Two problems related to engine knocking noise have been reported for the 2008 Toyota Highlander. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2008 Toyota Highlander based on all problems reported for the 2008 Highlander.
On my way home on Saturday night, about 2 to 3 streets from my house, my dash started to say low fuel. I continued to drive home because I was so close. I get home and jumped out of the vehicle to listen to my car and everything sounded good. I shut the car off. On Monday morning, I walked out and noticed all the oil in the car had leaked out of the car onto my driveway. I immediately called Toyota and they said they would send a tow truck. The tow truck driver arrived and checked the oil with the dip stick. Since there was no oil in the vehicle, we did not start the engine. He towed the car to Toyota (where I have all my work done including inspections-which the last one was done 3 weeks prior to this incident). The Toyota mechanics looked at the vehicle. They called me and said a hose under the engine had cracked causing the oil to leak out. They had to order the part and it would fixed and ready by Tuesday. The part didn't come in as expected and the car was not fixed until Wednesday. I left work on my break to pick up the vehicle Wednesday night when they called and said it was ready. I picked up the vehicle from Toyota and drove back to work. On the way, I noticed a noise coming from the engine but assumed it was ok since it was just fixed. After my shift (Thursday morning), I came out and started the car. Immediately after starting the vehicle, a loud banging noise came from the engine. I called Toyota and had them tow the vehicle back to Toyota. They looked at the car and called me and stated the engine had blown and that it would cost $7000 to replace. They said I could keep the vehicle there until I decide what to do.
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving 10 mph, she began to her a knocking noise in the engine. The contact parked the vehicle and had it towed to a certified mechanic which stated that the engine cooler hose had a hole and cause the engine oil to leak out of the vehicle and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.