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SuspensionPart report

2009 Toyota Highlander Suspension Problems

Complaints
5about this part
Share
4%of 134 total for the year
Median mileage
13,140miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the suspension of the 2009 Toyota Highlander, 4% of the 134 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 13,140 miles.

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.

“While driving vehicle, a snap was heard from the rear. Upon inspection, the rear passenger sway bar link (joining the sway bar to the strut) was snapped at the lower end. This link is approximately 10 mm in diameter, necking down to 8 mm with a 1 mm radius at transition of the diameters. It was observed the failure was not completely immediate as approximately half the diameter was rusted. …”

NHTSA complaint #10494894, filed 2013-01, 36,400 miles

“on 26/Jan/2022 i driving on highway suddendly the front wheel passanger side lock, luckily i quickly get off drive land to emergency land. The Brake Malfuntion light come up, i so scare, do not what happen. But i should do complaint about brake system on this vehicle. Thanks. Vu Dam.”

NHTSA complaint #11449529, filed 2022-01

“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 miles

Related service bulletins

Suspension: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202412%
202141%
202052%
201951%
201862%
201741%
201622%
201532%
201443%
201321%
201232%
201021%
200954%
200851%
200722%
200641%
200531%
200362%
200231%
200111%

Other parts of the 2009 Toyota Highlander

Brakes
26 complaints
Engine
23 complaints
Electrical system
20 complaints
Body and structure
15 complaints
Vehicle speed control
14 complaints
Steering
11 complaints
Air bags
8 complaints
Other or unknown
7 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
7 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
7 complaints
Tires
6 complaints
Engine cooling
5 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2009 Toyota Highlander

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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