2009 Toyota Highlander Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year report a fairly wide spread of problems, with brakes and engine concerns most common in the sampled complaints. Many complaints cluster around the rear power liftgate and around oil leaks from the engine oil cooler lines, while speed-control complaints tend to be filed at very low mileage. Brake actuator complaints generally appear later, on higher-mileage vehicles.

1. 1
   Body and structure

   Power liftgate fails to open or close

   • 15 complaints (11%)
   • median 47,236 mi at 5.5 yrs old (15 state mileage)
   • owner-quoted repair $3,000 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 2010–2019

   Owners describe the rear power hatch stopping short of fully latching, then failing to open or close at all, sometimes with a loud pop or crunching noise. Several say the hatch ended up misaligned or ajar, and in some cases the hinge arms or support broke. According to the complaints, dealers often recommended replacing the hatch panel, hinges, motor and sometimes the rear bumper assembly, and some owners note a service bulletin covers the symptom. Reported from roughly 22,000 to 100,000 miles, with several complaints between 40,000 and 75,000 miles.

   What to check: Cycle the power liftgate several times and watch for uneven closing, a stop about an inch short of latch, or unusual noises from the motor. Ask whether the hatch struts, hinges or motor have been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Lift gate and power door motor broke. The door stocked and could not be opened or locked. I was lucky that my toddler was not around. I am horrified what would happened if his hand stock in it and the door could not be open. We took it to molle Toyota. They told me that beside the lift gate and motor the whole rear door and hinge has to be replace. They said that if I don't replace the doors I will have same problem few months later. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10747561, filed 2015-08, 87,473 miles

   “The power back door/liftgate does not close properly. The read door of the Highlander would come within an inch of closing when you operated the powered close function and stop, requiring a physical nudge to completely engage the lock and close. This went on for about a year until one day there was a loud crunching noise when it was closed and would not open. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10821332, filed 2016-01, 45,000 miles
2. 2
   Engine

   Engine oil leak from oil cooler hose or pipe

   • 15 complaints (11%)
   • median 96,018 mi at 7.2 yrs old (14 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2013–2020

   Complaints describe oil suddenly draining from the engine, sometimes noticed as a puddle under the vehicle or as a low oil pressure message on the dash. Owners report the cause being traced to a rubber oil cooler line or hose near the engine that split or deteriorated, and several say the part was replaced under a service bulletin procedure. A few complaints mention the engine seized or was nearly damaged when the oil was lost. Mostly reported between about 60,000 and 170,000 miles, including leakage noticed during or shortly after highway driving.

   What to check: Check for oil residue around the engine oil cooler lines and on the underside of the engine, and confirm the oil level. Ask whether the oil cooler pipe or hose has been replaced with the updated part.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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? Thank you for help in advance.”

   NHTSA complaint #10648568, filed 2014-10, 60,000 miles

   “I was driving down the interstate in wisconsin during rush hour when I took off my cruise control to slow down to take the next exit. I noticed an abnormal down shift when I took off the cruise control. Almost immediately the oil and traction control lights came on. As I slowed to the stop sign at the end of the exit the display screen began dinging and read low oil pressure and immediately stop the car and turn off the engine. I immediately pulled over once out of the way of traffic and shut down the car. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11230911, filed 2019-07, 115,000 miles
3. 3
   Vehicle speed control

   Unexpected or unintended acceleration

   • 18 complaints (13%)
   • median 13,000 mi at 1.2 yrs old (16 state mileage)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2009–2023

   Complaints describe the vehicle accelerating without a deliberate pedal input, sometimes while pulling out of a parking space or reversing, and in some reports braking did not stop it. Several owners say dealers could not duplicate the condition and no repair was made. A related recall covers accelerator pedals that can be held open by an unsecured or incompatible floor mat. Mostly reported at very low mileage, many under 5,000 miles, though some appear on much higher-mileage vehicles.

   Recall 10V023000

   What to check: Confirm the vehicle has had the floor mat / accelerator pedal campaign completed, and check that the driver's floor mat is the correct retained type and clipped in place.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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 passing I felt like the car was going faster than I was accelerating. When I pulled back into the right lane the car was going even faster and I realized that the car was accelerating on its own. Luckily, I was still on a long straight section of the road and had some time. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10293809, filed 2009-11, 4,648 miles

   “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 of a sudden accelerated on its own and took off. She tried to press the brake but to no avail. She continued to press the brake, however the car would not stop. She proceeded to hit my car and damaged both cars from front to back. Her car on the passenger side, and mine on the driver side. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10534291, filed 2013-08, 30,352 miles
4. 4
   Brakes

   Brake actuator leak and warning lights

   • 18 complaints (13%)
   • median 137,000 mi at 11.0 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2010–2025

   Owners report ABS, traction control, brake and parking brake warning lights coming on together, sometimes intermittently over weeks. Complaints describe a diagnosis of a leaking or failed brake actuator assembly, and some mention abnormal noise or a wheel dragging. According to the complaints, repairs were quoted but often not performed, and several owners say the part was out of any extended coverage. Generally reported between about 87,000 and 165,000 miles.

   What to check: Turn the ignition and confirm all warning lamps go out as expected, then check for a spongy or long brake pedal and any fluid seepage around the actuator. Ask whether the actuator has been replaced and whether any extended coverage applied.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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 interstate on my way home from work at around 7pm an lost control of the vehicle. Luckily I didnt hit anything. The traction control, ABS is not working. I have seen where the 2008 models have been recalled for the same issue.”

   NHTSA complaint #11308266, filed 2020-02, 165,000 miles

   “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 2011. Toyota knows there is a problem, has a posted a customer service bulletin (CZN), but expired 2020. (This doesn't mean the part still can't fail.)The local dealer, and the Toyota home office refuses to step in with any help. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11519664, filed 2023-04, 193,000 miles
5. 5
   Steering

   Intermittent loss of power steering assist

   • 7 complaints (5%)
   • median 107,322 mi at 10.1 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2010–2020

   Owners describe the steering suddenly becoming very heavy, sometimes along with a battery warning light, and in some cases assist returning intermittently. Complaints report dealers pointing to the steering column assembly, wiring harness or steering control module as the parts needing replacement. Others describe a clicking noise from the steering column when turning. Reported from about 42,000 to 190,000 miles, with several complaints in the 87,000 to 160,000 mile range.

   What to check: Turn the wheel lock to lock at idle and at low speed and note any clicking, binding or moments of heavy effort. Ask if the steering column or steering module has been serviced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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 again, making it extremely difficult to operate the car safely. In this condition, if there were a need to tuner the car suddenly, it would not be possible.”

   NHTSA complaint #11176148, filed 2019-02, 158,000 miles

   “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 recommended from regular car shop.”

   NHTSA complaint #11243710, filed 2019-08, 126,000 miles

Buying note. A pre-purchase inspection that includes the power liftgate cycle, brake warning lamps, steering feel and a look for oil seepage covers most of what these complaints describe. Service records showing the floor mat recall and any oil cooler line or actuator work are worth asking for.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.