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6.1

fairly significant
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
12,616 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2009 Toyota Highlander suspension problems

suspension problem

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2009 Toyota Highlander Owner Comments

problem #5

Jan 262022

Highlander

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

on 26/Jan/2022 i driving on highway suddendly the front wheel passanger side lock, luckily i quickly get off drive land to emergency land. The Brake Malfuntion light come up, i so scare, do not what happen. But i should do complaint about brake system on this vehicle. Thanks. Vu Dam.

- Springfield, VA, USA

problem #4

Jan 212013

Highlander 6-cyl

  • 36,400 miles
While driving vehicle, a snap was heard from the rear. Upon inspection, the rear passenger sway bar link (joining the sway bar to the strut) was snapped at the lower end. This link is approximately 10 mm in diameter, necking down to 8 mm with a 1 mm radius at transition of the diameters. It was observed the failure was not completely immediate as approximately half the diameter was rusted. The rust had two distinct zones; an approximate 3 mm lighter yellow-brown region at the outer side, and a 1 mm dark brown zone on the inner side suggesting the outer had been failing for some time, the inner propagating more recently. Final failure of the remaining portion was sudden. Upon inspection under magnification, the failure began with some type of crack initiating at the root of the fillet, propagating downwards at an approximate 30 degree angle. Bending of the 8 mm section appears to have been caused by the sudden final failure of the section. No other damage under the vehicle was found ruling out the failure was not caused by any driver. Toyota corporate in California was contacted (case # 1301222906) but they claimed no recall on this part or issues. The part appears to have insufficient fatigue strength or this specific link had a quality issue. The part is in my possession and available upon request should further investigation via sem/edx, or other is helpful. I also can provide pictures upon request. This failure concerns me as the part links rear suspension control and it failed shortly past warranty.

- Mooresville, NC, USA

problem #3

Apr 202010

Highlander 6-cyl

  • 20,679 miles
Complainant had to replace the original Bridgestone tires (245/55R19) on a 2009 Toyota Highlander ltd after 20,679 miles. Tread wear was below 3/32's. Toyota would not warrant or participate in the replacement costs. Bridgestone offered to split the cost of replacing the four tires with their dueler H/L (P245/55R19) which I accepted on April 20, 2010. My cost was $491.32. The replacement tires after 9 months and 17,011 miles have 5/32's wear. However, with that tire wear, the Highlander is unsafe to drive when there is frost/snow/rain/ice on the road. The vehicle looses traction and is uncontrollable as it slides through intersections. Again, the Toyota dealership refused to warrant or participate in the tire replacement costs. Bridgestone has offered to split the cost to replace the tires. This would amount to an additional $500 (est.) to replace tires that do not wear properly. How can payments of approximately $1,000 for eight tires that provide premature and unsafe tire wear be justified? the vehicle in its current condition, is a hazard on the road and unsafe to drive. Tire wear is premature. The Highlander should be recalled for a free four wheel tire replacement and alignment. Updated IVOQ 01/26/12

- Cedar Falls, IA, USA

problem #2

May 122011

Highlander 6-cyl

  • 5,600 miles
2009 Toyota Highlander clearance between both rear "shock base plate" and both rear tires are too close. Every time when you hit a "bump", both rear tires are hitting the "rear shock base plate". this will damage both rear tires and cause accident !! defective engineering design !! Toyota should recall all Highlanders with this defective design !!! you don't want to wait for an accident to happen then make a mandatory recall. Thanks for reading my message and concern of safety for all Highlander owners.

- San Francisco, CA, USA

problem #1

Sep 112009

Highlander 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 400 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that the suspension was loose and the braking system would not operate properly. The brakes would go to the floorboard when depressed. The brakes would not engage intermittently when depressed. The contact stated that the driver's seat would no longer move backward, and was positioned entirely too close to he steering wheel. The contact stated there was little room for movement when driving. The vehicle was taken to four separate dealers and the contact was told that the vehicle was operating as designed. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 400 and the current mileage was 6,500. The consumer stated when she realized a police officer was behind she attempted to stop, the vehicle continued to accelerate and the brakes collapsed very low to the floor. The consumer had to pump the brakes to slow the vehicle down. The consumer also stated the lug nuts broke on the front driver side wheel. The cruise control was inoperative, and the engine had a slight ticking sound and the rotors were rusting. Updated evoq 12/23/10 the consumer stated the seat belt wrapped tightly around her throat. The front wheel was loose, there was a whining noise coming from the vehicle. When the consumer attempted to accelerate the vehicle would stall, the cruise control no longer worked. The accelerator pedal no longer stays in place and the steering wheel turned in different directions. Updated 07/07/11.

- Henderson, NC, USA

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