The 2009 Toyota Highlander has 6 recalls, the most serious being a floor mat that can trap the accelerator pedal wide open, making the vehicle difficult to slow or stop and raising the risk of a serious crash.
Two recalls involve fire risk. Certain vehicles equipped with aftermarket seat heaters can develop a short circuit in the copper heating element, which can ignite a fire in the seat. Separately, the driver's side power window switch can collect moisture and debris if its lubricant is inadequate, causing the switch to overheat and melt, which also raises the risk of fire. Both of these are limited to vehicles sold through Southeast Toyota Distributors or specific production windows, so not every Highlander from this year is affected by each one.
Hybrid models carry an additional concern: a fault in the inverter, which converts battery power for the electric drive motor, can push the vehicle into a reduced-power limp mode that limits how the car can be driven.
On the occupant safety side, the front passenger seat's occupant sensing system can fall out of calibration, causing the passenger airbag to either fail to deploy in a crash or deploy with the wrong force for the person sitting there. There is also a compliance recall involving missing load capacity labels, which are required so drivers know the maximum safe weight the vehicle can carry; without that information, a driver may unknowingly overload the vehicle.
At a glance
What can fail
The electrical wiring in aftermarket seat heaters with copper strand heating elements can be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed, potentially causing electrical issues.
What the fix does
Dealers will disconnect the seat heaters at no charge and refund the purchase price of the accessory.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
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At a glance
What can fail
The power window master switch may have inconsistent grease lubrication on its sliding electrical contacts, potentially causing the switch to malfunction.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the switch and apply lubricant if needed, or replace the circuit board if abnormalities are found.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The Intelligent Power Module in the inverter may have transistors that operate hotter than the solder can withstand, causing heat damage to the transistors. This triggers warning lights on your dashboard.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the Intelligent Power Module at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
After SET added accessories like leather seat covers or seat heaters, the passenger seat occupant sensing system may not have been calibrated properly. Without correct calibration, the system might not detect occupants as intended.
What the fix does
Dealers will test the occupant detection sensors and recalibrate them as needed to ensure proper operation.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Your vehicle lacks the required load capacity modification label that shows safe tire and rim specifications per federal safety standards.
What the fix does
A corrected label will be mailed to you, or your dealer can install it free of charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The accelerator pedal can become stuck in the wide-open position when trapped by an unsecured or incompatible driver's floor mat.
What the fix does
Toyota will reshape or replace the accelerator pedal and replace any Toyota all-weather floor mat with a newly designed one at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
