Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Toyota Highlander owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Slowing down, but the car surged forward colliding into a building. The dealership only ran a .5 hour diagnosis and couldn't find anything. Did not proceed w/further diagnosis as did not want to pay out of pocket.
My 2008 toyota highlander gas pedal must be lose.because I barley push the gas and it takes on fast.i was driving home on the highway and the truck just died .the battery dies I couldn't turn my wheel I could not press the break
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Toyota Highlander. While driving at 5 MPH and parking the vehicle in the garage at home, the vehicle suddenly accelerated without the accelerator pedal being depressed. The vehicle crashed through the interior wall of the garage, only coming to a stop after damaging the outer brick facade of the building. The air bags did not deploy. There was no police report filed and no injuries sustained. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 98,000. Updated 10/07/15 updated 12/11/2017
On December 10th, 2014, around 8:15 am, our 2008 Highlander sport AWD suddenly accelerated at full throttle when approaching a stop sign, entered the cross section and crashed with incoming SUV on the passenger side. The car kept going at high speed after running a curb and flattened all 4 tires on straight lines and eventually stopped in a neighbor's yard, made deep trench into the lawn. The other parties were taken to hospital for medical exam and their SUV was badly damaged to the engine compartment. We have photos from various angles showing that this car was not stoppable by a human at the moment. We were told our car will be a total loss by the insurance company. Our evidence indicated the car's defects was the primary cause of full throttle acceleration which has been the case for many other Toyota car owners for the last few years. …
When accellerating into traffic after stopping for a stop sign or light the car moves into the traffic but does not accellerate but coasts dispite flooring the gas pedal. After 2 to 5 seconds the car will accelerate. The tech at the Toyota dealership said that this was caused by the computer throttle control that sets according to driving habits. This stall when accelleration is needed has almost caused many collisions from traffic coming up behind the vehicle. This stall happens also when trying to pass a vehicle on roads, pull out from behind vehicle being passed, depress the gas pedal and no acceleration for 2 to 5 seconds then the accelleration happens. This computer flaw is such a safety problem that if I let anyone else drive my vehicle, I have to warn them about the acceleration delay and to make sure there is beyond normal clear space before pulling out into traffic. …
When accellerating into traffic after stopping for a stop sign or light the car moves into the traffic but does not accellerate but coasts dispite flooring the gas pedal. After 2 to 5 seconds the car will accelerate. The tech at the Toyota dealership said that this was caused by the computer throttle control that sets according to driving habits. This stall when accelleration is needed has almost caused many collisions from traffic coming up behind the vehicle. This stall happens also when trying to pass a vehicle on roads, pull out from behind vehicle being passed, depress the gas pedal and no acceleration for 2 to 5 seconds then the accelleration happens. This computer flaw is such a safety problem that if I let anyone else drive my vehicle, I have to warn them about the acceleration delay and to make sure there is beyond normal clear space before pulling out into traffic. …
On December 7, 2009, I had just arrived at my parking apron in front of my garage and was putting the car in "park" and had depressed the brake pedal to do so. The accelerator immediately jammed on "full" and the car went through a wooden two-car garage door taking all of the equipment with it and proceeded eighteen (18) feet into the garage and was stopped only by the stairs to the condo and the house foundation. There was $9,000 damage to the vehicle and $4,000 damage to the garage and stairs. Toyota has examined the vehicle and claim it is not one of the recalled autos and this event must have been my fault. This is very distressing as I am a senior volunteer driving seniors to their medical appointments and an "at fault" accident would prevent my continuing this project. …
Crash and injury on dated 12/21/2008 where I thought my 2008 Highlander which I bought a month ago skid on a dry road in broad day light. Speed was below 20 MPH 1000 ft away from my home inside the neighberhood of reading, pa 19606. We were going to see a movie on a weekend. On lynn ave my car skid and hit a parked trailer behind. I could not get time to press the brake at all. All I thought is snow/ black ice. Myself and attending police officer did not find any ice on the road. So, as usual human error was blamed. But my 14 yr son noticed the skid before incident. My wife and son both were injured in the crash. In over one year I could not get satisfied with the police report which said my speeding was to blame. We all knew I was not speeding near my home. The control of my car went away from my hand. The car sped up and before any realization it hit the back of the trailer. …
In feburary 2008, I purchased a 2008 Toyota Highlander. On two separate occasions since purchasing the vehicle, when slowly pulling into a parking space the vehicle unexpectedly accelerated. On the first occasion (April 2008), the incident ended in an accident as the vehicle slammed into a wall. The second incidence occurred approximately 3 months later and nearly caused another accident. Again, as I was pulling into a parking space the vehicle unexpectedly accelerated. However, the vehicle was stopped by a parking pylon before hitting a wall. I have had the vehicle inspected by the local dealership and they claim that they can not find any issues with vehicle. Based on my research, this does not appear to be an isolated problem as other Toyota vehicles are noted as having the same issue. I feel that this vehicle is threat not only to the safety of my family, but to others on the road. …
I was involved in a car accident on 08/17/2010 while driving my 2008 Toyota Highlander that has 23000 miles on it. The accident caused me total damage to my car and put my life in danger due to failure in the break/acceleration system on the car. The car did not stop but accelerated even though when I was pressing the break which caused me to hit a truck that was passing in front of me. I explained to the emergency crew that the accident was because of failure of the break/and acceleration system on the Toyota car and I explained the same thing to the police officer who was presented on the scene. I like to mention here that the Toyota dealer sent me a note of defection about my car prior to the accident and I took the car to the dealer shop and spent 2 hours there to have it fixed. The car now is at the state farm insurance and I can email/send you the car pictures after the accident.
Related recalls
Vehicle speed control › Accelerator pedal
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008-2010 highlander, model year 2009-2010 corolla, venza and matrix passenger vehicles. The accelerator pedal can get stuck in the wide open position due to its being trapped by an unsecured or incompatible driver's floor mat.
Remedy: Toyota will modify or replace the accelerator pedals on the subject vehicles. Floor surface modifications are also being considered and will be included for any model for which it is deemed appropriate.
Acceleration complaints in other Highlander years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2008 Toyota Highlander?
NHTSA has 45 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2008 Toyota Highlander, 11% of the model year's 405 complaints. The component named most often is accelerator pedal (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Toyota Highlander acceleration problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 10V-023 (accelerator pedal, Jan 27, 2010). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2008 Toyota Highlander acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 29,000 miles, and 45% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 22 crashes, 2 fires and 15 injuries and 1 death to speed control & acceleration problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.