2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER Unknown Or Other Problems

The ECU requires a reflash or replacement. The hybrid batteries over heat and regen braking randomly shuts off during braking or before/after due to overheating becuswe the cooling fans do not engage past level 1 or 2. The fans in fact never go full speed unless commanded by a Toyota service tech via the software during fan testing. Upon testing I noticed they not once went high enough to be audible and thus overheated. Manu forms indicate this is a common issue and requires 180-$300 for a reflash and/or replacement of the compu) ECU to alleviate this issue. Second issue I've found is the 3rd row seat belts just like some other MY Highlanders have their restraints cut at the shackle holding them to the body of the vehicle. I have seen several sheered this way including my own vehicle.

This vehicle has had ongoing issues with the O2 sensors not working, I have researched online for years and have read that there are several online forums of 2008 Highlander owners complaining of the same issue. The problem that I (we all) face with this, is that it constantly fails, never being able to know if there is an actual issue becuase of the faulty sensors or wiring causing the sensors to go out. I am always frightened that something is wrong with the car and spent hundreds and continue to spend having my car checked. I am a single mom who lost my job at the beginning of the pandemic, I have two school aged kids. Having them in a car that I can not be sure we are safe in, is scary. The cost to replace the sensors as there are 3 that have been a constant pain...

The drivers door either locks or doesn’t when hitting the lock button it shake (unlocks an locks rapidly.

The driver door lock either won’t unlock or won’t lock it does a back n forth montion

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN THE TRACTION SENSOR CAME ON. FOLLOWED BY A WARNING OF CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM AND VCS SYSTEM. AND CAR SHUT COMPLETELY OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC.

DEAR SIR/MADAM THE TOYOTA HIGHLANDER /CAMRY AND SIENNA HAVE A OIL COOLER LINE WHICH IS MADE OF RUBBER AND EXPLODE DUE TO THE HIGH TEMPERATURE OF THE OIL. ALL THESE VEHICLES HAVE BEEN CAUSING OIL TO BE LEAKED ALL OVER THE ROADS OF AMERICA WITH TOYOTA NOT HAVING ISSUED A RECALL. YEARS 2008 - 2013 .THIS ISSUE IS DANGEROUS. *TR

2008 HIGHLANDER CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED TO A COMPLETE LOSS. NONE OF THE NOTIFICATION SYSTEMS WORKED CORRECTLY TO ALERT MY WIFE. THE CAR WAS IN MOTION MOVING APPX 20 MILES PER HOUR AND THE CABIN FILLED WITH SMOKE AND WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. OIL SPRAY WAS NOTED AND PICTURES TAKEN ON THE ROADWAY BEHIND THE VEHICLE TO THE BURN SITE. THERE WAS A RECALL ON AN OIL LINE FOR THIS VEHICLE IN THE PAST.

SUNROOF SHATTERED

BRAKE BOOSTER AND ACTUATOR PER TOYOTA DEALERSHIP OF FAYETTEVILLE ARKANSAS FAILED ON THIS CAR ALTHOUGH SAME SYSTEM USED ON SAME YEAR CAMRY THAT WERE TECALLED

THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR DOES NOT STAY IN ITS UPRIGHT FLAT POSITION. IT FALLS PARTWAY DOWN TO THE POINT OF BEING AIMED DIRECTLY AT THE FOREHEAD. THIS NOT ONLY IMPEDES VISIBILITY BUT ALSO IS DANGEROUS IF YOU INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHICH WOULD THROW YOU FORWARD. IT ALSO WILL NOT STAY DOWN AND PUSHED ALL THE WAY FORWARD IN ORDER TO AVOID THE HAZARD OF HAVING IT ANGLED AT YOUR FOREHEAD. HAVING THE VEHICLE IN MOTION ON STATIONARY HAS NOT EFFECT OF THIS PROBLEM.

VIBRATION

FACTORY ALARM GOES OFF RANDOMLY.. HOOD LATCH SENSOR PROBLEM?

WHILE DRIVING DRIVER'S SUN VISOR FALLS IN FRONT OF DRIVER. IF THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT THE DRIVER COULD BE INJURED BY THE VISOR.

WHEN YOU START UP CAR THERE IS A ENGINE GRINDING NOISE FOR A FEW SECONDS. THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED BY MANY PEOPLE ON THE INTERNET, JUST GOOGLE 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER START UP ENGINE NOISE AND YOU WILL GET A BETTER LOOK AT WHAT IT SOUNDS LIKE. THIS COULD LEAD TO SEVERE ENGINE DAMAGE . IT IS A DEFECT IN THE ENGINE.

2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HAVE PRACTICED PUTTING THE CAR IN NEUTRAL WHILE ROLLING AND RESTARTING THE CAR. *MW THE CONSUMER OFFERED HIS SUGGESTION ON HOW TO HANDLE THE IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEM. *JB

ON MAY 22, 2010 MY TOYOTA HIGHLANDER SUDDEN ACCELERATED. I WAS AT A FULL STOP (RED LIGHT) ON 14TH STREET AT THE INTERSECTION OF CASTRO HEADING WEST UPHILL. MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE WHEN MY TRUCK SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE TRUCK JERKED FORWARD EVEN THOUGH MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. I REPORTED IT TO SAN FRANCISCO TOYOTA SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE WHEN I BROUGHT IN MY TRUCK FOR THE RECALL SERVICE ON MAY 29, 2010. THEY COMPLETED THE RECALL AS REQUIRED, BUT HE DISMISSED MY COMMENT ABOUT THE ABOVE INCIDENT. I BELIEVE THE REAL ISSUE IS THE ELECTRONIC OR SOFTWARE PROGRAMMING OF VEHICLE CONTROLS AND WISH TO HAVE THIS DOCUMENTED IF A MORE SERIOUS PROBLEM OCCURS. *TR