10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
68,202 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.

2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid steering problems

steering problem

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2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Owner Comments

problem #6

Mar 022019

Highlander Hybrid

  • 139,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

ABS pump and actuator failure. Warning lights on the dash buzzer, and nearly complete loss of stopping power, reduced fuel economy. We own a 2008 Toyota Highlander hybrid which confirmed by the dealer has a 100% failure rate which is the exact failure previously recalled on 2006-07 Highlander hybrids, and 08-09 Camry hybrids. This failure throws the same code, same symptoms, same parts as recalled on previous years, and same years in other models however Toyota some how got away with not recalling 2008 highlander models. This is well documented on this site, Consumer Affairs and tons of other sites on the internet. I would like to see the government step in and force Toyota to extend there warranty and recall these models. Toyota, there dealers and the public are very much aware of how shady Toyota has been not honoring different years with the same part. This repair is on average $3K dollars.

- Homestead, FL, USA

problem #5

May 132016

Highlander Hybrid

  • 150,000 miles
My car has the same problem as described here and in many places online and Toyota refused to include my vehicle for recall. The problem as described by NHTSA as follows report receipt date: Sep 04, 2013 NHTSA campaign number: 13V396000 component(s): Hybrid propulsion system all products associated with this recall expand details close 12 associated documents expand manufacturer: Toyota motor engineering & manufacturing summary: Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid vehicles manufactured February 16, 2005, through July 29, 2010; and model year 2006-2008 Lexus rx400H vehicles manufactured February 23, 2005, through December 2, 2008. The intelligent power module (ipm) inside the inverter module may contain transistors that have higher operating temperatures than the solder can support and the transistors may be heat damaged by the solder. If this occurs, various warning lamps, including the malfunction indicator lamp, slip indicator light, brake system warning light, and master warning light, will be illuminated on the instrument panel. Consequence: The vehicle may enter a fail-safe/limp-home mode that limits the drivability of the vehicle. It is possible that the hybrid system will shut down while the vehicle is being driven, causing the vehicle to stall unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash. Remedy:

- Santa Clara, CA, USA

problem #4

Mar 012012

Highlander Hybrid

  • 48,700 miles
Both my wife and I have noticed the steering in our 2008 Toyota Highlander hybrid progressively getting worse. We hear knocking and noises coming out of turns and the steering is much looser than when we bought the vehicle. The knocking began about a eight months ago and has become more and more frequent. It first made the strange knock coming out of a slow right hand turn, but now it does it coming out of a turn in either direction. Sometimes it will make the noise during a quick acceleration. Like many of the same complaints, we to can feel the knock is the steering wheel. I am beginning to think this car is unsafe and do not feel comfortable taking it on the highway.

- Chesapeake, VA, USA

problem #3

Jan 282012

Highlander Hybrid 6-cyl

  • 71,191 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The vehicle stalled (lost control of steering and engine ceased to operate) while driving at around 35 mph. "hybrid system warning" was displayed and it advised to pull over and contact dealership immediately.

- Millbrae, CA, USA

problem #2

Apr 022009

Highlander Hybrid

  • 300 miles
I have a 2008 Highlander hybrid and ever since a few hundred miles, there has been a knock in my steering wheel. It is intermittent, but mostly happens when the car is coming out of a turn, usually a right turn. As the wheel comes back to center (turning counter-clockwise) there a momentary knock which is audible and can be felt through the steering wheel. My dealer initially replaced the intermediate steering shaft after I noticed many people on the Toyota forums reporting the same problem. At any rate, the problem came back after 500 miles of the 1st repair. I recently took the car in again, as the problem persisted and I felt had gotten worse. After a week of arguing with the lame service dept manager ( marina del rey Toyota ), I turned up the heat and spoke with the manager of the dealership. The part was replaced again, and after one week, the problem has returned. I do not feel safe driving this vehicle...the steering has become loose and sloppy, and nowtoyota is not willing to go any further to fix this problem.

- Santa Monica, CA, USA

problem #1

Jul 152008

Highlander Hybrid

  • 20 miles
There is a "clicking sound" in the steering column, especially when the car is in motion, and worse if turning the steering wheel while going over a bump. Feels as if something is loose in the steering system. Almost feels like a loose cv joint. This has been going on since I picked the car up from the dealer. The dealer tells me that this is a "characteristic of the vehicle". problem has been persisting, and I showed this to another dealer, who told me that Toyota knows about the problem, and is working on it. Spoke with Toyota, who denied any knowledge, but offered a factory representative to meet with me and to test the car. Awaiting my appointment with Toyota factory representative.

- Denver, CO, USA

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