2008 Toyota Highlander

This page is a draft. It has not been approved yet, so read it with care.

Learn

What changed

A full redesign, with the 3.5L V6 as the only engine, a 5-speed automatic and seats for seven. The Hybrid is redesigned too.^1,2

Motors: Three electric motors^2,4
Transmissions: 5-speed automatic^1,3, 6-speed automatic³, Continuously variable^2,4
Drivetrains: Front-wheel drive^1,3, All-wheel drive^1,3, Hybrid all-wheel drive^2,4
Trims: Base^1,3, Sport (2008–2010)^1,5,3, SE^5,3, Limited^1,3, Hybrid^2,4
Packages: Third-row delete¹, Towing prep package³, Cold Weather package⁴, Leather package⁴

Buy

Reputation: what owners and the press report. Tap one to see what to check.

Rattle from the V6 at cold start 2008

What to check: Start it from cold and listen for a knock or rattle in the first seconds.

Seven owners of 2008s on one CarComplaints.com page report a knock or rattle at start-up. Two put it down to the variable valve timing parts, and the page lists new cam actuators as a fix.

Sources ^7,8
Power rear hatch faults All years One source so far

What to check: Open and close the power hatch several times from the key and the switch.

Edmunds' 2011 page says some owners report problems with the power rear hatch.

Sources ³

08V181000 2008
Third-row seat belts can leave their locking mode too soon, so a rear-facing child seat may not stay secure.^9,10
09V223000 2006–2009
The load capacity label may be missing or wrong.^{11,9,12,13,10,14}
10V023000 2008–2010
A loose or wrong floor mat can trap the accelerator pedal wide open. Pedals are modified or replaced. An expansion of an earlier campaign.^9,12,15
11V245000 2008
Faulty roll-angle sensors can fire the curtain airbags and seat belt pretensioners when they should not.^9,10
12V491000 2008
The power window master switch may be unevenly greased and can overheat, melt or catch fire.^9,10
13V396000 2006–2010
Transistors in the inverter's power module can be damaged by heat, causing limp-home mode or the hybrid system to shut down while driving. The module is replaced.^13,10,14,16
14V168000 2008–2010
A flat cable in the steering column can be damaged as the wheel turns, disabling the driver's airbag.^9,12,15
15V689000 2008–2011
The power window master switch may be unevenly greased, letting dirt and moisture short it, overheat it and possibly start a fire.^{9,12,15,17,10,14,16,18}

Checked against NHTSA records on 21 October 2026.

Reputation: what owners and the press report

Sought after: High-mileage V6 trucks that were maintained All years One source so far

In one BITOG thread on a 2011 V6 with 120,000 miles, three members speak well of it, and one says they are good for 300,000 miles if maintained well.¹⁹
Avoid: 2008 2008 Less sought after One source so far

SlashGear lists the 2008 among the years to avoid, for the number of complaints and recalls against both the gas and Hybrid models.²⁰

Every warning and recall for this generation, with a box to tick.