The 2008 Toyota Highlander has 8 recalls, the most serious including an accelerator pedal that can be trapped by a floor mat in the wide-open position, making the vehicle difficult to slow or stop.
The curtain airbags and seatbelt pretensioners can fire unexpectedly without a rollover or side impact, potentially injuring occupants. On third-row seating, two related recalls address the same seatbelt locking issue: the retractor can slip out of the locking mode used to secure rear-facing child seats, leaving the seat unable to hold a car seat properly in a crash. On vehicles equipped with aftermarket heated seats, a damaged copper heating element can short-circuit and start a fire. The power window switch can also develop a short when moisture and debris get inside, causing the switch to overheat and melt. Hybrid models carry an additional concern where the inverter can push the vehicle into a reduced-power mode that limits normal driving. There is also a missing load capacity label on certain vehicles, which can lead a driver to unknowingly overload the vehicle.
At a glance
What can fail
The electrical wiring in aftermarket seat heaters with copper strand heating elements can be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed, potentially causing electrical issues.
What the fix does
Dealers will disconnect the seat heaters at no charge and refund the purchase price of the accessory.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
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At a glance
What can fail
The power window master switch may have inconsistent grease lubrication on its sliding electrical contacts, potentially causing the switch to malfunction.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the switch and apply lubricant if needed, or replace the circuit board if abnormalities are found.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The Intelligent Power Module in the inverter may have transistors that operate hotter than the solder can withstand, causing heat damage to the transistors. This triggers warning lights on your dashboard.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the Intelligent Power Module at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Two roll-detection sensors in the curtain airbag system may malfunction. If both fail nearly simultaneously after the initial system check, the curtain airbag and seat belt pretensioner could activate unexpectedly.
What the fix does
Toyota will replace the airbag sensor assembly with a new one containing improved roll rate sensors at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Your vehicle lacks the required load capacity modification label that shows safe tire and rim specifications per federal safety standards.
What the fix does
A corrected label will be mailed to you, or your dealer can install it free of charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The accelerator pedal can become stuck in the wide-open position when trapped by an unsecured or incompatible driver's floor mat.
What the fix does
Toyota will reshape or replace the accelerator pedal and replace any Toyota all-weather floor mat with a newly designed one at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
When installing an infant car seat in the third row, the seatbelt can switch from Automatic Locking Retractor mode to Emergency Locking Retractor mode, which may not secure the infant seat properly.
What the fix does
Dealers will install a newly designed seatbelt component at no cost to restore proper locking function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The seat belt retractors in the third row don't lock properly for child car seats. The belts are designed to switch to locking mode when fully extended, but this mechanism may not work as intended for securing child restraints.
What the fix does
Dealers will install a redesigned seat belt component at no cost to ensure proper locking for child car seats.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
