We own a 2008 Toyota Highlander. The SRS airbag warning light on the dash is lit. It is a sensor issue that has been fixed once. It is a safety issue because, as I understand it, the airbags will not deploy when this warning light is on. I would like to know if this is an issue with other 2008 Highlanders. This has happened twice since we have owned the vehicle. The dealership fixed the issue the first time but has no record of the repair. This time the repair could be over $1000.00 for me to drive a safe vehicle. I believe this should be looked into to see if it is an issue with other 2008 Toyota Highlanders.
2008 Toyota Highlander airbags problems
58 complaints (14% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 78,000. 13 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 58
- of this car's complaints
- 14%
- typical mileage
- 78,000
- crashes
- 13
- recalls
- 2
Which part fails
- Side/window1
- Frontal1
- Air bag/restraint control module1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Toyota Highlander airbags problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2008 Toyota Highlander airbags
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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
- 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.
Recall number 14V168000 · Recall details
Air bags: side/window
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- Inadvertent activation of the csa and/or the seat belt pretensioner can cause injury to a vehicle occupant.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 11V245000 · Recall details
What 2008 Toyota Highlander owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
I was in a car accident yesterday two cars hit me from behind my daughter was in the third row and my other kids in the second row. The air bags didn't deploy and my daughters seatbelt in the third row didn't lock when the cars impacted my vehicle her seat belt kept going forward with her. Also my seat belt unlocked and came off upon impact of car
Air bag lights continue to show. Vehicle had not been in any accidents. Seat warms do not work light comes on when you turn them on. Driver window will go up half way occasionally. Back wiper motor makes loud noise and doesn’t work anymore. Tire sensor also comes out.
Airbag failed to deploy in a front-left collision with another vehicle. The other vehicle's airbags did deploy. The vehicle is totalled and not available for inspection. The lack of deployment resulted in a head injury and whiplash. There was no advanced warning of this being a problem.
srs light stays on. have seen many comp;aints on this with 2008 highlander. many say its a wiring problem in steering column.
Srs airbag warning light on vehicle monitor alarms once the car is started and remains alarmed at all time.
2008 toyota highlander. Consumer writes in regard to defective SRS airbag system. *ld
We were driving on wa14 going about 55mph when our right side airbag curtain exploded. We were not in a collision. No body damage. The airbags exploded out of thin air.
I have a 2008 toyota highlander. While driving a side city street, on a slight curve, the steering wheel locked and could not be turned. As a result, my daughter hit a tree. My daughter was going approximately 25mph and the impact was in the center of the vehicle. The air bags did not deploy.
Eng lights and service lights stays on even after service hard to start battery always down dealership could't fix problem!!
Questions about the 2008 Toyota Highlander airbags
Does the 2008 Toyota Highlander have airbags problems?
Owners have filed 58 complaints about the airbags of the 2008 Toyota Highlander, 14% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2008 Toyota Highlander airbags problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 78,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2008 Toyota Highlander airbags?
Yes, 2 recalls: 14V168000, 11V245000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Toyota Highlander have bad airbags?
The Toyota Highlander model years with the most airbags complaints are 2008 (58 complaints), 2021 (42 complaints) and 2020 (32 complaints).
Other 2008 Toyota Highlander problems
Brakes 82Engine 76Acceleration 45Electrical 44Steering 40Tires 25Transmission 18Visibility 16Driver assistance 15Fuel system 15Body 11Seat belts 9Wheels 6Suspension 5Lights 3Seats 3Locks 2
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