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Used 2008 Toyota Highlander Consumer Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
261 reviews
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Pros
Cons
5 out of 5 stars

Great SUV ---watch out for rubber oil cooler lines

Steve, 05/06/2016
2008 Toyota Highlander 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 5A)
16 of 17 people found this review helpful

Love this SUV...80k miles never a problem- until this weekend...rubber hose that goes to the oil cooler if you have tow package broke. Oil light came on. Almost all the oil leaked out. Thankfully no engine damage. Turns out there is an extended warranty on this part. Have it changed before it breaks. That is the only problem I've had with this SUV in 8 years. Reliability is the most important thing to me and if I knew this part was a problem I would have fixed it before it went. Still, I would recommend this vehicle to anyone.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
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5 out of 5 stars

I'm Going to keep it (I Think)

Jim Johnson, 02/14/2020
updated 08/18/2023
2008 Toyota Highlander Sport 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 5A)
15 of 16 people found this review helpful

This car has done yeoman service without a whimper. Just had excellent service for 80,000 mile point at Haley Toyota in Roanoke VA. Will turn 84 this year and starting to weigh the wisdom of purchasing a new automobile. This one will serve until my driving is no longer a wise thing. Bought brand new in 2008, been smiling ever since. Update: On 13 July, 2022 my loyal 2008 Highlander Sport was given to Haley Toyota as part of the deal on a brand new Toyota Venza XLE Hybrid. Driving the Hybrid home was a 14-year leap in tech difference that will take some getting used to. The infotainment GPS nav system in the Sport gave up the ghost after a battery failure. They said it was supposed to reset after a battery failure but wouldn't reset. $3000 to make things right again, I couldn't see it as worth it on a 14-year-old car even though it had just turned 86K on the odometer. So far, the Venza has been excellent, and my wife is ecstatic about it. All the safety features somewhat reduce the concerns of still driving at our ages. But it has a learning curve we are still working on. The sports did driven GS nav system is now my cell phone which talks to and displays on the Venza's screen Google maps navigation. Times have changed. ow it's Android Auto.

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2.75 out of 5 stars

2008 and newer highlander V6 engine issues

gobubba, 04/09/2012
2008 Toyota Highlander Sport 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 5A)
91 of 106 people found this review helpful

All V6 2008 and newer highlanders will develop piston slap according to the dealer and factory rep I talked to. It causes the engine to sound like a diesel for the first 10minutes of driving. The dealership could not fix the issue and bought our vehicle back. I'm writing this to help educate people about this and hopefully save someone from making the same mistake I did, purchasing a certified highlander....

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3.38 out of 5 stars

great until hidden costs get you...

4inthecar, 02/23/2011
2008 Toyota Highlander Sport 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 5A)
40 of 46 people found this review helpful

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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5 out of 5 stars

High on Toyota Highlander!

Deb, 09/04/2018
2008 Toyota Highlander 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 5A)
8 of 8 people found this review helpful

Reliable, safe and good-looking ride! No major problems in the 8 years I've owned the vehicle. Only gripe I have with the 2008 Toyota Highlander is the sun visor - online posting is right when it says they easily "wear out" and way too costly to replace, so my husband fashioned a clip to keep it up near the roof when not in use.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
4 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
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