2008 Toyota Highlander Service and Repair Manual

Two distinct powertrains wear the 2008 Highlander badge: the gas V6, Toyota's 3.5L (2GRFE), and the hybrid, which pairs a 3.3L V6 (3MZ-FE) with the electric drive. Torque values, clearances and service sequences differ between the two, and differ again from the adjacent model years of the same nameplate, so the numbers that matter are the ones Toyota published for this year and this engine.

Engines

• 3.5L 3456CC V6 GAS DOHC Naturally Aspirated
• 3.3L 3300CC V6 HYBRID Naturally Aspirated

Trims

• Base
• Hybrid
• Hybrid Limited
• Limited
• Sport

Known issues on the 2008 Highlander. Ten recalls are on federal record for this model year. Two of them cover the accessory stainless steel exhaust tip: due to improper heat treatment, the original clamp and the tip may fall off the vehicle — one campaign from Toyota covering 39,100 tips, a second from Southeast Toyota covering 3,499. One covers the accelerator pedal, which can get stuck in the wide open position; a stuck open accelerator pedal may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop. Two more fall under power window devices and controls: on one, if the sliding electrical contacts are not protected by lubricant, debris and moisture can get in; on the other, if the switch overheats it may melt, possibly resulting in a fire. An air bag recall covers the curtain shield airbag (CSA) system, where inadvertent activation of the CSA and/or the seat belt pretensioner can cause injury. A front seat heater recall covers a copper strand heating element that, if damaged, may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire. The remaining three are label campaigns: incorrect load carrying capacity modification labels could result in the vehicle being overloaded; a Southeast Toyota recall of vehicles that failed to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 110 (Tire Selection and Rims), where a driver may overload a vehicle which may increase the risk of a crash; and a Gulf States Toyota recall against the same standard, where the label does not meet the standard requirements. Owners have filed 502 complaints against the 2008 Highlander, and 134 technical service bulletins have been issued for it.

Whether the job is a stuck accelerator pedal, an intermittent power window switch or routine maintenance on the hybrid system, the procedure you work to and the specification you check against are Toyota's own for this 2008 Highlander.