2008 Toyota Highlander: recalls and complaints

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• 16V3960002 Jun 2016Seats / Front Assembly / Seat Heater/Cooler
• 15V68900022 Oct 2015Visibility / Power Window Devices and Controls
• 14V74300019 Nov 2014Seats / Front Assembly / Seat Heater/Cooler
• 14V1680009 Apr 2014Air Bags / Frontal / Driver Side / Inflator Module
• 12V49100010 Oct 2012Visibility / Power Window Devices and Controls
• 11V24500021 Apr 2011Air Bags / Side/Window
• 10V0360003 Feb 2010Equipment / Other / Labels
• 10V0350003 Feb 2010Equipment / Other / Labels
• 10V02300027 Jan 2010Vehicle Speed Control / Accelerator Pedal
• 09V22300015 Jun 2009Equipment / Other / Labels
• 08V18100018 Apr 2008Seat Belts / Rear/Other

1. 16V396000Received 2 Jun 2016. 7,749 units.

   Seats / Front Assembly / Seat Heater/Cooler

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   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 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   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 SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET number for this recall is SET16B.

   Report filed by Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC. Manufacturer campaign number SET16B. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 14 Jul 2016.

2. 15V689000Received 22 Oct 2015. 1,814,284 units.

   Visibility / Power Window Devices and Controls

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   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. During the manufacturing of the Power Window Master Switch (PWMS), grease lubricant may have been inconsistently applied to the sliding electrical contacts.

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   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, in the NHTSA record

   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 number for this recall is C0M.

   Report filed by Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing. Manufacturer campaign number C0M. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 25 Nov 2015.

3. 14V743000Received 19 Nov 2014. 3,233 units.

   Seats / Front Assembly / Seat Heater/Cooler

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   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, and 2007-2011 Rav4 and 4Runner. The affected vehicles may experience compression of the seat cushion which may damage the seat heater wiring.

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   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.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   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 to began in January 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226.

   Report filed by Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 29 Jan 2015.

4. 14V168000Received 9 Apr 2014. 1,486,413 units.

   Air Bags / Frontal / Driver Side / Inflator Module

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   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 connections to the driver's airbag module housed in a spiral cable assembly, which includes a Flexible Flat Cable (FFC). Due to the shape and location of the FFC's retainer, the FFC could become damaged when the steering wheel is turned.

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   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 necessitates deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   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. Toyota will mail owners a second letter when remedy parts are available. General Motors sent Pontiac Vibe owners an Interim letter on June 20, 2014 notifying them that parts are currently unavailable. General Motors sent notices to the Pontiac Vibe owners on September 15, 2014, that a remedy is available. The recall began on October 27, 2014. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-762-2737.

   Report filed by Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 27 Oct 2014.

5. 12V491000Received 10 Oct 2012. 2,519,424 units.

   Visibility / Power Window Devices and Controls

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   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 lubricating the internal components of the switch assemblies. Irregularities in this lubrication process may cause the power window master switch assemblies to malfunction and overheat.

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

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

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   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 the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331. General Motors will contact the Pontiac Vibe owners affected by this recall and GM dealers will inspect and repair switches as necessary. Those owners may contact Pontiac Customer Care at 1-800-762-2737.

   Report filed by Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 5 Nov 2012.

6. 11V245000Received 21 Apr 2011. 307,848 units.

   Air Bags / Side/Window

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   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 light (malfunction indicator light: mil) will illuminate and the roll detection system will be suspended; however, the airbag csa remains available in the event of a side crash. If both sensors fail nearly simultaneously after initial airbag system check, the csa and the seat belt pretensioner could be inadvertently activated.

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   Inadvertent activation of the csa and/or the seat belt pretensioner can cause injury to a vehicle occupant.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   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.

   Report filed by TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.. Manufacturer campaign number BOE-B1E. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 9 Jan 2012.

7. 10V036000Received 3 Feb 2010. 153,418 units.

   Equipment / Other / Labels

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   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 capacity modification labels.

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   A driver may overload a vehicle which may increase the risk of a crash.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   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 southeast toyota at 1-800-301-6859.

   Report filed by SOUTHEAST TOYOTA DISTRIBUTORS, LLC. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 27 May 2010.

8. 10V035000Received 3 Feb 2010. 271,417 units.

   Equipment / Other / Labels

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   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 without the requisite load carrying capacity modification labels.

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   This does not meet the standard requirements.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   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 recall began on may 27, 2010. Owners may contact gulf states toyota at 713-580-3300.

   Report filed by GULF STATES TOYOTA, INC.. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 27 May 2010.

9. 10V023000Received 27 Jan 2010. 1,126,915 units.

   Vehicle Speed Control / Accelerator Pedal

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   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 floor mat. This recall is an expansion of a campaign of 3.8 million other toyota vehicles announced in 2009 for the same issue (see 09v-388).

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   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.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   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 appropriate. Initially, dealers will be instructed on how to reshape the accelerator pedal for the repair. As replacement parts with the same shape as the modified pedal become available, they will be made available to the dealers for the repair. Customers who have had the pedal reshape remedy completed will have the opportunity to receive a new pedal if they desire, after replacement pedals become available. In addition, toyota will replace any toyota all-weather floor mat in a subject vehicle with a newly designed mat, free of charge. For those customers who have the previous design all-weather floor mat but do not need or want the newly designed all-weather floor mat, toyota will recover the previous design all-weather floor mat and reimburse its price. The safety recall began march 30, 2010. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331.

   Report filed by TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.. Manufacturer campaign number 90L. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 30 Mar 2010.

10. 09V223000Received 15 Jun 2009. 27,080 units.

    Equipment / Other / Labels

    Defect, in the NHTSA record

    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, in the NHTSA record

    Incorrect load carrying capacity modification labels could result in the vehicle being overloaded, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy, in the NHTSA record

    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.

    Report filed by TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 18 Sep 2009.

11. 08V181000Received 18 Apr 2008. 90,189 units.

    Seat Belts / Rear/Other

    Defect, in the NHTSA record

    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 is equipped with seat belt assemblies that have a feature that converts the retractor from an emergency locking retractor (elr) to an automatic locking retractor (alr). The belts convert to the alr mode after the webbing has been fully withdrawn from the retractor. The system is designed so that as the belt is released into the retractor, the system remains in the alr mode so that a child restraint system (crs) can be tightly secured.

    Consequence, in the NHTSA record

    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 driving maneuvers, which could affect the stability of a child restraint installed at those seating positions. As such, this could discourage the use of a child restraint and in the event of a crash, the child may not be adequately protected possibly resulting in injury.

    Remedy, in the NHTSA record

    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.

    Report filed by TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.. Manufacturer campaign number 80D. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 10 Dec 2008.

The campaign number opens the NHTSA record. Each quotation is the text of the NHTSA recall file.

Recall campaign: One recall in the NHTSA recall file, with one campaign number. A campaign can name many makes, models and model years.

Units: The number of vehicles or products that a recall can include. The manufacturer or the firm reports the number to the agency.

A complaint can name more than one component. Each component that a complaint names is one component mention. The figure per 1,000 component mentions shows how many of each 1,000 mentions name the component.

• 2008 Toyota Highlander
• All 2008 vehicles

The table shows the 10 components with the most mentions, of 21.

Complaints that report a crash

21

Complaints that report a fire

1

Injuries in the complaints

13

Deaths in the complaints

2

Date of the newest complaint

19 Oct 2010

These figures are the entries of the persons who sent the complaints.

Complaint: A report about a possible safety problem that a person sends to NHTSA. This site shows the number of complaints and not their text.

Investigation: A study of a possible safety defect by the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. An investigation with no closing date in the NHTSA file is open.

1. 19980
2. 20013
3. 20022
4. 20032
5. 20045
6. 20056
7. 20067
8. 20074
9. 200811
10. 20099
11. 201010
12. 20115
13. 20122
14. 20133
15. 20144
16. 20151
17. 20162
18. 20173
19. 20184
20. 20193
21. 20204
22. 20214
23. 20225
24. 20239
25. 20247
26. 20254

A year without a link has fewer than 2 campaigns and fewer than 25 complaints. It has no page.

• Toyota Highlander: all model years
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• NHTSA page of the 2008 Toyota HighlanderThe recalls, the complaints and the investigations that NHTSA shows for this model year.

How many units are in the recall campaigns for the 2008 Toyota Highlander?

7,807,970 units in 11 campaigns. A campaign can name other models and model years, and its units include them.

How many recall campaigns does the Toyota Highlander have for all model years?

NHTSA lists 51 recall campaigns for the Toyota Highlander, model years 1998 to 2025. 11 of them name the 2008 model year.

Which component do the complaints about the 2008 Toyota Highlander name most often?

Vehicle Speed Control: 29 of 113 component mentions, or 256.6 per 1,000. For all 2008 vehicles the figure is 82.4 per 1,000.

Is an NHTSA investigation of the 2008 Toyota Highlander open?

No. Each of the 2 investigations that name this model year has a closing date in the NHTSA file.