2009 Toyota Highlander Hybrid: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2009 Toyota Highlander Hybrid: 4 recalls, 40 owner complaints and up to 26 mpg combined.
Recalls
4 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Equipment Vehicle recall #09V223000 · 2009 · 27,080 vehicles
What's wrong: 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."
Why it matters: Incorrect load carrying capacity modification labels could result in the vehicle being overloaded, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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.
Seats, Airbags Vehicle recall #13V014000 · 2013 · 3,235 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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…
The fix: 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.
Hybrid system Vehicle recall #13V396000 · 2013 · 133,081 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ipm free of charge.
Visibility (wipers, glass) Vehicle recall #15V689000 · 2015 · 1,814,284 vehicles
What's wrong: During the manufacturing of the power window master switch (pwms), grease lubricant May have been inconsistently applied to the sliding electrical contacts.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 1 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Brakes (17): the most common themes are warning light on (9), noise or vibration (4).
- Brakes (electric) (7): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Brakes (hydraulic) (5): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Engine (4): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (2).
The 2009 Toyota Highlander Hybrid has 40 owner complaints, ranking #4 of 22 Highlander Hybrid model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 37). Complaints peaked in 2010 (16 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 4 years old, at a median of 63,100 miles. Neighboring years: 2008 (197 complaints, 6 recalls), 2010 (22 complaints, 4 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.3 L 6-cyl hybrid | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 27 | 25 | 26 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2009 Toyota Highlander Hybrid.
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Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2009 Toyota Highlander Hybrid have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 vehicle recalls for the 2009 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2009 Toyota Highlander Hybrid problems?
Owners have filed 40 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are brakes (17), brakes (electric) (7), brakes (hydraulic) (5).
What gas mileage does the 2009 Toyota Highlander Hybrid get?
EPA ratings run up to 26 mpg combined (3.3 L, Automatic (variable gear ratios)), across 1 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2009 Toyota Highlander Hybrid repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.