Toyota Highlander 2008–2013 problems by year and mileage
2nd generation (XU40)
NHTSA data through 24 September 20261,602 complaints, 1,267 with mileageMethod
Which year is yours? Tap it to see what breaks on it.
The 2008 Toyota Highlander
Close- Median failure report
- 86,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 601
- Recalls naming this year
- 12
Most reported on the 2008
- Brakes160 reports · median 128,000 mi
- Electrical system79 reports · median 114,000 mi
- Engine68 reports · median 114,000 mi
12 recall campaigns name the 2008: Seats — front assembly; Visibility — power window devices and controls; Air bags — frontal. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 2009 Toyota Highlander
Close- Median failure report
- 60,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 174
- Recalls naming this year
- 10
Most reported on the 2009
- Brakes38 reports
- Engine27 reports
- Electrical system23 reports
10 recall campaigns name the 2009: Seats — front assembly; Visibility — power window devices and controls; Air bags — frontal. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 2010 Toyota Highlander
Close- Median failure report
- 53,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 238
- Recalls naming this year
- 11
Most reported on the 2010
- Electrical system55 reports · median 62,000 mi
- Visibility/wiper31 reports
- Brakes30 reports
11 recall campaigns name the 2010: Seats — front assembly; Visibility — power window devices and controls; Air bags — frontal. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 2011 Toyota Highlander
Close- Median failure report
- 50,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 186
- Recalls naming this year
- 5
Most reported on the 2011
- Steering34 reports · median 85,000 mi
- Body structure27 reports
- Visibility/wiper25 reports
5 recall campaigns name the 2011: Seats — front assembly; Visibility — power window devices and controls; Equipment — other. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 2012 Toyota Highlander
Close- Median failure report
- 51,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 191
- Recalls naming this year
- 2
Most reported on the 2012
- Steering47 reports · median 68,000 mi
- Electrical system30 reports
- Problems owners could not categorise24 reports
2 recall campaigns name the 2012: Equipment — other; Seats. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 2013 Toyota Highlander
Close- Median failure report
- 35,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 212
- Recalls naming this year
- 3
Most reported on the 2013
- Steering46 reports · median 54,000 mi
- Engine32 reports
- Throttle and speed control31 reports · median 9,000 mi
3 recall campaigns name the 2013: Seats; Equipment — other. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
Each tile shows the median mileage at which that model year’s failures were reported. The 2008 reports latest and the 2013 earliest, but part of that gap is age: the 2008 has had 5 more years on the road to accumulate mileage.
The short answer
“Is the 2008–2013 Toyota Highlander reliable?”
- Median of reported failures
- 60,000 mi
- 90% of reports came by
- 145,000 mi
- Reports with mileage
- 1,267
- Recalls
- 16
Most reported
- Brakes17.0% of complaints · median 119,000 mi
- Electrical system14.7% of complaints · median 69,000 mi
- Steering12.9% of complaints · median 67,000 mi
Owners filed 1,602 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008–2013 Toyota Highlander; the brakes leads with 17% of them, and half of the 1,267 that record an odometer reading came by 60,000 miles. A count like this can’t rate reliability on its own: NHTSA records what owners chose to report, not how many of each car were sold.
Failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 23,000 and 105,000 miles.
Before-you-buy checklist ↓At your mileage ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
How many miles does a 2008–2013 Toyota Highlander last?
Complaint records can’t measure how long a car lasts; they show when reported failures happened. On the 2008–2013 Toyota Highlander, half of the 1,267 complaints that record an odometer reading were filed by 60,000 miles and 90% by 145,000 miles.
112 reports came in past 150,000 miles and 25 past 200,000 — each one proof that a Highlander reached that mileage, not that it failed there.
Figure 1 · Toyota Highlander 2008–2013 · 1,267 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
Complaints per 5,000-mile bin, 0 to 200,000 miles, equal bins on a linear scale. Tallest bar = 126 complaints.
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 25 complaints (2.0%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 5,000
- 25%
- 23,000
- Median
- 59,500
- 75%
- 105,000
- 90%
- 145,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–5,000 | 126 | 9.9% |
| 5,000–10,000 | 65 | 5.1% |
| 10,000–15,000 | 48 | 3.8% |
| 15,000–20,000 | 44 | 3.5% |
| 20,000–25,000 | 47 | 3.7% |
| 25,000–30,000 | 41 | 3.2% |
| 30,000–35,000 | 43 | 3.4% |
| 35,000–40,000 | 36 | 2.8% |
| 40,000–45,000 | 35 | 2.8% |
| 45,000–50,000 | 49 | 3.9% |
| 50,000–55,000 | 47 | 3.7% |
| 55,000–60,000 | 54 | 4.3% |
| 60,000–65,000 | 51 | 4.0% |
| 65,000–70,000 | 27 | 2.1% |
| 70,000–75,000 | 47 | 3.7% |
| 75,000–80,000 | 28 | 2.2% |
| 80,000–85,000 | 35 | 2.8% |
| 85,000–90,000 | 30 | 2.4% |
| 90,000–95,000 | 37 | 2.9% |
| 95,000–100,000 | 26 | 2.1% |
| 100,000–105,000 | 33 | 2.6% |
| 105,000–110,000 | 26 | 2.1% |
| 110,000–115,000 | 29 | 2.3% |
| 115,000–120,000 | 23 | 1.8% |
| 120,000–125,000 | 26 | 2.1% |
| 125,000–130,000 | 32 | 2.5% |
| 130,000–135,000 | 20 | 1.6% |
| 135,000–140,000 | 17 | 1.3% |
| 140,000–145,000 | 17 | 1.3% |
| 145,000–150,000 | 16 | 1.3% |
| 150,000–155,000 | 15 | 1.2% |
| 155,000–160,000 | 16 | 1.3% |
| 160,000–165,000 | 18 | 1.4% |
| 165,000–170,000 | 10 | 0.8% |
| 170,000–175,000 | 5 | 0.4% |
| 175,000–180,000 | 9 | 0.7% |
| 180,000–185,000 | 5 | 0.4% |
| 185,000–190,000 | 5 | 0.4% |
| 190,000–195,000 | 1 | 0.1% |
| 195,000–200,000 | 3 | 0.2% |
| 200,000+ | 25 | 2.0% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain. Complaint counts reflect what owners reported and are not a measure of failure rate per vehicle sold.
What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.
Common Highlander problems, and when they happen
Figure 2 · Toyota Highlander 2008–2013
When each system fails
Bar spans the middle half of reports; the notch inside each bar is the median. Miles at failure on a proportional scale — equal distances are equal ratios, not equal miles.
- Throttle and speed control161 reports14,0005,000–52,000Throttle and speed control: 161 reports, median 14,000 miles, middle half 5,000 to 52,000 miles.
- Body structure115 reports48,00026,000–77,000Body structure: 115 reports, median 48,000 miles, middle half 26,000 to 77,000 miles.
- Steering207 reports67,00046,000–99,000Steering: 207 reports, median 67,000 miles, middle half 46,000 to 99,000 miles.
- Electrical system236 reports69,00032,000–114,000Electrical system: 236 reports, median 69,000 miles, middle half 32,000 to 114,000 miles.
- Airbag system118 reports72,00048,000–100,000Airbag system: 118 reports, median 72,000 miles, middle half 48,000 to 100,000 miles.
- Engine177 reports90,00050,000–124,000Engine: 177 reports, median 90,000 miles, middle half 50,000 to 124,000 miles.
- Brakes272 reports119,00078,000–155,000Brakes: 272 reports, median 119,000 miles, middle half 78,000 to 155,000 miles.
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it in “Where your car sits”
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first. The first 12,000 miles are shaded: that is the boundary this site uses between a manufacturing defect and ordinary wear, not a property of the world.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
All systems in a table
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 272 | 17.0% | 119,000 | 78,000–155,000 |
| Electrical system | 236 | 14.7% | 69,000 | 32,000–114,000 |
| Steering | 207 | 12.9% | 67,000 | 46,000–99,000 |
| Engine | 177 | 11.0% | 90,000 | 50,000–124,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 161 | 10.0% | 14,000 | 5,000–52,000 |
| Airbag system | 118 | 7.4% | 72,000 | 48,000–100,000 |
| Body structure | 115 | 7.2% | 48,000 | 26,000–77,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 115 | 7.2% | 75,000 | 46,000–102,000 |
| Visibility/wiper | 88 | 5.5% | 50,000 | 38,000–65,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 79 | 4.9% | 21,000 | 5,000–70,000 |
System by system, in words
Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 60,000 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
The brakes account for 17.0% of complaints (272 reports, 189 of them with a mileage figure), and they fail late — a median of 119,000 miles, considerably beyond the vehicle's overall median. That pattern is consistent with normal service life rather than a defect, though it matters for anyone buying an example already near that mileage. The middle half of these reports falls between 78,000 and 155,000 miles.
The electrical system accounts for 14.7% of complaints (236 reports, 191 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 69,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 32,000 and 114,000 miles.
The steering accounts for 12.9% of complaints (207 reports, 178 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 67,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 46,000 and 99,000 miles.
The engine accounts for 11.0% of complaints (177 reports, 143 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails late — a median of 90,000 miles, considerably beyond the vehicle's overall median. That pattern is consistent with normal service life rather than a defect, though it matters for anyone buying an example already near that mileage. The middle half of these reports falls between 50,000 and 124,000 miles.
Throttle and speed control accounts for 10.0% of complaints (161 reports, 144 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails early — a median of 14,000 miles, well before the vehicle's overall median. Failures clustered this far below the rest of the car usually point to a design or manufacturing problem rather than wear, because wear does not selectively target one system on low-mileage examples. The middle half of these reports falls between 5,000 and 52,000 miles.
The airbag system accounts for 7.4% of complaints (118 reports, 90 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 72,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 48,000 and 100,000 miles.
Known problems with the 2008–2013 Highlander
Engine 2008–2011
2GR-FE VVT-i oil supply line rupture: the rubber section of the variable valve timing oil hose can burst, dumping oil rapidly and causing engine damage. Recall covered 2GR-FE vehicles from roughly MY2007-2011, replacing the hose with an all-metal line.
Electrical
Power window master switch overheating, a multi-model Toyota recall.
Before you buy a 2008–2013 Highlander: the 3-minute check
Generated from 1,267 mileage-tagged complaints, 16 recall campaigns, 2 documented problem areas. Print this page — the checklist survives print.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 16 campaigns cover this generation; an open recall is a free repair you can make the seller's problem.
- Check engine on 2008–2011 cars. 2GR-FE VVT-i oil supply line rupture: the rubber section of the variable valve timing oil hose can burst, dumping oil rapidly and causing engine damage. Recall covered 2GR-FE vehicles from roughly MY2007-2011, replacing…
- Check electrical. Power window master switch overheating, a multi-model Toyota recall.
- Complaint reports are not spread evenly across model years here — see the by-model-year table below before you settle on a year.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car. Aggregate data describes the population; the example in front of you has its own history.
For a buyer, failures on this generation are spread rather than concentrated: the middle half falls between 23,000 and 105,000 miles, with a median of 60,000. There is no single mileage threshold to watch, which means condition and maintenance records are more informative than the odometer.
On inspection, the brakes and the electrical system are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. The electrical system in particular shows a median failure mileage of 69,000, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.
None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.
Highlander problems by mileage: where your car sits
Type your odometer reading, or read the common mileages in the table. Your marker lands on the timing chart above and on the curve below.
| System | Middle half of reports, mi | At 60k mi50% below | At 90k mi67% below | At 120k mi81% below | At 150k mi91% below | At 200k mi98% below |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 78,000–155,000 | later | in window | in window | in window | earlier |
| Electrical system | 32,000–114,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Steering | 46,000–99,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Engine | 50,000–124,000 | in window | in window | in window | earlier | earlier |
| Throttle and speed control | 5,000–52,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Airbag system | 48,000–100,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Body structure | 26,000–77,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
Figure 3 · Toyota Highlander 2008–2013 · 1,267 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Share of mileage-tagged reports filed at or below each odometer reading. Steps rise only at bin edges, by exact counted shares.
- 60,000 mi — 50% of reports below
- 90,000 mi — 67% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 81% of reports below
- 150,000 mi — 91% of reports below
- 200,000 mi — 98% of reports below
- Median — the staircase crosses the 50% line here
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it above
The staircase tops out at 98%: the remaining 2.0% of reports (25) came above 200,000 miles.
Nothing is smoothed or interpolated. Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
2008–2013 Toyota Highlander recalls (16)
NHTSA records 16 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.
The campaigns cluster around seats (4), equipment (4), visibility equipment (2). Several campaigns against one area can mean a remedy that did not hold, or separate defects in parts filed under the same heading; the summaries below name each defect.
Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.
Jun 2016 · 2008–2011 · SeatsIf damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
The defect. Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 RAV4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011…
What can happen. If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
The free fix. SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact…
Oct 2015 · 2008–2011 · VisibilityIf the sliding electrical contacts are not protected by lubricant, debris and moisture that get into the…
The 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…
What can happen. 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…
The free fix. 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…
Nov 2014 · 2008–2011 · SeatsDamage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and…
The defect. Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Prius and Corolla, 2009-2011 Venza, 2006-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2005-2011 Sienna and Sequoia, 2006-2011 Tacoma 4x2 and 4x4, Camry, Highlander, Tundra 4x2 and 4x4…
What can happen. Damage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and causing personal injury to the occupant.
The free fix. SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the heaters with copper strand heating elements and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory, free of charge. The recall is expected…
Apr 2014 · 2008–2010 · Air BagsIf the FFC is damaged, connectivity to the driver's air bag module could be lost and the air bag deactivated.
The defect. Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006-2008 RAV4, 2006-2010 Yaris, 2008-2010 Highlander, and 2009-2010 Tacoma, Corolla, Corolla Matrix and General Motors Pontiac Vibe vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the steering column assembly contains electrical…
What can happen. If the FFC is damaged, connectivity to the driver's air bag module could be lost and the air bag deactivated. The failure of the driver's air bag to deploy in the event of a crash that typically…
The free fix. Toyota will notify the Toyota vehicle owners, and General Motors will notify the Pontiac Vibe owners. Toyota sent owners an interim notification letter in May 2014 to advise owners of the recall.…
Mar 2014 · 2013 · SeatsIf the seat does not lock into the seat track, there may be an increased risk of injury to an occupant in the…
The defect. Toyota is recalling certain model year 2013 Highlander vehicles manufactured March 13, 2013, through August 6, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the second row left hand seat may not lock in place when positioned in the forward front or second adjusting…
What can happen. If the seat does not lock into the seat track, there may be an increased risk of injury to an occupant in the event of a crash.
The free fix. Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will modify the second row left hand seat so that it will lock into the seat track, free of charge. The recall began on May 21, 2014. Owners may contact Toyota…
Sep 2013 · 2008–2010 · Hybrid Propulsion SystemThe vehicle may enter a fail-safe/limp-home mode that limits the drivability of the vehicle.
The 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…
What can happen. 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…
The free fix. 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…
Apr 2013 · 2010–2013 · EquipmentAn inaccurate label could lead to owners overloading their vehicles and tires.
The defect. Southeast Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 and 2010-2013 Toyota Tundra, 2010-2012 RAV4, 2012 Toyota Sequoia, 2010-2011 Toyota Corolla, 2010-2011 Toyota Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota FJ…
What can happen. An inaccurate label could lead to owners overloading their vehicles and tires. An overloaded vehicle can result in a tire failure which may result in a vehicle crash, personal injury, or property…
The free fix. Southeast Toyota will notify owners and provide a corrected label with instructions concerning its installation. A small group of the affected vehicles will need additonal remedies which are still…
Jan 2013 · 2009–2013 · SeatsIf the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may…
The defect. Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and…
What can happen. If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This…
The free fix. Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013. Owners may contact…
Oct 2012 · 2008 · VisibilityIf the switch overheats, it may melt, possibly resulting in a fire.
The 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…
What can happen. If the switch overheats, it may melt, possibly resulting in a fire.
The free fix. 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…
Apr 2011 · 2008 · Air BagsInadvertent activation of the csa and/or the seat belt pretensioner can cause injury to a vehicle occupant.
The 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.…
What can happen. Inadvertent activation of the csa and/or the seat belt pretensioner can cause injury to a vehicle occupant.
The free fix. 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…
Feb 2010 · 2008–2010 · EquipmentA driver may overload a vehicle which may increase the risk of a crash.
The defect. Southeast Toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 passenger vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "Tire selection and rims." These vehicles were sold without the requisite load carrying…
What can happen. A driver may overload a vehicle which may increase the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will mail to consumers the corrected label or the customer will have the option for dealers to install the label free of charge. The safety recall began on may 27, 2010. Owners may contact…
Feb 2010 · 2008–2010 · EquipmentThis does not meet the standard requirements.
The defect. Gulf states Toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "Tire selection and rims." These vehicles were sold between september 1, 2005 and june 2, 2008…
What can happen. This does not meet the standard requirements.
The free fix. Dealers will mail to consumers the corrected label or the customer will have the option for dealers to install the label free of charge. Dealers will also correct the owner's manual. The safety…
Jan 2010 · 2008–2010 · Vehicle Speed ControlA stuck open accelerator pedal may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop the…
The defect. Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Highlander, model year 2009-2010 corolla, venza and matrix passenger vehicles. The accelerator pedal can get stuck in the wide open position due to its being trapped by an unsecured or incompatible driver's…
What can happen. A stuck open accelerator pedal may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death.
The free fix. Toyota will modify or replace the accelerator pedals on the subject vehicles. Floor surface modifications are also being considered and will be included for any model for which it is deemed…
Jan 2010 · 2010 · Vehicle Speed ControlThe accelerator pedal may become hard to depress, slow to return to idle, or, in the worst case, mechanically…
The defect. Toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 avalon, model year 2007-2010 camry, model year 2009-2010 corolla, corolla matrix, RAV4, model year 2010 Highlander, model year 2008-2010 sequoia, and model year 2007-2010 tundra vehicles. Due to the manner in…
What can happen. The accelerator pedal may become hard to depress, slow to return to idle, or, in the worst case, mechanically stuck in a partially depressed position, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will install a reinforcement bar in the accelerator pedal which will allow the pedal to operate smoothly. Gm will notify owners for the Pontiac vibe please see 10v-018. This service will be…
Jun 2009 · 2008–2009 · EquipmentIncorrect load carrying capacity modification labels could result in the vehicle being overloaded, increasing…
The 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…
What can happen. Incorrect load carrying capacity modification labels could result in the vehicle being overloaded, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. 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…
Apr 2008 · 2008 · Seat BeltsHowever, for the two third row dsp's on these vehicles, the alr mode deactivates before the webbing is fully…
The 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…
What can happen. 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…
The free fix. 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.
Crashes, fires and injuries owners reported
What owners reported alongside the failure itself, out of 1,602 complaints against this generation:
- Crashes
- 133 (8.3%)
- Fires
- 28
- Injury reports
- 66
- Fatality reports
- 2
These flags are self-reported by complainants and unverified by NHTSA; one report can carry several flags, so the counts overlap and do not sum to a total. They are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. No chart is drawn here on purpose: overlapping counts spanning very different magnitudes cannot be honestly encoded as lengths.
Highlander problems by model year
The 2008 drew the most complaints of this generation, 601, most of them about the brakes, and the 2009 the fewest, 174. A typical year drew about 202.
That makes the 2008 stand out at roughly 3.0 times a typical year. A count like this follows how many cars of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as how often they failed, so it is not by itself evidence of a worse year; what each year's reports name, in its card and row, is the useful part.
| Year | Complaints | With mileage | Median miles | Most reported | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 601 | 492 | 86,000 | Brakes (160) | 12 |
| 2009 | 174 | 139 | 60,000 | Brakes (38) | 10 |
| 2010 | 238 | 189 | 53,000 | Electrical system (55) | 11 |
| 2011 | 186 | 149 | 50,000 | Steering (34) | 5 |
| 2012 | 191 | 136 | 51,000 | Steering (47) | 2 |
| 2013 | 212 | 162 | 35,000 | Steering (46) | 3 |
What Highlander owners reported
The contact owned a 2008 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 20 MPH, an abnormal, booming sound was emitted from the vehicle as heavy, black smoke entered her vehicle. Due to the smoke, the contact's vision became obstructed, and the contact immediately shifted into park and…
2008 · 100,000 miles · Engine
The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that 5,000 miles after purchasing the vehicle, the contact noticed an oil leak. The contact performed the oil changes and had noticed that engine oil had leaked down onto the weather seal in the vehicle. The contact noticed several oil stains on the ground…
2012 · 160,000 miles · Engine and its cooling system
The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that the TPMS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a Tire Center, which was unable to determine the cause of the failure. Upon further investigation, the contact linked the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V452000 (Tires). The local…
2012 · 90,000 miles · Tyres
The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made an abnormal, loud clunking sound. The ABS, the parking brake, and the traction control warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed…
2009 · 137,000 miles · Hydraulic brake circuit
Built from 1,267 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-09-26 · open data · how it is built
Other Highlander generations
- Highlander 2001–2007 1,633 reports with mileage, most about throttle and speed control
- Highlander 2014–2019 684 reports with mileage, most about the transmission and driveline
- Highlander 2020–2025 178 reports with mileage, most about the transmission and driveline