CarComplaints.com Notes: 2008 is the first year of the 2nd generation Highlander, & it may be a model year to avoid as Toyota most likely worked out some production quality issues with the new model.
The 2009 Highlander is the has far fewer complaints.
1.6
hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
103,123 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
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.
Recently we've got a bunch of warning lights on the dashboard of our car indicating a brake system malfunction and urging us to stop the vehicle in a safe location. The brakes were still working and we were able to carefully and safely drive home. After scanning the car for ABS error codes and doing a quick online search, I realized that the brake booster pump assembly and actuator assembly failed in our car.
Brake actuator assembly and brake booster pump assembly (problem known to Toyota for this and other models, ) failed, leading to dash messages: Master warning, ABS warning, brake system warning (brake malfunction: Stop the vehicle in a safe place immediately and contact a dealer), slip indicator. Brake pedal function seems limited, and dangerous. All warnings come back upon shutting off and restarting vehicle.
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.
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.
- Camarillo, CA, USA
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ABS module failure, same us other people complaining. Got dash lights on and the car lost complete brake power. ABS actuator needs to be replaced. The price for the part is unbelievable high and seems to be recalled on earlier models
Braking became erratic. Pedal was squishy and ABS lights came on. This occurred over several months but on an intermittent basis. Lights would go off for a while then come back on.
As I approached a stop sign, my check engine and vehicle stability control lights came on. I was less than a mile from my destination and was able to safely park my vehicle with no issues. As soon as possible, I contacted my local Toyota dealership to alert them to the problem. The dealership representative asked if the vsc light was flashing and I told him no; to which he replied it would be okay to drive. Later on that evening, I decided to take the vehicle to the dealership and upon taking off at the light, the vehicle seemed sluggish at first and then suddenly accelerated and surged forward. When I pulled into the dealership, I explained what happened and am now awaiting to see what the problem is.
Vsc, tracking and ABS lights come on when driving. Sometimes on as soon as I reverse in the morning. Used to go off if I turned car off and restarted. Sometimes doesn't come on until I am almost home from work (30 miles) sometimes the brakes feel off and not gripping. Had brakes inspected and everything fine.
Upon starting my car, the vsc off, check engine, and ABS lights remained lit. Acceleration was slow and rough, and the general engine feel was wrong. I stopped car and restarted with no effect. While driving, the lights extinguished for a moment, and at that point performance temporarily improved - this caused a surge in acceleration. But the same lights came on a moment later and performance, once again, failed. Fortunately I was not in traffic when the surge occurred.
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.
2008 Toyota Highlander had a new set of tires put on it 6 months ago and 9,000 miles later the rear tires were bald to the cords to a point it was not able to be driven. The car appears to have a problem with alignment or stabilization as the car, even with new tires and an inspection by the dealership was undrivable in snow or heavy rain even at low speeds. The rear end is very unstable in this car.
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.
We have a 2008 Toyota Highlander with intermittent failure of the anti-lock brakes and vehicle stability control system (ABS/vsc). For no apparent reason, the ABS/vsc will malfunction and brakes operate incorrectly. It is an intermittent problem that comes an goes. We have almost had an accident in the snow in Ohio. We have had the car into the dealer 4X without resolution since nobody knows what is wrong. It has been an ongoing issue since it started Jan 2010.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Hudson, FL, USA