YearToAvoid

2008 Toyota Highlander Airbags Problems

NHTSA has 57 owner complaints about airbag problems in the 2008 Toyota Highlander, 14% of all 404 complaints for this model year. That is the highest airbag complaint count among 21 Highlander model years. These complaints report 13 crashes and 21 injuries. Median mileage at failure: 78,000 miles.

Airbags complaints
57
14% of 404
Crashes reported
13
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
21
Median mileage
78,000 mi
Related recalls
2

When 2008 Toyota Highlander airbag complaints were filed

First complaint Mar 11, 2010, latest Jan 12, 2024.

2008 Toyota Highlander airbags complaints: complaints filed per month4Mar 2010Jan 2012Jul 2013Apr 2014Nov 2014Feb 2016Aug 2018Jan 2024
57 complaints filed with NHTSA from Mar 2010 to Jan 2024; peak Jun 2013 (4).

Airbags recalls for the 2008 Toyota Highlander

  1. NHTSA 14V168000Apr 9, 2014Airbags1,486,413 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

    Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006-2008 RAV4, 2006-2010 Yaris, 2008-2010 Highlander, and 2009-2010 Tacoma, Corolla, Corolla Matrix and General Motors Pontiac Vibe vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the steering column assembly contains electrical connections to the driver's airbag module housed in a spiral cable assembly, which includes a Flexible Flat Cable (FFC). Due to the shape and location of the FFC's retainer, the FFC could become damaged when the steering wheel is turned.

    Risk: If the FFC is damaged, connectivity to the driver's air bag module could be lost and the air bag deactivated. The failure of the driver's air bag to deploy in the event of a crash that typically necessitates deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver.

    Remedy: Toyota will notify the Toyota vehicle owners, and General Motors will notify the Pontiac Vibe owners. Toyota sent owners an interim notification letter in May 2014 to advise owners of the recall. Toyota will mail owners a second letter when remedy parts are available. General Motors sent Pontiac Vibe owners an Interim letter on June 20, 2014 notifying them that parts are currently unavailable. General Motors sent notices to the Pontiac Vibe owners on September 15, 2014, that a remedy is available. The recall began on October 27, 2014. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-762-2737.

  2. NHTSA 11V245000Apr 21, 2011Airbags307,848 vehicles

    Air bags:side/window

    Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 highlander, highlander hybrid, and model year 2007-2008 rav4 vehicles. In the curtain shield airbag (csa) system, there are two sensors in the airbag sensor assembly which are designed to detect vehicle roll angle. If one of these sensors malfunctions, the airbag warning light (malfunction indicator light: mil) will illuminate and the roll detection system will be suspended; however, the airbag csa remains available in the event of a side crash. If both sensors fail nearly simultaneously after initial airbag system check, the csa and the seat belt pretensioner could be inadvertently activated.

    Risk: Inadvertent activation of the csa and/or the seat belt pretensioner can cause injury to a vehicle occupant.

    Remedy: Toyota will replace the airbag sensor assembly with a new one containing improved roll rate sensors, free of charge. Toyota intends to send an interim owner notification to owners early to mid-may, 2011 when sufficient parts and remedy becomes available. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331.

Airbags complaints by Highlander model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 20059 (4%)
  2. 200612 (4%)
  3. 20072 (2%)
  4. 200857 (14%)
  5. 20098 (6%)
  6. 201014 (6%)
  7. 20118 (4%)
  8. 201210 (5%)
  9. 201317 (8%)
  10. 20142 (1%)
  11. 20158 (4%)
  12. 201610 (9%)
  13. 20179 (3%)
  14. 201819 (7%)
  15. 201914 (3%)
  16. 202032 (10%)
  17. 202142 (8%)
  18. 202223 (9%)
  19. 202312 (7%)
  20. 20240 (0%)
  21. 20250 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2008 Toyota Highlander have airbag problems?
NHTSA has 57 owner complaints about the airbag in the 2008 Toyota Highlander, 14% of all complaints for this model year, including 13 that report a crash. Median mileage at failure is 78,000 miles.
Which Toyota Highlander year has the most airbag complaints?
The 2008 Toyota Highlander has the most airbag complaints (57), compared with 57 for the 2008.
Is there a airbag recall for the 2008 Toyota Highlander?
Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns for the 2008 Toyota Highlander concern the airbag: 14V168000 and 11V245000.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.