What is the recall on the 2008 Toyota Highlander?

There isn’t a single, universal recall for every 2008 Toyota Highlander. Instead, multiple recall campaigns have been issued over the years, and whether a specific vehicle is affected depends on its VIN (vehicle identification number) and production dates. This article outlines how recalls work for this model year and how to verify the status for your own Highlander.

Understanding the recall landscape for the 2008 Highlander

recalls are issued by manufacturers and regulators when a safety defect or noncompliance is identified. For older model years like the 2008 Highlander, it is common to have several campaigns across different systems. The exact set of recalls that applies to a given Highlander can change over time as new campaigns are added or older ones are resolved. To know the precise status, you must check the VIN against official recall listings.

To determine if your vehicle is affected, consider the following steps:

• Look up your Highlander’s VIN in official recall databases to see active or past campaigns.


• Use the manufacturer’s recall lookup tool with your VIN to get a VIN-specific list of campaigns.


• Contact a Toyota dealer’s service department; they can run a VIN check and explain required repairs and timelines.


• Review any recall notices you’ve received by mail or email—these may include instructions and next steps.


• Sign up for recall alerts to stay informed about new campaigns that may affect your vehicle in the future.

If a recall is listed for your Highlander, you should arrange a free repair with an authorized Toyota dealer as soon as possible. Repairs under recall are typically provided at no charge to the vehicle owner.

Where to check recall information

Reliable, up-to-date recall information for the 2008 Highlander comes from official sources. Use these channels to verify status for your VIN:

• NHTSA Recall Look-Up (United States):


• Toyota Owners Official Recall Lookup (global/en_US):


• Local Toyota dealership service departments and approved service centers

Checking these sources will give you a VIN-specific list of campaigns, current statuses (open, pending, or completed), and the recommended actions required by Toyota and regulatory authorities.

What you should do now

Before taking action, it helps to have a plan. The following steps are designed to be straightforward and practical for owners seeking clarity on recalls for a 2008 Highlander.

1. Locate your vehicle’s VIN on the driver’s side dashboard or door jamb, or on the vehicle’s registration documents.


2. Visit the official recall lookup portals and enter your VIN to pull up all campaigns specific to your car.


3. Call or visit a Toyota dealer with the VIN and any recall notices you’ve received to schedule service.


4. If a recall is active, follow the dealer’s instructions for repairs and keep records of the service completed.


5. Stay informed by subscribing to recall alerts and periodically re-checking the VIN for new campaigns.

Taking action when a recall affects your Highlander helps ensure ongoing safety and compliance with manufacturer and regulatory recommendations.

Summary

For the 2008 Toyota Highlander, there isn’t a single recall that covers all vehicles. The number and scope of campaigns vary by VIN and production period. The best approach is to verify your specific VIN against official recall databases, contact a Toyota dealer for a VIN-specific review, and act promptly if a recall is found. Keeping up-to-date with recalls helps protect safety and maintain vehicle performance over time.

Do Toyota recalls expire?

No, safety-related Toyota recalls do not expire, and they can be performed at any time for free as long as the manufacturer is in business and has the necessary parts. However, other programs like Customer Satisfaction Programs or Limited Service Campaigns may have expiration dates and mileage limitations, and you should address these before the deadline to avoid out-of-pocket costs. 
Safety recalls

• Lifetime: Safety recalls do not have an expiration date and are legally required to be fixed for free, regardless of the vehicle's age or whether you are the original owner. 
• Exceptions: The only exceptions are if the manufacturer goes out of business or if the parts needed for the repair are no longer available. 
• Actionable advice: Always check for open safety recalls using your VIN and contact a dealer to schedule the free repair. This is especially important because the longer a defect goes unfixed, the greater the risk of an accident. 

Non-safety campaigns

• Expiration dates: These programs are often for less critical issues, like emissions or customer satisfaction, and can have specific deadlines and mileage limits. 
• Actionable advice: If your vehicle is covered under one of these programs, you must complete the work before the deadline to ensure the repair is free. 
• How to check: You can check for open safety recalls, limited service campaigns, and customer satisfaction programs by entering your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on the official Toyota recall site. 

What is the class action lawsuit against the Toyota Highlander?

Class action lawsuits against Toyota for the Highlander have been filed over various alleged defects, including a defective power liftgate on older models, transmission issues in 2017-2022 non-hybrid models, and problems with the hybrid fuel system on 2020-2021 models. Other alleged issues include a door lock defect affecting several models, a secret Bluetooth defect resulting in echo, and infotainment system glitches that prompted a recent recall. 
Recent lawsuits and investigations

• Power liftgate defect: Lawsuits allege that the rear power liftgate on certain older Highlander models is defective, can get stuck, fail to open, or break, leading to costly repairs after the warranty expires. 
• 8-speed transmission defect: A class action lawsuit claims that 2017-2022 non-hybrid Highlander models, along with Siennas and Camrys, have a defective 8-speed transmission that causes issues like whining, hesitation, and premature failure. 
• Hybrid fuel system defect: A lawsuit was filed alleging that 2020-2021 Highlander Hybrid models have a fuel system defect that prevents the fuel tank from filling to its advertised capacity, resulting in a shorter driving range. 

Other alleged issues and recalls

• Door lock defect: A class action lawsuit was filed alleging that a defective door lock actuator was installed in various Toyota models, including the Highlander, which could cause doors to open while driving or fail to open during an emergency. 
• Bluetooth defect: A class action lawsuit was settled after allegations that a hidden Bluetooth defect caused call echoes in models like the Highlander. 
• Infotainment system recall: A recall was issued for a separate issue where the 12.3-inch infotainment screen in some 2022-2025 Highlander models (among others) may not activate or could turn off unexpectedly, posing a safety risk. 
• Airbag defect recall: Another recent recall affects certain 2024 Grand Highlander and Grand Highlander Hybrid models due to a potential risk of airbag malfunction. 

What is the most common problem with a Toyota Highlander?

The most common problem with the Toyota Highlander is a major oil leak and loss of oil pressure caused by a faulty VVT-i oil line. Other frequent issues include infrequent but noticeable interior rattles, especially from the moonroof or dashboard, and problems with the 8-speed automatic transmission in 2017-2019 models, leading to noises, delayed shifting, and failure. 
You can watch this video to learn about common problems with Toyota Highlander, including the 8-speed transmission issue: 59sChris DrivesYouTube · Jul 5, 2025
Most common problems

• VVT-i oil line rupture: This is the most frequent and serious issue, where the oil line bursts, causing a massive oil leak that can lead to complete engine failure if the vehicle is driven while the low oil pressure light is on. A revised part has been issued, but it has also been reported to have the same problem. 
• Interior rattles and noises: Many owners report various rattles and squeaks coming from the interior, such as the moonroof, dashboard, or infotainment screen, particularly on bumpy roads or in cold weather. 
• 8-speed automatic transmission: Specific models, particularly the 2017–2019 Highlanders, have been associated with issues such as a whining noise, delayed shifts, hard shifts, and even complete failure. 
• Airbag sensor failure: Some models have a faulty front passenger airbag sensor that can short-circuit, preventing the airbag from deploying correctly. 

Other potential issues

• Air and water leaks: Some model years have reported issues with plugged sunroof drain lines, leading to water leaks inside the vehicle. 
• Check engine light: This can be caused by various issues, such as the hose coming off the air filter housing or a failed oxygen sensor. 
• Brake issues: Some models have reported premature wear of brake pads and rotors, or a vibrating sensation when braking. 

This video discusses problems with the 8-speed transmission in the 2017-2019 Toyota Highlander: 58sThe Car Care NutYouTube · Jul 31, 2021

How much is a 2008 Toyota Highlander worth today?

The value of a used 2008 Toyota Highlander ranges from $1,763 to $7,255, based on vehicle condition, mileage, and options. Get a free appraisal here.