REPLACED NEUTRAL SAFETY SWITCH PER T-SB-0348-09. SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN AND WAS TOWED TO DEALER ON 8/16/2010. THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS AND I HAVE HEARD NOTHING FURTHER FROM THEM AS OF 8/23/2010. I HAVE BEEN STRANDED SEVERAL TIMES WITH THE VEHICLE NOT STARTING, THE LAST TIME AT 9:00 PM ON SUNDAY, 8/15/2010. *TR

Mileage: 27,615

MY 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HAS HAD ONE INCIDENT WHERE THE ACCELERATOR GOT STUCK. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO BERNARDI TOYOTA IN FRAMINGHAM, MA ON 3/2/2010 AND THEY ADVISED THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL AND THEY ALSO CONDUCTED DIAGNOSTICS ON THE VEHICLE AND REPORTED THAT ALL SYSTEMS ARE NORMAL. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT ALL OF THE CONFUSING INFORMATION PERTAINING TO THIS PROBLEM OFFERED BY TOYOTA AND THE FACT IT HAPPENED ONCE TO MY VEHICLE, I AM WORRIED IT MIGHT HAPPEN AGAIN.

Mileage: 20,000

ALL THE SENSOR LIGHTS, INCLUDING ABS, EMERGENCY BRAKE, AND TRAC, FOR THE BRAKE SYSTEM HAVE GONE ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY ON MY 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. SOMETIMES THE BRAKES ENGAGED THE SKID CONTROL AND ONE TIME I HEARD THE BACK LEFT BRAKE MAKE A CLUNKING NOISE WHEN I PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE BRAKES WERE INSPECTED TWICE, ONCE BY TOYOTA MECHANIC AND ANOTHER TIME BY A LOCAL SEARS MECHANIC. THE TOYOTA MECHANIC RE-CALIBRATED THE SENSORS AND THEY STAYED OFF FOR A FEW WEEKS, BUT THEY ARE ALL BACK ON NOW. THE TOYOTA MECHANIC STATED THAT OUR VEHICLE WAS THIRD ONE HE SAW THAT WEEK FOR BRAKE SENSOR PROBLEMS. ALSO, BOTH MECHANICS SAID I HAD PLENTY OF BRAKES LEFT. THIS STARTED WHEN THERE WAS LESS THAN 50,000 MILES ON MY CAR BUT, WITH OVER 36,000 WARRANTY MILES. I THINK THE SENSORS SHOULD LAST LONGER AND IT'S SCARY DRIVING WITH THE SENSOR LIGHTS INDICATING A PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 48,000

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.

Mileage: 3,000

I WAS DRIVING IN TRAFFIC AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE INFORMATION SCREEN INDICATED THERE HAD BEEN A BRAKE MALFUNCTION AND THAT I SHOULD PULL OVER AND CALL THE DEALER. I NOTICED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHT WAS LIT SO I THOUGHT I HAD SOMEHOW BEEN DRIVING WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON. IN KIND OF A PANIC I THEN PUSHED DOWN THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ABOUT HALF WAY IN AN EFFORT TO TURN IT OFF. THIS CAUSED THE CAR TO SLOW DOWN PRECIPITIOUSLY AND WE ALMOST GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT. IT TURNS OUT THE PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY CORROSION IN ONE OF THE WHEEL SENSORS THAT DETECTS SLIPPAGE. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS NEVER ENGAGED. TOYOTA SHOULD NOT ILLUMINATE THAT LIGHT WHEN THIS HAPPENS TO PREVENT DRIVERS FROM THINKING THEIR EMERGENCY BRAKE IS ENGAGED WHEN INFACT IT IS NOT. TOYOTA SHOULD RECALL THE 2008 HIGHLANDER TO MAKE SURE THERE IS NO CORROSION SINCE THE MESSAGE ON THE INFORMATIONAL DISPLAY IS SO DISTRACTING TO THE DRIVER.

Mileage: 23,000

USING A HIGHLANDER'S POWER-ADAPTER TO POWER MY IPHONE, A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF NOISE IS ADDED TO THE MUSIC OUTPUT. TOYOTA DEALER HAS CORRECTED MY PROBLEM BY INSTALLING SOME FILTERS IN LINE BEFORE THE POWER ADAPTER SOCKET. *TR

Mileage: 8,192

TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 2008 LIMITED CAN BE PUT IN REVERSE WITH NO VISIBLE OR AUDIBLE WARNING THAT A DOOR IS OPEN. RESULTED IN BACKING OUT OF GARAGE AND CAUSING PROPERTY DAMAGE. *TR HIGHLANDER HAS LCD SCREEN TO DISPLAY WARNINGS AND OTHER MESSAGES TO THE DRIVER. SAME SCREEN IS USED TO SHOW REAR CAMERA IMAGE IN REVERSE. WHEN CAR IS IN REVERSE, REAR CAMERA IMAGE SUPERSEDES WARNING MESSAGE GIVING THE DRIVER THE IMPRESSION THAT ALL SYSTEMS ARE GO AND IT IS OK TO BACK-UP. TOYOTA NEEDS TO REPROGRAM ONBOARD COMPUTER SO THAT IF ANY DOOR IS OPEN, OR IF ANY OTHER WARNINGS (PERHAPS SEATBELTS) ARE ENGAGED THE REAR CAMERA VIEW DOES NOT SHOW ON THE LCD SCREEN SO THAT THE WARNINGS CAR BE DISPLAYED. GIVEN THE LCD SCREEN AND AFTER HAVING THE CAR FOR ONLY TWO MONTHS, IT IS CLEAR THAT DRIVERS WILL LOOK TO THAT SCREEN FOR INFORMATION AND NOT SO MUCH USE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS.

Mileage: 6,000