2009 Toyota Highlander Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 4%of 134 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 5,700miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2009 Toyota Highlander, 4% of the 134 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 5,700 miles. 2 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“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 department responded by 7:50 am.”
NHTSA complaint #10302531, filed 2010-01, 11,000 miles“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 take the noise of the vehicle. I tried to brake and the noise continued as well as the vibration. I continued to try and get in the right lane however the noise and vibration continued. The vibration felt like when you go across speed bumps that gives a rumble sound. …”
NHTSA complaint #10482235, filed 2012-10“The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that the suspension was loose and the braking system would not operate properly. The brakes would go to the floorboard when depressed. The brakes would not engage intermittently when depressed. The contact stated that the driver's seat would no longer move backward, and was positioned entirely too close to he steering wheel. The contact stated there was little room for movement when driving. The vehicle was taken to four separate dealers and the contact was told that the vehicle was operating as designed. …”
NHTSA complaint #10351233, filed 2010-08, 400 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10253223Mar 4, 2024This is to advise of various price adjustments that will affect Toyota Genuine Motor Oil and Long Life Coolant, effective March 1, 2024. These products are ordered through the…
- 10183281Oct 21, 2020TT: HVAC drain tube is found to be blocked/clogged.
- 10179698Aug 5, 2020TSB: Some 2003 ? 2020 model year Prius, Prius C, Prius V; 2006 ? 2019 model year Highlander Hybrid Vehicle; 2007 ? 2020 Camry Hybrid Vehicle; 2013 ? 2020 model year Avalon Hybrid…
- 10178524Jul 30, 2020TT: HVAC drain tube is found to be blocked/clogged.
- 10177599Jun 3, 2020These SKUs are Exhaust Manifolds with Catalytic Converters. The customer communication requested return of unsold inventory due to a loss of CARB certification. These SKUs can no…
- 10177598Jun 3, 2020These SKUs are Exhaust Manifolds with Catalytic Converters. The customer communication requested return of unsold inventory due to a loss of CARB certification. These SKUs can no…
- 10134345Jul 7, 2016TSB: For vehicles that are used under certain severe operating conditions, the HV Battery Cooling Fan may experience an excessive buildup of dust, lint, or other debris that can…
- 10109364Nov 21, 2014TSB: Some vehicles equipped with 2GR-FE/FXE engines and a towing package may exhibit a leak or oil seep from the engine's oil cooler pipes.
- 10132755Jul 31, 2014Dealer Letter: In our continuing efforts to ensure the best in customer satisfaction, Toyota is announcing a Warranty Enhancement Program to extend the warranty coverage for…
- 10132750Jul 31, 2014Region Letter: In our continuing efforts to ensure the best in customer satisfaction, Toyota is announcing a Warranty Enhancement Program to extend the warranty coverage for…
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 10% |
| 2019 | 3 | 1% |
| 2017 | 3 | 1% |
| 2016 | 1 | 1% |
| 2015 | 2 | 1% |
| 2013 | 3 | 1% |
| 2012 | 2 | 1% |
| 2011 | 5 | 3% |
| 2010 | 2 | 1% |
| 2009 | 5 | 4% |
| 2008 | 18 | 4% |
| 2007 | 2 | 2% |
| 2006 | 21 | 8% |
| 2005 | 8 | 4% |
| 2004 | 20 | 7% |
| 2003 | 46 | 18% |
| 2002 | 23 | 8% |
| 2001 | 17 | 12% |
Other parts of the 2009 Toyota Highlander
26 complaintsEngine
23 complaintsElectrical system
20 complaintsBody and structure
15 complaintsVehicle speed control
14 complaintsSteering
11 complaintsAir bags
8 complaintsOther or unknown
7 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
7 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
7 complaintsTires
6 complaintsSuspension
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2009 Toyota Highlander
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology