2008 Toyota Highlander Air Bags Problems
Owners have filed 57 complaints with NHTSA about air bags problems on the 2008 Toyota Highlander, 14% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 78,000 miles. The words owners use most often: “spiral cable” (40% of reports).
- 57air bags complaints
- 78,000median miles at failure
- 13mention a crash
- 10mention an injury
- 2related recalls
- $710typical repair cost reported by owners
- 24%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Spiral cable: mentioned in 23 of 57 complaints (40%)
- Air bag: mentioned in 20 of 57 complaints (35%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical air bags repair on the 2008 Toyota Highlander at $710, and half of them between $690 and $740.
Based on 8 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2013–2014), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do air bags problems happen?
Based on 45 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 57 complaints, 13 mention a crash, 10 an injury.
Toyota Highlander air bags complaints by model year
| Model year | Air Bags complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 Highlander | 12 | 6% | 34,125 |
| 2022 Highlander | 30 | 11% | 70,765 |
| 2021 Highlander | 42 | 8% | 41,000 |
| 2020 Highlander | 32 | 10% | 78,082 |
| 2019 Highlander | 14 | 3% | 14,000 |
| 2018 Highlander | 19 | 7% | 21,000 |
| 2017 Highlander | 9 | 3% | 15,000 |
| 2016 Highlander | 10 | 9% | 10,000 |
| 2015 Highlander | 8 | 4% | 13,000 |
| 2014 Highlander | 2 | 1% | 36,350 |
| 2013 Highlander | 17 | 8% | 63,500 |
| 2012 Highlander | 10 | 5% | 48,000 |
| 2011 Highlander | 8 | 4% | 64,000 |
| 2010 Highlander | 14 | 6% | 77,000 |
| 2009 Highlander | 8 | 6% | 42,392 |
| 2008 Highlander | 57 | 14% | 78,000 |
| 2007 Highlander | 2 | 2% | 28,030 |
| 2006 Highlander | 12 | 4% | 37,000 |
| 2005 Highlander | 9 | 4% | 48,108 |
| 2004 Highlander | 9 | 3% | 42,498 |
| 2003 Highlander | 9 | 3% | 96,500 |
| 2002 Highlander | 13 | 4% | 75,872 |
| 2001 Highlander | 10 | 7% | 96,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (2)
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Air bags:side/window
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
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…
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 doesnât work anymore. Tire sensor also comes out.
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.
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2008 Toyota Highlanders have air bags problems?
No. NHTSA has 57 owner complaints about air bags for the 2008 Toyota Highlander (14% of the 404 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2008 Toyota Highlander air bags?
Yes: 2 safety recalls list air bags. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do air bags problems start?
The median reported mileage is 78,000 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
How much does it cost to fix air bags problems on the 2008 Toyota Highlander?
Owners report a typical cost of $710 (half paid between $690 and $740), from 8 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about air bags problems on the 2008 Toyota Highlander?
The most frequent phrase is “spiral cable”, in 23 of 57 complaints, followed by “air bag” (20).
Other 2008 Toyota Highlander problems
- Service Brakes problems (66)
- Engine problems (58)
See all 2008 Toyota Highlander problems or air bags problems across all Highlander years.