toyota Highlander problems
0 safety recalls. 134 owner complaints. We mapped every trouble spot before you sign the papers.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2009 Toyota Highlander Hybrid; mileage 97,849. While driving a red BRAKE alert showed up along with an ABS light, traction symbol and an encircled exclamation mark. This malfunction (which I now see is a known safety issue) shut down my regular braking system and I had to use…
2009 VEHICLE (MANUFACTURED 9/2008) ONLY HAS 83K MILES ON IT. CROAKING SOUND FOR WEEK OR SO AND THEN ONE MORNING ABS FAILURE WARNING ON DISPLAY. CODES ARE C1241 AND C1391. SAME PROBLEM AS OTHERS. NEEDS NEW ABS PUMP AND ACTUATOR. THE PARTS ARE #44050-48320 AND #44070-48020AND COST…
NOTICED LARGE OIL PUDDLE IN DRIVEWAY. HAD CAR TOWED AS OIL LOSS COULD HAVE CAUSED FATAL DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. THE OIL LINE WAS DIAGNOSED AS DRY ROTTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE REPLACEMENT OIL LINE WAS VASTLY DIFFERENT THAN THAT OF THE ORIGINAL LINE INDICATING A PROBLEM…
THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER ON THE HIGHWAY. THE CAR WAS STILL RUNNING, BUT THERE WAS NO POWER TO THE WHEELS. THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL HAD FAILED DUE TO A LEAK IN THE FRONT OF THE TRANSFER CASE. THIS FAILURE CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL AS WELL. *TR
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Common questions
Is the 2009 Toyota Highlander reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.6 out of 10 based on 134 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2009 Toyota Highlander is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
What's the most common problem on the 2009 Toyota Highlander?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is engine, with 22 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The engine is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Toyota Highlander has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2009 Toyota Highlander?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 134 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $3,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans aren't always better value.