2008 Toyota Highlander Consumer Reviews

The problem child in my driveway

Vehicle

2008 Toyota Highlander 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

Review

My 2008 Highlander started making a severe sparkknock noise upon cold start. A trip to the dealer and they could not find anything. At 61000 miles the noise is still there and the check engine light comes on code P0017. Trip to dealer and they replace the spool valves for the VVT. problem still there. Dealer pulls engine replaces 4 cams, timing gears, and cam holders. Get car back still making noise. 2 weeks later ck eng lamp on P0017, along with p0301,303,305, and 300. Dealer said it was old codes. I knew better. dealer clears codes. Lamp on again this time p0017 & p0018. I called Toyota customer service. Dealer tells ,e that they cleaned the top eng internal problem has not ret now 85k
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DEATHTRAP on Wheels 2008

Vehicle

2008 Toyota Highlander 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

Review

Where to begin.... Recall notices... have received enough to kill an entire tree! Good luck in Snow/Ice, just aim for something soft... AWD my @$$, a rear wheel drive taxi cab with two flat tires has better snow performance than this "SUV"! Tire Pressure Issues... every 2-3 weeks the light comes on and at least one of the four tires is low (@24-26psi) For the first time in my life I pray for someone to steal my car and park it on the railroad tracks! It is disgraceful to call this thing a Toyota!
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Tires, Brakes, Oxygen Sensor Issues

Vehicle

2008 Toyota Highlander Limited 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

Review

Tires were shot at 30,000 miles. Odd size makes replacement expensive. Rear brake pads shot at 30,000 miles (grinding heard on LR rotor). Lots of life left on the front pads, so what's up with that? Biggest disappointment was at 30,000 miles and 3.5 years both oxygen sensors on right exhaust went out at the same time. Bank 1 Sensor 1 and Bank 1 Sensor 2 to be exact. $700 repair. I like the car but the reliability is coming into question for us.
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nice car, but dash sqeaks and rattles drive me nuts!

Vehicle

2008 Toyota Highlander 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

Review

Our first Toyota, bought used Nov 2010, bought base model because of tire issues on sport and ltd, and cost. Went from 1997 Plymouth Voyager van to this - what a difference in driving. It scared me for awhile, getting used to the electronic/computer driving process, seemed out of control to me until I got used to it, now it's fine. What drives me crazy is the dash rattles, which is way worse in winter. My old van didn't rattle like this! It makes me want to sell it, and buy another, but afraid of same problem. Radio is ok, bass is terrible. Roomy inside. Seats ok, but not that comfortable on day long drives. Back seat rattles now. What next?
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Is OK ..Just Ok

Vehicle

2008 Toyota Highlander Limited 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

Review

This was a replacement to years of minivans.. I was surprised that reliability has not been as good as I expected from what I was told of Toyota ( good marketing I guess),and some repair items under warranty required discussion elevated to dealer manager before issue was resolved. To the question , Will I buy another Toyota ? probably not
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great until hidden costs get you...

Vehicle

2008 Toyota Highlander Sport 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

Review

many have noted the tire issue - i had to order mine online and have them delivered to my home - $952. then i had to take them to a tire shop and pay to have them mounted. NEW shocker - at 63k miles and 3 years of age, my water pump died. the dealer says 3 days labor - 24 hours @ $90 hr + the part, $2400 more or less. supposedly they have to drop the engine and the transmission to get to the water pump on the side of the engine. NOT acceptable TOYOTA! what a worthless design. had i seen this coming i would not have bought the car and would have stuck with honda. my honda element has 240k - and only rountine service. the locks are wearing out - but not the engine...
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Great Value - except Tires

Vehicle

2008 Toyota Highlander Sport 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

Review

Purchased new in 2008, now have 50,000 without any mechanical problems. Could not have better reliability. Performance is outstanding even towing a boat (16 MPG) I have never gotten less than 19 MPG in town and up to 26 MPG on the highway at speeds of 70+ MPH. Original tires very poor replaced at 33,000 with Briggestone, so far so good. OEM tires were worthless day "1" with hydroplaning the rule not the exception. The interior is comfortable and well laid out. My only problem with the vehicle is my own doing. I tow a 4000 LB boat. It tows with great stability at 16 MPG. The problem is getting up the wet boat ramp with FWD. If you tow opt for the AWD
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Research resarch, drive it

Vehicle

2008 Toyota Highlander 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

Review

Bought used with 33,000. Runs great no problem finding tires. Had to search a little but found 10 brands that make that size. Rides and handles like a car. My wife is disabled and has little to no trouble getting in and out. Only real grip is not having a hatch release up front.
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Dissapointment in entire toyota nation

Vehicle

2008 Toyota Highlander Sport 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

Review

I was very confident in Toyota Vehicles, starting from my 98 Camry all the way to my 05 Highlander and Toyota managed to completely destroy my confidence and dedication with my current 08 Highlander Sport. The car has a lot of defects; I don’t even know where to begin! Engine’s horse power doesn’t fit car’s handling and suspension, brakes are so soft that you have to power press brake pedal, dash board constantly makes cracking noises that can’t be fixed, JBL audio system has a lack of engineering all of speakers have been blown a couple of times without any explanation, Dealer is not able to find the problem. Wheel size of sport model only fits Toyo tires
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Highlander good on ugly roads

Vehicle

2008 Toyota Highlander 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

Review

We are happy with the highlander. 4 wheel drive is great in mud and snow/ice. We travel 30% on gravel roads. Lots of power and reasonably good fuel mileage 10 to 11 L/100 km hwy.
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