2009 Toyota Highlander: harsh or hard shifting

7 of the 134 complaints about the 2009 Toyota Highlander describe harsh or hard shifting.

owner complaints: 7
of this car's complaints: 5%
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 14 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Harsh or hard shifting by model year

2022
4
2021
7
2020
7
2019
12
2018
6
2017
16
2015
2
2014
1
2013
18
2012
13
2011
10
2010
10
2009
7
2008
10
2007
2
2006
1
2005
3
2004
10
2003
1
2002
3

What owners say

Filed Jul 30, 2025 · Brakes · 137,000 miles · WV

The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made an abnormal, loud clunking sound. The ABS, the parking brake, and the traction control warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the brake actuator assembly had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 137,000.

Filed Jun 23, 2023 · Brakes · SC

Similar to what many other complainants have stated, the ABS has apparently failed. There are clunking noises and warning messages to pull over and not drive the vehicle. This is a known issue on these vehicles and Toyota did a very short recall that expired in 2020. The recall required that your vehicle was experiencing the problem at that moment, so everyone who has this issue after 2020 gets a $3k repair bill or an unsafe vehicle.

Filed Apr 28, 2022 · Brakes · TX

While driving I heard a clunking noise and warning lights for ABS, slip indicator, brake warning system instructing me to pull over and service vehicle as it was unsafe to drive I took the vehicle to local dealership and they found that the ABS Actuator and Brake pump had failed and needed to be replaced. While researching the issue I found that the manufacturer had issued an extended warranty service bulletin but did not issue a recall. I have included the service bulletin below.

Filed Apr 15, 2022 · Brakes · CA

Braking system warning lights came on. Prior to that the vehicle was making several clunking noises from the front and rear mostly when braking. The stopping distance while braking has been reduced to nearly double the distance while much more force is needed to be applied to the brake pedal to get the vehicle to come to a stop.

Filed Jan 13, 2020 · Seats, Steering · 42,000 miles · TX

I keep my car very good in my life . Recently my limited highlander 09 with 42.000 miles start clunking noise when I make a slow turning right , left to parking lot and every where when I make a turn slowly it have a clunking sound. I think that I can pay the part and toyota have to have recall and help me to fix it . It is defect from toyota.

Filed Sep 5, 2019 · Steering · NY

A clunking or thumping noise comes from the lower steering column as you make a left or right hand turn. The thumping noise has been steadily increasing over the past weeks.

Filed Apr 9, 2014 · Body · 59,900 miles · VA

The rear hatch in my 2009 toyota highlander stopped working - without misuse or handling on my part. After pushing the automatic close button, there was a loud clunk sound. There was nothing obstructing the back area. The back door/hatch would not open, nor could I close it. I immediately drove it to the dealership - on a saturday. I was afraid my back door was going to fly open. They were able to close the hatch but it cannot be opened. The technician confirmed that they had seen a lot of these and said toyota would take care of it. He said the problem is the hinges were bending and therefore causing the door not to shut. I was asked to return on monday. After a diagnostic test, the service manager confirmed that the hinges were bent and I would need a whole new door. The total cost of the problem could be close to $3,000 (depends on whether the motor can be salvaged). I was also told this is my responsibility since I am out of the 3yr/36k mile warranty (59k miles). There has been a tsb issued for this same problem, but as he pointed out, it is for malfunction within the timeframe. I have not been successful with toyota USA, but will continue to pursue this. This is a know defect and should be a recall issue or at the very least, an extension on the time associated with the tsb. Toyota is replacing the subpar hinges with better ones. An issue is an issue - even if it doesn't happen within a timeframe. I have done nothing to cause this issue. And now because toyota used subpar hinges, I have to pay $3k!