Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (wheels, lug nuts, original-equipment tires, TPMS).
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).
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?
Goodyear fortera hl tires purchased at sams club in wv in November 2018. Tires are 245/65/r17 with dot code m71tja2r1918. Tires appeared to have some cracking on the sides of treads shortly after purchase and installation by sams club. By approximately 20K miles with even treadwear and proper maintenance tires became more cracked on the sides of the treads and small cuts began appearing on surfaces and in tread grooves. Tire would get small air leaks through some of these cuts. Sams would offer to patch the tires under road hazard and claimed glass on roadways would cause this. Some patches would tear larger and leak around the patches put in place. Attempting standard black plug patches would result in hole tearing larger than it began. Sams applied a flat seal/plug from inside the tire that also had tears form on the edge and had further leaks from same hole. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Toyota Highlander equipped with Michelin ltx m/s tires, size: p245/65/r17 (na). While driving 60 MPH, the contact heard an abnormal noise underneath the vehicle. Upon further inspection, the contact noticed that the thread on the rear driver side tire separated. In addition, the contact noticed that the rear bumper and rear wheel well liner were partly detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the rear driver side tire needed to be replaced. In addition, the technician diagnosed that the other three tires had cracked and would need to be replaced. The tires had not been replaced. The contact was aware of NHTSA campaign number: 13t012000 (tires), but the tire size was not included. The tire manufacturer was notified of the failure. …
No nothing has been inspected I didn't even know it had a recall all my lights on my truck are on now
The Bridgestone dueler h/l400 (not h/l 683 or 684 ii as listed in the choices for this tire on this web site!!!!!) tires on our 2008 Toyota Highlander are terribly unsafe in all conditions other than dry roads. They hydroplane in the rain, the rear end slides in all types of snowy conditions, causing the stability control to kick in and compensate, and they require frequent topping off of the air pressure, more so than any tire on any vehicle I've ever owned. This tire is getting terrible reviews on tirerack.com from current owners of Mazda cx-9s and highlanders, and there isn't another tire on the market in the size I would need to replace it. It's an accident waiting to happen. Our car is a v6 powered 4x4 SUV we bought brand new 10 months ago. It has never driven well in snow, and despite the full-time 4-wheel drive, the vehicle behaves like a rear-drive truck with summer tires. …
I own a 2008 Toyota Highlander limited. After driving 25K miles, I noticed a vibration in my steering. I then noticed my tires tread on all 4 tires worn down to almost 2/32" of tread depth remaining. I have original tires: open country a20 p 245/55r19 103s. I called toyo tire consumer relations dept. And they said there is no mileage warranty on the original equipment. They offer 30% discount on new set of tires installed at tire dealer center. New tires, after discount will cost about $900, but they on the back order and become available only by the end of December 2009. I forced to keep driving my car with bad tires.they don't offer any replacement tires for this odd size, manufactured only for this car. These tires create a hazard to me, my family and public safety, especially driving in the north-east areas. …
2008 Toyota Highlander purchased used Toyota certified 9-3-09 fails to shift into gear. Most occurrences at low speed after slowing to 5mph vehicle does not respond to gas pedal - or will not engage into gear and move forward. This occurs or is most noticeable at slow speeds when the gas pedal is pushed after having slowed down or in the midst of a turn into a parking spot. Wife has also complained about transmission not engaging into gear when car is first started up acts like you didn't shift it into gear. We have also noted transmission doesn't always seem to disengage when slowing from highway speeds 55 MPH. Feels like it is dragging car to stop. There is a noticeable whine between 55 - 62 MPH. Talked to dealer mechanic and he said that was normal everything is controlled by computers. We are going to take it back in this week and complain about the transmission slippage. …
I ask because today had a horrible experience with Toyota. They told me my shredding, bald tires are safe and nothing wrong with them. Called toyo who makes the tires and they offered me 50 percent discount on new tires and tire place said car wouldn't pass inspection.. .all this when an hour earlier Toyota dealership said everything is safe and sent me off with a safety inspection report saying all is well... From what I see online, it seems like hundreds of customers dealing with same 2008 vehicles with only 10-18K miles on tires that are shredding and bald. Personally I think this could be another Toyota example of turning the other way. From reading consumers stories and comments online I am afraid this could result in more injuries than the whole brake situation. Appreciate anything you can do to draw some attention to this. …
On March 2, 2009 I rented a SUV from hertz at the salt lake city airport. Upon picking up the car I commented to the person checking me out that the tire tread depth looked very low for an SUV that would be used in the snow. She said she would make note of it. When I arrived at my destination 230 miles away I used a penny to check the depth. I called hertz to ask for assistance to get the tires replaced. Roadside assistance said there was a Goodyear dealer in the city I was in but would have to get approval. The manager at the hertz in slc said he would not approve new tires. I stopped at a Toyota dealer who checked the tire tread depth, the depth ranged from 2/32 to 3/32, the service manager stated the tires were unsafe. Should the nhstb investigate car rental companies who May be placing the safety of customers at risk to save money?
Toyo tires (p245/55r19) were installed on my 08 Highlander at the time of purchase. At first oil change, was advised that they were not wearing properly & had alignment checked. No problems with alignment--called Toyota--they advised to rotate every 5K with oil change..did the same and I now have 20K miles with 2 rear tires that rubber is "peeling" so bad that they have to be replaced immediately. Front will have to be replaced within few months as well. Toyota is blaming toyo & no reply from toyo....obviously this manufacturer makes poor quality products with just the complaint records that you have on file. Anyone driving a vehicle with these tires is obviously taking their life in their hands!!
Wheel & Tire complaints in other Highlander years
Frequently asked questions
How common are wheel & tire problems on the 2008 Toyota Highlander?
NHTSA has 31 complaints about the wheels & tires of the 2008 Toyota Highlander, 8% of the model year's 405 complaints. The component named most often is temporary/emergency spare tire (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Toyota Highlander wheel & tire problems?
No. NHTSA lists no wheels & tires recall for the 2008 Toyota Highlander, though it has 11 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2008 Toyota Highlander wheel & tire problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 23,000 miles, and 56% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 3 injuries to wheels & tires 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.