NHTSA vehicle safety data

2009 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2009 Toyota Highlander Hybrid has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 40 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Toyota dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2009 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2009 Toyota Highlander Hybrid owner complaints

Owners have filed 40 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, describing incidents dated January 31, 2009 to April 12, 2019.

Most-cited components

Service Brakes 29 complaints
Engine 5 complaints
Fuel/Propulsion System 4 complaints
Electrical System 3 complaints
Tires 2 complaints
Unknown or Other 2 complaints

Of the 40 complaints on file, 2 report a crash; across all 40 complaints, owners report 1 injury (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11220968 · Filed June 18, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING UP A HILL AT 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE ABS, TRACTION CONTROL, STEERING SYSTEM, AND BATTERY WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, "STOP VEHICLE IN A SAFE PLACE IMMEDIATELY" APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE…
ODI #11184733 · Filed March 6, 2019
BRAKES FAILED SHORTLY AFTER THE ABS WARNING LIGHT WENT OFF. DEALER DIAGNOSED THIS AS A BREAK ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY FAILURE. IT LOOKS LIKE TOYOTA HAD A WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM FOR VEHICLE YEARS 2006-2007. HOWEVER, MY 2009 APPEARS TO BE HAVING EXACTLY THE SAME ISSUE, YET IT'S NOT COVERED BY THE…
ODI #11170887 · Filed January 19, 2019
ONCE CAR WAS SITTING IN A LOT AND ANOTHER TIME, RUNNING ON HIGHWAY. ABS, BRAKE,TRACTION CONTROL, VSC LIGHTS CAME ON ALSO MESSAGE DISPLAY SAID ABS MESSAGE AND BRAKE MESSAGE. CODES FROM ABS DTC,S ARE ALL A C-0371, 1271 THROUGH 1278, 1281, 1346, & 1391. SEEMS TO BE SAME ISSUE AS THE '06-'07 HIGHLANDER…

Read all 40 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2009 Toyota Highlander Hybrid in 3 investigations. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Engineering Analysis EA18-006: Steering Column Separation
Closed April 2, 2024
Defect Petition DP22-005: Pedestrian alert sounds
Closed August 7, 2023
- Recall 22V-063
Preliminary Evaluation PE18-005: Upper Steering Column Separation
Closed November 20, 2018

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Power Window Master Switch may Melt

NHTSA #15V689000 · Visibility — Power Window Devices and Controls · NHTSA notice

Reported October 22, 2015 · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Potentially affected: 1,814,284 vehicles

Repair completion: 45.68% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Toyota campaign C0M · Owners notified November 25, 2015 · Vehicles built August 1, 2008 – December 31, 2010 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

Toyota Motor Company (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Tundra, Sequoia, Corolla, Corolla Matrix and Scion xB, 2008-2011 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2007 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2009 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2006-2011 RAV4, 2006-2010 Yaris, and 2009-2010 Scion xD and Pontiac Vibe vehicles. During the manufacturing of the Power Window Master Switch (PWMS), grease lubricant may have been inconsistently applied to the sliding electrical contacts.

Safety consequence

If the sliding electrical contacts are not protected by lubricant, debris and moisture that get into the switch may cause a short circuit and the switch assembly may overheat and melt, increasing the risk of a fire.

Manufacturer remedy

Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the switch, applying a lubricant if no abnormality is found. If abnormality is found, the PWMS circuit board will be replaced, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin December 20, 2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is C0M.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Inverter Failure may cause Hybrid Vehicle to Stall

NHTSA #13V396000 · Hybrid Propulsion System — Inverter · NHTSA notice

Reported September 4, 2013 · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Potentially affected: 133,081 vehicles

Toyota campaign DLF, D0M · Owners notified November 4, 2013 · Vehicles built February 16, 2005 – July 29, 2010 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid vehicles manufactured February 16, 2005, through July 29, 2010; and model year 2006-2008 Lexus RX400h vehicles manufactured February 23, 2005, through December 2, 2008. The Intelligent Power Module (IPM) inside the inverter module may contain transistors that have higher operating temperatures than the solder can support and the transistors may be heat damaged by the solder. If this occurs, various warning lamps, including the malfunction indicator lamp, slip indicator light, brake system warning light, and master warning light, will be illuminated on the instrument panel.

Safety consequence

The vehicle may enter a fail-safe/limp-home mode that limits the drivability of the vehicle. It is possible that the hybrid system will shut down while the vehicle is being driven, causing the vehicle to stall unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the IPM free of charge. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331. Vehicles that had their IPM replaced under recall 11V-342 are not affected by this campaign.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Occupant Sensing System Calibration

NHTSA #13V014000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Sensor/Control Module-Inactive · NHTSA notice

Reported January 16, 2013 · Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC

Potentially affected: 3,235 vehicles

Owners notified March 21, 2013

Defect description

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model year 2010-2012 Sequoia. During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.

Safety consequence

If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.

Manufacturer remedy

Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

INCORRECT GVWR LABELS

NHTSA #09V223000 · Equipment — Other — Labels · NHTSA notice

Reported June 15, 2009 · TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Potentially affected: 27,080 vehicles

Owners notified September 18, 2009 · Vehicles built September 1, 2005 – May 4, 2009 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

TOYOTA IS RECALLING 27,080 MODEL YEAR 2005 THROUGH 2010 PASSENGER CARS BUILT FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 TO MAY 4, 2009. THESE VEHICLES WERE NOT EQUIPPED WITH LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS."

Safety consequence

INCORRECT LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS COULD RESULT IN THE VEHICLE BEING OVERLOADED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND PROVIDE THEM WITH A NEW, ACCURATE LABEL TO BE INSTALLED OVER THE INACCURATE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 18, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-888-270-9371.

Notes

OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

2009 Toyota Highlander Hybrid 4-DR. w/SAB

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 5, Passenger: 4

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

17% rollover risk

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control

3 investigations

40 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2009 Toyota Highlander Hybrid.

Service Brakes; Engine

ODI #11220968

Incident: April 12, 2019 · Filed: June 18, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING UP A HILL AT 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE ABS, TRACTION CONTROL, STEERING SYSTEM, AND BATTERY WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, "STOP VEHICLE IN A SAFE PLACE IMMEDIATELY" APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL WITH EXCESSIVE FORCE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND HAD IT TOWED HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ROYAL SOUTH TOYOTA (LOCATED AT 3115 S WALNUT ST, BLOOMINGTON, IN 47401, (812) 331-1100) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT NO FAILURE CODE WAS FOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,842.

Service Brakes

ODI #11184733

Incident: March 6, 2019 · Filed: March 6, 2019

BRAKES FAILED SHORTLY AFTER THE ABS WARNING LIGHT WENT OFF. DEALER DIAGNOSED THIS AS A BREAK ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY FAILURE. IT LOOKS LIKE TOYOTA HAD A WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM FOR VEHICLE YEARS 2006-2007. HOWEVER, MY 2009 APPEARS TO BE HAVING EXACTLY THE SAME ISSUE, YET IT'S NOT COVERED BY THE PROGRAM. GIVEN THE SEVERITY OF THE PART FAILURE, IT'S NOT CLEAR WHY THIS IS NOT A RECALL... WE WERE LUCKY THAT NO ACCIDENT RESULTED FROM THIS FAILURE.

Service Brakes

ODI #11170887

Incident: January 14, 2019 · Filed: January 19, 2019

ONCE CAR WAS SITTING IN A LOT AND ANOTHER TIME, RUNNING ON HIGHWAY. ABS, BRAKE,TRACTION CONTROL, VSC LIGHTS CAME ON ALSO MESSAGE DISPLAY SAID ABS MESSAGE AND BRAKE MESSAGE. CODES FROM ABS DTC,S ARE ALL A C-0371, 1271 THROUGH 1278, 1281, 1346, & 1391. SEEMS TO BE SAME ISSUE AS THE '06-'07 HIGHLANDER HYBRIDS AND THE '04-'09 PRIUS. THERE WAS AN EXTENDED COVERAGE FOR THE BRAKE ACTUATOR ON THOSE VEHICLES. I HAVE BEEN READING MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS, SAME THINGS, WITH THE '09 HIGHLANDERS. LOOKS LIKE REPAIRS RANGE FROM $2500-$5000,WHICH IS RIDICULOUS.

Service Brakes; Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11166620

Incident: December 10, 2018 · Filed: January 12, 2019

TAKATA RECALL- WHEN FUILING FROM THE PUMP, NUZZLES KEEP SHUTING OFF ITSELF LIKE THE TANK IS ALREADY FULL. ITS BEEN HAPPENING RECENTLY. AT THE SAME TIME, CHECK BREAK SYSTEM BY DELER START APPERING. IT TAKES 3 TO 4 PUSH TO START THE CAR AFTER THIS ERROR MESSAGE. SOMETIMES IT TAKES LONGER AND ESPECIALLY IT HAPPENS IN THE MORNING. TOOK TO DELER BUT THEY DID NOT FIND A CODE TO CHECK BUT THIS IS STILL HAPPENING.

Service Brakes

ODI #11141975

1 injury

Incident: October 22, 2018 · Filed: October 23, 2018

THE BRAKE SYSTEM COMPLETELY WENT OUT OF ORDER SUDDENLY, DURING THE MOTION IN THE STREET. ALTHOUGH THE BRAKE SYSTEM LIQUID WAS RENEWED IN TOYOTA CENTER JUST FEW DAYS AGO, FEW DAYS PRIOR TO REQUIRED SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE DATE. NOW THE PRICE OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM REPAIR IS CATASTROPHIC. AS I AM ASKING FOR ADVICE, ALL THE OTHER HIGHLANDER OWNERS COMPLAIN ABOUT THE SAME. THIS IS A BIG SHAME FOR TOYOTA

Service Brakes

ODI #11088868

Incident: October 6, 2017 · Filed: April 18, 2018

ABS VSC AND BRAKE LIGHTS ARE ON - AS PER HARTFORD DEALER NEED TO REPLACE THESE PARTS 44050-48320 AND 47070-48020

Service Brakes

ODI #11079765

Incident: March 2, 2018 · Filed: March 16, 2018

ABS AND BRAKE MALFUNCTION LIGHT COMES ON. AUTO REPAIR SHOP TOLD ME THE ABS ACTUATOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $3,500

Service Brakes

ODI #11033815

Incident: August 16, 2017 · Filed: October 16, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ROBBINS TOYOTA OF TEXARKANA (6233 MALL DR, NASH, TX 75569 (903) 794-5121) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ACCUMULATOR PART FAILED AND THE ACCUMULATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 146,000. *LN THE CONSUMER STATED AN INDEPENDENT DIAGNOSTIC TEST FOUND THE ACTUATOR TO BE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. *JS 5 WARNING LIGHTS ARE ILLUMINATED ON MY VEHICLE. 1) MASTER WARNING LIGHT 2) BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT IN RED 3) BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING IN YELLOW 4) ABS WARNING LIGHT 5) LIGHT ABOVE ABS IN YELLOW, I CAN BE CONTACTED AT 903-280-0111 UPDATED 9/12/18*JB

Service Brakes

ODI #11021488

Incident: September 5, 2017 · Filed: September 5, 2017

WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, A "CROAKING" NOISE CAN BE HEARD AND VIBRATION FELT THROUGH THE BRAKE PEDAL. DEALER SAYS THE ABS ACTUATOR IS FAILING. IF IT FAILS, THE ABS WILL BE INACTIVE AND BRAKE PERFORMANCE WILL BE DIMINISHED. APPARENTLY TOYOTA IS AWARE IF THIS ISSUE ON 2006-2007 MODELS AS THEY HAVE EXTENDED THE WARRANTY FOR THE ABS ACTUATOR REPLACEMENT.

Service Brakes

ODI #11001249

Incident: June 12, 2017 · Filed: June 25, 2017

AT ROUGHLY 80K MILES, EVERY TIME I STARTED THE CAR, A "BRAKE MALFUNCTION" ALERT WOULD DISPLAY. MULTIPLE SENSORS ON THE ARE ILLUMINATED. THE BRAKES FEEL NORMAL, BUT RECENTLY I DID NOTICE SOME AUDIBLE NOISES WHEN I USE THE BRAKES. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THE BRAKE ACTUATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED FOR AROUND 3200 W/ LABOR. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, I FOUND THAT THIS SAME SYSTEM WAS RECALLED ON THE CAMRY HYBRID BUT NOT THE HIGHLANDER HYBRID, DESPITE MANY COMPLAINTS.IF THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT, IT IS A VERY DANGEROUS ONE THAT COULD CAUSE BRAKE FAILURE AND LEAD TO DEATH

Other Toyota Highlander Hybrid model years

Check your 2009 Toyota Highlander Hybrid VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Toyota Highlander Hybrid at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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