U.S. public vehicle records

2008 Toyota HIGHLANDER HYBRID problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

197 owner complaints analyzed

6 distinct recall campaigns

110,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2008 model year. Data updated: 2026-10-01 (October 1, 2026). 180 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Service Brakes is the most frequently named component, appearing in 94 of 197 complaints (47.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic	Matching reports	Share of complaints
Braking behavior	139	70.6%
Engine operation	17	8.6%
Electrical and battery issues	13	6.6%
Steering behavior	8	4.1%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Service Brakes

Electrical System

Electronic Stability Control (Esc)

Vehicle Speed Control

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Power Train

Engine

Unknown Or Other

Service Brakes: 94; Electrical System: 34; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 25; Vehicle Speed Control: 18; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 13; Power Train: 11; Engine: 10; Unknown Or Other: 10

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000

25,000 to 49,999

50,000 to 74,999

75,000 to 99,999

100,000 to 149,999

150,000 and above

Under 25,000: 35; 25,000 to 49,999: 14; 50,000 to 74,999: 14; 75,000 to 99,999: 13; 100,000 to 149,999: 70; 150,000 and above: 34

100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (70). 17 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2021

2025

2008: 3; 2009: 7; 2010: 36; 2011: 2; 2012: 9; 2013: 17; 2014: 8; 2015: 8; 2016: 21; 2017: 31; 2018: 42; 2019: 10; 2021: 1; 2025: 2

Pattern summary

Service Brakes leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 139 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 17 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 13 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10255226 · 2009-01-15 (January 15, 2009)

I OWN A 2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. DURING THE SNOW DAYS WE WERE TRYING TO DRIVE IT UP MY SNOW COVERED ROAD BUT COULD NOT DUE TO THE SLIGHT INCLINE AND THE COMPACT SNOW. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING, I WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND GRANDPA WAS IN THE BACK. ONCE WE STOPPED THE CAR WAS PUT INTO 'PARK', I GOT OUT AND WAS WALKING AROUND THE BACK. BY THEN MY WIFE AND GRANDPA WERE JUST OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE WITH THE DOORS STILL OPEN. THEN THE VEHICLE STARTED ROLLING BACKWARDS BUMPING INTO ME AND KNOCKING ME OVER ALMOST RUNNING OVER ME. MY WIFE AND GRANDPA…

Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10255226 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10274024 · 2009-06-16 (June 16, 2009)

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW IN DECEMBER OF 2008. THE CONTACT NOTICED PAINT CHIPPING FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR AND REAR DOOR. SHE ALSO NOTICED CORROSION UNDERNEATH THE PAINT. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE CORROSION WAS CAUSED BY BRAKE DUST. THEY STATED THAT THEY COULD GIVE THE VEHICLE AN ACID WASH. THE CONTACT WILL NOTIFY THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,300 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 15,000.

Owner-reported narrative. 1,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10274024 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10368157 · 2010-11-29 (November 29, 2010)

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. WHILE STOPPED AT A RAILROAD CROSSING, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED CAUSING A TRAIN TO HIT IT. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE VEHICLE WAS AWAITING INSPECTION. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO ARRANGED AN INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 25,000.

Owner-reported narrative. 25,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10368157 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10427565 · 2011-09-27 (September 27, 2011)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED TO FUNCTION. WITHIN A FEW MINUTES OF THE FAILURE, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BEGAN TO ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY WITH THE FLICKERING OF THE POWER BUTTON INDICATOR LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THERE WAS A FAULTY BATTERY INVERTER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE MALFUNCTION. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE W…

Owner-reported narrative. 165,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10427565 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10305329 · 2010-02-04 (February 4, 2010)

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE HIGHLANDER IN THE FIRST WEEK WE HAD THE CAR. SHE WAS DRIVING IN SLOW MOVING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC IN CAMBRIDGE MA AT LESS THAN 15 MPH. WHEN A CAR IN FRONT OF HER STOOPED QUICKLY, SHE HIT THE BRAKES WHICH INITIALLY STOPPED, BUT ON THEIR OWN RELEASED FOR A FRACTION OF A SECOND AND THEN RE-ENGAGED. THIS CAUSED HER TO HIT THE BACK OF ANOTHER CAR. INITIALLY WE REPORTED THIS TO TOYOTA AND WERE TOLD THAT IT HAD TO WITH THE HYBRID BRAKING SYSTEM. THIS TYPE OF BRAKE RELEASE HAS OCCURRED AT LEAST ON A WEEKLY BASIS AND BUT IS …

Owner-reported narrative. 200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10305329 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10324598 · 2010-04-08 (April 8, 2010)

TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID 2008 REQUIRES FREQUENT JUMPING DUE TO DEAD BATTERY, THIS HAS BEEN SINCE I BOUGHT IT, BUT MORE RECENTLY I HAVE HAD TO JUMP THE CAR ONCE A WEEK. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10324598 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10244046 · 2008-09-30 (September 30, 2008)

THERE IS A "CLICKING SOUND" IN THE STEERING COLUMN, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION, AND WORSE IF TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE GOING OVER A BUMP. FEELS AS IF SOMETHING IS LOOSE IN THE STEERING SYSTEM. ALMOST FEELS LIKE A LOOSE CV JOINT. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE I PICKED THE CAR UP FROM THE DEALER. THE DEALER TELLS ME THAT THIS IS A "CHARACTERISTIC OF THE VEHICLE". PROBLEM HAS BEEN PERSISTING, AND I SHOWED THIS TO ANOTHER DEALER, WHO TOLD ME THAT TOYOTA KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM, AND IS WORKING ON IT. SPOKE WITH TOYOTA, WHO DENI…

Owner-reported narrative. 20 miles reported. Look up ODI 10244046 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10283751 · 2009-09-12 (September 12, 2009)

I PURCHASED A 2008 HIGHLANDER BY TOYOTA. AFTER DRIVING 20K MILES , I NOTICED A VIBRATION IN MY STEERING. I THEN NOTICED MY TIRES BELTS WERE SEPARATING AND THE TREAD ON ALL WAS WORN DOWN TO ALMOST ZERO. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED AND THEY SAID THERE IS NO MILEAGE WARRANTY. YET MY UNDERSTANDING WAS 60 MONTHS. WHEN I READ IT AGAIN IT SAID 60 MONTHS OR THE AMOUNT OF TREAD LEFT. NEW TIRES $900. THESE TIRES ARE A HAZARD TO PUBLIC SAFETY. I HAVE NEVER HAD A NEW VEHICLE NEED NEW TIRES WHEN IT IS BARELY ONE YEAR OLD. THE TIRES WE…

Owner-reported narrative. 21,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10283751 at NHTSA ↗

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

197 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.

91.4%Usable mileage180 / 197 records

100.0%Valid incident date197 / 197 records

100.0%Valid filing date197 / 197 records

100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates197 / 197 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

From model yearThrough model year

Component complaint heatmap
Component	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023	2024	2025
Service Brakes	120.0% ODI 11098122 · 153,000 mi BREAK LIGHT WARNINGS ALL CAME ON. BRAKES WENT OUT WHILE IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET. HAD TO SHOVE BREAK PEDAL DOWN WITH BOTH FEET TO THE FLOOR GOING UPHILL TO STOP. DEALERSHIP TOLD US IT'S THE BREAK ACTUATOR PUMP AND WILL BE $5000 TO REPAIR. THIS IS A SERIOUS HARDSHIP ON US. I'M A FOSTER PARENT AND NEED MY VEHICLE IN WORKING ORDER. DEALERSHIP SAID ONLY THEY CAN DO THE REPAIR DUE TO SENSOR CALIBRATIONS. Look up ODI 11098122 at NHTSA ↗	111.1% ODI 11152787 · 114,000 mi BRAKE BOOSTER PUMP/ABS ACTUATOR C1391/C1256 WERE CODES GIVEN IN ATTACHED REPORT FROM TOYOTA. THIS IS APPARENTLY BEEN A PROBLEM WITH OTHER MODELS OF TOYOTAS AND ARE COVERED UNDER A WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT, HOWEVER THE 2012 IS NOT COVERED. NOTHING SEEMS WRONG WITH THE CAR AND THEY CANNOT REALLY TELL ME WHAT EXACTLY IS WRONG OR IF IT IS A BAD SENSOR, HOWEVER THEY WANT $4,200 TO REPLACE THE WHOLE UNIT. SEEMS LIKE THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE THAT THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIX FROM PREVIOUS MODELS AND WOULD LIKE IT COVERED DUE TO POTENTIAL SAFETY RISK. Look up ODI 11152787 at NHTSA ↗	120.0% ODI 10892270 · 53,400 mi 8/1/2016 2013 HIGHLANDER HYBRID WAS TRAVELING AT 60MPH WHEN LIGHTS ON DASH STARTED BLINKING WITH A LOUD BEEPING NOISE. BRAKE MALFUNCTION, CHECK ABS WAS READING ON THE INFORMATION SCREEN. TRAFFIC AHEAD ON 2 LANE HIGHWAY WITH A SPEED LIMIT OF 55MPH HAD SUDDENLY STOPPED AND I WAS FORCED TO SLAM ON BRAKES. AT THIS POINT THE BRAKES FELT VERY HEAVY, HEAVIER THAN USUAL, AS I DETECTED WHEEL LOCK UP AND PROCEEDED TO PUMP THE BRAKES TO AVOID REAR ENDING THE VEHICLE AHEAD. Look up ODI 10892270 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	350.0% ODI 11133443 · 163,000 mi I WAS STOPPED AND IN PARK WITH THE VEHICLE RUNNING WHEN THE "CHECK VSC SYSTEM," "CHECK ABS, BRAKE MALFUNCTION" WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. THEY HAVE SINCE GONE AWAY AND RETURNED INTERMITTENTLY. FORTUNATELY, THERE WAS NO FAILURE WHILE IN MOTION, BUT DEALER ESTIMATED $4600 FOR REPAIR. IF THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM FOR WHICH WARRANTY COVERAGE WAS EXTENDED FOR 2006-07 MODELS, THIS APPEARS TO BE AN ONGOING ISSUE. Look up ODI 11133443 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	111.1% ODI 11668825 After driving on an interstate and having my foot on the brake - the car jumps forward and accelerates. It has done this for a couple years, and it continues to happen more frequently. Sometimes it just jumps forward when you are driving through town and go to slow down. This seems like a safety issue. Look up ODI 11668825 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	233.3% ODI 11534894 · 20,000 mi The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated while driving approximately 20 MPH and slowing down for a traffic signal, the contact felt as if the brakes had failed. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle was still rolling forward. The contact stated that he depressed the brake pedal with more force and eventually the brakes grabbed and stopped the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, but the failure could not be d… Look up ODI 11534894 at NHTSA ↗	111.1% ODI 11611346 · 6,000 mi The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, there was a hesitation, and the vehicle surged forward before coming to a stop. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact became aware of TSB 0059/23, NHTSA ID Number: 10244133 (Electrical System, Air Bags, Service Brakes) for the 2021 - 2022 Toyota Highlander. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with brake failure. The contact was informed that the brake actuator needed to be replaced; however, the deal… Look up ODI 11611346 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Electrical System	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	111.1% ODI 10683807 · 86,000 mi NO PRIOR HISTORY OF HYBRID PROBLEMS DURING PREVIOUS 65,000 MILES. ON MONDAY MORNING, THE HIGHLANDER HYBRID STARTED UP FINE. AFTER WARMING UP FOR 5 MINUTES TO SCRAPE OFF SNOW, SHIFTED TO DRIVE AND BEGAN DRIVING. CAR SHUT DOWN AFTER ABOUT 12 FEET. CAR WOULD NOT RESTART. WARNING MESSAGE APPEARED ON DISPLAY, INDICATING HYBRID SYSTEM PROBLEM. AAA CAME, PUT ON FLATBED, AND TOOK TO NEAREST DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE CAUSE OR FIX PROBLEM FOLLOWING 6+ HOURS OF TROUBLESHOOTING BY THEIR HYBRID EXPERT YESTERDAY. THEY INDICATE… Look up ODI 10683807 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	150.0% ODI 10681857 · 17,200 mi CAR WAS DRIVEN FROM HOME LOCATION AT APPROXIMATELY 3 PM ON FEBRUARY 4, 2015. AFTER A QUARTER OF A MILE AN AUDIBLE WARNING SOUNDED AND THE CAR BEGAN TO SLOW. A FLASHING WARNING TO THE EFFECT OF "HYBRID SYSTEM FAILURE, STOP CAR IMMEDIATELY" APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. CAR CONTINUED TO SLOW TO ABOUT 1 MPH. PULLED CAR TO SIDE OF ROAD AND TURNED IT OFF. CONSULTED OWNERS MANUAL WHICH SUGGESTED TRYING TO RESTART THE CAR. RESTARTED. THE SAME WARNING REAPPEARED. TRIED ONE MORE CYCLE WITH NO SUCCESS. TOWED TO DEALER NEXT DAY. THEY WERE NO… Look up ODI 10681857 at NHTSA ↗	125.0% ODI 10958546 · 16,425 mi THE HATCH CONTINUES TO FAIL EVEN AFTER THEY REPLACED "DEFECTIVE" PART. THE BATTERIES HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THEY HAD FAILED. ON 3/2/17 I WAS SITTING IN THE DRIVER SEAT WITH THE CAR IN PARK WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING AND SUDDENLY THE DRIVER SEAT MOVED ALL THE WAY FORWARD, THEN THE BACK STRAIGHTENED COMPLETELY AND THE SIDE VIEW MIRRORS ADJUSTED ALL THE WAY UP. I PLACED A CALL TO THE DEALERSHIP AT 2:51PM, WAS TOLD I'D GET A CALL BACK. I DROVE THE CAR HOME WITH MY ADULT DAUGHTER. RADIO WAS OFF. WHEN I WAS STOPPED IN EITHER TRAFFIC OR A LIGHT WE… Look up ODI 10958546 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	133.3% ODI 10971485 · 10 mi I EXPERIENCED ISSUES RIGHT AFTER BUYING CAR NEW. CAR UNABLE TO READ SID CARD, GSP NOT WORKING, MULTI-MEDIA SCREEN WHITE WASH (WHITE) AND UNABLE TO READ, KEEPS TRYING TO RESTART 'BLUETOOTH', AUTO WIPER SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK, SEAT BELT WARNING SYSTEM DOES NOT ALWAYS WORK, FORWARD COLLISION BUTTON ON STEERING WORK DOES NOT WORK, BLIND SPOT WARNING DOES NOT WORK ALL THE TIME, HYBRID ENGINE DOES NOT ALWAYS START, REAR AUTO LIFT GATE DOES NOT ALWAYS OPEN. Look up ODI 10971485 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	16.7% ODI 11720641 · 77,900 mi The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the instrument panel lights were flashing. The vehicle then independently turned off and restarted repeatedly. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was determined that the battery level was low and needed to be replaced. The battery was replaced, and other unknown repairs for shifting failure were performed. The vehicle was driven back to the residence; however, the failure recurred upon starting the vehicle the following day. Additiona… Look up ODI 11720641 at NHTSA ↗	233.3% ODI 11620999 · 23,000 mi The contact's wife owns 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated that while his wife was driving 70 MPH, the vehicle shut off with the "Maintenance Required Visit Your Dealer" message displayed. The contact’s wife restarted the vehicle and immediately pulled over to the shoulder. Despite the failure, the contact's wife was able to drive back to the residence. The contact stated that prior to the failure, a similar warning light illuminated and disrupted the contact's ability to use the GPS feature. The contact called the local dealer a… Look up ODI 11620999 at NHTSA ↗	111.1% ODI 11611346 · 6,000 mi The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, there was a hesitation, and the vehicle surged forward before coming to a stop. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact became aware of TSB 0059/23, NHTSA ID Number: 10244133 (Electrical System, Air Bags, Service Brakes) for the 2021 - 2022 Toyota Highlander. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with brake failure. The contact was informed that the brake actuator needed to be replaced; however, the deal… Look up ODI 11611346 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	133.3% ODI 11422739 · 55,000 mi The contact owns a 2017 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 35 mph, the brake power low, stop at a safe place warning message was displayed. The contact stated that shortly after several warning lights were illuminated, the brake pedal was depressed and was firm. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, and the vehicle was diagnosed with needing the vacuum pump and brake booster needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approxim… Look up ODI 11422739 at NHTSA ↗	120.0% ODI 11493057 · 36,000 mi The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated while coming to a complete stop and depressing the brake pedal, he heard abnormal squeaking and rubbing sounds. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure persisted while at a complete stop. The contact stated that upon inspecting under the hood of the vehicle while someone depressed the brake pedal, he noticed that the ABS pump was emitting abnormal humming sounds. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that th… Look up ODI 11493057 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	111.1% ODI 11556081 · 38,000 mi The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the brake pedal would depress to the floorboard and the vehicle would fail to stop. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the mechanic repaired the brake calibrations and brake alignment. Despite the repair, the contact stated that the failure returned. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 38,000. Look up ODI 11556081 at NHTSA ↗	16.7% ODI 11668610 · 6,000 mi The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at slower speeds, the braking system experienced intermittent brake failures, causing the brakes to erroneously release while being depressed. During the failure, the vehicle unintendedly lurched forward. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted regarding the failures. The failure mileage was 6,000. Look up ODI 11668610 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Vehicle Speed Control	240.0% ODI 10586382 · 72,000 mi MY HIGHLANDER HYBRID: PUSHED START BUTTON, AND BEHAVED NORMALLY. UPON BEING PLACED IN GEAR, THE VEHICLE ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE AS IF THE GAS PEDAL WAS PUSHED TO THE FLOOR. ONLY HEAVY BRAKE PRESSURE PREVENTED A SERIOUSLY DANGEROUSNESS CONDITION OF FULL ACCELERATION IN A SMALL PARKING LOT. WHEN PLACED IN PARK, THE THROTTLE REDUCED TO IDLE. I REPEATED THE ACTION OF PLACING THE CAR IN GEAR (EITHER REVERSE OR DRIVE), AND AGAIN, THE THROTTLE ADVANCED TO A FULL ACCELERATION MODE. AGAIN, ONLY VERY HEAVY PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE PREVENTED UNCONT… Look up ODI 10586382 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	116.7% ODI 11326887 · 42,000 mi WE WERE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY ON 5/16/20. WE WERE DRIVING AROUND 65 MPH STRAIGHT. WE WERE DRIVING ON BLACK ASPHALT AND THEN WHEN WE DROVE OVER A BRIDGE WITH WHITE/GRAYISH CONCRETE, THE CAR'S EMERGENCY BRAKING SYSTEM ACTIVATED AND APPLIED SUDDEN BRAKING EVEN THOUGH WE WERE NORMALLY DRIVING. THE CAR JOLTED AND SLOWED DOWN AND ALL PASSENGERS WERE STOPPED BY AUTO-LOCKING SEATBELTS. *TR Look up ODI 11326887 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	16.7% ODI 11564106 · 10 mi The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated while depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle continued to accelerate forward before coming to a stop. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer on several occasions but no cause for the failure was found. The contact was informed that the vehicle operated normally due to the hybrid system. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 10. Look up ODI 11564106 at NHTSA ↗	116.7% ODI 11619151 · 36,000 mi The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle independently accelerated while the brake pedal was depressed. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer on several different occasions to be diagnosed; however, the dealer was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 36,000. Look up ODI 11619151 at NHTSA ↗	111.1% ODI 11611594 · 20,000 mi The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle surged forward and accelerated before coming to a stop. The failure occurred intermittently; however, the failure seemed most pronounced while decelerating from highway speeds. There were no warning lights illuminated. The dealer was informed of the failure; however, the vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been made aware of the failure… Look up ODI 11611594 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	120.0% ODI 10892270 · 53,400 mi 8/1/2016 2013 HIGHLANDER HYBRID WAS TRAVELING AT 60MPH WHEN LIGHTS ON DASH STARTED BLINKING WITH A LOUD BEEPING NOISE. BRAKE MALFUNCTION, CHECK ABS WAS READING ON THE INFORMATION SCREEN. TRAFFIC AHEAD ON 2 LANE HIGHWAY WITH A SPEED LIMIT OF 55MPH HAD SUDDENLY STOPPED AND I WAS FORCED TO SLAM ON BRAKES. AT THIS POINT THE BRAKES FELT VERY HEAVY, HEAVIER THAN USUAL, AS I DETECTED WHEEL LOCK UP AND PROCEEDED TO PUMP THE BRAKES TO AVOID REAR ENDING THE VEHICLE AHEAD. Look up ODI 10892270 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	133.3% ODI 11015603 · 2,900 mi TOTAL SYSTEM FAILURE. SEE DETAILED ATTACHED DOCUMENT. Look up ODI 11015603 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Hybrid Propulsion System: Inverter	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Engine	120.0% ODI 11187501 · 105,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, A GRINDING NOISE WAS PRESENT COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NORTH BROOK TOYOTA (1530 FRONTAGE RD, NORTH BROOK, IL) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RUBBER OIL HOSE WAS DAMAGED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE SAME DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE WAS DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000. Look up ODI 11187501 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	125.0% ODI 11035322 · 16,000 mi I UNKNOWINGLY FAILED TO TURN OFF MY CAR LAST NIGHT. IT HAS A KEYLESS IGNITION (FOB) AND SETS OFF AN ALARM WHEN LEFT ON. UNFORTUNATELY, LAST NIGHT MY HUSBAND ARRIVED HOME AT THE SAME TIME AND BETWEEN 2 GARAGE DOORS CLOSING AND EXCITED, BARKING DOGS I DIDN'T HEAR THE ALARM. WE WENT TO BED SHORTLY THEREAFTER. MY HUSBAND WOKE UP VERY EARLY AND HEARD OUR CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTOR GOING OFF IN THE GARAGE. WHEN HE OPENED THE DOOR HE DISCOVERED IT WAS VERY HOT AND THE DETECTOR WAS REGISTERING HIGH LEVELS OF CM. HE OPENED THE GARAGE DOORS AND WINDOWS IN … Look up ODI 11035322 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	266.7% ODI 10971485 · 10 mi I EXPERIENCED ISSUES RIGHT AFTER BUYING CAR NEW. CAR UNABLE TO READ SID CARD, GSP NOT WORKING, MULTI-MEDIA SCREEN WHITE WASH (WHITE) AND UNABLE TO READ, KEEPS TRYING TO RESTART 'BLUETOOTH', AUTO WIPER SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK, SEAT BELT WARNING SYSTEM DOES NOT ALWAYS WORK, FORWARD COLLISION BUTTON ON STEERING WORK DOES NOT WORK, BLIND SPOT WARNING DOES NOT WORK ALL THE TIME, HYBRID ENGINE DOES NOT ALWAYS START, REAR AUTO LIFT GATE DOES NOT ALWAYS OPEN. Look up ODI 10971485 at NHTSA ↗	120.0% ODI 11110214 · 6,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A PARKING LOT, THE CONTACT WAS NOTIFIED BY THE FAIRFAX FIRE MARSHALL THAT THE VEHICLE SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT FIRE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FIRE STARTED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT CALLED A LOCAL DEALER (PRIORITY TOYOTA SPRINGFIELD, 7601 LOISDALE RD, SPRINGFIELD, VA 22150 [phone removed]) AND WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT INFORMED THE CONTACT TO CALL THE INSURANCE … Look up ODI 11110214 at NHTSA ↗	116.7% ODI 11414436 · 9,655 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER AND DECELERATED. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT, HYBRID SYSTEM MALFUNCTION WARNING LIGHT, AND PRE-COLLISION SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO EXECUTIVE MOTORS LTD (AUTOMALL GROUP - SHIRLEY ST, NASSAU, BAHAMAS, [phone removed]) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL RAIL PRESSURE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RELATED THE FAILURE TO… Look up ODI 11414436 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	233.3% ODI 11609670 · 35,000 mi The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and approaching a traffic light, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the engine surged. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer on several occasions, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000. Look up ODI 11609670 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Service Brakes, Electric	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
Component	Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)	Median	Usable records	Examples
Service Brakes	109,050–147,922 mi	125,500 mi	84	ODI 10555138 · 5 mi AFTER STARTING CAR AND PUTTING IT IN GEAR, CAR STARTS DRIVING EVEN THOUGH BRAKE IS FULLY ENGAGED. WARNING LIGHTS FLASH ON AND TURN OFF REGARDING BRAKE FAILURE BUT DON'T STAY ON LONG ENOUGH TO READ. THE BRAKES CATCH AFTER A SECOND OR TWO AND OPERATE NORMALLY BUT THEN WILL SUDDENLY PAUSE DURING USE - TAKING A SECOND OR TWO TO CATCH. CHECKED BRAKE FLUID - IT IS FINE. BRINGING CAR TO TOYOTA DEALERSHIP TOMORROW. HAVE SINCE READ BLOGS/REPORTS FROM OTHER 2008 HIGHLANDER HYBRID OWNERS EXPERIENCING SAME UNPREDICTABLE, INSTANTANEOUS, MOMENTARY BRAK… Look up ODI 10555138 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10593307 · 70,000 mi AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR (OUR FIRST HYBRID) WE NOTICED THAT THE BRAKES WERE ACTING DIFFERENT WHEN SLOWING; WHILE SLOWING DOWN TO STOP AT A STOP LIGHT OR SIGN OR TO SLOW IN TRAFFIC, IF THE CAR IS UNDER 30 MPH AND HITS A BUMP THE BRAKES WILL RELEASE (WHILE YOUR FOOT IS ON THE BRAKES) AND THE CAR WILL LUNGE FORWARD EVEN THOUGH YOUR FOOT IS PRESSING DOWN AND HAS NOT BEEN RELEASED. THIS HAS HAPPENED OVER THE PAST YEAR AND NO ONE CAN SEEM TO FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM. THE BRAKES ARE NEW AND SEVERAL FORUMS HAVE BEEN READ IN REGARDS TO TRYING TO FIGURE O… Look up ODI 10593307 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10596102 · 72,772 mi WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON ABOUT BRAKES AND INSTRUCTIONS TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE REPAIR REQUIRED A REPLACEMENT OF THE ACTUATOR FOR ANTI LOCK BRAKES. $3.200.. *TR Look up ODI 10596102 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System	92,850–151,000 mi	121,500 mi	32	ODI 10330156 · 25,000 mi MY SUV STARTS ITSELF WITHOUT ANYONE OR THE KEY FOB BEING ANYWHERE NEAR THE VEHICLE. IT HAS DONE THIS AT LEAST 9 TIMES AND HAPPENS ANYWHERE AND AT ANY TIME OF DAY OR NIGHT. IT IS TOO DANGEROUS TO PARK IN MY GARAGE SO I LEAVE IT OUTSIDE ALL THE TIME. TOYOTA FACTORY NOR DEALER HAVE OFFERED ANY SUGGESTIONS TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I WANT IT RECALLED OR BOUGHT BACK. IT IS UNSAFE TO HAVE A CAR THAT DOES THIS. CAR HAS DONE THIS SINCE NOV 2009 THAT I HAVE NOTICED. TR Look up ODI 10330156 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10360414 · 178,000 mi TL THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 25-30 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED A BURNING ODOR AND NOTICED SMOKE EMITTING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. IMMEDIATELY THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WAS OPENED AND THE AUTOMATIC WINDOW SWITCH EXHIBITED SEVERE MELTING. THE WIRES WERE DISABLED AND REMOVED FROM THE SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 178,000. Look up ODI 10360414 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10368157 · 25,000 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. WHILE STOPPED AT A RAILROAD CROSSING, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED CAUSING A TRAIN TO HIT IT. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE VEHICLE WAS AWAITING INSPECTION. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO ARRANGED AN INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 25,000. Look up ODI 10368157 at NHTSA ↗
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)	107,500–149,900 mi	126,000 mi	24	ODI 10725058 · 112,200 mi INCIDENT DATE: 6-6-15. STARTED VEHICLE AND DASH WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON FOR ABS, VSC AND BRAKES. ALSO THE WORD, "BRAKE" IN RED CAME ON. TOYOTA DEALER DIAGNOSED A CODE 1391 (ABNORMAL LEAK DETECTED IN ACCUMULATOR) AND TESTED BRAKE SYSTEM AND FOUND ABS ACTUATOR/PUMP INTERNAL FAILURE/LEAK. DEALER REPLACED ABS ACTUATOR, PART #44050-48320, AND ABS PUMP ASSEMBLY, PART #47070-48020. ORIGINAL ESTIMATE TO REPAIR WAS $5,388. AFTER COMPLAINING TO TOYOTA'S NATIONAL CUSTOMER CARE, THE BILL WAS REDUCED TO $1,556. Look up ODI 10725058 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10790072 · 115,000 mi WHILE DRIVING ABS, VSC AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, I CONTINUED DRIVING (WAS 10 MILES FROM HOME ON FWY). FIVE MINUTES LATER I ENCOUNTERED TRAFFIC, TRAVELING AT 40-50 MPH I TOOK FOOT OFF GAS AND BEGAN TO APPLY BRAKES. BRAKES IMMEDIATELY SEIZED AND THE CAR STARTED TO SKID. I RELEASED THE BRAKES, THEN TRIED AGAIN, SAME RESULT. I PULLED TO SIDE OF FWY AND STOPPED. I DROVE SURFACE STREETS USING THE PARKING BRAKE WHEN I NEEDED TO STOP, UNTIL I GOT TO MY HOUSE. THAT EVENING AND THE NEXT MORNING I CHECKED TOE CARS OPERATION, IT DIDN'T MATTE… Look up ODI 10790072 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10837892 · 84,687 mi AT 61.614 MILES NOV.9 2013, DIAGNOSED CODE C1391, ABNORMAL LEAK IN ACCUMULATOR. VERIFIED BY DEALER WHERE IT WAS BOUGHT. ABS MODULE DIAGNOSED WITH INTERNAL DAMAGES. ACTUATOR ASSY, BR, PART NUM. 44050-48320 WAS REPLACED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY, FOR $3,102.71 PLUS BRAKE FLUID, FOR $3,118.25 AFTER THE SYSTEM WAS BLED ALSO (SEE INVOICE OF THAT DATE). PROBLEM RETURNED INVOLVING SAME PART 44050-48320, PLUS PART NUM. 47070-48020 PUMP ASSY, BRAKE DEFECTIVE AT 84,687 MILES, JUST 23,073 MILES LATER, LAST DECEMBER 17, 2015; WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER DEALER, BR… Look up ODI 10837892 at NHTSA ↗
Vehicle Speed Control	21,280–115,000 mi	70,000 mi	17	ODI 10234901 · 8,200 mi CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP ON A NEIGHBORHOOD STREET TO ALLOW A CAR OUT OF THEIR DRIVEWAY. MY 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HIGHLANDER HYBRID (WITH 8000 MILES) MADE A HISSING OR WHISTLING TYPE SOUND AND JUST ACCELERATED. ( I WAS AT A STOP) WE WENT ABOUT 150 FT (ACCORDING TO THE INSURANCE INVESTIGATOR) AND WENT RIGHT INTO A TREE. I WAS RELEASED FROM THE HOSPITAL THAT EVENING BUT MY PASSENGER IS SEVERELY INJURED. MY INS INVESTIGATOR SUGGEST I ASK YOU IF THERE ARE ANY OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES LIKE THIS.?? THE TRUCK IS TOTALED. MY INVESTIGATOR WANTS TO GET A COUR… Look up ODI 10234901 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10285779 · 16,000 mi TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, ON SEPTEMBER 11TH, 2009 WE DROVE FROM ORANGE COUNTY TO KERNVILLE FOR A WEEKEND TRIP. 120 MILES INTO OUR JOURNEY WE WERE O IN THE MOJAVE DESERT ON HIGHWAY 395 WHEN I OVERTOOK ANOTHER CAR AT APPROXIMATELY 75MILES PER HOUR. AS I GOT BACK INTO LANE, I ATTEMPTED TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE TO SLOW BACK DOWN BUT THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. MY WIFE WAS SITTING BESIDE ME. PERPLEXED, I LOOKED DOWN AT THE PEDALS AND TOLD MY WIFE THE CAR WOULD NOR SLOW DOWN, AS I CONTINUED TO TRY AND DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL. AT EACH ATTEMPT … Look up ODI 10285779 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10302494 · 11,000 mi WHILE PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT ONTO A BUSY STREET I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR HARD AT WHICH TIME IT BECAME STUCK. I TRIED BRAKING HARD BUT THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AT WHICH TIME I REMEMBERED HEARING ABOUT A RECALL INVOLVING FLOOR MATS. I YANKED THE FLOOR MAT BACK WHILE CONTINUING TO BRAKE AND SHORTLY THEREAFTER THE CAR STOPPED ACCELERATING. I WOULD ESTIMATE IT WAS STUCK FOR ABOUT 5 SECONDS, MAYBE A QUARTER MILE DISTANCE. AFTER RETURNING HOME AND MOVING THE FLOOR MAT AROUND I DO NOT SEE HOW IT COULD HAVE BEEN UP UNDER THE GAS PEDAL A… Look up ODI 10302494 at NHTSA ↗
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	5,000–36,432 mi	23,000 mi	13	ODI 10305603 · 15,000 mi TLTHE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. ON APPROXIMATELY FOUR OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS INCLUDING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL ENGAGED THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON ICY WEATHER CONDITIONS. SHE ALSO STATED THAT INTERMITTENTLY THE VEHICLE WOULD SURGE WHEN SHE TAPPED THE BRAKE PEDAL. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO DID NOT INSPECT THE VEHICLE. SHE HAS NOT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT … Look up ODI 10305603 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10306073 · 5,000 mi I HAVE A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. EVER SINCE IT WAS NEW, IT HAS INCONSISTENT BRAKING AT SLOW SPEEDS, LIKE 20 MPH AND SLOWER. WHEN BRAKING AT SLOW SPEEDS, IF I HIT EVEN A SMALL BUMP OR POTHOLE, THE BRAKES MOMENTARILY RELEASE, AND THEN WILL RE-APPLY BUT WILL REQUIRE MUCH GREATER PEDAL PRESSURE TO GET THE SAME BRAKING FORCE. I HAD THE DEALER LOOK AT IT BUT SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. JB Look up ODI 10306073 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10306533 · 25,000 mi I HAVE A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. EVER SINCE IT WAS NEW, IT HAS INCONSISTENT BRAKING AT SLOW SPEEDS, AROUND 25 MPH AND SLOWER. WHEN BRAKING AT SLOW SPEEDS, HITTING A SMALL BUMP OR POTHOLE WILL SHUT DOWN THE REGEN BRAKES, THE BRAKES MOMENTARILY RELEASE, AND THEN WILL REAPPLY WITH THE HYDRAULIC BRAKES ACTIVATED, BUT WILL REQUIRE MUCH GREATER PEDAL PRESSURE TO GET THE SAME BRAKING FORCE. *TR Look up ODI 10306533 at NHTSA ↗
Power Train	34,375–96,792 mi	70,596 mi	10	ODI 10255226 · 20,000 mi I OWN A 2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. DURING THE SNOW DAYS WE WERE TRYING TO DRIVE IT UP MY SNOW COVERED ROAD BUT COULD NOT DUE TO THE SLIGHT INCLINE AND THE COMPACT SNOW. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING, I WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND GRANDPA WAS IN THE BACK. ONCE WE STOPPED THE CAR WAS PUT INTO 'PARK', I GOT OUT AND WAS WALKING AROUND THE BACK. BY THEN MY WIFE AND GRANDPA WERE JUST OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE WITH THE DOORS STILL OPEN. THEN THE VEHICLE STARTED ROLLING BACKWARDS BUMPING INTO ME AND KNOCKING ME OVER ALMOST RUNNING OVER ME. MY WIFE AND GRANDPA… Look up ODI 10255226 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10311580 · 40,000 mi 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID 4WD - THE ANTISKID MECHANISM FOR ICE IS VERY EFFECTIVE BUT CREATES A DANGEROUS SITUATION WHEN IN SNOW. ON THIS MODEL, THERE IS NO MANUAL OVERRIDE. I LIVE IN RURAL NORTH DAKOTA AND BLOWING SNOW OR RURAL ROADS ARE A PART OF LIFE HERE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT I GOT STUCK IN A MINOR DRIFT ON THE ROAD BUT IN TEMPERATURE OF DOUBLE DIGIT BELOW WIND CHILLS. WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURS IS WHEN THE CAR SENSE WHEEL SLIPPAGE. THIS TURNS ALL POWER OFF TO THE WHEELS. 'FLOORING THE PEDAL" RESULTS IN NO REVVING OF … Look up ODI 10311580 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10318364 · 21,280 mi ACCELERATOR PEDAL STICKING - TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID 2008 (NOT RECALLED!) ON 2/18/10, MY ACCELERATOR GOT STUCK WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR 30 YEARS, AND I KNOW HOW TO DRIVE, SO PLEASE SPARE ME TOYOTA! ALSO, MY CAR IS NOT EVEN ON THE RECALL LIST YET!!!! I ACCELERATED QUICKLY FROM A STOPPED POSITION. ONCE THE ACCELERATOR WAS RELEASED, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO RACE. I HIT THE BRAKE, PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL, AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED MOVING. ABOUT 3 SECONDS LATER, AND WITHOUT TOUCHING THE ACCELERATOR, (THE ACCELERATOR WAS NOT STUCK… Look up ODI 10318364 at NHTSA ↗
Engine	97,350–128,800 mi	120,000 mi	10	ODI 10460435 · 93,800 mi WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE HAD A LOUD POP SOUND OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING 40/MPH. WITHIN 2 SECONDS VEHICLE SLOWED TO ABOUT 5/MPH ALLOWING JUST ENOUGH TIME TO GET TO THE BIKE LANE BEFORE COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. NO VEHICLES WERE ON SAME SIDE OF ROAD ALLOWED TO JUMP TO BIKE LANE. TOYOTA OF KEARNY MESA (SAN DIEGO, CA) RAN DIAGNOSTIC ON VEHICLE TO DETERMINE THAT THE HYBRID INVERTER DEAD'. AT THIS TIME THEY ARE STILL ATTEMPTING TO FIX THE VEHICLE. TR Look up ODI 10460435 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10478410 · 59,000 mi TL THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT ANY WARNINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSE THAT THE IGNITION COIL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 59,000. Look up ODI 10478410 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10510311 · 170,000 mi HIGHLANDER HYBRID LOST COMPLETE POWER WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY AT 65MPH. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER AND DIAGNOSED AS FAILURE OF THE POWER INVERTER. ESTIMATED COST TO REPAIR QUOTED AS $9,140. *TR Look up ODI 10510311 at NHTSA ↗
Unknown Or Other	52,125–133,750 mi	117,500 mi	6	ODI 10307362 · 29,000 mi I OWN A 2008 TOYOTA HYBRID HIGHLANDER.I HAVE EXPERIENCED A "LAG" BEFORE THE BRAKES KICK IN AND IT SEEMS LIKE THE CAR IS ACCELERATING AS I AM BRAKING. IT IFEELS AS IF WHEN IT HAPPENS I AM HITTING THE BRAKE AND GAS PEDAL AT THE SAME TIME. IT IS SOMEWHAT FRIGHTENING. IT HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 5 TIMES SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE CAR. I BELIEVE IT IS THE SAME ISSUE AS THE PREIUS. IT FEELS LIKE A BRIEF SURGE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE AS TOYOTA IS NOT RECALLING THE HYBRID HIGHLANDER. I BELIEVE IT IS THE SAME TECHNOLOGY AND ISSUE THE PREIUS IS EXPERIENCING Look up ODI 10307362 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10537929 · 124,000 mi THE CAR JUST STOPPED MOVING - ENGINE WAS RUNNING & ALL SYSTEMS WERE ON. THE WARNING SYSTEMS STARTING DISPLAYING THE FOLLOWING MESSAGES: CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM, CHECK VSC SYSTEM, CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM, CHECK 4WD SYSTEM. THE CAR HAD NO 'LIMP' MODE, AND I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO COAST TO A PARKING SPACE. PRIOR TO THIS THE CAR WAS RUNNING FINE WITH NO SIGNS OF FAILURE. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE SHOP AND WAS TOLD THE HYBRID INVERTER HAD GONE OUT. UPON RESEARCHING THIS IT APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE HIGHLANDER'S, AND THERE WAS A RECALL … Look up ODI 10537929 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10789114 · 32,500 mi AFTER THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN TO A STOP AND TURNED OFF WHILE STILL IN DRIVE, REVERSE OR NEUTAL, THERE IS NO AUDIBLE OR VISUAL WARNING THAT THE CAR IS NOT IN SAFELY IN PARK. WHEN YOU TAKE YOUR FOOT OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE CAR WILL ROLL AWAY IF IT'S ON AN INCLINE. Look up ODI 10789114 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

ComponentPeriod

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples

Monthly complaint and recall timeline
Month	Complaints	Campaigns announced	Examples
2024-11	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-12	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-01	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-02	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-03	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-04	1	None	ODI 11654687 · 227,000 mi The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the master, brake system, ABS warning, and traction control warning lights illuminated. Additionally, the message "Brake System Malfunction - Stop in Safe Place Immediately”, check ABS/VSC system, and check braking system" messages were displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic several times, but was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 227… Look up ODI 11654687 at NHTSA ↗
2025-05	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-06	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-07	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-08	1	None	ODI 11680234 · 212,000 mi Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated that it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 92,000, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 212,000. Look up ODI 11680234 at NHTSA ↗
2025-09	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-10	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-11	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-12	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-01	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-02	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-03	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-04	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-05	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-06	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-07	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-08	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-09	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-10 (partial)	0	None	No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Observation windowFirst model yearSecond model year

2022: 6 complaints · 2023: 7 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model year	Through age 0	Through age 1	Through age 2
2022	1	3	6
2023	4	7	7

Date coverage across each selected cohort

Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year	Incident dates used	Filing date fallbacks	Excluded dates
2022	6	0	0
2023	8	0	1

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
Component	Service Brakes	Electrical System	Electronic Stability Control (Esc)	Vehicle Speed Control	Service Brakes, Hydraulic	Power Train	Engine	Unknown Or Other
Service Brakes	—	5 ODI 10875884 · 119,900 mi 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 HAV… Look up ODI 10875884 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10979652 · 124,000 mi MY 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID WAS JUST DEEMED TOTALED BY THE CAR DEALERSHIP (NEWBURGH TOYOTA) AND MY INSURANCE COMPANY (LIBERTY MUTUAL), BECAUSE OF EXCESSIVE RODENT DAMAGE. IT TURNS OUT THAT THE RODENTS WERE ATTRACTED TO THE WIRING BECAUSE TOYOYTA USES ECO-FRIENDLY SOY-BASED COATING ON THEIR WIRES WHICH ATTRACT RODENTS!! RODENTS CHEWED WIRES, THE WIRING HARNESS, PLUGGED DRAINAGE HOLES WITH THEIR BEDDING THUS CAUSING WATER DAMAGE, AND RUINED THE HYBRID BATTERIES. THE DAMAGE WAS ESTIMATED AT MORE THAN $12,000, WHICH OF COURSE TOYOTA WOULD … Look up ODI 10979652 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11016219 · 116,000 mi CAR SEEMINGLY RUNNING FINE. VSC LIGHT, ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE MALFUNCTIOM LIGHT COME ON OUT OF NOWHERE. TOLD TO TOW TO DEALERSHIP. $3450 TO REPLACE ABS ACTUATOR. SAME PART HAS BEEN RECALLED IN OTHER YEARS AND MODELS BUT NOT 2008 HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THIS REPAIR IS 1/10 THE COST OF THE ORIGINAL PURCHASE PRICE OF THE NEW CAR. CAR HAS 116,000 MILES ON IT. Look up ODI 11016219 at NHTSA ↗	20 ODI 10725058 · 112,200 mi INCIDENT DATE: 6-6-15. STARTED VEHICLE AND DASH WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON FOR ABS, VSC AND BRAKES. ALSO THE WORD, "BRAKE" IN RED CAME ON. TOYOTA DEALER DIAGNOSED A CODE 1391 (ABNORMAL LEAK DETECTED IN ACCUMULATOR) AND TESTED BRAKE SYSTEM AND FOUND ABS ACTUATOR/PUMP INTERNAL FAILURE/LEAK. DEALER REPLACED ABS ACTUATOR, PART #44050-48320, AND ABS PUMP ASSEMBLY, PART #47070-48020. ORIGINAL ESTIMATE TO REPAIR WAS $5,388. AFTER COMPLAINING TO TOYOTA'S NATIONAL CUSTOMER CARE, THE BILL WAS REDUCED TO $1,556. Look up ODI 10725058 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10790072 · 115,000 mi WHILE DRIVING ABS, VSC AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, I CONTINUED DRIVING (WAS 10 MILES FROM HOME ON FWY). FIVE MINUTES LATER I ENCOUNTERED TRAFFIC, TRAVELING AT 40-50 MPH I TOOK FOOT OFF GAS AND BEGAN TO APPLY BRAKES. BRAKES IMMEDIATELY SEIZED AND THE CAR STARTED TO SKID. I RELEASED THE BRAKES, THEN TRIED AGAIN, SAME RESULT. I PULLED TO SIDE OF FWY AND STOPPED. I DROVE SURFACE STREETS USING THE PARKING BRAKE WHEN I NEEDED TO STOP, UNTIL I GOT TO MY HOUSE. THAT EVENING AND THE NEXT MORNING I CHECKED TOE CARS OPERATION, IT DIDN'T MATTE… Look up ODI 10790072 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10837892 · 84,687 mi AT 61.614 MILES NOV.9 2013, DIAGNOSED CODE C1391, ABNORMAL LEAK IN ACCUMULATOR. VERIFIED BY DEALER WHERE IT WAS BOUGHT. ABS MODULE DIAGNOSED WITH INTERNAL DAMAGES. ACTUATOR ASSY, BR, PART NUM. 44050-48320 WAS REPLACED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY, FOR $3,102.71 PLUS BRAKE FLUID, FOR $3,118.25 AFTER THE SYSTEM WAS BLED ALSO (SEE INVOICE OF THAT DATE). PROBLEM RETURNED INVOLVING SAME PART 44050-48320, PLUS PART NUM. 47070-48020 PUMP ASSY, BRAKE DEFECTIVE AT 84,687 MILES, JUST 23,073 MILES LATER, LAST DECEMBER 17, 2015; WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER DEALER, BR… Look up ODI 10837892 at NHTSA ↗	5 ODI 10593307 · 70,000 mi AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR (OUR FIRST HYBRID) WE NOTICED THAT THE BRAKES WERE ACTING DIFFERENT WHEN SLOWING; WHILE SLOWING DOWN TO STOP AT A STOP LIGHT OR SIGN OR TO SLOW IN TRAFFIC, IF THE CAR IS UNDER 30 MPH AND HITS A BUMP THE BRAKES WILL RELEASE (WHILE YOUR FOOT IS ON THE BRAKES) AND THE CAR WILL LUNGE FORWARD EVEN THOUGH YOUR FOOT IS PRESSING DOWN AND HAS NOT BEEN RELEASED. THIS HAS HAPPENED OVER THE PAST YEAR AND NO ONE CAN SEEM TO FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM. THE BRAKES ARE NEW AND SEVERAL FORUMS HAVE BEEN READ IN REGARDS TO TRYING TO FIGURE O… Look up ODI 10593307 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10644907 · 107,263 mi DRIVING AT A SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH AND SLOWING DOWN FOR A STOP SIGN. VSC, ABS, AND BRAKE MALFUNCTION WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. BRAKES FUNCTIONED, BUT DEALER SAID THAT THE ACCUMULATOR AND BOOSTER ASSEMBLIES NEED TO BE REPLACED. *TR Look up ODI 10644907 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10695422 · 143,000 mi 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 INC… Look up ODI 10695422 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	2 ODI 11030100 · 137,000 mi DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30K / HR ON SEPTEMBER 22, AROUND 6PM. LITTLE TRAFFIC AS THE ROAD LEADS DEEP TO THE COUNTRY. NO RAIN, GREAT VISIBILITY. WE'D JUST STOPPED TO FOLLOW SOMEONE TO A REMOTE LOCATION AND HAD NOT GOTTEN OUT OF THE CAR AT THAT TIME AS THE FRIEND CAME TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. A FEW MINUTES LATER, AN ALARM SOUNDED AND THE INDICATOR DISPLAYED "BRAKE MALFUNCTION". THE BRAKES WERE NOT WORKING AND AT THE SAME MOMENT, SMOKE BEGAN FILLING THE VEHICLE FROM THE FRONT VENTS. AT THIS TIME YOU COULD ALSO SEE SMALL FLAMES FROM THE FRONT HOOD O… Look up ODI 11030100 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11187344 TAKATA RECALL .. MY CAR START GETTING AN ERROR LIGHT IN MY DASHBOARD.. IT SAYS BRAKE MALFUNCTION , VSC SYSTEM AND ABS SYSTEM .. MY CAR RUNS FINE BUT SOMETIME WHEN I PRESS THE PHRASE PEDAL CAR DOESN'T BREAK RIGHT AWAY AND MAKING NOISE. Look up ODI 11187344 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System	5 ODI 10875884 · 119,900 mi 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 HAV… Look up ODI 10875884 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10979652 · 124,000 mi MY 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID WAS JUST DEEMED TOTALED BY THE CAR DEALERSHIP (NEWBURGH TOYOTA) AND MY INSURANCE COMPANY (LIBERTY MUTUAL), BECAUSE OF EXCESSIVE RODENT DAMAGE. IT TURNS OUT THAT THE RODENTS WERE ATTRACTED TO THE WIRING BECAUSE TOYOYTA USES ECO-FRIENDLY SOY-BASED COATING ON THEIR WIRES WHICH ATTRACT RODENTS!! RODENTS CHEWED WIRES, THE WIRING HARNESS, PLUGGED DRAINAGE HOLES WITH THEIR BEDDING THUS CAUSING WATER DAMAGE, AND RUINED THE HYBRID BATTERIES. THE DAMAGE WAS ESTIMATED AT MORE THAN $12,000, WHICH OF COURSE TOYOTA WOULD … Look up ODI 10979652 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11016219 · 116,000 mi CAR SEEMINGLY RUNNING FINE. VSC LIGHT, ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE MALFUNCTIOM LIGHT COME ON OUT OF NOWHERE. TOLD TO TOW TO DEALERSHIP. $3450 TO REPLACE ABS ACTUATOR. SAME PART HAS BEEN RECALLED IN OTHER YEARS AND MODELS BUT NOT 2008 HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THIS REPAIR IS 1/10 THE COST OF THE ORIGINAL PURCHASE PRICE OF THE NEW CAR. CAR HAS 116,000 MILES ON IT. Look up ODI 11016219 at NHTSA ↗	—	5 ODI 10875884 · 119,900 mi 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 HAV… Look up ODI 10875884 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10956638 · 264,000 mi I WAS DRIVING TO AN OFF RAMP WHEN MY 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID JUST STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF A VERY BUSY TRAFFIC! IT ALMOST CAUSED A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT. I HAD IT TOWED AND THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED IT AS AN INVERTER CONVERTER PROBLEM AND WILL CAUSE ME $11000 (YES, ELEVEN THOUSAND DOLLARS) TO REPLACE IT. THIS APPEAR TO BE AN ENGINEERING DEFECT FAULT. OF ALL THE WARNING IN PLACE IT SEEMS TO INFORM THE DRIVER, SUCH AS THE ABS LIGHT, LOW GAS GAUGE, LOW AIR, OIL MAINTENANCE WARNING, WHY NOT THE 'INVERTER PROBLEM DETECTED, BRING YOUR CAR TO… Look up ODI 10956638 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10979652 · 124,000 mi MY 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID WAS JUST DEEMED TOTALED BY THE CAR DEALERSHIP (NEWBURGH TOYOTA) AND MY INSURANCE COMPANY (LIBERTY MUTUAL), BECAUSE OF EXCESSIVE RODENT DAMAGE. IT TURNS OUT THAT THE RODENTS WERE ATTRACTED TO THE WIRING BECAUSE TOYOYTA USES ECO-FRIENDLY SOY-BASED COATING ON THEIR WIRES WHICH ATTRACT RODENTS!! RODENTS CHEWED WIRES, THE WIRING HARNESS, PLUGGED DRAINAGE HOLES WITH THEIR BEDDING THUS CAUSING WATER DAMAGE, AND RUINED THE HYBRID BATTERIES. THE DAMAGE WAS ESTIMATED AT MORE THAN $12,000, WHICH OF COURSE TOYOTA WOULD … Look up ODI 10979652 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	4 ODI 10483395 · 102,056 mi MY WIFE WENT TO MOVE THE CAR AND BACKED IT UP WHERE IT DIED. CAR STARTED ROLLING BACK THE DRIVE AND STOPPED HALF ON HALF OFF THE DROP OFF OF OUR DRIVEWAY. SHE HAD NO STEERING AND NO BRAKES. I CHECKED OUT THE CAR AND IT SAID HYBRID ERROR CALL DEALER. THE CAR WOULD NOT RUN. I HAD IT TOWED TO DEALER AND HE CALLED ME TO TELL US THE POWER INVERTER NEEDS TO REPLACED AT THE COST OF 8,600.00. I UNDERSTAND TOYOTA HAD A PROBLEM WITH THEIR 06 - 07 HIGHLANDERS FOR THE SAME ISSUE. NOTHING ON A CAR SHOULD COST $8,600 TO FIX WITHOUT BEING IN A MAJOR CAR ACCID… Look up ODI 10483395 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10534678 · 123,000 mi I ENTERED A GAS STATION AND MY CAR JUST STOPPED. IT WOULD NOT RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO NORTHRIDGE TOYOTA (NORTHRIDGE,CA) WHERE I WAS INFORMED THE "INVERTER" FAILED, AND ONLY REPLACEMENT BY A TOYOTA SERVICE CENTER MAY BE MADE DUE TO INTERNAL COMPONENT HIGH VOLTAGE PARTS, AT A COST OF $8,244.00 + LABOR IN THE AMOUNT OF $660.00. I INVESTIGATED ON-LINE AND DISCOVERED NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME "INVERTER FAILURE". FOLLOWING UP WITH TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION, I WAS INFORMED THEY KNEW OF THE "INVERTER FAILURES IN THE 06-07 MODELS AND ISSUED A… Look up ODI 10534678 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11011595 VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, DEPARTING FROM PARKED LOT. VEHICLE LOST ALL DRIVE POWER, AND INSTRUMENT PANEL WARNING LIGHTS TURNED ON. AFTER SHUTTING VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTING, WARNING MESSAGE TO CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM, AND CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM ILLUMINATED. ALSO ALL WARNING INDICATORS ACTIVATED IN THE GUAGE CLUSTER PANEL. THANKFULLY, WE WERE NOT DRIVING FAST WHEN THE VEHICLE BECAME DISABLED, OTHERWISE IT COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO NEAREST TOYOTA DEALERSHIP, WHERE THEY ADVISE "THE POWER INVERTER ASSEMBLY FAILED." TOYOTA REFUSES TO HELP, E… Look up ODI 11011595 at NHTSA ↗	6 ODI 10460435 · 93,800 mi WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE HAD A LOUD POP SOUND OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING 40/MPH. WITHIN 2 SECONDS VEHICLE SLOWED TO ABOUT 5/MPH ALLOWING JUST ENOUGH TIME TO GET TO THE BIKE LANE BEFORE COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. NO VEHICLES WERE ON SAME SIDE OF ROAD ALLOWED TO JUMP TO BIKE LANE. TOYOTA OF KEARNY MESA (SAN DIEGO, CA) RAN DIAGNOSTIC ON VEHICLE TO DETERMINE THAT THE HYBRID INVERTER DEAD'. AT THIS TIME THEY ARE STILL ATTEMPTING TO FIX THE VEHICLE. TR Look up ODI 10460435 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10510311 · 170,000 mi HIGHLANDER HYBRID LOST COMPLETE POWER WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY AT 65MPH. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER AND DIAGNOSED AS FAILURE OF THE POWER INVERTER. ESTIMATED COST TO REPAIR QUOTED AS $9,140. TR Look up ODI 10510311 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10522976 · 125,200 mi MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER WERE DRIVING ON A BUSY HIGHWAY WHEN THEY HEARD A "POP" NOISE FROM THE ENGINE. THE CAR STALLED ON THE ROAD. BY THE GRACE OF GOD, THEY WERE ABLE TO DRIFT TO THE SIDE AND DID NOT HAVE AN ACCIDENT. NEXT DAY, THE DEALER INFORMED THAT THE ISSUE WAS WITH THE HYBRID SYSTEM - THE INVERSION PART. THE COST FOR REPAIR WOULD BE $11,000! WE LIVE ABOUT AN HOUR FROM OUR WORKPLACES AND THUS PUT A GOOD MANY MILES ON OUR CAR - THE 125,000 MILES ON THE CAR PUT THE DRIVETRAIN OUT OF WARRANTY. WE HAVE HAD ALL RECALL SERVICES PERFORMED A… Look up ODI 10522976 at NHTSA ↗	2 ODI 10324598 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID 2008 REQUIRES FREQUENT JUMPING DUE TO DEAD BATTERY, THIS HAS BEEN SINCE I BOUGHT IT, BUT MORE RECENTLY I HAVE HAD TO JUMP THE CAR ONCE A WEEK. *TR Look up ODI 10324598 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11073201 · 162,000 mi 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, AN… Look up ODI 11073201 at NHTSA ↗
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)	20 ODI 10725058 · 112,200 mi INCIDENT DATE: 6-6-15. STARTED VEHICLE AND DASH WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON FOR ABS, VSC AND BRAKES. ALSO THE WORD, "BRAKE" IN RED CAME ON. TOYOTA DEALER DIAGNOSED A CODE 1391 (ABNORMAL LEAK DETECTED IN ACCUMULATOR) AND TESTED BRAKE SYSTEM AND FOUND ABS ACTUATOR/PUMP INTERNAL FAILURE/LEAK. DEALER REPLACED ABS ACTUATOR, PART #44050-48320, AND ABS PUMP ASSEMBLY, PART #47070-48020. ORIGINAL ESTIMATE TO REPAIR WAS $5,388. AFTER COMPLAINING TO TOYOTA'S NATIONAL CUSTOMER CARE, THE BILL WAS REDUCED TO $1,556. Look up ODI 10725058 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10790072 · 115,000 mi WHILE DRIVING ABS, VSC AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, I CONTINUED DRIVING (WAS 10 MILES FROM HOME ON FWY). FIVE MINUTES LATER I ENCOUNTERED TRAFFIC, TRAVELING AT 40-50 MPH I TOOK FOOT OFF GAS AND BEGAN TO APPLY BRAKES. BRAKES IMMEDIATELY SEIZED AND THE CAR STARTED TO SKID. I RELEASED THE BRAKES, THEN TRIED AGAIN, SAME RESULT. I PULLED TO SIDE OF FWY AND STOPPED. I DROVE SURFACE STREETS USING THE PARKING BRAKE WHEN I NEEDED TO STOP, UNTIL I GOT TO MY HOUSE. THAT EVENING AND THE NEXT MORNING I CHECKED TOE CARS OPERATION, IT DIDN'T MATTE… Look up ODI 10790072 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10837892 · 84,687 mi AT 61.614 MILES NOV.9 2013, DIAGNOSED CODE C1391, ABNORMAL LEAK IN ACCUMULATOR. VERIFIED BY DEALER WHERE IT WAS BOUGHT. ABS MODULE DIAGNOSED WITH INTERNAL DAMAGES. ACTUATOR ASSY, BR, PART NUM. 44050-48320 WAS REPLACED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY, FOR $3,102.71 PLUS BRAKE FLUID, FOR $3,118.25 AFTER THE SYSTEM WAS BLED ALSO (SEE INVOICE OF THAT DATE). PROBLEM RETURNED INVOLVING SAME PART 44050-48320, PLUS PART NUM. 47070-48020 PUMP ASSY, BRAKE DEFECTIVE AT 84,687 MILES, JUST 23,073 MILES LATER, LAST DECEMBER 17, 2015; WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER DEALER, BR… Look up ODI 10837892 at NHTSA ↗	5 ODI 10875884 · 119,900 mi 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 HAV… Look up ODI 10875884 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10956638 · 264,000 mi I WAS DRIVING TO AN OFF RAMP WHEN MY 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID JUST STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF A VERY BUSY TRAFFIC! IT ALMOST CAUSED A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT. I HAD IT TOWED AND THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED IT AS AN INVERTER CONVERTER PROBLEM AND WILL CAUSE ME $11000 (YES, ELEVEN THOUSAND DOLLARS) TO REPLACE IT. THIS APPEAR TO BE AN ENGINEERING DEFECT FAULT. OF ALL THE WARNING IN PLACE IT SEEMS TO INFORM THE DRIVER, SUCH AS THE ABS LIGHT, LOW GAS GAUGE, LOW AIR, OIL MAINTENANCE WARNING, WHY NOT THE 'INVERTER PROBLEM DETECTED, BRING YOUR CAR TO… Look up ODI 10956638 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10979652 · 124,000 mi MY 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID WAS JUST DEEMED TOTALED BY THE CAR DEALERSHIP (NEWBURGH TOYOTA) AND MY INSURANCE COMPANY (LIBERTY MUTUAL), BECAUSE OF EXCESSIVE RODENT DAMAGE. IT TURNS OUT THAT THE RODENTS WERE ATTRACTED TO THE WIRING BECAUSE TOYOYTA USES ECO-FRIENDLY SOY-BASED COATING ON THEIR WIRES WHICH ATTRACT RODENTS!! RODENTS CHEWED WIRES, THE WIRING HARNESS, PLUGGED DRAINAGE HOLES WITH THEIR BEDDING THUS CAUSING WATER DAMAGE, AND RUINED THE HYBRID BATTERIES. THE DAMAGE WAS ESTIMATED AT MORE THAN $12,000, WHICH OF COURSE TOYOTA WOULD … Look up ODI 10979652 at NHTSA ↗	—	3 ODI 10790072 · 115,000 mi WHILE DRIVING ABS, VSC AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, I CONTINUED DRIVING (WAS 10 MILES FROM HOME ON FWY). FIVE MINUTES LATER I ENCOUNTERED TRAFFIC, TRAVELING AT 40-50 MPH I TOOK FOOT OFF GAS AND BEGAN TO APPLY BRAKES. BRAKES IMMEDIATELY SEIZED AND THE CAR STARTED TO SKID. I RELEASED THE BRAKES, THEN TRIED AGAIN, SAME RESULT. I PULLED TO SIDE OF FWY AND STOPPED. I DROVE SURFACE STREETS USING THE PARKING BRAKE WHEN I NEEDED TO STOP, UNTIL I GOT TO MY HOUSE. THAT EVENING AND THE NEXT MORNING I CHECKED TOE CARS OPERATION, IT DIDN'T MATTE… Look up ODI 10790072 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11076663 · 159,000 mi IN AUGUST OF 2017 WE WERE DRIVING OUR 20088 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID AND ALL OF SUDDEN THE DISPLAY WARNED OF ABS VSC MALFUNCTION AND TO PULL OVER OR TAKE CAR TO NEAREST DEALER, THE BRAKE PEDALS LOST COMPRESSION OR PRESSURE AND THE BRAKE WAS NOT WORKING HARDLY. TOOK TO THE MECHANIC SHOP THAT HAS BEEN DOING THE REGULAR MAINTENANCE, THEY PERFORMED DIAGNOSTICS AND STATED ABS MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THEY ADVISE CAR WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. CHECKED THIS WEBSITE AND CARCOMPLAINTS TO SEE MANY OTHER USERS SAME ISSUE, CONTACTED TOYOTA, THEY STATED T… Look up ODI 11076663 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11110097 · 296,000 mi THE ABS ,VSC ,CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON WHEN ACCELERATING. STATING TO PARK VEHICLE AND TAKE IT TO THE DEALER. Look up ODI 11110097 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	1 ODI 10956638 · 264,000 mi I WAS DRIVING TO AN OFF RAMP WHEN MY 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID JUST STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF A VERY BUSY TRAFFIC! IT ALMOST CAUSED A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT. I HAD IT TOWED AND THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED IT AS AN INVERTER CONVERTER PROBLEM AND WILL CAUSE ME $11000 (YES, ELEVEN THOUSAND DOLLARS) TO REPLACE IT. THIS APPEAR TO BE AN ENGINEERING DEFECT FAULT. OF ALL THE WARNING IN PLACE IT SEEMS TO INFORM THE DRIVER, SUCH AS THE ABS LIGHT, LOW GAS GAUGE, LOW AIR, OIL MAINTENANCE WARNING, WHY NOT THE 'INVERTER PROBLEM DETECTED, BRING YOUR CAR TO… Look up ODI 10956638 at NHTSA ↗	0
Vehicle Speed Control	5 ODI 10593307 · 70,000 mi AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR (OUR FIRST HYBRID) WE NOTICED THAT THE BRAKES WERE ACTING DIFFERENT WHEN SLOWING; WHILE SLOWING DOWN TO STOP AT A STOP LIGHT OR SIGN OR TO SLOW IN TRAFFIC, IF THE CAR IS UNDER 30 MPH AND HITS A BUMP THE BRAKES WILL RELEASE (WHILE YOUR FOOT IS ON THE BRAKES) AND THE CAR WILL LUNGE FORWARD EVEN THOUGH YOUR FOOT IS PRESSING DOWN AND HAS NOT BEEN RELEASED. THIS HAS HAPPENED OVER THE PAST YEAR AND NO ONE CAN SEEM TO FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM. THE BRAKES ARE NEW AND SEVERAL FORUMS HAVE BEEN READ IN REGARDS TO TRYING TO FIGURE O… Look up ODI 10593307 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10644907 · 107,263 mi DRIVING AT A SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH AND SLOWING DOWN FOR A STOP SIGN. VSC, ABS, AND BRAKE MALFUNCTION WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. BRAKES FUNCTIONED, BUT DEALER SAID THAT THE ACCUMULATOR AND BOOSTER ASSEMBLIES NEED TO BE REPLACED. *TR Look up ODI 10644907 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10695422 · 143,000 mi 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 INC… Look up ODI 10695422 at NHTSA ↗	0	3 ODI 10790072 · 115,000 mi WHILE DRIVING ABS, VSC AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, I CONTINUED DRIVING (WAS 10 MILES FROM HOME ON FWY). FIVE MINUTES LATER I ENCOUNTERED TRAFFIC, TRAVELING AT 40-50 MPH I TOOK FOOT OFF GAS AND BEGAN TO APPLY BRAKES. BRAKES IMMEDIATELY SEIZED AND THE CAR STARTED TO SKID. I RELEASED THE BRAKES, THEN TRIED AGAIN, SAME RESULT. I PULLED TO SIDE OF FWY AND STOPPED. I DROVE SURFACE STREETS USING THE PARKING BRAKE WHEN I NEEDED TO STOP, UNTIL I GOT TO MY HOUSE. THAT EVENING AND THE NEXT MORNING I CHECKED TOE CARS OPERATION, IT DIDN'T MATTE… Look up ODI 10790072 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11076663 · 159,000 mi IN AUGUST OF 2017 WE WERE DRIVING OUR 20088 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID AND ALL OF SUDDEN THE DISPLAY WARNED OF ABS VSC MALFUNCTION AND TO PULL OVER OR TAKE CAR TO NEAREST DEALER, THE BRAKE PEDALS LOST COMPRESSION OR PRESSURE AND THE BRAKE WAS NOT WORKING HARDLY. TOOK TO THE MECHANIC SHOP THAT HAS BEEN DOING THE REGULAR MAINTENANCE, THEY PERFORMED DIAGNOSTICS AND STATED ABS MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THEY ADVISE CAR WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. CHECKED THIS WEBSITE AND CARCOMPLAINTS TO SEE MANY OTHER USERS SAME ISSUE, CONTACTED TOYOTA, THEY STATED T… Look up ODI 11076663 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11110097 · 296,000 mi THE ABS ,VSC ,CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON WHEN ACCELERATING. STATING TO PARK VEHICLE AND TAKE IT TO THE DEALER. Look up ODI 11110097 at NHTSA ↗	—	1 ODI 10439994 · 58,805 mi I WAS ON A SLIGHT INCLINE, AS I WAS APPROACHING A TRAFFIC LIGHT, I HIT THE BRAKES. WHILE I THOUGHT THE VEHICLE WAS GOING TO STOP, IT BEGAN TO ACCELERATE. I HIT THE BRAKES NUMEROUS TIMES AND EVENTUALLY CAME TO A STOP. WHEN I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE TO TOYOTA, THEY SIMPLY DISMISSED THE ISSUE INDIRECTLY SAYING I DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO DRIVE. I WAS THEN LOWBALLED WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO SELL THE VEHICLE BACK TO THEM. I'VE NOTICED [XXX] HAS BEEN ABLE TO RECREATE THE INCIDENT. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S… Look up ODI 10439994 at NHTSA ↗	2 ODI 10318364 · 21,280 mi ACCELERATOR PEDAL STICKING - TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID 2008 (NOT RECALLED!) ON 2/18/10, MY ACCELERATOR GOT STUCK WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR 30 YEARS, AND I KNOW HOW TO DRIVE, SO PLEASE SPARE ME TOYOTA! ALSO, MY CAR IS NOT EVEN ON THE RECALL LIST YET!!!! I ACCELERATED QUICKLY FROM A STOPPED POSITION. ONCE THE ACCELERATOR WAS RELEASED, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO RACE. I HIT THE BRAKE, PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL, AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED MOVING. ABOUT 3 SECONDS LATER, AND WITHOUT TOUCHING THE ACCELERATOR, (THE ACCELERATOR WAS NOT STUCK… Look up ODI 10318364 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10537481 · 116,992 mi I WAS DRIVING FROM MARYLAND BACK HOME TO NEW JERSEY AND THE VEHICLE COULD NOT ACCELERATE OR MOVE AT ALL WHEN IN GEARS. THE ENGINE WAS ON, HOWEVER THE CAR STOPPED MOVING. I WAS ON BACKROADS WITH LOW VISIBILITY SO NEIGHBORS AND OTHERS CAME OUT IMMEDIATELY TO PUSH THE CAR OFF THE ROAD SO IT WOULD NOT CREATE AN ACCIDENT. IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A FAULTY INVERTER ON THE HYBRID SYSTEM. AFTER RESEARCHING, I FOUND THAT THE PREVIOUS YEARS MODELS WERE RECALLED, HOWEVER 2008 MODEL WAS NOT. BUT AS I DO THE RESEARCH, … Look up ODI 10537481 at NHTSA ↗	0	0
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	0	0	0	1 ODI 10439994 · 58,805 mi I WAS ON A SLIGHT INCLINE, AS I WAS APPROACHING A TRAFFIC LIGHT, I HIT THE BRAKES. WHILE I THOUGHT THE VEHICLE WAS GOING TO STOP, IT BEGAN TO ACCELERATE. I HIT THE BRAKES NUMEROUS TIMES AND EVENTUALLY CAME TO A STOP. WHEN I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE TO TOYOTA, THEY SIMPLY DISMISSED THE ISSUE INDIRECTLY SAYING I DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO DRIVE. I WAS THEN LOWBALLED WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO SELL THE VEHICLE BACK TO THEM. I'VE NOTICED [XXX] HAS BEEN ABLE TO RECREATE THE INCIDENT. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S… Look up ODI 10439994 at NHTSA ↗	—	0	0	0
Power Train	0	4 ODI 10483395 · 102,056 mi MY WIFE WENT TO MOVE THE CAR AND BACKED IT UP WHERE IT DIED. CAR STARTED ROLLING BACK THE DRIVE AND STOPPED HALF ON HALF OFF THE DROP OFF OF OUR DRIVEWAY. SHE HAD NO STEERING AND NO BRAKES. I CHECKED OUT THE CAR AND IT SAID HYBRID ERROR CALL DEALER. THE CAR WOULD NOT RUN. I HAD IT TOWED TO DEALER AND HE CALLED ME TO TELL US THE POWER INVERTER NEEDS TO REPLACED AT THE COST OF 8,600.00. I UNDERSTAND TOYOTA HAD A PROBLEM WITH THEIR 06 - 07 HIGHLANDERS FOR THE SAME ISSUE. NOTHING ON A CAR SHOULD COST $8,600 TO FIX WITHOUT BEING IN A MAJOR CAR ACCID… Look up ODI 10483395 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10534678 · 123,000 mi I ENTERED A GAS STATION AND MY CAR JUST STOPPED. IT WOULD NOT RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO NORTHRIDGE TOYOTA (NORTHRIDGE,CA) WHERE I WAS INFORMED THE "INVERTER" FAILED, AND ONLY REPLACEMENT BY A TOYOTA SERVICE CENTER MAY BE MADE DUE TO INTERNAL COMPONENT HIGH VOLTAGE PARTS, AT A COST OF $8,244.00 + LABOR IN THE AMOUNT OF $660.00. I INVESTIGATED ON-LINE AND DISCOVERED NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME "INVERTER FAILURE". FOLLOWING UP WITH TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION, I WAS INFORMED THEY KNEW OF THE "INVERTER FAILURES IN THE 06-07 MODELS AND ISSUED A… Look up ODI 10534678 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11011595 VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, DEPARTING FROM PARKED LOT. VEHICLE LOST ALL DRIVE POWER, AND INSTRUMENT PANEL WARNING LIGHTS TURNED ON. AFTER SHUTTING VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTING, WARNING MESSAGE TO CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM, AND CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM ILLUMINATED. ALSO ALL WARNING INDICATORS ACTIVATED IN THE GUAGE CLUSTER PANEL. THANKFULLY, WE WERE NOT DRIVING FAST WHEN THE VEHICLE BECAME DISABLED, OTHERWISE IT COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO NEAREST TOYOTA DEALERSHIP, WHERE THEY ADVISE "THE POWER INVERTER ASSEMBLY FAILED." TOYOTA REFUSES TO HELP, E… Look up ODI 11011595 at NHTSA ↗	0	2 ODI 10318364 · 21,280 mi ACCELERATOR PEDAL STICKING - TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID 2008 (NOT RECALLED!) ON 2/18/10, MY ACCELERATOR GOT STUCK WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR 30 YEARS, AND I KNOW HOW TO DRIVE, SO PLEASE SPARE ME TOYOTA! ALSO, MY CAR IS NOT EVEN ON THE RECALL LIST YET!!!! I ACCELERATED QUICKLY FROM A STOPPED POSITION. ONCE THE ACCELERATOR WAS RELEASED, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO RACE. I HIT THE BRAKE, PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL, AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED MOVING. ABOUT 3 SECONDS LATER, AND WITHOUT TOUCHING THE ACCELERATOR, (THE ACCELERATOR WAS NOT STUCK… Look up ODI 10318364 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10537481 · 116,992 mi I WAS DRIVING FROM MARYLAND BACK HOME TO NEW JERSEY AND THE VEHICLE COULD NOT ACCELERATE OR MOVE AT ALL WHEN IN GEARS. THE ENGINE WAS ON, HOWEVER THE CAR STOPPED MOVING. I WAS ON BACKROADS WITH LOW VISIBILITY SO NEIGHBORS AND OTHERS CAME OUT IMMEDIATELY TO PUSH THE CAR OFF THE ROAD SO IT WOULD NOT CREATE AN ACCIDENT. IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A FAULTY INVERTER ON THE HYBRID SYSTEM. AFTER RESEARCHING, I FOUND THAT THE PREVIOUS YEARS MODELS WERE RECALLED, HOWEVER 2008 MODEL WAS NOT. BUT AS I DO THE RESEARCH, … Look up ODI 10537481 at NHTSA ↗	0	—	0	1 ODI 10789114 · 32,500 mi AFTER THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN TO A STOP AND TURNED OFF WHILE STILL IN DRIVE, REVERSE OR NEUTAL, THERE IS NO AUDIBLE OR VISUAL WARNING THAT THE CAR IS NOT IN SAFELY IN PARK. WHEN YOU TAKE YOUR FOOT OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE CAR WILL ROLL AWAY IF IT'S ON AN INCLINE. Look up ODI 10789114 at NHTSA ↗
Engine	0	6 ODI 10460435 · 93,800 mi WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE HAD A LOUD POP SOUND OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING 40/MPH. WITHIN 2 SECONDS VEHICLE SLOWED TO ABOUT 5/MPH ALLOWING JUST ENOUGH TIME TO GET TO THE BIKE LANE BEFORE COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. NO VEHICLES WERE ON SAME SIDE OF ROAD ALLOWED TO JUMP TO BIKE LANE. TOYOTA OF KEARNY MESA (SAN DIEGO, CA) RAN DIAGNOSTIC ON VEHICLE TO DETERMINE THAT THE HYBRID INVERTER DEAD'. AT THIS TIME THEY ARE STILL ATTEMPTING TO FIX THE VEHICLE. TR Look up ODI 10460435 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10510311 · 170,000 mi HIGHLANDER HYBRID LOST COMPLETE POWER WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY AT 65MPH. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER AND DIAGNOSED AS FAILURE OF THE POWER INVERTER. ESTIMATED COST TO REPAIR QUOTED AS $9,140. TR Look up ODI 10510311 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10522976 · 125,200 mi MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER WERE DRIVING ON A BUSY HIGHWAY WHEN THEY HEARD A "POP" NOISE FROM THE ENGINE. THE CAR STALLED ON THE ROAD. BY THE GRACE OF GOD, THEY WERE ABLE TO DRIFT TO THE SIDE AND DID NOT HAVE AN ACCIDENT. NEXT DAY, THE DEALER INFORMED THAT THE ISSUE WAS WITH THE HYBRID SYSTEM - THE INVERSION PART. THE COST FOR REPAIR WOULD BE $11,000! WE LIVE ABOUT AN HOUR FROM OUR WORKPLACES AND THUS PUT A GOOD MANY MILES ON OUR CAR - THE 125,000 MILES ON THE CAR PUT THE DRIVETRAIN OUT OF WARRANTY. WE HAVE HAD ALL RECALL SERVICES PERFORMED A… Look up ODI 10522976 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 10956638 · 264,000 mi I WAS DRIVING TO AN OFF RAMP WHEN MY 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID JUST STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF A VERY BUSY TRAFFIC! IT ALMOST CAUSED A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT. I HAD IT TOWED AND THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED IT AS AN INVERTER CONVERTER PROBLEM AND WILL CAUSE ME $11000 (YES, ELEVEN THOUSAND DOLLARS) TO REPLACE IT. THIS APPEAR TO BE AN ENGINEERING DEFECT FAULT. OF ALL THE WARNING IN PLACE IT SEEMS TO INFORM THE DRIVER, SUCH AS THE ABS LIGHT, LOW GAS GAUGE, LOW AIR, OIL MAINTENANCE WARNING, WHY NOT THE 'INVERTER PROBLEM DETECTED, BRING YOUR CAR TO… Look up ODI 10956638 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	—	0
Unknown Or Other	2 ODI 11030100 · 137,000 mi DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30K / HR ON SEPTEMBER 22, AROUND 6PM. LITTLE TRAFFIC AS THE ROAD LEADS DEEP TO THE COUNTRY. NO RAIN, GREAT VISIBILITY. WE'D JUST STOPPED TO FOLLOW SOMEONE TO A REMOTE LOCATION AND HAD NOT GOTTEN OUT OF THE CAR AT THAT TIME AS THE FRIEND CAME TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. A FEW MINUTES LATER, AN ALARM SOUNDED AND THE INDICATOR DISPLAYED "BRAKE MALFUNCTION". THE BRAKES WERE NOT WORKING AND AT THE SAME MOMENT, SMOKE BEGAN FILLING THE VEHICLE FROM THE FRONT VENTS. AT THIS TIME YOU COULD ALSO SEE SMALL FLAMES FROM THE FRONT HOOD O… Look up ODI 11030100 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11187344 TAKATA RECALL .. MY CAR START GETTING AN ERROR LIGHT IN MY DASHBOARD.. IT SAYS BRAKE MALFUNCTION , VSC SYSTEM AND ABS SYSTEM .. MY CAR RUNS FINE BUT SOMETIME WHEN I PRESS THE PHRASE PEDAL CAR DOESN'T BREAK RIGHT AWAY AND MAKING NOISE. Look up ODI 11187344 at NHTSA ↗	2 ODI 10324598 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID 2008 REQUIRES FREQUENT JUMPING DUE TO DEAD BATTERY, THIS HAS BEEN SINCE I BOUGHT IT, BUT MORE RECENTLY I HAVE HAD TO JUMP THE CAR ONCE A WEEK. *TR Look up ODI 10324598 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11073201 · 162,000 mi 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, AN… Look up ODI 11073201 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	1 ODI 10789114 · 32,500 mi AFTER THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN TO A STOP AND TURNED OFF WHILE STILL IN DRIVE, REVERSE OR NEUTAL, THERE IS NO AUDIBLE OR VISUAL WARNING THAT THE CAR IS NOT IN SAFELY IN PARK. WHEN YOU TAKE YOUR FOOT OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE CAR WILL ROLL AWAY IF IT'S ON AN INCLINE. Look up ODI 10789114 at NHTSA ↗	0	—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

Search patterns

5 patterns with matching reports.

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

38 mentions · 19.3% of complaints

Median mileage: 112,800 mi (36 usable records).

ODI 10312618 · 41,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, WITH SMALL CHILD IN BACK, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE IMMINENT DANGER WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. THEY STATED STOP THE CAR IN THE NEAREST SAFE AREA AND CALL DEALER. I FEARED BACK TO AN ACCELERATION ISSUE IN 1985 WITH AN OLDER CAR AND LOOKED FOR A LESS CROWDED AREA TO PULL OVER. I WAS IN TRAFFIC AND THAT WAS NOT POSSIBLE. I PHONED THE NEAREST DEALER, THEY COULD NOT TELL ME WHAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN OTHER THAN I NEEDED TO GET THERE OR PULL OVER AND STOP. I WAS LESS THAN 15 MILES AWAY SO I CHOSE TO TRY AND GET THERE SIN…

Look up ODI 10312618 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10514810 · 2,860 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IN REVERSE, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE CHECK HYBRID AND CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LIGHTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN THE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS ADVISED TO THE CONTACT THAT THE POWER INVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,860. KMJ *TR

Look up ODI 10514810 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10522976 · 125,200 mi

MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER WERE DRIVING ON A BUSY HIGHWAY WHEN THEY HEARD A "POP" NOISE FROM THE ENGINE. THE CAR STALLED ON THE ROAD. BY THE GRACE OF GOD, THEY WERE ABLE TO DRIFT TO THE SIDE AND DID NOT HAVE AN ACCIDENT. NEXT DAY, THE DEALER INFORMED THAT THE ISSUE WAS WITH THE HYBRID SYSTEM - THE INVERSION PART. THE COST FOR REPAIR WOULD BE $11,000! WE LIVE ABOUT AN HOUR FROM OUR WORKPLACES AND THUS PUT A GOOD MANY MILES ON OUR CAR - THE 125,000 MILES ON THE CAR PUT THE DRIVETRAIN OUT OF WARRANTY. WE HAVE HAD ALL RECALL SERVICES PERFORMED A…

Look up ODI 10522976 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(warning light\w*|check engine|dashboard warning\w*|malfunction indicator)\b

Brake response concerns

21 mentions · 10.7% of complaints

Median mileage: 100,000 mi (21 usable records).

ODI 10285779 · 16,000 mi

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, ON SEPTEMBER 11TH, 2009 WE DROVE FROM ORANGE COUNTY TO KERNVILLE FOR A WEEKEND TRIP. 120 MILES INTO OUR JOURNEY WE WERE O IN THE MOJAVE DESERT ON HIGHWAY 395 WHEN I OVERTOOK ANOTHER CAR AT APPROXIMATELY 75MILES PER HOUR. AS I GOT BACK INTO LANE, I ATTEMPTED TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE TO SLOW BACK DOWN BUT THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. MY WIFE WAS SITTING BESIDE ME. PERPLEXED, I LOOKED DOWN AT THE PEDALS AND TOLD MY WIFE THE CAR WOULD NOR SLOW DOWN, AS I CONTINUED TO TRY AND DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL. AT EACH ATTEMPT …

Look up ODI 10285779 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10305603 · 15,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. ON APPROXIMATELY FOUR OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS INCLUDING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL ENGAGED THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON ICY WEATHER CONDITIONS. SHE ALSO STATED THAT INTERMITTENTLY THE VEHICLE WOULD SURGE WHEN SHE TAPPED THE BRAKE PEDAL. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO DID NOT INSPECT THE VEHICLE. SHE HAS NOT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT …

Look up ODI 10305603 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10307829 · 23,000 mi

SINCE THERE HAS BEEN SO MUCH TALK ABOUT THE TOYOTA HYBRIDS I THOUGHT I WOULD FILE A QUICK COMPLAINT THAT MAY NEED TO BE INVESTIGATED. JUST LIKE ON THE FORD FUSION HYBRIDS AND SOME OF THE TOYOTA HYBRIDS UNDER RECALL, MY 2008 HIGHLANDER HYBRID HAS A BIT OF A FUNNY BRAKE FEELING WHEN GOING FROM REGENERATIVE BRAKING TO MECHANICAL BRAKING. I CAN DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM EASILY AND IT OCCURS SEVERAL TIMES DAILY. I'VE LEARNED TO LIVE WITH IT, BUT THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED IT STARTLED ME. LONG STORY SHORT, WHEN TRAVELLING DOWN HILL AND APPLYING T…

Look up ODI 10307829 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

Stalling or loss of power

19 mentions · 9.6% of complaints

Median mileage: 120,000 mi (19 usable records).

ODI 10368157 · 25,000 mi

Look up ODI 10368157 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10427565 · 165,000 mi

Look up ODI 10427565 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10445707 · 71,191 mi

THE VEHICLE STALLED (LOST CONTROL OF STEERING AND ENGINE CEASED TO OPERATE) WHILE DRIVING AT AROUND 35 MPH. "HYBRID SYSTEM WARNING" WAS DISPLAYED AND IT ADVISED TO PULL OVER AND CONTACT DEALERSHIP IMMEDIATELY. *TR

Look up ODI 10445707 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b

Battery drain and no-start mentions

3 mentions · 1.5% of complaints

Median mileage: 136,000 mi (2 usable records).

ODI 10324598

TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID 2008 REQUIRES FREQUENT JUMPING DUE TO DEAD BATTERY, THIS HAS BEEN SINCE I BOUGHT IT, BUT MORE RECENTLY I HAVE HAD TO JUMP THE CAR ONCE A WEEK. *TR

Look up ODI 10324598 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10870446 · 148,000 mi

CAR DOME LIGHT WAS LEFT ON AND BATTERY DIED. BATTERY WAS 3 YEARS OLD SO I REPLACED WITH NEW BATTERY AND CAR STARTED AND DROVE SHORT DISTANCE. COUPLE OF DAYS LATER I ATTEMPTED TO START CAR BUT IT WOULD NOT START. CHECKED BATTERY AND IT WAS GOOD. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START CAR, I GET MESSAGES ABOUT CONTACTING DEALER FOR THE PROBLEM ALONG WITH BRAKE WARNING ETC.

Look up ODI 10870446 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10979652 · 124,000 mi

MY 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID WAS JUST DEEMED TOTALED BY THE CAR DEALERSHIP (NEWBURGH TOYOTA) AND MY INSURANCE COMPANY (LIBERTY MUTUAL), BECAUSE OF EXCESSIVE RODENT DAMAGE. IT TURNS OUT THAT THE RODENTS WERE ATTRACTED TO THE WIRING BECAUSE TOYOYTA USES ECO-FRIENDLY SOY-BASED COATING ON THEIR WIRES WHICH ATTRACT RODENTS!! RODENTS CHEWED WIRES, THE WIRING HARNESS, PLUGGED DRAINAGE HOLES WITH THEIR BEDDING THUS CAUSING WATER DAMAGE, AND RUINED THE HYBRID BATTERIES. THE DAMAGE WAS ESTIMATED AT MORE THAN $12,000, WHICH OF COURSE TOYOTA WOULD …

Look up ODI 10979652 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

Hard or delayed shifting

2 mentions · 1.0% of complaints

Median mileage: 11,600 mi (2 usable records).

ODI 10307829 · 23,000 mi

Look up ODI 10307829 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10308184 · 200 mi

SHORTLY AFTER COMMENCING BRAKING, BRAKES BRIEFLY SEEM TO "LET GO" OR SLIP. THE SENSATION IS OF THE CAR LURCHING FORWARD, ALMOST ACCELERATING. THEN BRAKING RESUMES. PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS NOT A ONE-TIME INCIDENT; I NOTICE IT EVERY TIME I DRIVE AT SLOW OR MODERATE SPEEDS, AND THEN NEED TO BRAKE--MOST RECENTLY, TODAY. 2008 MODEL HIGHLANDER HYBRID WAS PURCHASED IN MARCH 2009; WE HAVE OWNED IT FOR 11 MONTHS. *TR

Look up ODI 10308184 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule