Two problems related to engine noise have been reported for the 2009 Toyota Highlander. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2009 Toyota Highlander based on all problems reported for the 2009 Highlander.
When vehicle is stationary, engine always makes strange noise upon initial start.
We were traveling down a state route highway at 50 mph when suddenly we lost power to the car, we were between two mac trucks, and the oil light started flashing. We had to quickly get off the roadway (no breakdown lanes) and find a safe spot to stop on some grass. The rubber oil line had cracked/ruptured and drained the oil from the car rapidly causing the engine to lose power and make noise. I found out online that this is a known issue but no recall has been done as Toyota claims this is not safety issue. However, in my case it was very much a safety issue as this happened on a highway in rapid succession with no safe place to leave the roadway.