2009 Toyota Highlander: fire, smoke or burning smell

5 of the 134 complaints about the 2009 Toyota Highlander describe fire, smoke or burning smell.

owner complaints: 5
of this car's complaints: 4%
typical mileage: 15,000
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 35 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Fire, smoke or burning smell by model year

2022
2
2021
4
2019
3
2018
2
2017
2
2016
2
2015
6
2014
1
2013
2
2012
2
2011
1
2010
3
2009
5
2008
9
2007
1
2006
4
2005
1
2004
2
2003
5
2002
4
2001
2

What owners say

Filed Sep 28, 2015 · Engine · 75,000 miles · WI · fire

August 6, 2015 I was driving northbound on hwy 45. After about 20 minutes on the road my 2009 toyota highlander began to smoke, the oil pressure warning light came on and I pulled over to the side of the road. Within a few minutes, black smoke was pouring out from underneath the hood. Within another minute or two the SUV was on fire and soon the front half was completely engulfed in flames. I thought it would explode. Two milwaukee fire department teams arrived and extinguished the fire. Thank god no one was hurt and my children were not in the car. Accident report bmz14xn was filed with milwaukee county. Prior to the fire that totaled the highlander, an emergency repair was made to the highlander on november 3, 2014. That night the engine began to make a strange noise and the oil warning light went on. I pulled into the nearest auto repair shop; the tech said if I drove any further the engine would have been severely damaged because there was no oil left. The engine coolant pipe sprung a leak and all of the oil poured out of my car. That was the first time my highlander lost all of its oil because of a faulty oil coolant pipe- the second time it resulted in an engine fire. In december 2014 I received a letter from toyota stating they reimburse for repairs related to leaking oil or engine damage. Toyota dealers received technical service bulletin (tsb) #tsb-020-11 indicating the replacement part should be metal; not rubber which is what I had. I mentioned the emergency repair twice when I went in for service to jack safro toyota. Neither time did a service tech suggest that the oil coolant pipe be checked to make sure it was correctly repaired. I believe this was a major oversight on the part of the service department and that toyota should recall the oil coolant pipe. The faulty part is on 2007-2010 highlanders and other toyota vehicles.

Filed Apr 9, 2015 · Electrical · 110,000 miles · TX · fire

Tl* the contact owned a 2009 toyota highlander. The contact stated that the vehicle caught fire on the front driver's seat. The fire department extinguished the fire. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v743000 (electrical system). The failure mileage was 110,000.

Filed Aug 3, 2013 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 15,000 miles · CA

While driving down the expressway with the family (50mph), check engine light and traction control suddenly turn on and flicker on and off randomly. Engine power hesitates. At the stoplight, check engine light continues to turn on, and off randomly, as well as traction control light. Engine appears to be stalling at times, and RPM bounces between 500-900. Acceleration when pressing against gas pedal results in uneven acceleration. Pulled vehicle off to the side, turned engine off, and examined vehicle. Examined vehicle and do not see anything suspicious. Turned vehicle back on, and check engine light with traction control off. Moments later, lights turn back on. Limped vehicle back to residence via local roads. Continued to experience intermittent on/off check engine light and traction control. After arriving at residence, parked vehicle and performed additional examination. Noticed burning smell at rear brake shoes, possibly from traction control holding on to brakes. Will bring car to dealership on 08/05/13 first thing in the morning.

Filed Feb 17, 2010 · Engine · 200 miles · MA · fire · 1 injury

Brand new 2009 toyota highlander defective front o2 sensor made out of ceramic built into all cars in japan then shipped to u.s. First sign of sensor damage the cars traction control light goes on. Soon after the front o2 ceramic sensor heats up. Then the car will not start. When you try to start it up at this point engine has caught on fire. The general manager of dealership stated that toyota knows of this defective part but will not recall. We believe owners should be notified. The part was replaced. However, we did not feel car was safe after seeing engine on fire. The dealership would not refund money. Our only option allowed was to trade in car for another at our cost. This all happened within 3 days of taking delivery of the vehicle and having only driven it 40 miles.

Filed Jan 27, 2010 · Electrical, Engine · 11,000 miles · MD · fire

2009 toyota highland had been drived for about 10 minutes, parked, locked at 7:25 am on jan 22, 2010. Approximately 20 minutes later a 6th ft high flames were discovered by the owner coming from the engine. Someone had already reported the fire and the fire department responded by 7:50 am.