2009 Toyota Highlander problems
NHTSA has received 178 complaints about the 2009 Toyota Highlander, and 16% of them involve engine. After that come brakes (15%) and electrical system (11%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 178 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Engine 16% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 7 and 7
- Injuries and deaths
- 9 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 58,000 miles 145 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 41 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 12 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 22 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 18 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 16 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 12 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 8 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 10 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 4 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 2 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Among the 145 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 58,000 miles. For engine specifically, the median reported mileage is about 75,000 miles (24 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 7 complaints mention a crash; 7 complaints mention a fire; 9 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2009 ranks 21st most-complained-about out of 24 model years of the Toyota Highlander with enough data (90 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 9 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
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 believe this is a manufacturer defect. This SUV consists with six air bags. Non of them responded. I purchase with confidence that air bags are in working order. Manufacturer risk our life for nearly two years. I deserve compensation for risking 6 lives.
Brand new 2009 toyota highlander defective front o2 sensor made out of ceramic built into all cars in japan then shipped to u.s. First sign of sensor damage the cars traction control light goes on. Soon after the front o2 ceramic sensor heats up. Then the car will not start. When you try to start it up at this point engine has caught on fire. The general manager of dealership stated that toyota knows of this defective part but will not recall. We believe owners should be notified. The part was replaced.
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. The contact then entered another parking lot, the contact attempted to turn the steering wheel, as a result the contact crashed into a corner dunkin donut store. The air bag failed to deploy.
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 !! Defective engineering design !! Toyota should recall all highlanders with this defective design !!! You don't want to wait for an accident to happen then make a mandatory recall. Thanks for reading my message and concern of safety for all highlander owners.
March 10, 2016 vehicle was taken to dealer for oil change. Parked vehicle after return home (10 miles drive 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. Upon investigation dealer said the problem was the oil cooler pipe. Dealer said toyota issued a technical service bulletin t-sb-0201-11 over 5 years prior that issued a repair procedure to replace this oil cooler pipe.