TSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most 1979 ? 2023 model year vehicles may be available provided the requests meet the criteria listed in this Service Bulletin. Follow the Procurement Procedure in this bulletin to request a replacement certification label or VIN plate.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2009 Toyota Highlander cruise control problems
severe 10 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $600 · see cruise control across all vehicles →
Complaints
10
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$600
2crashes
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 10 cruise control complaints filed for the 2009 Toyota Highlander, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA cruise control complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 16 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering cruise control on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
As part of the settlement described above, Toyota will install Smart Stop Technology on the above listed model and model year vehicles. This feature will cut engine power in case of simultaneous application of both the accelerator and brake pedal at certain speeds and in certain driving conditions.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗On July 24, 2013, the settlement of claims for Economic Loss arising from allegations of unintended acceleration was approved. As part of the settlement Toyota will be launching the third phase of a Limited Service Campaign to install Smart Stop technology on March 31, 2014., for the following models:
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗On July 24, 2013 the settlement of claims for Economic Loss arising from allegations of unintended acceleration was approved. As part of the settlement Toyota will be launching the second phase of a Limited Service Campaign to install Smart Stop Technology on December 11, 2013 for the following models:
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗On July 24, 2013 the settlement of claims for Economic Loss arising from allegations of unintended acceleration was approved. As part of the settlement Toyota will be launching the second phase of a Limited Service Campaign to install Smart Stop Technology on December 11, 2013 for the following models
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report the 2009 Highlander exhibits uncontrolled acceleration that starts without warning and continues despite brake application. In several cases, the vehicle accelerated toward 100 mph; in others, it accelerated abruptly during routine driving or when shifting into reverse. Drivers applied brake pressure but the vehicle slowed only partially or not at all. Owners inspected the accelerator pedal and found no physical obstruction—no floor mats wedged underneath, no debris. One owner's Highlander accelerated repeatedly after restart cycles; another's accelerated consistently every day from very low mileage.
Dealership responses have been unhelpful. Most dealers cannot reproduce the condition or identify any mechanical fault. One shop blamed floor mats; the owner disputed this after checking the pedal area and finding nothing obstructed. Toyota issued recall campaign 10V023000 for accelerator pedal issues, and one owner had the recall performed, but uncontrolled acceleration recurred immediately afterward at 22 mph.
Two vehicles crashed as a result—one wedged between a building and pylon, one into a tree. One owner traded in the vehicle out of fear. Owners describe the events as life-threatening, yet the problem has not been resolved on vehicles taken to dealers or repair shops.
Same Toyota Highlander cruise control reports on nearby years: 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2010 · 2011
Failure modes owners describe
Uncontrolled acceleration with unresponsive brakes
Vehicle accelerates on its own without driver input, often to high speeds. Brake pedal depression fails to stop the vehicle or only partially slows it. Drivers report the accelerator pedal is not physically obstructed. Incidents occur during normal driving, passing, shifting into reverse, and parking situations.
When: Reported from 700 miles to 189,000 miles; incidents occur without apparent warning, sometimes repeatedly over time
Symptoms owners cite: Engine racing uncontrollably without driver input; Vehicle accelerates toward 100 mph despite brake application; Brake pedal depressed but vehicle fails to decelerate or stop; Accelerator pedal appears stuck or unresponsive; Vehicle continues accelerating when foot removed from pedal; Sudden acceleration when shifting into reverse; Gentle pedal input triggers excessive acceleration
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers unable to reproduce problem or identify root cause in most cases. One case attributed to floor mat interference (part number 44115-1-2-3), though owner disputed this diagnosis. Recall campaign 10V023000 (Vehicle Speed Control: Accelerator Pedal) performed on one vehicle but uncontrolled acceleration continued after repair. Vehicles have not been successfully repaired.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA campaign 10V023000 (Vehicle Speed Control: Accelerator Pedal) exists; one owner's vehicle was serviced under this recall but problem persisted. Some owners report manufacturer directed them back to dealers without resolution. One vehicle not included in recall despite similar symptoms.
Wheel spin on acceleration from idle
Front wheels spin without warning when driver attempts to accelerate from a stopped position. Occurs at low mileage early in vehicle ownership.
When: 2,500 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Front wheels spin out when attempting to accelerate from idle; Occurs without warning
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle not diagnosed by dealer
Synthesized from 10 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Accelerator stuck all the way to floor on 2009 Toyota highlander while vacationing in tennessee on i40. Had to weave thru traffic to shoulder while traveling towards 100 MPH, mashing full force to the floor all the time during incident. Very frightening. Car is presently returned to dealership, but no action has been taken & they can't find "anything wrong." I am afraid to drive the vehicle…
Had cruise control trouble with your 2009 Toyota Highlander?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the cruise control problem on the 2009 Toyota Highlander?
It's a meaningful issue. 10 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $600.
At what mileage does the cruise control typically fail?
Based on the 10 complaints filed, cruise control issues most often appear around 37,769 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $600 for cruise control repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to cruise control?
No active recalls currently cover cruise control issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2009/Toyota/Highlander.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.