Model year guide

2009 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2009 Toyota Highlander Hybrid is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 21 on record.

2009 Toyota Highlander Hybrid — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2009 Toyota Highlander Hybrid at a glance

Safety recalls4
Owner complaints174
Combined26 mpg
Typical price$15,562

Free: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

2009 Toyota Highlander Hybrid recalls 4

Visibility:power Window Devices And Controls NHTSA Campaign #15V689000 · 22/10/2015

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 inconsis…

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. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800…

Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control Module-inactive NHTSA Campaign #13V014000 · 16/01/2013

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…

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. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.

Hybrid Propulsion System: Inverter NHTSA Campaign #13V396000 · 04/09/2013

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 h…

Fix: 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.

Equipment:other:labels NHTSA Campaign #09V223000 · 15/06/2009

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."

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. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-888-270-9371.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 5 Oct 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

2009 Toyota Highlander Hybrid common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 174 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.
Vehicle Speed Control
Test cruise control and throttle response, and watch for any hesitation or unintended acceleration.
Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.

2009 Toyota Highlander Hybrid safety ratings

Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2009 Toyota Highlander Hybrid 4-DR. w/SAB. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

2009 Toyota Highlander Hybrid MPG & running costs

Combined26 mpg
City27 mpg
Highway25 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,600

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov.

What's a 2009 Toyota Highlander Hybrid worth?

Low
$12,600
Typical price
$15,562
High
$18,500

From 21 comparable 2009 Toyota Highlander Hybrid listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2009 Toyota Highlander Hybrid costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$13,000
Depreciation (5 yrs)$13,850
Total$26,850
Per mile$0.36

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($15,562) with the same model 3 model-years older ($7,250), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2009 Toyota Highlander Hybrid trims & engines on record

Trims
Limited · Base · Medium
Engines
3.3L 6-cyl

2009 Toyota Highlander Hybrid vehicles on record

Other Toyota Highlander Hybrid model years

2009 Toyota Highlander Hybrid — frequently asked questions

Does the 2009 Toyota Highlander Hybrid have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2009 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are free.

What are the most common problems with the 2009 Toyota Highlander Hybrid?

Across all 174 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are service brakes, engine, electrical system.

What is the 2009 Toyota Highlander Hybrid safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2009 Toyota Highlander Hybrid crash-test ratings of frontal 5★, side 5★, rollover 4★ (out of 5; this model year pre-dates NHTSA's overall score).

What gas mileage does the 2009 Toyota Highlander Hybrid get?

The 2009 Toyota Highlander Hybrid has a U.S. EPA estimate of 26 mpg combined (27 city / 25 highway).

How much is a 2009 Toyota Highlander Hybrid worth?

Comparable 2009 Toyota Highlander Hybrid listings run roughly $12,600–$18,500, typically around $15,562 (from 21 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.