2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid: multiple warning lights

Filed May 29, 2019 · Brakes · 121,000 miles · CA

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 exact same problem. Toyota wants $3600 to replace the ABS acumulator yet they will replace the same part in the prius as a recall.

Filed Dec 20, 2018 · Brakes · 100,000 miles · AZ

I was driving slowly in traffic when several dashboard lights came on and error message began rotating through the center screen. "brake malfunction - stop the vehicle in a safe place immediately, and contact a dealer,' "check ABS - have your vehicle checked by a dealer," and "check vsc system - have your vehicle checked by a dealer." after researching this issue and having the car scanned by a mechanic, the problem appears to be the brake actuator assembly, and this appears to be a well-documented problem for toyota. They have this exact issue covered under a warranty enhancement program for the 2006-2007 models of this car, but for some reason have failed to include the 2008 model despite the same issue with those. I have found several examples of others with the same vehicle and same issues online. Clearly toyota knows this is a faulty part and yet they continue to use it and drew an arbitrary line in the sand on which ones they would fix. This part is not functioning as it should, they know it is bad and should be held accountable to fix it. I am very concerned by the safety factors this malfunction represents.

Filed Oct 17, 2018 · Driver assistance · 10,300 miles · NY

I was driving my car all of a sudden emergency lights went on, brakes lights, 4wd system lights too telling me to pull over once I pulled over on to side of the road I put it in park shut the car off ,turned it back off to see a change put it in drive the car was stuck and all lights previously stated were flashing a warning . And the car was unable to move I was very lucky because if I had continued driving I was about to enter highway with no sides to pullover and the car would have shut off and I would have been rear ended , three days prior to this incident I had given it for repair to toyota dealership in bayside ny they charged approximately 850dollars for a wire they alleged had been pinched. Now two the second incident I had to get the car towed again from long island to dealership in bayside there now asking for 1900 for labor and computer work now they are asking for an ABS actuator which is 2,700 + to top it off I'am unaware about the labor .

Filed May 11, 2018 · Brakes · 143,000 miles · CO

A bunch of lights came on including my ABS and warnings flashed.. I brought it to a toyota dealership in ga and they tried to charge me like 4000 to replace it.. They told my wife if it wasn't replaced she may die when she left the dealership. She was praying and completely scared out of her mind. It's still not fixed.. She drive it with all the lights on to colorado and I still have no idea how I can fix this problem. Apparently I'm not the only one.. I love toyota and really hope some one reaches out soon.

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 Feb 10, 2017 · Brakes · 98,900 miles · FL

I have been experiencing odd screeching noise from the rt front while stopped. Last week several warning lights came on telling me to pull over and call for repairs. I was subsequently told by my mechanic that the brake actuator assembly and skid control ecu units have failed. The cost of repair ( $3000) is beyond comprehension for a vehicle of this vintage, 2008 with under 100,000. While this would be covered under an extended warranty for the next model year it does not cover 2008. I believe it should, being that so many owners are having this exact , life threatening problem. At this time the brakes work but when applied they make a constant click and I feel rhythmic release and catching through the brake pedal.

Filed Jun 22, 2016 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 119,900 miles · KS

On june 15th, 2016 while over 200 miles from home on a family trip with my pregnant wife and 2 year old son in the car driving down a 2 lane highway with a semi truck behind us at approximately 45 MPH constant speed our 2008 highlander hybrid brakes locked up, a warning tone sounded, several lights lit up on the dash including brakes, ABS, vsc, (((!))), and /!\, and the car stopped completely in the highway with the engine still running. The lcd displayed several alternating messages about the brakes, ABS, and vsc and also about needing to have the vehicle checked by a dealer. As our car was about to be smashed by a semi truck I pressed the gas pedal to the floor. The brakes were completely locked up, but fortunately the car inched forward at less than 5 MPH with wide open/full throttle to pull off of the road before the semi truck could hit us from behind. The situation was terrifying. I have taken the vehicle to a dealer. They do not know the reason for the issue. They want $500 to trouble shoot and generate a repair estimate. It sounds like the ABS actuators are commonly $3,000. I have noted many similar problems on the federal safety agency website for the 2008 highlander hybrid and other toyota hybrid vehicles in which the brakes, ABS, and vsc lights illuminate and braking issues occur.

Filed Mar 19, 2015 · Acceleration, Brakes · 143,000 miles · TX

While pulling into a parking lot I heard a loud warning indicator inside the car and immediately noticed that I lost ability to brake. I was only traveling 10 MPH or less when this occurred and was able to slowly roll into a parking space. The ABS, vsc, and stability control lights were already on, and had been for months. Fred haas toyota dealer in houston, tx area recommended having the ABS actuator replaced at a cost of $2700 for the part plus tax and labor. The braking seemed to work fine so I continued to drive the vehicle. This latest incident disabled the brakes almost entirely so I had to address the problem. Now fred haas toyota says its the brake pump and worn brake pads. These were replaced at over $2600 and the brakes seem to be working as well as before. But of course, all of the warning lights have now turned back on and fred haas still wants to replace the ABS actuator at $2700 plus tax and labor. I see that the world wide web has hundreds of examples of consumers in my predicament and even a few complaints over the years on this site. Can this finally be thoroughly investigated please?

Filed May 13, 2014 · Engine · 130,000 miles · CO

While driving along at about 50 - 55 MPH all the dashboard lights came on and the motor stopped abruptly. The result was a complete loss of power and a bit dangerous I might add. We were able to push the vehicle to the side of the road but were not able to restart. After towing it to a dealership we were informed there was no doubt a lower end motor failure. After researching this online I can see that there are many people who are experiencing this same failure in the same way. There is something that happens with an engine inverter item that causes a very expensive failure with no warning. In fact there was even a recall on the 2007 models but the recall unfortunately didn't extend into the 2008 year.

Filed Jan 21, 2014 · Engine · 56,968 miles · NC

While driving my vehicle, multiple warning lights illuminated, and the vehicle lost power. I had to pull off of the road quickly to avoid being hit in rush hour traffic. I had it towed to the toyota dealership and they diagnosed it as a bad coil pack. If a bad coil pack disables your vehicle, this is extremely dangerous because coil packs can go bad any time. If I had been on the highway instead, I could have been in a seriously accident or even killed.