ToyotaHighlander2008Overview/toyota/highlander/2008/base/

2008 Toyota Highlander

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2008 Highlander.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic (S5)

The 2008 Toyota Highlander is an SUV paired with a five-speed automatic transmission that returns an EPA-estimated 18 city and 24 highway mpg. While its engine requires a straightforward five quarts of oil across API viscosity grades ranging from 0W-20 to 5W-30, the vehicle's reliability record is far from routine, having amassed 403 owner complaints predominantly centered on the engine alongside 13 separate recalls. Ranking just below the 2021 peak of 475 total complaints across the model's 1997-2026 history, the 2008 model year represents a notably problematic chapter for the nameplate, signaling to researchers that this specific vintage warrants significant caution regarding its long-term mechanical dependability.

Model year202520242023202220212020201920182008

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 / 5W-20 / 0W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque97 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy18/24/20 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 24F · 585 CCA battery, OE oil filter 90915YZZD1. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 24F · 585 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnDCTYOEM · verified
Tire sizeP245-65R17OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter90915YZZD1 alt 9030179006
Engine air filter17801YZZ01 alt 1780120050
Fuel filter770240E020 alt 233000A020
Spark plug9091901247 alt 9008091180
Battery2880064132 alt 2880020060
Front wiper blades8521253081 alt 852220E040
Serpentine belt99367K1550
Thermostat1632562010 alt 90916A3002
Cabin air filter8713902090 alt 8713950100

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S5)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length188.6 in
Overall width75.2 in
Overall height69.3 in
Wheelbase109.8 in
Curb weight4180 lb
Track (front / rear)63.4 / 63.4 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)55/45

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined18 / 24 / 20 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Highlander of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.0 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.00 sec — 2008 Limited
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2008Limited 3.5L V67.00 sec15.50 sec270 hpFWD
2008Sport 3.5L V67.00 sec15.60 sec270 hpAWD
2011Limited 3.5L V67.10 sec15.60 sec270 hpAWD
2011Limited 3.5L V67.20 sec15.60 sec270 hpAWD
2011Hybrid Limited 3.5L V6 + Elec7.30 sec15.60 sec280 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5 qt of 5W-30 / 5W-20 / 0W-20 API engine oil, 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 97 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity3.7
Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity3.8
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.9 Pints
Engine Oil5W-30 · API · 5W-20 · 0W-20

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs12 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts162 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts184 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts61 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts61 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts15 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts15 ft-lbs
Main Bearings16

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts97 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug36.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug36.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub217 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub217 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)900 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerDenso
Spark Plug Gap0.039
Spark Plug Torque18 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.25-1.38 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity4.50 oz
Standard BCI Group Number24F
Standard BCI Cranking Performance585 cca
Standard BCI Group Number51r

Service checks

Pressure Test17 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature176-183 °F
Pressure Test17 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature176-183 °F
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum44.0 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum50.0 psi

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket25 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle76 ft-lbs / 57 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.039; Rear: 0.039 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in / 0.0059 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.102 in / 0.39 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.102 in / 0.39 in
Rotor Discard at or Under0.983 in / 0.334 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
17 ft. lbs., Step 2: 127 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
118 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9018 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
118 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9018 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
127 ft. lbs.27 ft. lbs
290 degrees.90 degrees
390 degrees.; Bolts 9-10: 22 ft. lbs.90 degrees

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 5,000 mi; coolant every 50,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 50,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 5,000 miBrake Linings (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Air Conditioning Condenser (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Driveshaft Flange Yoke (torque)
Every 30,000 miCabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Fuel Tank (inspect) · Fuel Tank Filler Cap O-Ring (inspect)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Hybrid Inverter (drain, flush & refill coolant)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash)
Every 90,000 miTiming Belt (replace)
At 100,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Hybrid Inverter (drain, flush & refill coolant)
Every 100,000 miTransmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2008 Toyota Highlander stands out as a notably problematic year within its generation, with 403 complaints and 13 recalls—a sharp spike compared to the 123 complaints and 4 recalls of the preceding 2007 model, and still higher than the 134 complaints and 9 recalls of the 2009 model. This peak in complaints and recalls for 2008 is the highest in the early generation (2001–2008) and is followed by a drop in 2009, suggesting that 2008 may have been a particularly troubled model year. The top complaint areas—Engine (51), Service Brakes (50), Air Bags (43), and Vehicle Speed Control (30)—along with 44 crash and 14 fire complaints, indicate multiple systemic issues, though the data does not specify root causes. Given this elevated risk, the 2008 Highlander is not a recommended buy; you would be better served by a 2007 or 2009 model year, which show far fewer complaints and recalls.

13
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
281
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
2
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
403
Owner complaints
44 involved a crash · 14 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 403 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine51
Service Brakes50
Air Bags43
Vehicle Speed Control30
Steering29
Tires22
Electrical System16
Engine & Engine Cooling12

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 13 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

14V743000Seats:Front Assembly:Seat Heater/CoolerReported 19/11/2014

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Prius and Corolla, 2009-2011 Venza, 2006-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2005-2011 Sienna and Sequoia, 2006-2011 Tacoma 4x2 and 4x4… Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the heaters with copper strand heating elements and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory, free of charge. The…

14V168000Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator ModuleReported 09/04/2014

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… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 281 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
T-SB-0055-24 Rev22026-01-07Unknown Or OtherSome 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a…
T-SB-0035-24 Rev22024-12-06StructureAcid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to…
T-SB-0038-24 Rev22024-12-06StructureTo prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film…
T-SB-0039-24 Rev22024-12-06StructureThe condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the…
T-SB-0061-23 Rev22024-12-05StructureToyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Highlander. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2008 Highlander take?

5 qt of 5W-30 API, 5W-20 API 0W-20 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2008 Highlander have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 13 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Highlander get?

EPA figures are 18 city / 24 highway / 20 combined mpg.