2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER

What owners reported to NHTSA, ranked by how often and how seriously.

This is complaint data, not a random sample.

It only includes owners who chose to file a federal complaint, so it over-represents dramatic and safety-related problems and under-represents minor issues an owner just had fixed without reporting. Read this as what NHTSA complainants report most, not as this vehicle's true failure rate. Full methodology.

Component ranking

  1. #1

    abs module

    11 unsafe

    11
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=7)

    • "2009 VEHICLE (MANUFACTURED 9/2008) ONLY HAS 83K MILES ON IT. CROAKING SOUND FOR WEEK OR SO AND THEN ONE MORNING ABS FAILURE WARNING ON DISPLAY. CODES ARE C1241 AND C1391. SAME PROBLEM AS OTHERS. NEEDS NEW ABS PUMP AND ACTUATOR. THE PARTS ARE #44050-48320 AND #…"~83,000 mi, complaint #1527135
    • "The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made an abnormal, loud clunking sound. The ABS, the parking brake, and the traction control warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was…"~137,000 mi, complaint #2115543
    • "THIS IS FOR A 2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID LIMITED WITH ABOUT 142000 MILES. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENTS AND IS NOT ABUSED IN ANY WAY. ALL MAINTENANCE ARE UP TO DATE WITH THE MAJOR TIMING KIT REPLACED MOST RECENTLY AT ABOUT 140000. WHILE DRIVI…"~142,299 mi, complaint #1600803
    • "ABS, TRACTION CONTROL, BRAKE MALFUNCTION LIGHT ON IN DASH DUE TO THE ABS BRAKE PUMP AND ACTUATOR NOT HAVING ENOUGH POWER AND A ABNORMAL LEAK. THE LIGHTS STAY ON FOR A DAY OR 2 AND GO OFF FOR ABOUT THE SAME TIME FIRST TIME LIGHTS CAME ON I HIT POUNDING WATER ON…"~165,000 mi, complaint #1645188
  2. #2

    brake hydraulics

    1 stranded, 10 unsafe

    11
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=16, median 500 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH DURING A SNOW STORM THE WHEELS LOCKED. THE BRAKES ALSO LOCKED WHILE DRIVING DOWN A HILL WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SLIDE 200 FEET. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,250. TH…"~10,250 mi, complaint #767564
    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING DOWN HILL AT 2 MPH, THE BRAKES BEGAN TO SHUDDER AND THE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATED SHIFT TO P FUNCTION. WITHIN A FEW MINUTES, ANOTHER WARNING LIGHT INDICATED, BRAKE DE…"~20,107 mi, complaint #778395
    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 22 MPH AND ENGAGING THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ATTEMPT TO STOP THE VEHICLE, SHE WAS FORCED TO APPLY EXTREME PRESSURE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR DIAGNOSE THE FAI…"~58,000 mi, complaint #757925
    • "FAULTY BRAKE ACTUATOR. THIS IS CAUSING THE VEHICLE CALIBERS TO ENGAGE WITHOUT TOUCHING THE BRAKE PEDAL..THE BRAKE STAYS STUCK CAUSING ONE OF THE FOUR TIRES TO DRAG.THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS MALFUNCTION AND COULD CAUSE DEATH OR BODILY INJURY."~162,601 mi, complaint #1650403
    • "SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED, TIRE PRESSURE, BRAKES, ABS, TRACTION, THEY ALL STAYED ON FOR A FEW MINUTES AND THEN WENT OFF. THE CAR SEEMED TO BE DRIVING NORMALLY. THIS HAPPENED A COUPLE TIMES, IT WAS NOT ALARMING, THE FIRST TIME THE LIGHT ILLUMINATED WAS…"~165,000 mi, complaint #1723420
  3. #3

    trunk or liftgate

    7 unsafe, 4 broken

    11
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=16, median 75,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIFT GATE FAILED TO OPEN OR CLOSE AUTOMATICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE HATCH PANEL WAS DEFORMED CAUSING THE POWER DOOR MOTOR TO WORK HAR…"~22,000 mi, complaint #1053288
    • "THE POWER ARM BROKE OFF OF THE REAR POWER LIFT GATE WHEN CLOSING. THE DRIVER SIDE HINGE ON THE REAR POWER LIFTGATE IS BOWED. *TR"~38,700 mi, complaint #951366
    • "LIFTGATE DOES WILL NOT OPEN. SCHAUMBURG TOYOTA REPORTED THE FOLLOWING ON THEIR SERVICE REPORT THE FOLLOWING: "FOUND AUTO OPEN & CLOSE MOTOR SEIZED. NEED: TO GO TO BODYSHOP - REPLACE L/HINGE, MOTOR-DOOR". TOYOTA SCHAUMBURG IS SPECULATING (PURE SPECULATION) T…"~53,275 mi, complaint #1061742
    • "THE POWER TAILGATE WILL NOT OPEN AND CLOSE AUTOMATICALLY. YOU HAVE TO FORCE IT TO OPEN MANUALLY AND FORCE IT TO CLOSE MANUALLY BECAUSE THE MOTOR GETS STUCK IN ONE POSITION. WE CALLED THE TOYOTA TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANY RECALLS AFTER READING SIMILAR COMPLAINTS O…"~91,650 mi, complaint #1175707
    • "THERE HAS BEEN A LATCHING ISSUE WITH THE REAR POWER HATCH SINCE WE HAVE OWNED THE CAR. TOYOTA ISSUED A REPAIR RECALL IN 2017 TO FIX THE ISSUE BUT IT IS BROKEN ONCE AGAIN. EITHER THEY ARE USING DEFECTIVE PARTS OR A DESIGN FLAW, BUT IT IS VERY DANGEROUS AS WE HA…"~138,000 mi, complaint #1572665
  4. #4

    engine internal

    2 stranded, 5 unsafe, 3 annoyance

    10
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=10, median 67,500 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "2009 TOYOTA HIGHLAND HAD BEEN DRIVED FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES, PARKED, LOCKED AT 7:25 AM ON JAN 22, 2010. APPROXIMATELY 20 MINUTES LATER A 6TH FT HIGH FLAMES WERE DISCOVERED BY THE OWNER COMING FROM THE ENGINE. SOMEONE HAD ALREADY REPORTED THE FIRE AND THE FIRE DE…"~11,000 mi, complaint #754611
    • "VVTI CAM GEAR ISSUE, MAKING GRINDING NOISE.VEHICLE JUST HIT 60,000 AND OUT OF WARRANTY. EARLIER TSB FROM TOYOTA DIDN'T COVER THIS SINCE THE VEHICLE DIDN'T SHOW ANY SIGNS."~60,000 mi, complaint #1606957
    • "AUGUST 6, 2015 I WAS DRIVING NORTHBOUND ON HWY 45. AFTER ABOUT [REDACTED ADDRESS] MY 2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER BEGAN TO SMOKE, THE OIL PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WITHIN A FEW MINUTES, BLACK SMOKE WAS POURING OUT FRO…"~75,000 mi, complaint #1223528
    • "BRIEF ENGINE KNOCK/RATTLE NOISE AT COLD STARTUP (1AR2AR) VDS(S):DA41A,ZA3EH WM(S)5TD"~93,000 mi, complaint #1689996
    • "MARCH 10, 2016 VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR OIL CHANGE. PARKED VEHICLE AFTER RETURN HOME ([REDACTED ADDRESS] BETWEEN DEALERSHIP AND HOME) SAME DAY AND AFTER A FEW HOURS, NOTICED ALL OIL HAD LEAKED FROM VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO DEALER THAT DAY. U…"~150,267 mi, complaint #1301558
  5. #5

    power windows and locks

    5 unsafe, 1 broken, 3 annoyance

    9
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=10, median 71,500 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "RECENT TROUBLE WITH ELECTRICAL REAR DOOR HATCH CLOSING PROPERLY. MY ONGOING PROBLEM IS AT LEAST 4+ YEARS THAT NOBODY HEARS ME. IT'S ELECTRICAL, AUTO LOCK DOORS, AC OR HEAT SHUTS OFF AND ON AD IT WANTS, TOTALLY WENT TO HI HEAT WHEN I WAS DRIVING, BUTTONS DO WHA…"~20,000 mi, complaint #1187632
    • "LEFT DRIVER'S DOOR ACTUATOR WORKS SOMETIMES WHEN PRESSING REMOTE CONTROL TO UNLOCK DOOR. LEFT REAR DOOR WORKS SOMETIMES WHEN PRESSING REMOTE CONTROL TO UNLOCK DOOR. *TR"~57,300 mi, complaint #1054690
    • "I PURCHASED A 2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER IN OCTOBER 29, 2013. EVERYTHING WAS FINE,THEN STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH WINDOW ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE, IT KEPT GOING OFF LINE, SO I ROLLED UP THE WINDOW AND DIDN'T USE IT UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO GO FOR SERVICE. I TOOK IT IN TO…"~76,895 mi, complaint #998585
    • "MY VEHICLE HAS AN ISSUE WITH THE DOOR LOCKS WHICH IS A SAFETY CONCERN, THE POWER DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS HAVE REPEATEDLY FAILED ON MY VEHICLE. EACH OF THE FOUR DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND SEVERAL MULTIPLE TIMES. THE MOST RECENT WAS A DRIVERS (LEFT)…"~85,000 mi, complaint #1350537
    • "The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that the power window master switch inoperable. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V689000 (Visibility). There were no warnings lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to dealer. The…"~127,000 mi, complaint #1954550
  6. #6

    engine oil consumption

    8 unsafe

    8
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=9)

    • "THE RUBBER HOSE BETWEEN THE OIL PUMP AND THE VVT KEEPS BREAKING. I WAS DOING SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THE RUBBER HOSE HAS BEEN REPLACE WITH A METAL ONE. CAN YOU PLEASE HELP ME? IS THIS SOMETHING THAT IS POSSIBLY STILL UNDER WARRANT AND CAN BE FIXED? T…"~60,000 mi, complaint #1121522
    • "I'M CONTACTING YOU ABOUT AN ISSUE RECENTLY ENCOUNTERED ON MY 2009 HIGHLANDER. THE OIL HOSE ATTACHMENT LOCATED AT THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR HAD PIN SIZE HOLE THAT PUSHED ALL THE OIL OUT OF MY CAR. THE OIL HOSE IS IN A LOCATION THAT WOULD NOT BE EXPOSED TO ANY ELE…"~75,000 mi, complaint #989063
    • "OIL COOLER CONNECTED TO ENGINE BLOCK WITH A RUBBER HOSE. HOSE FAILED WITH OIL LEAK WHICH CAUSED LOSS OF ENGINE OIL. CAR TOWED AND REPAIRED BEFORE ENGINE SEIZED. IT APPEARS RUBBER HOSE WAS NOT PROTECTED FROM HEAT OF CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND RUBBER DEGRADED.…"~87,036 mi, complaint #1676884
    • "NOTICED LARGE OIL PUDDLE IN DRIVEWAY. HAD CAR TOWED AS OIL LOSS COULD HAVE CAUSED FATAL DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. THE OIL LINE WAS DIAGNOSED AS DRY ROTTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE REPLACEMENT OIL LINE WAS VASTLY DIFFERENT THAN THAT OF THE ORIGINAL LINE IN…"~111,503 mi, complaint #1247243
    • "I WAS TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT AND I STARTED GETTING "LOW OIL PRESSURE" ALERTS ON MY DASHBOARD. I WAS WORRIED IF IT WAS A SENSOR ISSUE AND KEPT MOVING TILL I PARKED MY VEHICLE. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, I SAW THAT OIL HAD STARTED TO DRIP FROM WHERE I HAD T…"~152,700 mi, complaint #1576877
  7. #7

    other

    1 stranded, 6 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    8
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=8)

    • "THE DRIVER'S SIDE VISOR NO LONGER STAYS UP, SO IT HAS PROGRESSIVELY DROPPED DOWN TO ABOUT A 30-45 DEGREE ANGLE TOWARD THE DRIVER'S HEAD. THIS IS A LARGE SAFETY HAZARD BOTH FOR GENERAL VISIBILITY WHEN DRIVING AND POTENTIAL CAUSE OF INJURY TO THE HEAD IN THE CA…"~55,000 mi, complaint #1031021
    • "TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN IN EARLY 2015, THE DRIVER'S SIDE VISOR BEGAN TO FAIL IN MY 2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER VIN [XXX]. MY DESCRIPTION OF THE WORD FAIL, FOR THE VISOR, IS THAT IT WOULD NO LONGER STAY IN THE CLOSED STORED POSITION. WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD…"~100,000 mi, complaint #1353650
    • "I WAS SOLD OVER INTERNET BY VANDERGRIFT TOYOTA OF ARLINGTON,TX A FALSELY ADVERTISED 2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER,THAT WAS DELIVERED TO ME IN SAN ANTONIO, TX IN ENCLIMATE WEATHER AND WHILE I WAS IN A FULL BODY BRACE, I HAD TOLD THEM OF WEATHER, AND WAS IN DOWN POUR W…"~101,601 mi, complaint #1490467
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THE VEHICL…"~110,000 mi, complaint #1173118
    • "THE SUN VISOR REPEATEDLY FLOPS DOWN OBSCURING THE DRIVER'S VIEW. THE VISOR WILL NOT STAY IN THE "UP" POSITION. ALSO WHEN ENTERING THE VEHICLE, IF THE VISOR IS IN THE VERTICAL POSITION, I.E. NOT UP WHERE IT SHOULD BE, THE DRIVER WILL HIT HIS/HER HEAD ON THE ED…"~135,000 mi, complaint #1421774
  8. #8

    airbag system

    7 unsafe

    7
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT INDICATES AIR BAG NOT FUNCTIONAL. OCCURS AT RANDOM TIMES, WILL STAY THAT WAY FOR DAYS OR WEEKS, THEN REVERT TO NORMAL. SOMETIMES AT SAME TIME FAN GOES TO HIGH, AIR CONDITIONING GOES ON, OR FLOOR/AIR DIAL SWITCHES TO A…"~8,000 mi, complaint #771933
    • "WITHOUT PREJUDICE MY VEHICLE WAS REAR -ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE AT SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 75, AND GOT CRASHED ON TO THE CAR IN FRONT AT SPEED OF 40 TO 50. AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND DASH BOARD INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON AND IT DOES NOT GO OFF. I STRONGLY BE…"~11,395 mi, complaint #886935
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE IN A PARKING, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY, WENT OVER A CEMENT BARRIER, AND CONTINUED ACCELERATING WITH SPEED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE…"~34,784 mi, complaint #1595900
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY, WHICH WAS A SAFETY CONCERN. IN ADDITION, THE HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL BECAME COMPLETELY I…"~50,000 mi, complaint #1488124
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 154,000. "~154,000 mi, complaint #1359658
  9. #9

    engine cooling

    1 stranded, 4 unsafe

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "THE WATER PUMP WENT ON MY TOYOTA HIGHLAND. I LOOKED IT UP ONLINE AND FOUND OUT THE WATER PUMPS ARE FAULTY AND WILL MAKE A SOUND LIKE THERE IS GRAVEL IN THE MOTOR. I HAD TOYOTA FIX THE PROBLEM UNDER WARRANTY, BUT I LOOKED ONLINE AND FOUND THAT OTHER PEOPLE HAVE…"~45,000 mi, complaint #1266352
    • "THE COOLANT PUMP PULLEY BROKE AND ENGINE GOT OVERHEATED AND STOPPED ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY AND HAD TO BE TOWED. THE VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 60K MILES ON IT. DEALER TELLS ME THAT BOTH THE ENGINE AND WATER PUMP HAVE TO BE REPLACED AND WOULD COST OVER $9,000."~58,000 mi, complaint #1366207
    • "MASSIVE OIL LEAK FROM OIL COOLER LINE OF 2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER WITH TOW PACKAGE AT ~78,000 MILES. RUBBER HOSES BURST AND OIL LEAKED OUT FROM ENGINE. "~78,000 mi, complaint #1152920
    • "OIL COOLANT LINE BURSTS WHICH CAUSES IMMEDIATE LOSS OF ALL OIL. PROBLEM HAPPENS WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, AND IN THIS CASE WHILE IN MOTION ON A HIGH TRAFFICKED FREEWAY. FIX COST ABOUT $1,000 OUT OF POCKET. THIS IS A VERY LARGE LEAK WHICH COVERS THE GROUND,…"~110,000 mi, complaint #1585362
    • "OIL COOLER HOSE BURST IN CAR. YO HAVE ABOUT 20 SECONDS TO TURN THE ENGINE OFF BEFORE IT SEIZES UP BECAUSE ALL THE OIL IS POURING OUT OF THE CAR. WE HAD IT TOWED TO MIDAS DEALERSHIP AND THEY FIXED IT. I CALLED TOYOTA BECAUSE I NOTICED THEY HAD A CUSTOMER SUPP…"~148,000 mi, complaint #1371764
  10. #10

    throttle and pedal

    5 unsafe

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT WAS REVERSING FROM A PARKING SPACE AT 5 MPH WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE RAPIDLY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT SHE WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND AS A…"~783 mi, complaint #916827
    • "ACCELERATOR STUCK ALL THE WAY TO FLOOR ON 2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER WHILE VACATIONING IN TENNESSEE ON I40. HAD TO WEAVE THRU TRAFFIC TO SHOULDER WHILE TRAVELING TOWARDS 100 MPH, MASHING FULL FORCE TO THE FLOOR ALL THE TIME DURING INCIDENT. VERY FRIGHTENING. CAR…"~7,000 mi, complaint #744268
    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V023000, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: ACCELERATOR PEDAL. UPON RECEIVING THE VEHICLE HE WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY…"~14,100 mi, complaint #820640
    • "AS PUBLISHED BY MEDIA, MY 2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER WAS SUBJECT TO A RECALL BY TOYOTA DUE TO RECENT ACCIDENTS MAKING THE CAR ACCELERATE DUE TO (APPARENTLY) STUCK-UP GAS PEDAL). I CALLED UP COBB COUNTY TOYOTA IN KENNESSAW GA TO CONFIRM IF I NEED TO BRING MY CAR…"~16,000 mi, complaint #754869
  11. #11

    tire failure

    1 stranded, 4 unsafe

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=6)

    • "TURNING RIGHT FROM CITY HIGHWAY TO CITY STREET AT ABOUT 15 MPH AND RR TIRE HAD SIDEWALL BLOWOUT. HAD TO REPLACE TIRE WITH SAME BRAND AS ONLY BRIDGESTONE AND TOYO MAKE A TIRE THIS SIZE FOR 2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. 245/55R19. *TR"~14,900 mi, complaint #797163
    • "OUR CAR HAS 17,000. MILES AND TURNS OUT THE TIRES ARE BARE IN SPOTS AND THE CAR HYDROPLANED AND SKIDDED AND WOULD NOT HOLD THE ROAD IN A LIGHT SNOWSTORM. WE OFTEN SKIDDED RIGHT INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. WE HAVE DRIVEN MANY SUVS OVER THE YEARS -WE ARE 69- AND NEVE…"~17,300 mi, complaint #890768
    • "COMPLAINANT HAD TO REPLACE THE ORIGINAL BRIDGESTONE TIRES (245/55R19) ON A 2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER LTD AFTER 20,679 MILES. TREAD WEAR WAS BELOW 3/32'S. TOYOTA WOULD NOT WARRANT OR PARTICIPATE IN THE REPLACEMENT COSTS. BRIDGESTONE OFFERED TO SPLIT THE COST OF…"~20,679 mi, complaint #897970
    • "TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 19" RIMS WITH TOYO OPEN COUNTRY A20 TIRES ARE VERY UNSAFE. THIS TIRE/WHEEL COMBINATION WAS STANDARD ON 2008/09 LIMITED AND SPORT HIGHLANDERS. MY 2009 HIGHLANDER WOULD SLIP ALL OVER THE PLACE IN WINTER DRIVING. BY FAR THE WORST WINTER VEHIC…"~21,000 mi, complaint #840586
  12. #12

    unintended acceleration

    5 unsafe

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=9)

    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH AND REMOVING HER FOOT FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. THE CONTACT APPLIED NORMAL PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL WHEN THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN AND STOPPED. THE FAILURE IS…"~700 mi, complaint #755793
    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON AT LEAST FOUR OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WHEN THE DRIVER WOULD DEPRESS THE PEDAL GENTLY AFTER A STOP. THE VEHICLE ALSO ACCELERATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO REVER…"~1,000 mi, complaint #768398
    • "I PURCHASED A 2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER, IN FEBRUARY 2009. ON JUNE 1, 2009, I WAS NORTHEAST OF ROCKVILLE, INDIANA ON HIGHWAY 47 IN THIS TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. I APPROACHED A SLOW MOVING VEHICLE ON A STRAIGHT SECTION OF ROADWAY AND PASSED THE VEHICLE. AS I WAS PASSI…"~4,648 mi, complaint #746052
    • "AS MY WIFE CAME HOW WITH MY DAUGHTER, SHE PROCEEDED TO REVERSE THE CAR INTO OUR DRIVEWAY TO PARK THE CAR IN OUR GARAGE AS SHE NORMALLY DOES EVERYDAY. IN THE DRIVEWAY WAS ALSO MY CAR WHERE IT IS PARKED EVERYDAY. AS SHE WAS PROCEEDING TO GO BACK, THE CAR ALL O…"~30,352 mi, complaint #1000398
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE CRASHED BETWEEN A BUILDING…"~189,000 mi, complaint #1565683
  13. #13

    steering electric assist

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "ABOUT EIGHTY MILES/TWO DAYS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, AN INTERMITTENT WHINE/HUMMING NOISE WAS HEARD IN THE VICINITY OF THE DRIVER SIDE DASH AREA WHILE TURNING AT SLOW SPEEDS. I WAS TOLD THIS WAS NOT UNUSUAL AS THE POWER STEERING IS ELECTRICALLY ASSISTED AND THE E…"~72,000 mi, complaint #1007408
    • "AUGUST 4,2018 BACKING ON OF GARAGE AND POWER STEERING COMPLEXLY QUIT WORKING. YOU CAN STILL STEER BUT WITH GREAT EFFORT , MILEAGE 134,521. IN MARCH 1, 2015 POWER STEERING QUIT WORKING WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET AT ABOUT 25MPH MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO TU…"~88,644 mi, complaint #1489324
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE STEERING CEASED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ADDED EFFORT WAS NEEDED TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF A POWE…"~127,000 mi, complaint #1657598
    • "WHILE DRIVING, THE BATTERY LIGHT ON THE DASH ILLUMINATED, WHILE THE POWER ASSIST STEERING NO LONGER WORKED. THE CAR COULD STILL DRIVE AND STEER, BUT IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WOULD INTERMITTENTLY COME BACK ON, AND THEN GO OFF AGA…"~158,000 mi, complaint #1538632
  14. #14

    steering column

    2 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "THE STEERING WHEEL CAME LOOSE WHILE DRIVING ON A [REDACTED ADDRESS] AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. I WAS ADJUSTING THE TELESCOPING STEERING WHEEL WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL CAME LOOSE FROM THE CAR AND A LOUD RAPID BEEPING NOISE WAS EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. I CROSS…"~94,087 mi, complaint #1459238
    • "STEERING WHEEL IS CLICKING VERY BAD WHEN MAKING TURNS. CAR SHOP CHECKED EVERYTHING OUT AND DECIDED IT WAS COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. CAR WAS IN A PRIOR CAR ACCIDENT IN 2012 WITH NO REPORTED FRAME DAMAGE. TAKING CAR TO LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP, AS RECOMMEN…"~126,000 mi, complaint #1593820
  15. #15

    brake booster

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "The brake warning light has come on, including the abs, anti skid , and the triangle warning light. The OBD 2 scanner is indicating code C1253. This indicates brake actuator, & or brake booster. This a known problem for Toyota hybrid highlanders from 2008 to 2…"~193,000 mi, complaint #1891505
  16. #16

    door latch and hinge

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "REAR DOOR/HATCH ELECTRIC MOTOR AND LATCH/LOCK ASSEMBLY FAILED. SEVERAL INCIDENCES OF THE REAR ELECTRIC HATCH FAILING TO SEAT/CLOSE OCCURRED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE DOOR WOULD START DOWN BUT WOULD NOT CLOSE/LATCH. TOYOTA SERVICE DEPARTMENT (DOTHAN, AL) SAID…"~40,000 mi, complaint #1007423
    • "THE REAR HATCH IN MY 2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER STOPPED WORKING - WITHOUT MISUSE OR HANDLING ON MY PART. AFTER PUSHING THE AUTOMATIC CLOSE BUTTON, THERE WAS A LOUD CLUNK SOUND. THERE WAS NOTHING OBSTRUCTING THE BACK AREA. THE BACK DOOR/HATCH WOULD NOT OPEN, NOR…"~59,900 mi, complaint #1055092
  17. #17

    key fob and immobilizer

    1 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "MY 2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER WITH KEYLESS START ALLOWS THE VEHICLE TO SHUT OFF WHEN NOT IN PARK AND THE VEHICLE STARTS MOVING. IT ALSO WILL TURN OFF IN REVERSE, OR NEUTRAL AND WILL TURN BACK ON IN NEUTRAL AND WILL ALSO TURN OFF IN DRIVE. THIS DOES NOT FEEL SAF…"~1,030 mi, complaint #730302
    • "WHEN I LOCK THE CAR THE ALARM WILL GO OFF FOR NO REASON AT ALL. IT DOES THIS ALL THE TIME. IT IS VERY IRRITATING. "~87,000 mi, complaint #1193899
  18. #18

    lighting exterior

    2 annoyance

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "CONDENSATION OCCURS INSIDE THE TAIL LIGHTS ASSEMBLY WHEN CAR WASHING DURING COLD WEATHER. CONDENSATION IS ALSO DEVELOPED INSIDE THE TAIL LIGHTS WHEN THE TEMPERATURE GETS LOW. *CW"~8,500 mi, complaint #754922
    • "THE LIFE SPAN OF MY HEADLIGHTS AND HIGH BEAM IS VERY SHORT. I CHANGE THE BULBS AND AFTER 2-3 WEEKS, THEY STOP WORKING."~150,000 mi, complaint #1636572
  19. #19

    sunroof

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "THE DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR DROOPS DOWN. TOYOTA IS NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS ISSUE. IT SEEMS TO BE HAPPENING ALOT. IT FALLS WHILE I'M DRIVING, AND I'M AFRAID IT WILL CAUSE ME TO GET IN A WRECK. TOYOTA NEEDS TO RECALL THIS VISOR. POOR DESIGN. *TR"~90,000 mi, complaint #1150097
    • "THE SUNROOF, IN IT'S ENTIRETY FLEW OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSTATE. THE SUNROOF WAS OPEN, SO WE CLOSED IT AND IT BEGAN MAKING A WEIRD NOISE, SO WE BEGAN TO RE-OPEN THE ROOF, AND THE ENTIRE PIECE OF GLASS FLEW OFF. WE WERE ON AN INTERSTATE, GOING ABOUT 70MP…"~137,087 mi, complaint #1465087
  20. #20

    suspension arms and bushings

    1 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE, A SNAP WAS HEARD FROM THE REAR. UPON INSPECTION, THE REAR PASSENGER SWAY BAR LINK (JOINING THE SWAY BAR TO THE STRUT) WAS SNAPPED AT THE LOWER END. THIS LINK IS APPROXIMATELY 10 MM IN DIAMETER, NECKING DOWN TO 8 MM WITH A 1 MM RADIUS AT…"~36,400 mi, complaint #960103
    • "I KEEP MY CAR VERY GOOD IN MY LIFE . RECENTLY MY LIMITED HIGHLANDER 09 WITH 42.000 MILES START CLUNKING NOISE WHEN I MAKE A SLOW TURNING RIGHT , LEFT TO PARKING LOT AND EVERY WHERE WHEN I MAKE A TURN SLOWLY IT HAVE A CLUNKING SOUND. I THINK THAT I CAN PAY THE…"~42,000 mi, complaint #1636994
  21. #21

    transmission automatic

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE TURNING AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH IN SNOWY CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE BECAME STUCK IN THE SNOW. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO REVERSE BUT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP W…"~11,000 mi, complaint #792284
  22. #22

    wiring harness

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "THIS VEHICLE HAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM, MOST MECHANIC SHOPS I TOOK IT WERE NOT ABLE TO FIND OUT THE NATURE OF THE PROBLEM. I'VE CHANGED THE BATTERY TWICE AND STILL EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. AT THE HIGH WAY I NOTICED THE THAT THE TEMPERATURE OF THE ENGINE…"~58,000 mi, complaint #1185138
    • "$7155 QUOTE TO REPLACE 2 ELECTRICAL HARNESSES. REASON: "WARNING: SRS AIRBAG CHECK. TAKE VEHICLE TO DEALER". THE JUNCTION BOX IS HIDDEN BEHIND THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT PANEL. THE PINS IN THE JUNCTION BOX BELONGING TO THE AIRBAG WIRING HARNESS (PART # 82141-48R51)…"~72,900 mi, complaint #1217553
  23. #23

    ac compressor and refrigerant

    1 broken

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT FAILED FOUR TIMES. THE CONTACT STATED THE REPAIRS WERE MADE BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE UNIT WOULD WORK FOR A SHORT TIME BEFORE FAILING AGAIN. IN ADDITION, THE…"~4,624 mi, complaint #803969
  24. #24

    acceleration loss or hesitation

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHENEVER THE VEHICLE IS SITTING IDLE AND THE CONTACT WOULD ATTEMPT TO ACCELERATE, THE TWO FRONT WHEELS WOULD BEGIN TO SPIN OUT WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE…"~2,500 mi, complaint #771887
  25. #25

    driveshaft axle cv

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "WHEN YOU DRIVE BACK AND TURN, THE TIRES MAKE A STRANGE MOVEMENT, IT SEEMS LIKE IT WILL BE DETACHED FROM THE AXLE."complaint #1399411
  26. #26

    hv system fault reduced power

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "3 TIMES OVER THE LAST MONTH, WHILE I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE, THE CAR SUDDENLY LOST POWER WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. ALL THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS FLASHED ON, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE LOST POWER, THE ACCELERATOR WAS NOT…"~90,000 mi, complaint #1708564
  27. #27

    noise or vibration unspecified

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "I WAS TRAVELING 50 -60 MILES PER HOUR ON THE NEW JERSEY GARDEN STATE PARKWAY. WHILE DRIVING ALL OF A SUDDEN A HUGE VIBRATION OCCURRED THROUGH OUT THE VEHICLE. WHILE IT VIBRATED A LOUD NOISE OCCURRED. IT WAS SO LOUD MY DOG BEGAN TO BARK AND MY EARS COULD NOT…"complaint #946558
  28. #28

    seatbelt and pretensioner

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RETRACT AND BECAME JAMMED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE RETRACTION MECHANISM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE…"~68,520 mi, complaint #966673
  29. #29

    stability and traction control

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE EXPRESSWAY WITH THE FAMILY (50MPH), CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND TRACTION CONTROL SUDDENLY TURN ON AND FLICKER ON AND OFF RANDOMLY. ENGINE POWER HESITATES. AT THE STOPLIGHT, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUES TO TURN ON, AND OFF RANDOMLY, AS WELL…"~15,000 mi, complaint #999163
  30. #30

    starter

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER WAS INVOLVED IN THE FLOOR MAT RECALL. WHEN VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER AND CONSUMER WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO BECAUSE THE FLOOR MATS WERE NOT TOYOTA FLOOR MATS. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED AT TIMES THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STA…"complaint #780510
  31. #31

    suspension struts shocks

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER CLEARANCE BETWEEN BOTH REAR "SHOCK BASE PLATE" AND BOTH REAR TIRES ARE TOO CLOSE. EVERY TIME WHEN YOU HIT A "BUMP", BOTH REAR TIRES ARE HITTING THE "REAR SHOCK BASE PLATE". THIS WILL DAMAGE BOTH REAR TIRES AND CAUSE ACCIDENT !! DEFE…"~5,600 mi, complaint #856386
  32. #32

    tpms

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "I INSTALLED WINTER TIRES AND WHEELS WITH OEM TPMS AND WAS NOT ABLE TO RESET THE CAR TO RECOGNIZE THESE NEW SENSORS. I'M TOLD THAT I HAVE TO HAVE THE DEALER RESET THE SYSTEM TWICE A YEAR WHEN I CHANGE WHEELS AND TIRES OR LET THE SYSTEM READ FAILURE UNTIL I SW…"complaint #714280
  33. #33

    transfer case awd

    1 stranded

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER ON THE HIGHWAY. THE CAR WAS STILL RUNNING, BUT THERE WAS NO POWER TO THE WHEELS. THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL HAD FAILED DUE TO A LEAK IN THE FRONT OF THE TRANSFER CASE. THIS FAILURE CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL AS WELL. *TR"complaint #954314

NHTSA investigations

Search NHTSA's own recall and complaint database for TOYOTA HIGHLANDER directly.