2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid electrical problems

Filed Aug 12, 2025 · Electrical · 212,000 miles · CA

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 the mileage was 212,000.

Filed May 22, 2019 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 158,000 miles · CA

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 this is happening. Not just to me, but others too. Please help us. Thanks

Filed Jul 30, 2018 · Electrical, Fuel system · 81,000 miles · VA

Vehicle hybrid/engine shut off while driving. Various warning lights lit up including vsc, hybrid system, and check engine. I was forced to change lanes with the car off but moving at about 40 MPH and pull over on a side street. I as able to restart the vehicle and continue my drive. The following day, even though the check engine light and all warnings had cleared, the car turned off again while I was driving and breaking at a red light. The car failed to properly restart after this second incident. The vehicle was towed to a toyota dealership which specified that the issue is the hybrid inverter. The vehicle only has about 81,000 miles and according to toyota a recall had already been performed on the intelligent power module for the inverter in 2014.

Filed Jun 12, 2018 · Electrical · 155,000 miles · CA

While driving my vehicle on the northbound I-405 at about 4:30 pm on friday afternoon, the vehicle's electric engine shut-off with no warning or explanation. Dash lights were still lit and vehicle was in motion. Could not get out of traffic safely except with remaining momentum from the no. 3 lane of traffic. Electric engine would not power-up. There were no fuel or battery problems. The technician's test narrowed the problem to the dc inverter which was previously a recall issue. This recall doesn't appear to have been resolved, though the dealer claims it was. Thank you.

Filed Feb 16, 2018 · Electrical, Wheels · 162,000 miles · FL

While driving 40 MPH, my dashboard lit up with 'brake brake malfunction', 'ABS chevk ABS', and 'check vsc system'. All dash lights lit up also. Drove to the repair shop and had codes run. No codes were present. This is related to the c1391 code that has a recall on 06&07 highlanders, and 08 camy's. The front right of the engine is making a clicking sound every 20 seconds from the brake stabilizer. Just prior to this for the last 2 weeks, the vehicle has had difficulty obtaining a 'ready' light. Battery has been pulled and bench tested, and all connections were checked. It would appear that in the last two months many 08 owners are presenting with this problem, with a range of proposed repair expense from $3,300 to $6,500. Seeing as this is a known problem with the 08 camry', resulting in brake failure in both camry's and highlander, this ought to be a recall for both vehicles.

Filed Oct 23, 2017 · Brakes, Electrical · 147,896 miles · MD

I was driving in 295 I hearing a sound coming from the daskboard and a light appeared stated need to check ABS break system by dealer. I said to myself I'll have it check when I got home. I was doing 65 miles per hour, I was pressing break there were no break, pump the break several times, no break, I pressed the emergency break and thanks to the lord the car slow down and eventually stop. Apparently dealer asked me $5,500. To fix this issue and I don't have this type of money, and I'm still making payment on this vehicle can't even drive; I believe this type of issue should be a recall. I need help please!!!!! [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Aug 18, 2017 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 116,000 miles · CO

Car seemingly running fine. Vsc light, ABS light and brake malfunctiom light come on out of nowhere. Told to tow to dealership. $3450 to replace ABS actuator. Same part has been recalled in other years and models but not 2008 highlander hybrid. This repair is 1/10 the cost of the original purchase price of the new car. Car has 116,000 miles on it.

Filed Jul 31, 2017 · Electrical, Transmission · CA

Vehicle was in motion, departing from parked lot. Vehicle lost all drive power, and instrument panel warning lights turned on. After shutting vehicle off and restarting, warning message to check brake system, and check hybrid system illuminated. Also all warning indicators activated in the guage cluster panel. Thankfully, we were not driving fast when the vehicle became disabled, otherwise it could have been fatal. Had vehicle towed to nearest toyota dealership, where they advise "the power inverter assembly failed." toyota refuses to help, even though this exact problem has been recalled for other VIN numbers matching my vehicle. These are unsafe conditions and proves that toyota has not done a thorough job of recalling all affected units.

Filed Apr 20, 2017 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 124,000 miles · NY

My 2008 toyota highlander hybrid was just deemed totaled by the car dealership (newburgh toyota) and my insurance company (liberty mutual), because of excessive rodent damage. It turns out that the rodents were attracted to the wiring because toyoyta uses eco-friendly soy-based coating on their wires which attract rodents!! Rodents chewed wires, the wiring harness, plugged drainage holes with their bedding thus causing water damage, and ruined the hybrid batteries. The damage was estimated at more than $12,000, which of course toyota would not cover under warranty. The vehicle would not start unless the battery was unhooked to "clear" the computer system. When it started the error messages/warning lights on dash were lit up everywhere, indicating it was unsafe to drive. It was taken to the dealership where a service tech stripped the interior and discovered rodents nests, droppings, water, and lots of damage. Photos attached. Parts alone for the repair were more than $10,000, and that did not take into account additional diagnostics or labor costs. As you can imagine, this has been a giant headache!

Filed Feb 23, 2017 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 264,000 miles · CO

I was driving to an off ramp when my 2008 toyota highlander hybrid just stop in the middle of a very busy traffic! It almost caused a terrible accident. I had it towed and the toyota dealership diagnosed it as an inverter converter problem and will cause me $11000 (yes, eleven thousand dollars) to replace it. This appear to be an engineering defect fault. Of all the warning in place it seems to inform the driver, such as the ABS light, low gas gauge, low air, oil maintenance warning, why not the 'inverter problem detected, bring your car to the dealer now?'. I feel that toyota is being irresponsible in designing a car that just simply stop in the middle of the highway or on any street without warning. This error is super dangerous and can cause innocent lives and toyota should take responsibility in correcting the wrong instead of hiding behind the scene. I did some research and found that there are other such problem but their customer service said that my vehicle id number is not on the recall list. Who include my vehicle on the recall list anyway? Certainly this is a problem after all it is affecting vehicles 2006 to 2012? Please help.