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: airbag warning light
33 of the 406 complaints about the 2008 Toyota Highlander describe airbag warning light.
- owner complaints
- 33
- of this car's complaints
- 8%
- typical repair cost reported
- $500
- typical mileage
- 73,000
- recalls
- 2
Is there a fix? There are 2 recalls and 8 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
Airbag warning light by model year
What owners say
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.
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
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota highlander. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the air bag sensor failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 11v245000 (air bags). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 47,000.
Takata recall my car was involved in the initial recall, toyota replaced the airbag in september 2015. In october 2016 my airbag light came on again and it was diagnosed to be the same issue I had before - airbag issue. Toyota refuses to fix the car again stating they only have a one year warranty on warranty work which this issue is just out of that period. I have tried to reach a manager at the toyota warranty center numerous times but have been unsuccessful.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota highlander. The contact stated that the SRS warning light flashed randomly. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Also, the contact was notified that the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v168000 (air bags) and the federal safety agency campaign number: 11v245000 (air bags). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided no remedy. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota highlander. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started the air bag warning indicator was constantly illuminated. The failure recurred each time the vehicle was started. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was diagnosed that the spiral cable assembly was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The manufacturer stated that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v168000 (air bags). The approximate failure mileage was 139,000.
The airbag warning light illuminate during driving.
The spiral cable in the steering wheel has caused the airbag light to come on, which means the airbags will not operate in the event of a crash. Also the horn and cruise control will not operate. These items are all associated with the spiral cable. Toyota customer service said they know of the spiral cable problem but do not have a fix for it now.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota highlander. While driving approximately 4 MPH, the SRS warning sensor illuminated continuously. The dealer stated that the spiral cable needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact received a recall notice for the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v168000 (air bags); however, the part needed for the repair was unavailable. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 64,000. Updated 9/18/14
Service bulletins that may apply
- Condition in which a musty smell is present
- Toyota Safety Recall and Service Campaign
- Revision notice
- Region Letter: Toyota will be sending Safety Recall Follow-Up Notices to remind owners whose vehicles have...
- Dealer Letter: Toyota will be sending Safety Recall Follow-Up Notices to remind owners whose vehicles have...
- Toyota vehicles are equipped with Supplemental Restraint Systems (SRS), including various airbags and in...
- Toyota vehicles are equipped with SRS, including various airbags and in some models, seat belt...
- Toyota: information provided for replacing the seat covers for vehicles equipped with side airbags.
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
Questions about the 2008 Toyota Highlander airbag light
Is airbag warning light a common problem on the 2008 Toyota Highlander?
33 of 406 owner complaints about the 2008 Toyota Highlander (8%) mention airbag warning light. The model year with the most reports is 2008.
How much does it cost to fix airbag warning light on the 2008 Toyota Highlander?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $500 (median of 12 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2008 Toyota Highlander?
There are 2 recalls and 8 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2008 Toyota Highlander
ABS 48Sudden acceleration 16Engine failure 14Knocking 12No deployment 11Brake failure 11Harsh shifting 10Stalling 10Check engine light 9Fire or smoke 9Steering noise 8Grinding brakes 7Oil consumption 7Adaptive cruise 6Jerking 6
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