2008 Toyota Highlander: harsh or hard shifting

10 of the 406 complaints about the 2008 Toyota Highlander describe harsh or hard shifting.

owner complaints: 10
of this car's complaints: 2%
typical mileage: 95,000
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 11 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Harsh or hard shifting by model year

2022
4
2021
7
2020
7
2019
12
2018
6
2017
16
2015
2
2014
1
2013
18
2012
13
2011
10
2010
10
2009
7
2008
10
2007
2
2006
1
2005
3
2004
10
2003
1
2002
3

What owners say

Filed Jan 16, 2024 · Body · 175,000 miles · NC

The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the front end of the vehicle was making an abnormal clunking sound. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the entire subframe was severely corroded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 175,000.

Filed Sep 13, 2020 · Steering · 130,000 miles · NC

Clunking noise from steering column started in july of 2020 and is getting worse current mileage is 130000. I mostly here the noise while turning the steering wheel and also feel the click in the sterring wheel.

Filed Oct 7, 2019 · Steering · 95,000 miles · NY

The steering shaft makes a clunking noise during low speed turns. There have been a number of complaints about this over the years, but no recall. Meanwhile, toyota is charging around $800 to make the repair.

Filed Apr 3, 2019 · Steering · 25,000 miles · MA

Poping clunking noise while driving turning left or right. Had mechanic checked it and notified toyota via email to no avail . Then this year had the car sticker inspection done was informed about the clicking sounds. Now I start to get worry is this particular issue has an impact on my life while driving the car. Checked the internet and found similar issue with owner's complaint about intermediate steering shaft. Hopefully toyota will do a recall to rectify the problem and safeguard the public safety.

Filed Dec 23, 2018 · Steering · 160,000 miles · OR

Toyota highlander sport awd 2008 makes clunking noise when turning. Researched issue online after taking to multiple shops thinking it was transmission issues and learned about faulty intermediate steering shaft. I have to pay $536 through local mechanic for fix because toyota wont issue recall of know defective part design.

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 Sep 24, 2018 · Steering · NC

Steering wheel is making clunky noises when turning the wheel right or left

Filed Dec 28, 2015 · Steering · 110,000 miles · LA

In motion on city streets steering column makes clunk noise when turning left or right, also on highway steering column rattles. It started 6-15-2014 until present day 12-28-2015.

Filed Feb 13, 2015 · Steering · 64,441 miles · GA

Noise occurs while turning in the steering column. The "clunking" and vibrations are felt within the steering wheel. The part from toyota was remanufactured in 2011 to replace the current part given it was a default part not lasting long. It is a safety issue given it is the mechanism that connects the steering wheel to the front shaft assembly. Should that have issue, break etc. While driving or turning it can be accidental or fatal. The dealership mentioned that while it may not be a safety issue, its not fully determined that it is not. For the part to be re-manufactured differently, there must have been knowledge of a faulty part. This needs to be remedied by toyota. Part is intermediate steering shaft.

Filed Feb 15, 2010 · Electrical · 48,000 miles · IL

All the sensor lights, including ABS, emergency brake, and trac, for the brake system have gone on and off intermittently on my 2008 toyota highlander. Sometimes the brakes engaged the skid control and one time I heard the back left brake make a clunking noise when I pressed the brake pedal. The brakes were inspected twice, once by toyota mechanic and another time by a local sears mechanic. The toyota mechanic re-calibrated the sensors and they stayed off for a few weeks, but they are all back on now. The toyota mechanic stated that our vehicle was third one he saw that week for brake sensor problems. Also, both mechanics said I had plenty of brakes left. This started when there was less than 50,000 miles on my car but, with over 36,000 warranty miles. I think the sensors should last longer and it's scary driving with the sensor lights indicating a problem.