UsedScore

2009 Toyota Highlander: Solid

Owners filed 66 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 Toyota Highlander in its first five years on the road, about 75 for every 100,000 sold: 1.0× the rate of a typical Highlander year. That's close to a typical year.

The biggest problem area, counting serious complaints more, is the brakes (27% of complaints, median 8,000 miles).

Complaint index
1.0×
per vehicle sold, vs. a typical Highlander year
Rank
7th of 14
1st = fewest complaints
Complaints
66
first five years; 75 per 100,000 sold
Recalls
10
campaigns
2nd generation, 2008–2013 · Updated September 24, 2026 · How we rate
2008–2010 Toyota Highlander Limited

Photo: 2008–2010 Toyota Highlander Limited · IFCAR, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Problem areas

Ranked by severity-weighted complaints · share · median miles
  1. Brakes27% · 18 complaints · median 8,000 miles
  2. Engine17% · 11 complaints · median 15,000 miles
  3. Speed control21% · 14 complaints · median 4,000 miles
  4. Electrical11% · 7 complaints · median 11,000 miles
  5. Powertrain12% · 8 complaints · median 11,000 miles
  6. Air bags3% · 2 complaints
  7. Wheels and tires12% · 8 complaints · median 19,000 miles
  8. Body and structure5% · 3 complaints
  9. Seats and belts6% · 4 complaints
  10. Suspension6% · 4 complaints

Bars rank problem areas by complaints weighted for severity (crashes, fires, injuries and deaths count more). A complaint can name more than one area. Mileage is reported on about half of complaints.

What owners describe

Brakes

Many owners of this hybrid Highlander describe the ABS/brake actuator or pump failing, often years after purchase, with dash warnings telling them to pull over and see a dealer. Some also felt an early hesitation in braking, and repairs are frequently described as costly and, in several cases, not covered despite mention of a related warranty program.

Warning signs:
Owners describe ABS, brake, VSC, and traction-control warning lights, clunking or croaking noises, and a pedal that feels delayed, spongy, or requires excessive force before or during the failure.
What shops did:
Dealers or independent shops often diagnosed an internal leak in the brake actuator or booster pump and recommended replacing the assembly, sometimes citing an expired warranty extension or service bulletin rather than a recall; a few say the dealer could not duplicate or find any problem.
Mileage:
most between 10,000 and 145,000 miles, among 39 complaints that give it

“While braking to stop car in a school pick up line, warning lights and messages began flashing”

“Brakes failed at a low rate of speed despite pumping them and pushing the petal all the way to the floor.”

Engine

Many owners describe an oil cooler line or pipe that leaks or bursts, draining engine oil quickly and sometimes causing engine damage, stalling, or fire. Warning lights or unusual noises often precede the failure, and repairs range from routine part replacement to costly engine work.

Warning signs:
Owners report low oil pressure or check engine/hybrid warning lights, oil pooling under the vehicle, knocking or grinding noises, smoke, or sudden loss of power while driving.
What shops did:
Dealers often replaced the oil cooler pipe or hose, sometimes under warranty or a service bulletin, though some owners say the engine had already been damaged or the shop could not fully diagnose the problem.
Mileage:
most between 60,000 and 110,000 miles, among 29 complaints that give it

“Hose failed with oil leak which caused loss of engine oil. Car towed and repaired before engine seized.”

Speed control

Owners of this Highlander report episodes of sudden, unintended acceleration, sometimes while parking or backing up, that braking did not immediately stop. Several describe crashes or near misses, and dealers frequently said they could not find or fix a cause.

Warning signs:
Some owners noticed the accelerator pedal felt stuck, hesitated then lunged, or the engine raced even after restarting or removing the floor mat.
What shops did:
Dealers often could not duplicate or diagnose the problem and left vehicles unrepaired; one owner had recall pedal work done but the issue recurred.
Mileage:
most between 0 and 25,000 miles, among 14 complaints that give it

“While driving 40 MPH and removing her foot from the brake pedal the vehicle accelerated on its own”

“I looked down at the accelerator and nothing was pushing or touching it”

Summaries are written with AI from the owner complaints shown on NHTSA's site and checked against them; quotes are word for word.

Recalls (10)

Check a VIN on NHTSA ›
  • NHTSA 16V396000June 20167,749 vehicles

    Seats: front assembly: seat heater/cooler

    Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.

    Risk: If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.

    Fix: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory.

  • NHTSA 15V689000October 20151,814,284 vehicles

    Visibility: power window devices and controls

    Toyota Motor Company (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Tundra, Sequoia, Corolla, Corolla Matrix and Scion xB, 2008-2011 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2007 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2009 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2006-2011 RAV4, 2006-2010 Yaris, and 2009-2010 Scion xD and Pontiac Vibe vehicles. During the manufacturing of the Power Window Master Switch (PWMS), grease lubricant may have been inconsistently applied to the sliding electrical contacts.

    Risk: If the sliding electrical contacts are not protected by lubricant, debris and moisture that get into the switch may cause a short circuit and the switch assembly may overheat and melt, increasing the risk of a fire.

    Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the switch, applying a lubricant if no abnormality is found.

  • NHTSA 14V743000November 20143,233 vehicles

    Seats: front assembly: seat heater/cooler

    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, Camry, Highlander, Tundra 4x2 and 4x4, and 2007-2011 Rav4 and 4Runner. The affected vehicles may experience compression of the seat cushion which may damage the seat heater wiring.

    Risk: Damage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and causing personal injury to the occupant.

    Fix: 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.

  • NHTSA 14V168000April 20141,486,413 vehicles

    Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module

    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 steering column assembly contains electrical connections to the driver's airbag module housed in a spiral cable assembly, which includes a Flexible Flat Cable (FFC). Due to the shape and location of the FFC's retainer, the FFC could become damaged when the steering wheel is turned.

    Risk: If the FFC is damaged, connectivity to the driver's air bag module could be lost and the air bag deactivated. The failure of the driver's air bag to deploy in the event of a crash that typically necessitates deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver.

    Fix: Toyota will notify the Toyota vehicle owners, and General Motors will notify the Pontiac Vibe owners.

  • NHTSA 13V396000September 2013133,081 vehicles

    Hybrid propulsion system: inverter

    Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid vehicles manufactured February 16, 2005, through July 29, 2010; and model year 2006-2008 Lexus RX400h vehicles manufactured February 23, 2005, through December 2, 2008. The Intelligent Power Module (IPM) inside the inverter module may contain transistors that have higher operating temperatures than the solder can support and the transistors may be heat damaged by the solder. If this occurs, various warning lamps, including the malfunction indicator lamp, slip indicator light, brake system warning light, and master warning light, will be illuminated on the instrument panel.

    Risk: The vehicle may enter a fail-safe/limp-home mode that limits the drivability of the vehicle. It is possible that the hybrid system will shut down while the vehicle is being driven, causing the vehicle to stall unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the IPM free of charge.

  • NHTSA 13V014000January 20133,235 vehicles

    Seats · Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module-inactive

    Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model year 2010-2012 Sequoia. During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.

    Risk: If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.

    Fix: Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary.

  • NHTSA 10V035000February 2010271,417 vehicles

    Equipment: other: labels

    Gulf states toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "tire selection and rims." these vehicles were sold between september 1, 2005 and june 2, 2008 without the requisite load carrying capacity modification labels.

    Risk: This does not meet the standard requirements.

    Fix: Dealers will mail to consumers the corrected label or the customer will have the option for dealers to install the label free of charge.

  • NHTSA 10V036000February 2010153,418 vehicles

    Equipment: other: labels

    Southeast toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 passenger vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "tire selection and rims." these vehicles were sold without the requisite load carrying capacity modification labels.

    Risk: A driver may overload a vehicle which may increase the risk of a crash.

    Fix: Dealers will mail to consumers the corrected label or the customer will have the option for dealers to install the label free of charge.

  • NHTSA 10V023000January 20101,126,915 vehicles

    Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal

    Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008-2010 highlander, model year 2009-2010 corolla, venza and matrix passenger vehicles. The accelerator pedal can get stuck in the wide open position due to its being trapped by an unsecured or incompatible driver's floor mat. This recall is an expansion of a campaign of 3.8 million other toyota vehicles announced in 2009 for the same issue (see 09v-388).

    Risk: A stuck open accelerator pedal may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death.

    Fix: Toyota will modify or replace the accelerator pedals on the subject vehicles.

  • NHTSA 09V223000June 200927,080 vehicles

    Equipment: other: labels

    Toyota is recalling 27,080 model year 2005 through 2010 passenger cars built from september 1, 2005 to may 4, 2009. These vehicles were not equipped with load carrying capacity modification labels which fails to conform with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "tire selection and rims."

    Risk: Incorrect load carrying capacity modification labels could result in the vehicle being overloaded, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Fix: Toyota will notify owners and provide them with a new, accurate label to be installed over the inaccurate label free of charge.

A recall only helps if the repair was done. Enter the vehicle's 17-character VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup before you buy.

Service bulletins

Toyota sent NHTSA 312 service bulletins and other notices to dealers covering the 2009 Highlander. These are repair instructions, not recalls. Warranty extensions and bulletins about its top problem areas:

  • T-SB-0119-15 Rev2 · February 2026OBSOLETE NOTICE February 13, 2026: This bulletin is now obsolete.
  • T-SB-0009-26 · February 2026This bulletin includes basic procedures for performing a rescue charge on Ni-MH high voltage (HV) batteries.
  • T-SB-0103-20 Rev1 · June 2024This Service Bulletin provides updated non-electric water pump leak inspection and diagnostic tips for some 2008 – 2025 model year Toyota vehicles.
  • T-PANT-2024-004- · March 2024This is to advise of various price adjustments that will affect Toyota Genuine Motor Oil and Long Life Coolant, effective March 1, 2024.
  • TSB003220 · August 2023TSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most 1979 ?
  • TTT063620 · March 2022TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions
  • T-SB-0014-22 · March 2022TSB: This Service Bulletin includes procedures to replace damaged or loose front carpet floor retainer(s) without replacing the carpet assembly.
  • T-TT-0636-20 Rev · March 2021TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions.

All 2009 Highlander bulletins on NHTSA ›

Questions owners ask

Is the 2009 Toyota Highlander reliable?
Owners filed 66 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 Toyota Highlander in its first five years on the road, about 75 for every 100,000 sold: 1.0× the rate of a typical Highlander year. That's close to a typical year. Ratings compare Highlander years with each other using complaints filed with NHTSA; they don't measure every problem owners have.
What are the most common 2009 Highlander problems?
Owners' complaints most often involve the brakes (27%), the engine (17%) and speed control (21%). A complaint can name more than one area.
Has the 2009 Toyota Highlander been recalled?
Yes. NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns for the 2009 Toyota Highlander, the most recent in June 2016 (seats). Enter the vehicle's VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to see whether the repairs were done.

Sources

Owner complaints, recalls and manufacturer communications from NHTSA's public data files, as of September 24, 2026. Complaints are counted once each, over the model year's first 60 months on the road. UsedScore is not affiliated with NHTSA or Toyota. The 2009 Toyota Highlander on NHTSA.gov · How we rate