Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
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).
I was in a car accident yesterday two cars hit me from behind my daughter was in the third row and my other kids in the second row. The air bags didn't deploy and my daughters seatbelt in the third row didn't lock when the cars impacted my vehicle her seat belt kept going forward with her. Also my seat belt unlocked and came off upon impact of car
Airbag failed to deploy in a front-left collision with another vehicle. The other vehicle's airbags did deploy. The vehicle is totalled and not available for inspection. The lack of deployment resulted in a head injury and whiplash. There was no advanced warning of this being a problem.
We own a 2008 Toyota Highlander. The SRS airbag warning light on the dash is lit. It is a sensor issue that has been fixed once. It is a safety issue because, as I understand it, the airbags will not deploy when this warning light is on. I would like to know if this is an issue with other 2008 Highlanders. This has happened twice since we have owned the vehicle. The dealership fixed the issue the first time but has no record of the repair. This time the repair could be over $1000.00 for me to drive a safe vehicle. I believe this should be looked into to see if it is an issue with other 2008 Toyota Highlanders.
Air bag lights continue to show. Vehicle had not been in any accidents. Seat warms do not work light comes on when you turn them on. Driver window will go up half way occasionally. Back wiper motor makes loud noise and doesn't work anymore. Tire sensor also comes out.
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
Tl* the contact owned a 2008 Toyota Highlander. While driving approximately 35 MPH, another driver ran a light and crashed head on into the contact's vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained shoulder injuries, but did not receive medical attention. The vehicle was destroyed. A police report was filed. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14V168000 (air bags), but had not yet made an appointment for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000. ..updated 08/26/15
2008 Toyota Highlander involved in a rear/side crash sitting still; hit by other vehicle at 60 MPH; 3 occupants inside vehicle all injured; no airbags deployed in vehicle at time of crash; if airbags only are to deploy on a frontal impact crash what good r they in other crashes to help the occupants of the vehicle?
I have a 2008 Toyota Highlander. While driving a side city street, on a slight curve, the steering wheel locked and could not be turned. As a result, my daughter hit a tree. My daughter was going approximately 25mph and the impact was in the center of the vehicle. The air bags did not deploy.
I have a 2008 Toyota Highlander that has never been in a crash. On Thursday, feb.11,2016 as I was driving down the highway the airbag warnings light came on. The info screen said to take my car to the dealer immediately and there were 2 warning signals on the dash as well. My car has 88,000 miles on it. I called our local dealer where I purchased the car brand new. Atkinson Toyota in bryan, texas. I spoke to chris in service and he said how quick can I get it there. Naturally my husband was out of town so I said it would be Monday, feb15,2016 before I could get it in. I have since done research online and found hundreds of complaints, injuries and bewilderment as to why this issue has not been recalled. …
I was driving north on a divided one way street. A 2006 minivan was traveling south on the other side of the divided street. He made a left hand turn, ran through the yield sign and broadsided me on the driver side. I saw he was not going to stop and turned the wheel to the right, not in time. Took out the left side of the Highlander from the front wheel to the rear panel. His front airbag did deploy. My side airbag did not deploy and I know my head bounced against the side window twice. I asked the body shop to look at the airbag and they said that it appeared OK and apparently the strike did not warrant airbag inflation. The Highlander is 4 wheel drive, 20" wheels. Both left doors had to be replaced and damage was low on doors. Wheels also replaced. I think the side airbag should have deployed.
Related recalls
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…
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.
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.
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…
Airbag complaints in other Highlander years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2008 Toyota Highlander?
NHTSA has 58 complaints about the air bags of the 2008 Toyota Highlander, 14% of the model year's 405 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Toyota Highlander airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 14V-168 (inflator module, Apr 9, 2014); NHTSA recall 11V-245 (side/window, Apr 21, 2011). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2008 Toyota Highlander airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 78,000 miles, and 2% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 13 crashes, 0 fires and 21 injuries to air bags 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.