2009 Toyota Highlander Other or unknown Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 5%of 134 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 81,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the other or unknown of the 2009 Toyota Highlander, 5% of the 134 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 81,000 miles. 1 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 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 70mph, and have had no problems with the sunroof until it flew off. Thankfully, we did not see it effect any cars and landed in the middle of the interstate.”
NHTSA complaint #11091034, filed 2018-04, 137,087 miles“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 gets high, which obliged to drive in a much lower speed with the flashers on which always increases the traffic safety risks.”
NHTSA complaint #10721260, filed 2015-05, 58,000 miles“The car was purchased from kool Toyota, grand rapids, mi back 19 nov 2009. Then it was given back to dealer in march 2010. Motion sickness / mind numbness, thought impairments, speech impairments, etc.. Car was checked by local dealer as well showing no signs of any issues. Lost I think around $10,000 dollars to return the car back to dealer. Driver and passengers through the car were affected. The car was set in the garage unused most of the time between purchase and return to dealer. Went through Toyota dealer dispute resolution process. I still have records. …”
NHTSA complaint #10851633, filed 2016-03, 171 miles“August 6, 2015 I was driving northbound on hwy 45. After about 20 minutes on the road 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 from underneath the hood. Within another minute or two the SUV was on fire and soon the front half was completely engulfed in flames. I thought it would explode. Two milwaukee fire department teams arrived and extinguished the fire. Thank god no one was hurt and my children were not in the car. …”
NHTSA complaint #10778142, filed 2015-09, 75,000 miles“Sunshine kids radian xtsl latch loosens itself. Two times I've gone to put my 2 year old into her seat and the latch has had at least 2 inches of slack!! Please fix this!! (related vehicle information: model year=2009, make=Toyota, model=Highlander).”
NHTSA complaint #10364006, filed 2010-11Related service bulletins
- 11028712Jan 7, 2026Some 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate…
- 10132721Jul 7, 2014TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE: July 7, 2014: This bulletin is now obsolete.
Other or unknown: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 20% |
| 2024 | 14 | 33% |
| 2023 | 40 | 21% |
| 2022 | 42 | 16% |
| 2021 | 70 | 13% |
| 2020 | 46 | 14% |
| 2019 | 83 | 16% |
| 2018 | 46 | 17% |
| 2017 | 55 | 20% |
| 2016 | 21 | 19% |
| 2015 | 43 | 22% |
| 2014 | 33 | 24% |
| 2013 | 23 | 11% |
| 2012 | 24 | 13% |
| 2011 | 14 | 8% |
| 2010 | 16 | 7% |
| 2009 | 7 | 5% |
| 2008 | 18 | 4% |
| 2007 | 10 | 8% |
| 2006 | 10 | 4% |
| 2005 | 8 | 4% |
| 2004 | 6 | 2% |
| 2003 | 11 | 4% |
| 2002 | 14 | 5% |
| 2001 | 5 | 4% |
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 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
7 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
7 complaintsTires
6 complaintsEngine cooling
5 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 30, 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