2008 Toyota Highlander: engine knocking or ticking

Filed Nov 5, 2026 · Brakes · WA

Subject: Sudden Unintended Braking and Loss of Vehicle Control – 2008 Toyota Highlander V6 AWD I am reporting a serious and potentially life-threatening incident involving my 2008 Toyota Highlander V6 AWD. Shortly before this incident, I had all four tires replaced at Les Schwab. While driving approximately at highway speeds, with my foot on the accelerator and absolutely no pressure on the brake pedal, I suddenly heard a knocking sound and felt the vehicle jerking violently. It felt similar to ABS activation, although I do not know what system was responsible. I stopped and inspected everything finding nothing wrong so proceeded to drive the car back home. The vehicle then suddenly and forcefully applied the brakes without any input from me. The rear wheels appeared to lock, causing the tires to skid. The back end of the vehicle fishtailed and began attempting to spin around. I struggled to maintain control. There were three children riding in the vehicle with me. All four occupants were placed in immediate danger. After stopping, I shifted into Park and then back into Drive. The brakes released, and the vehicle began moving normally again. However, I subsequently noticed a continuous metallic grinding noise. No ABS, traction control, or other warning lights illuminated. I am requesting an investigation into the cause of this sudden unintended braking, rear-wheel lockup, and loss of vehicle control. This incident could easily have resulted in a fatal collision. Three children were passengers in the vehicle when it unexpectedly applied its own brakes at approximately 45 mph.

Filed Nov 12, 2021 · Engine, Fuel system · OR

On January 19, 2021, after driving for about two hours, I suddenly started to hear an unusual knocking noise from the engine. I slowed down, but I was unable to pull over immediately because I was driving on a very dark two lane highway, with no safe shoulder. After the same noise continued for about five to ten minutes, a light began to flash indicating extremely low oil pressure, and warning that the car should stop immediately. At that point, fortunately, I was able to pull over at a gas station, where I discovered that oil was gushing from my engine onto the ground. I checked my oil dipstick and noted that the car had no oil, and was thus inoperable. I was extremely concerned that the engine had been damaged while being driven with little to no oil. In 2014, Toyota issued a notice of a Warranty Enhancement Program – ZE2, related to extending warranty coverage for repairs related to a leaking or seeping engine oil cooler pipe. I never received any owner notification of this issue in 2014. Toyota refused to pay for the repair in 2021, and now in November 2021, the engine has quit due to the damage incurred in January 2021. The engine oil cooler pipe is defective and my family could have been seriously injured or killed by its catastrophic failure.

Filed Jul 24, 2019 · Engine · 128,700 miles · AZ

The engine is emitting smoke, creates rattling sound. At start timing chain sounds scared kids. While driving you can hear knocking sound and if something can break while driving.

Filed Mar 21, 2019 · Steering · 100,000 miles · OH

The steering makes a loud knock when turned to left or right.

Filed Dec 8, 2018 · Steering · 50,000 miles · WV

This vehicle has a knocking/clunking/clanking/thumping sound when turning the steering wheel. It sounds dangerous and I wonder if the steering column will break apart while driving. This has been happening for a while, but the dealers are always unable to replicate it, some say that it is a common problem. It has become worse recently.

Filed Jun 4, 2017 · Engine · 106,000 miles · CO

Driving on a rural 2 lane road the car started knocking and the light for the vsc came on. It said to bring to the dealer. Got home and checked the oil and there was not one drop on the dip stick. (my oil was changed at the dealer two weeks prior). The oil was however sprayed under the entire undercarriage. The part that is the problem is the oil cooler line.

Filed Jan 10, 2016 · Steering · CA

The intermediate shaft in the steering column is making a knocking noise when ever I turn it to the right. I complained to the dealership and they said they could not find anything wrong with it. Now they have a tsb for it for repairing the intermediate shaft. While I'm spending $500, for the repair, they should recall this part because toyota knows about it since 2 years ago. While driving it and making a turn , it will just make a knocking noise and feels like the steering wheel is loose.

Filed May 28, 2014 · Engine · 92,800 miles · TX

I normally ride a vanpool, but due to flash flood warnings today I decided to drive my car into the office. My husband called me at work to tell me he noticed a big oil spot on the garage after I left for work. He told me to pull over and not drive my highlander if it started clacking or smoking on my way home. My husband just changed the oil in my car a few days prior. Before I could make it home the car was smoking, knocking, and shifting very loudly. My husband said I was lucky this didn't lock up the engine. He discovered oil splatters all over the tire and near the engine. We had no issues at all prior to today. We are going to try replacing the oil line as denoted in other peoples comments. Their experiences with this issue mirror my experience. I'm disappointed to hear toyota issued a service bulletin about this and not a safety recall. This could have been a huge safety issue as I'm hauling kids to/from daycare during rush hour traffic not to mention locking up the engine. This came out of the middle of nowhere.

Filed Feb 24, 2014 · Engine · 100,000 miles · MA

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota highlander. The contact stated that while driving 10 MPH, she began to her a knocking noise in the engine. The contact parked the vehicle and had it towed to a certified mechanic which stated that the engine cooler hose had a hole and cause the engine oil to leak out of the vehicle and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.

Filed Nov 20, 2012 · Seat belts, Steering · 82,600 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns 2008 toyota highlander. The contact stated that while parked the rear passenger door side seat belt would not release and as a result it had to be cut. The contact also stated he heard a knocking noise emitting from the steering column. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for a diagnostic testing. The technician stated the seat belt and the lower steering shaft needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated the vehicle was not included in any recalls. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 82,600 and the current mileage was 93,000. Updated 12/12/12

Filed Sep 18, 2012 · Steering · 21,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota highlander. The contact stated that while driving 10 MPH, the contact heard a knocking sound in the steering wheel and the vehicle began to shake abnormally. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnosis and a repair was made however, the contact was unaware of the nature of the repair. After leaving the dealer the vehicle began to shake again. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer at least three times who then advised that they were unsure of what was causing the failure. The vehicle was not further repaired. The failure mileage was 21,000 and the current mileage was 60,000.

Filed Nov 23, 2011 · Engine · PR

Brief engine knock/rattle noise cold startup. Immediately following a cold soak startup.