How to decode a 2008 Toyota Highlander VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2008 Toyota Highlander VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique three-letter code allocated to every vehicle manufacturer to distinguish where a vehicle was built and which company produced it. For instance, Toyota Motor North America, Inc. uses the WMI “JTE” for some of its vehicles, including certain models like the 2008 Toyota Highlander. This identifier indicates that the vehicle is a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV), designed for versatility and practicality. The “JTE” code signals that the vehicle was associated with manufacturing or assembly processes in the United States, specifically for vehicles produced or registered during the years 2001-2013. This critical piece of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) provides valuable information regarding the vehicle’s origins, type, and the manufacturer’s identity.

List of WMI Codes for a 2008 Toyota Highlander

WMI: JTE

Model Years Covered: 2001-2013
Example VIN: JTEES43A082001348
Manufacturer Name: Toyota Motor North America, Inc.
Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
City: Washington
State or Province: DC
Country: United States

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 2008 Toyota Highlander VIN

These characters correspond to components like:

Engine type
Transmission
Model or trim
Body style
Gross vehicle weight range

Below find the known vehicle descriptor codes for a 2008 Toyota Highlander:

Known VDS for a 2008 Toyota Highlander
ES43A	DS43A	ES41A	EW41A	ES44A	DS41A	DS42A	DS44A	ES42A	EW44A

Auto manufacturers have some discretion to decide how they want to code this section, but its contents and decoded results are generally consistent.

Character 9 is the “check digit” in a 2008 Toyota Highlander VIN.

Based on a formula developed by the US Department of Transportation, it helps reduce fraud by ensuring the validity of the VIN.

10th Character in the 2008 Toyota Highlander VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
8	2008

11th Character in the 2008 Toyota Highlander VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2008 Toyota Highlander Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
2	Miyawaka	Fukuoka	Japan	Toyota Motor Kyushu, Inc.	JTEES43A082001348

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2008 Toyota Highlander

The final 6 characters in a 2008 Toyota Highlander’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Toyota Highlander’s VIN below:

How to find a 2008 Toyota Highlander’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2008 Toyota Highlander is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Toyota Highlander, typically near where the dashboard meets the windshield, which is visible from outside the vehicle.
Inspect the driver’s side door jamb on your 2008 Toyota Highlander. The VIN can usually be found on a sticker or a plate where the door latches when closed.
Check the vehicle’s registration documents, insurance papers, or title (depending on the region), which should list the VIN for your Toyota Highlander.
Examine the engine block for the VIN as vehicles, including the Toyota Highlander, often have the VIN stamped on the engine.
Look under the spare tire in the trunk or rear storage compartment of your Toyota Highlander, where manufacturers sometimes place a sticker with the VIN.
Consult the owner’s manual or maintenance records for your 2008 Toyota Highlander as these documents typically include the VIN.

What info can a 2008 Toyota Highlander VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, potentially indicating the year 2008, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Vehicle Type and Body Class: The VIN decodes to show that the vehicle falls under the category of a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle, specifically a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV), indicating its design for versatility in passenger and cargo transport.
Engine Details: The VIN provides specifics about the engine, such as a V-Shaped, 3.5L engine with 295 to 314 horsepower and made by Toyota, possibly offering insights into the vehicle’s performance capabilities and power.
Fuel Type: It is specified that this vehicle runs on Gasoline, which can be crucial for understanding fuel efficiency and environmental impact.
Drive Type and Transmission: The VIN indicates that the vehicle features a 4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4 system, suggesting its capability for off-road and challenging driving conditions.
Manufacturing Information: Key details like the manufacturing plant being located in Miyawaka, Japan by Toyota Motor Kyushu, Inc., may add to the vehicle’s backstory and can influence perceptions of quality and reliability.
Safety Features: The presence of a Direct Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) highlights modern safety features designed to alert the driver to tire pressure issues, possibly enhancing safety on the road.

Don’t have your 2008 Toyota Highlander’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2008 Toyota Highlander

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV)
Cooling Type	Water
Displacement (CC)	3456
Displacement (CI)	213.58310433156
Displacement (L)	3.5
Doors	5
Drive Type	4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4
Engine Brake (hp) From	295
Engine Brake (hp) To	314
Engine Configuration	V-Shaped
Engine Manufacturer	Toyota
Engine Model	2GR-FE
Engine Number of Cylinders	6
Fuel Type - Primary	Gasoline
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From	Class 1D: 5,001 - 6,000 lb (2,268 - 2,722 kg)
Model	Highlander
Model Year	2008
Number of Seats	7
Plant City	Miyawaka
Plant Company Name	Toyota Motor Kyushu, Inc.
Plant Country	Japan
Plant State	Fukuoka
Series	GSU40L/GSU45L/MHU48L/ASU40L
Series2	Wagon body style
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type	Direct
Trim	Sports
Valve Train Design	Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC)
Vehicle Descriptor	JTEES43A*82
Vehicle Type	Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle
Sample_VIN	JTEES43A082001348