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Model Year Problem Record

Toyota Highlander 2009 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 2009 Toyota Highlander: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

133Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints
9Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls
4Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations
14Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Engine28 complaints

28 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Brakes27 complaints

27 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Electrical System20 complaints

20 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control16 complaints

16 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 10V023000.

Vehicle Structure15 complaints

15 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering12 complaints

12 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Air Bags7 complaints

7 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 14V168000.

Visibility7 complaints

7 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 15V689000.

Power Train7 complaints

7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats4 complaints

4 complaints; 3 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 13V014000, 14V743000, 16V396000.

Driver Assistance and Stability Systems4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment2 complaints

2 complaints; 3 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 09V223000, 10V035000, 10V036000.

Fuel and Propulsion System2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

09V223000Reported June 15, 2009 - 27,080 vehicles potentially affected

Equipment. Recall covering the equipment system, reported to NHTSA on June 15, 2009. The campaign covers an estimated 27,080 vehicles across all affected models.

10V023000Reported January 27, 2010 - 1,126,915 vehicles potentially affected

Vehicle Speed Control. Recall covering the vehicle speed control system, reported to NHTSA on January 27, 2010. The campaign covers an estimated 1,126,915 vehicles across all affected models.

10V035000Reported February 3, 2010 - 271,417 vehicles potentially affected

Equipment. Recall covering the equipment system, reported to NHTSA on February 3, 2010. The campaign covers an estimated 271,417 vehicles across all affected models.

10V036000Reported February 3, 2010 - 153,418 vehicles potentially affected

Equipment. Recall covering the equipment system, reported to NHTSA on February 3, 2010. The campaign covers an estimated 153,418 vehicles across all affected models.

13V014000Reported January 16, 2013 - 3,235 vehicles potentially affected

Seats. Recall covering the seats system, reported to NHTSA on January 16, 2013. The campaign covers an estimated 3,235 vehicles across all affected models.

14V168000Reported April 9, 2014 - 1,486,413 vehicles potentially affected

Air Bags. Recall covering the air bags system, reported to NHTSA on April 9, 2014. The campaign covers an estimated 1,486,413 vehicles across all affected models.

14V743000Reported November 19, 2014 - 3,233 vehicles potentially affected

Seats. Recall covering the seats system, reported to NHTSA on November 19, 2014. The campaign covers an estimated 3,233 vehicles across all affected models.

15V689000Reported October 22, 2015 - 1,814,284 vehicles potentially affected

Visibility. Recall covering the visibility system, reported to NHTSA on October 22, 2015. The campaign covers an estimated 1,814,284 vehicles across all affected models.

16V396000Reported June 2, 2016 - 7,749 vehicles potentially affected

Seats. Recall covering the seats system, reported to NHTSA on June 2, 2016. The campaign covers an estimated 7,749 vehicles across all affected models.

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

EA18006Opened November 16, 2018 - Closed April 2, 2024

Steering Column Separation. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

EA18006Opened November 16, 2018 - Closed April 2, 2024

Steering Column Separation. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE18005Opened May 4, 2018 - Closed November 20, 2018

Upper Steering Column Separation. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE18005Opened May 4, 2018 - Closed November 20, 2018

Upper Steering Column Separation. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

20094
201021
20114
20125
201312
20149
201517
20165
20177
20187
201913
20208
20214
20226
20234
20245
20252
How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.