2009 Toyota Highlander Wipers & Visibility Problems
7 owner-reported wipers & visibility complaints from NHTSA data
Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.
Wipers & Visibility Recalls (1)
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
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 inconsistently applied to the sliding electrical contacts.
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 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is C0M.
Owner Complaints (7)
Your power window master switch has stopped working, which means you can't control the windows from the driver's door panel. This is a known issue covered under NHTSA campaign 15V689000. The dealer confirmed the master switch needs to be replaced to restore window operation.
Parts you may need:
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S WINDOW INTERMITTENTLY CEASED TO FUNCTION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 103,659. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.
THE SUN VISOR REPEATEDLY FLOPS DOWN OBSCURING THE DRIVER'S VIEW. THE VISOR WILL NOT STAY IN THE "UP" POSITION. ALSO WHEN ENTERING THE VEHICLE, IF THE VISOR IS IN THE VERTICAL POSITION, I.E. NOT UP WHERE IT SHOULD BE, THE DRIVER WILL HIT HIS/HER HEAD ON THE EDGE OF THE VISOR. THIS ISSUE IS NOT NEW TO THIS VEHICLE, THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL FOR EARLIER YEAR MODELS AS WELL AS OTHER TOYOTA MODELS AS WELL.
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN IN EARLY 2015, THE DRIVER'S SIDE VISOR BEGAN TO FAIL IN MY 2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER VIN [XXX]. MY DESCRIPTION OF THE WORD FAIL, FOR THE VISOR, IS THAT IT WOULD NO LONGER STAY IN THE CLOSED STORED POSITION. WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, A BUMP, ROAD VIBRATION, OR OTHER FACTOR WOULD CAUSE THE DRIVER'S SIDE VISOR TO LOWER FROM ITS CLOSED STORED POSITION AND THUS IMPAIRING DRIVER VISIBILITY. EVENTUALLY THE FAULTY VISOR WOULD LOWER TO THE POINT OF BEING A HAZARDOUS DISTRACTION. LOWERING ONLY PARTIALLY, IT WOULD FREQUENTLY IMPAIR THE DRIVER?S VISION OF THE ROAD. THIS FAILED VISOR IS NOT A CONDITION LIMITED TO THE 2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. I HAVE ATTACHED A COPY OF WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM ZF1 WHICH DESCRIBES THE CONDITION I HAVE DEALT WITH. WHILE IT IS UNCLEAR WHY TOYOTA LIMITED THIS WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT TO CERTAIN 2010 TO 2013 HIGHLANDERS, I SEE LITTLE OR NO DIFFERENCE TO THE DESIGN FLAW WHICH HAS OCCURRENCE IN THE 2009 HIGHLANDER I OWN. AFTER READING THROUGH MANY FORUMS, IN REGARDS TO THE HIGHLANDER, THE FAILING VISOR IS A SAFETY/VISIBILITY PROBLEM, COMMON TO MANY NEWER AND OLDER MODEL YEARS IN THE TOYOTA HIGHLANDER AFTER DEALING WITH THE FAULTY EQUIPMENT FOR A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF TIME, I PURCHASED A REPLACEMENT VISOR AT [XXX] TOYOTA. I PAID THE PRICE OF THE PART ONLY IN THE AMOUNT OF $89.11 PLUS TAX, NO LABOR. I INSTALLED THE PART MYSELF. ADDITIONALLY, I AM REQUESTING FULL REIMBURSEMENT FROM TOYOTA FOR THE REPLACEMENT PART TO RESOLVE THIS IMPAIRED VISIBILITY SAFETY CONDITION IN THE AMOUNT OF $89.11. PLEASE REMIT PAYMENT, AND RESOLUTION OF THE ENHANCED REVIEW TO [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
THE DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR DROOPS DOWN. TOYOTA IS NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS ISSUE. IT SEEMS TO BE HAPPENING ALOT. IT FALLS WHILE I'M DRIVING, AND I'M AFRAID IT WILL CAUSE ME TO GET IN A WRECK. TOYOTA NEEDS TO RECALL THIS VISOR. POOR DESIGN. *TR
THE DRIVER'S SIDE VISOR NO LONGER STAYS UP, SO IT HAS PROGRESSIVELY DROPPED DOWN TO ABOUT A 30-45 DEGREE ANGLE TOWARD THE DRIVER'S HEAD. THIS IS A LARGE SAFETY HAZARD BOTH FOR GENERAL VISIBILITY WHEN DRIVING AND POTENTIAL CAUSE OF INJURY TO THE HEAD IN THE CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED CERTIFIED USED FROM A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. SUCH A PART SHOULD NOT BECOME FAULTY JUST OVER 3 YEARS FROM THE TIME IT WAS ORIGINALLY PUT ON THE MARKET. THE VISOR IS NOT USED AGGRESSIVELY OR EXCESSIVELY. BOTH THE DEALERSHIP AND TOYOTA MOTORS WERE CONTACTED REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. TOYOTA ADVISED THIS PART WAS NOT COVERED UNDER ANY TYPE OF STANDARD WARRANTY, DESPITE THE FACT THAT IT IS A SAFETY AND VISIBILITY ISSUE. BOTH PARTIES WERE OF NO ASSISTANCE AND REQUIRED OWNER OF VEHICLE TO PAY FOR COST OF PARTS AND LABOR. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION TO THIS MATTER. *TR
I PURCHASED A 2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER IN OCTOBER 29, 2013. EVERYTHING WAS FINE,THEN STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH WINDOW ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE, IT KEPT GOING OFF LINE, SO I ROLLED UP THE WINDOW AND DIDN'T USE IT UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO GO FOR SERVICE. I TOOK IT IN TO BE SERVICE IN APRIL /MAY 2013 FOR A OIL CHANGE AND ETC. I TOLD THE GUY IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WHAT WAS WRONG AND HE SAID HE WOULD CHECK IT FOR ME. AFTER SERVICING THE SUV, HE TOLD ME IT WOULD COST $ 400.00 PLUS DOLLARS TO FIX. I HAD THE CAR LESS THAN 6MONTHS. HE TOLD ME THERE WAS A PIECE THAT WAS BROKEN DUE TO RESTING THE ARM ON THE GLASS AND HE HAD TO REPLACE THE PIECE AND THE GLASS. IT'S FINE ONE MINUTE AND THEN THE NEXT IT'S OFF THE TRACT. SO I TOLD THE SERVICE GUY TO UNPLUG IT. I 'M NOT TALL ENOUGH TO REST MY ARM ON THE GLASS TO BREAK ANYTHING. I'M THE ONLY ONE THAT DRIVES THIS CAR. I TRULY BELIEVE THIS PART/PIECE WAS ALREADY BROKEN WHEN I PURCHASE THIS VEHICLE, BUT I CAN'T PROVE IT. I DON'T HAVE $ 400. 00 DOLLARS IN MY BUDGET PLUS MONTHLY BILL. HELP! *TR