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.
10.0
really awful
Crashes / Fires:
12 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
20 / 0
Average Mileage:
68,065 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.
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Highlander. The contact received a notice for recall NHTSA campaign number 14V168000 (air bag). The contact indicated that after contacting the dealer and the manufacturer on multiple occasions he was informed that the parts needed to repair the vehicle were not available and no estimated time to receiving the parts could be provided. Also, the contact indicated that the air bag sensor light had illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 93,000.
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.
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Highlander. While driving approximately 4 mph, the SRS warning sensor illuminated continuously. The dealer stated that the spiral cable needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 14V168000 (air bags); however, the part needed for the repair was unavailable. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 64,000. Updated 9/18/14
- Madawaska , ME, USA
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I was driving North on a divided one way street. A 2006 minivan was traveling South on the other side of the divided street. He made a left hand turn, ran through the yield sign and broadsided me on the driver side. I saw he was not going to stop and turned the wheel to the right, not in time. Took out the left side of the Highlander from the front wheel to the rear panel. His front airbag did deploy. My side airbag did not deploy and I know my head bounced against the side window twice. I asked the body shop to look at the airbag and they said that it appeared ok and apparently the strike did not warrant airbag inflation. The Highlander is 4 wheel drive, 20" wheels. Both left doors had to be replaced and damage was low on doors. Wheels also replaced. I think the side airbag should have deployed.
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Highlander. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA campaign id number 14V168000 (air bags) however, the contact was not able to have the vehicle repaired since the parts needed were currently unavailable. The manufacturer was not notified of the problem. The contact had not experienced the failure.
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.
Vehicle airbag light on with an indication of B1801. I was told the airbag may not deploy in an accident. Toyota has recalled other models for similar reasons. Car forums research has uncovered many other owners with same issue. Airbags are a true safety concern and Toyota, not the customer should fix issue.
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated while driving various speeds the SRS warning indicator remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer, who noticed that the SRS air bag spiral cable was faulty. The technician stated that the defect could suspend the air bag deployment during a crash. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 67,000.
Spiral cable failed at about 78 000 miles on my 2008 Toyota Highlander base model causing airbag warning light to illuminate. I took it in to be looked at and I was told of failure of airbag system creating increased risk of injury in the event of a crash. The light randomly came on and was not caused by an accident. I am suspicious that the failure is a manufacturing and/or design defect which has also been seen in other Toyota vehicles that have been recalled for similar spiral cable failure. I was told by Toyota service that it would be over $500 to replace the cable since it is no longer under warranty. After doing a bit of research on the internet, I am not the only person who is experiencing this problem. I am hopeful that a recall can be done so that my airbag can deploy if needed. There was nothing I could have possibly done to cause damage to the spiral cable which is housed inside the steering column; therefore I believe the manufacturer should be responsible for repairing.
Air bag warning light lit, took to dealer and found out spiral cable was the issue and need replaced. This is a huge safety issue which I believe should be recalled by Toyota as they already did on other models. As a loyal Toyota customer along with the rest, I would like to call upon Toyota to step up to the plate and do the right thing--recall this air bag issue. Thank you!!
Airbag sensor is always lit now. Took Highlander into Toyota dealership this morning for other Toyota recalls and had them check sensor. I was told my 2008 Highlander needed a new spiral cable and cost was $557 to install. I just found more complaints like this and wonder why it is not a recall considering other Toyota such as Camry, Tacoma & venzas had same problem but was a recall. What does it take to have 2008 Highlanders involved in a huge safety issue. Apparently, I won't have any airbags working until this is fixed.
Spiral cable failed at about 72, 000 miles on my 2008 toy Highlander base model causing airbag warning light to illuminate steady and was told of failure of airbag system creating increased risk of injury in the event of a crash. Cause the failure appears to be a manufacturing and/or design defect as also seen in other Toyota vehicles that have been recalled for similar spiral cable failure. Sensor appears to reset when no person is seated on driver side and ignition is turned on. As soon as driver seat sensor is activated the air bags warning light is on. Problem with driver seat sensors or main module perhaps" either way it appears to be a defect not found on older Toyota (")
Spiral cable failed at about 107,406 miles on my 2008 Toyota Highlander, causing airbag warning light to illuminate steady and was advised by the dealer that the airbag system wouldn't be functioning. This should have been covered by manufacturer or there should have been a recall on this. The car hasn't been in any accidents. The cost of replacement (part and labors) is $544. Toyota needs to reimburse customers for such a cost as it is of no driver's fault and obviously a common issue. There is another 2008 recall on the airbag system but didn't apply to my car.
Spiral cable failed at about 72, 400 miles on my 2008 toy Highlander base model causing airbag warning light to illuminate steady and failure of airbag system creating increased risk of injury in a crash. As no driver actions, etc. Caused the failure it appears to be a manufacturing and/or design defect as also seen in other Toyota vehicles that have been recalled for similar spiral cable failure.
In June of 2013 I went to mccarthy Toyota in sedalia, mo for an unrelated recall. Some work was done, but I was told to return in a week or so because an additional part had to be ordered. During this week, the red air bag warning light appeared. I had never observed this warning light before. When I returned to the dealer to complete the original recall work, I inquired about the warning light. The service manager informed me that my model Toyota sometimes had a problem with the spiral cable and I was one of the unlucky owners! he informed me that I no longer had functioning airbags, but he had the necessary parts to rectify the situation and could do it immediately. The cost was approximately $500 and was not covered by any warrantee or recall. I decided that I would have to take my chances in a vehicle that now had non-functioning airbags, since $500 was just too much money to pay. A friend recently informed me that I should file this complaint.
Air bag indicator light just came on at 110,000 miles, no accident, in the garage..took it to dealer and they are asking to replace spiral cable assembly in driver airbag at a cost of $663 and explained there was no recall on my vehicle. I called Toyota and discussed the issue...I also found out that Tacoma's had the same issue as well, interesting though, that my 08 Highlander had same problem. Toyota confirmed my understandings as well. I searched internet and several other Highlanders (almost identical vins) have faced the same issue. I think Highlanders needs to be investigated for the similar issues which Tacoma's faced.. this is a serious issue and needs to be given some attention. The above website lists other Highlander's which faced the same issue. I really appreciate the good work you guys are doing to make the roads/highways safer place for everyone.. thank you.
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 Tacoma, 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!!!
Air bag indicator light just came on at 73,000 miles, no accident. Took it to dealer and they replaced the spiral cable assembly in driver airbag at a cost of $500 and explained there was no recall on my vehicle. I called Toyota and they told me this only affected Tacoma's, interesting though, that my 08 Highlander had same problem.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Tucson, AZ, USA