2009 Toyota Highlander Service and Repair Manual

Toyota built the 2009 Highlander around three different powertrains — the 2.7L four (1AR-FE), the 3.5L V6 (2GRFE) and the 3.3L hybrid V6 (3MZ-FE) — and each one carries its own clearances, torque values and diagnostic routines. The figures and procedures here are the ones Toyota specified for this model year and these engines, not close-enough numbers carried over from an adjacent year or a different powertrain.

Engines

• 2.7L l4 GAS Naturally Aspirated
• 3.5L 3456CC V6 GAS DOHC Naturally Aspirated
• 3.3L 3300CC V6 HYBRID Naturally Aspirated

Trims

• Base
• Hybrid
• Hybrid Limited
• Limited
• Sport

Known issues on the 2009 Highlander. Seven recalls are on federal record for this model year. One covers the accelerator pedal, which can get stuck in the wide open position; a stuck open accelerator pedal may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop. A second covers the power window devices and controls, where the sliding electrical contacts may not be protected by lubricant. A third covers the frontal air bag sensor and control module: the front passenger seat occupant sensing system can be out of calibration. A fourth covers the front seat heater, where a damaged copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire. The remaining three concern labels — one for incorrect load carrying capacity modification labels, which could result in the vehicle being overloaded; one from Southeast Toyota for vehicles that fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 110, Tire Selection and Rims, where a driver may overload a vehicle which may increase the risk of a crash; and one from Gulf States Toyota, also under that standard, on vehicles that do not meet the standard requirements. Owners have filed 178 complaints against the 2009 Highlander, and Toyota has issued 132 technical service bulletins for it.

From a sticking-throttle diagnosis to a dead power window switch or a scheduled service on the 3.3L hybrid V6, it holds you to the OEM procedure and the figure Toyota specified for the 2009 Highlander.