2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 4,891,906 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 272 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the service brakes. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

VISIBILITY 15V689000 2015-10-22 1,814,284 affected
Defect

Toyota Motor Company (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Tundra, Sequoia, Corolla, Corolla Matrix and Scion xB, 2008-2011 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2007 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2009 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2006-2011 RAV4, 2006-2010 Yaris, and 2009-2010 Scion xD and Pontiac Vibe vehicles. …

Consequence

If the sliding electrical contacts are not protected by lubricant, debris and moisture that get into the switch may cause a short circuit and the switch assembly may overheat and melt, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the switch, applying a lubricant if no abnormality is found. If abnormality is found, the PWMS circuit board will be replaced, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin December 20, 2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's…

HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM 13V396000 2013-09-04 133,081 affected
Defect

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…

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

Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the IPM free of charge. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331. Vehicles that had their IPM replaced under recall 11V-342 are not affected by this campaign.

VISIBILITY 12V491000 2012-10-10 2,519,424 affected
Defect

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 Camry, Camry Hybrid, RAV4, Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Tundra, Sequoia, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Yaris, Scion xB, Scion xD and Pontiac Vibe vehicles. The power window master switch assemblies in some of these vehicles were built using a less precise process for…

Consequence

If the switch overheats, it may melt, possibly resulting in a fire.

Remedy

Toyota will notify its owners, and dealers will inspect the switch and apply a special grease that inhibits heat build up or replace any switch damaged by the defect, free of charge. Toyota owners that experience a problem with a switch should not attempt to make repairs, but should contact their Toyota dealer or…

AIR BAGS 11V245000 2011-04-21 307,848 affected
Defect

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 HIGHLANDER, HIGHLANDER HYBRID, AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2008 RAV4 VEHICLES. IN THE CURTAIN SHIELD AIRBAG (CSA) SYSTEM, THERE ARE TWO SENSORS IN THE AIRBAG SENSOR ASSEMBLY WHICH ARE DESIGNED TO DETECT VEHICLE ROLL ANGLE. IF ONE OF THESE SENSORS MALFUNCTIONS, THE AIRBAG WARNING…

Consequence

INADVERTENT ACTIVATION OF THE CSA AND/OR THE SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER CAN CAUSE INJURY TO A VEHICLE OCCUPANT.

Remedy

TOYOTA WILL REPLACE THE AIRBAG SENSOR ASSEMBLY WITH A NEW ONE CONTAINING IMPROVED ROLL RATE SENSORS, FREE OF CHARGE. TOYOTA INTENDS TO SEND AN INTERIM OWNER NOTIFICATION TO OWNERS EARLY TO MID-MAY, 2011 WHEN SUFFICIENT PARTS AND REMEDY BECOMES AVAILABLE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

EQUIPMENT 09V223000 2009-06-15 27,080 affected
Defect

TOYOTA IS RECALLING 27,080 MODEL YEAR 2005 THROUGH 2010 PASSENGER CARS BUILT FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 TO MAY 4, 2009. THESE VEHICLES WERE NOT EQUIPPED WITH LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS."

Consequence

INCORRECT LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS COULD RESULT IN THE VEHICLE BEING OVERLOADED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND PROVIDE THEM WITH A NEW, ACCURATE LABEL TO BE INSTALLED OVER THE INACCURATE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 18, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-888-270-9371.

SEAT BELTS 08V181000 2008-04-18 90,189 affected
Defect

TOYOTA IS RECALLING 90,189 MY 2008 HIGHLANDER AND HIGHLANDER HYBRID PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A THIRD ROW SEAT. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." THE NON-DRIVER DESIGNATED SEATING POSITIONS (DSP) ON THESE VEHICLES…

Consequence

HOWEVER, FOR THE TWO THIRD ROW DSP'S ON THESE VEHICLES, THE ALR MODE DEACTIVATES BEFORE THE WEBBING IS FULLY RETRACTED, SO THAT IT WILL NOT LOCK WHEN CERTAIN REAR-FACING CRS'S THAT HAVE A SHORT SEAT BELT ROUTING PATH ARE INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE. THIS CAN ALLOW THE SEAT BELT WEBBING TO SPOOL OUT DURING NORMAL…

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEWLY DESIGNED SEAT BELT COMPONENT FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT DECEMBER 18, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

Complaints by component

SERVICE BRAKES
94
3crashes1fires1injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
34
1crashes3fires
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
25
1injuries
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
18
1crashes4injuries
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
13
POWER TRAIN
11
1injuries
ENGINE
10
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
10
1fires
TIRES
9
HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM: INVERTER
7
Total complaints272

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“Odometer fraud. The contact purchased a 2008 toyota highlander hybrid. The contact stated that it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 92,000, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that…”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER · reported 2025-08-12

“The contact owns a 2008 toyota highlander hybrid. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the master, brake system, abs warning, and traction control warning lights illuminated. Additionally, the message "brake system malfunction - stop in safe place…”

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC · reported 2025-03-01

“The contact owns a 2008 toyota highlander hybrid. The contact stated while driving 45 mph, the brake malfunction and abs warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that when she started the vehicle, she was unable to depress the brake pedal to the floor and started to hear an abnormal…”

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC · reported 2021-11-10

“The contact owns a 2008 toyota highlander hybrid. The contact stated while driving 45 mph, the brake malfunction and abs warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that when she started the vehicle, she was unable to depress the brake pedal to the floor and started to hear an abnormal…”

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:ABS WARNING LIGHT · reported 2021-11-10

“Tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota highlander hybrid. The contact received a recall notice for nhtsa campaign number: 13v396000 (hybrid propulsion system: inverter). While in a parking lot, the vehicle went into fail safe limp home mode and the vehicle stalled. There were no warning indicators…”

HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM: INVERTER · reported 2019-08-14

“All warning lights are on to check brakes, abs. Abnormal leak in acumulator - abs brake actuator needs to be replaced. I was sent a recall on this problem with my 2012 prius (although it is fine) but the highlander has the exact problem. When googling this I found many 2008 highlanders with the…”

SERVICE BRAKES · reported 2019-05-01

“Brake actuator assembly on my 2008 toyota highlander hybrid has been failing. Know issue. I've taken excellent care of this vehicle and had it serviced at the dealership. The manufacturing is replace the previous years, but not the 2008 which is the exact same component. Please let me know why…”

SERVICE BRAKES · reported 2019-04-04

“Brake actuator assembly on my 2008 toyota highlander hybrid has been failing. Know issue. I've taken excellent care of this vehicle and had it serviced at the dealership. The manufacturing is replace the previous years, but not the 2008 which is the exact same component. Please let me know why…”

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) · reported 2019-04-04

Defect investigations

Investigation DP22005 Opened 2023-01-27 · closed 2023-08-07

Pedestrian alert sounds

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for…

Investigation EA12006 Opened 2012-06-14 · closed 2013-02-12

Power Window Master Switch Fire

On October 10, 2012, Toyota initiated a safety recall of approximately 2.5 million U.S. vehicles involving the following models and model years:2007-2009 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2009 Corolla and Corolla Matrix, 2008 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2007-2009 RAV4, 2008-2009 Scion xB and xD, 2008-2009 Sequoia,…

Investigation EA12006 Opened 2012-06-14 · closed 2013-02-12

Power Window Master Switch Fire

On October 10, 2012, Toyota initiated a safety recall of approximately 2.5 million U.S. vehicles involving the following models and model years:2007-2009 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2009 Corolla and Corolla Matrix, 2008 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2007-2009 RAV4, 2008-2009 Scion xB and xD, 2008-2009 Sequoia,…

Investigation EA12006 Opened 2012-06-14 · closed 2013-02-12

Power Window Master Switch Fire

On October 10, 2012, Toyota initiated a safety recall of approximately 2.5 million U.S. vehicles involving the following models and model years:2007-2009 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2009 Corolla and Corolla Matrix, 2008 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2007-2009 RAV4, 2008-2009 Scion xB and xD, 2008-2009 Sequoia,…

Investigation EA18006 Opened 2018-11-16 · closed 2024-04-02

Steering Column Separation

On November 16, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened an Engineering Analysis (EA18-006) as an upgrade to a Preliminary Evaluation (PE18-005).  The investigation focused on allegations of steering wheel separation from the lower steering column after using the tilt and/or telescoping mechanism.…

Investigation EA18006 Opened 2018-11-16 · closed 2024-04-02

Steering Column Separation

On November 16, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened an Engineering Analysis (EA18-006) as an upgrade to a Preliminary Evaluation (PE18-005).  The investigation focused on allegations of steering wheel separation from the lower steering column after using the tilt and/or telescoping mechanism.…

Investigation PE12002 Opened 2012-02-06 · closed 2012-06-14

Power Window Master Switch Fire

ODI has identified certain Toyota vehicles experiencing a higher rate of fire and thermal event incidents among all Toyota vehicles that use the same power window master switch design.They include a total of approximately 1.4 million model year (MY) 2007 through 2009 Camry, Camry Hybrid, RAV4 and Yaris vehicles built…

Investigation PE12002 Opened 2012-02-06 · closed 2012-06-14

Power Window Master Switch Fire

ODI has identified certain Toyota vehicles experiencing a higher rate of fire and thermal event incidents among all Toyota vehicles that use the same power window master switch design.They include a total of approximately 1.4 million model year (MY) 2007 through 2009 Camry, Camry Hybrid, RAV4 and Yaris vehicles built…

Investigation PE12002 Opened 2012-02-06 · closed 2012-06-14

Power Window Master Switch Fire

ODI has identified certain Toyota vehicles experiencing a higher rate of fire and thermal event incidents among all Toyota vehicles that use the same power window master switch design.They include a total of approximately 1.4 million model year (MY) 2007 through 2009 Camry, Camry Hybrid, RAV4 and Yaris vehicles built…

Investigation PE18005 Opened 2018-05-04 · closed 2018-11-20

Upper Steering Column Separation

On May 4, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE18-005 to investigate three allegations of steering column separation for Model Year (MY) 2008 through 2013 Toyota Highlander vehicles. Two (2) of the 3 complaints were received by ODI in April 2018 and occurred while the…

Investigation PE18005 Opened 2018-05-04 · closed 2018-11-20

Upper Steering Column Separation

On May 4, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE18-005 to investigate three allegations of steering column separation for Model Year (MY) 2008 through 2013 Toyota Highlander vehicles. Two (2) of the 3 complaints were received by ODI in April 2018 and occurred while the…

Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.