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Service bulletin T-SB-0381-09 Rev

A bulletin is a manufacturer's communication to its dealers, as NHTSA indexes it. The summary is NHTSA's. The document is the manufacturer's: read it at NHTSA. A bulletin is not a recall, and listing a model year does not mean every vehicle of it is concerned.

The communication, as NHTSA indexes it (as of 2026-10-19)
TypeService bulletin
NHTSA id10109401
Published by NHTSA2017-08-01
Manufacturer's numberT-SB-0381-09 Rev
Manufacturer's date2014-10-08
NHTSA componentSUSPENSION; WHEELS

NHTSA's summary

TSB: The only acceptable towing method for vehicles equipped with an Active Torque Control 4WD system is to have all four wheels off the ground. Flat towing or towing where only the front or rear wheels are supported may damage the all-wheel drive system.

The document

The document is the manufacturer's. This site does not hold it. NHTSA files a document at one of these two addresses; we have not asked NHTSA which.

Components

Suspension, Wheels

Vehicles listed
TOYOTA HIGHLANDER2014, 2015
TOYOTA MATRIX2009 to 2013
TOYOTA RAV42006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
TOYOTA SIENNA2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
TOYOTA VENZA2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015

Listing a model year does not mean every vehicle of it is concerned: the document says which.

Recalls for the same vehicles and component
16V5960002016-08-12. SUSPENSION:REAR
20163982016-08-11. Suspension
20133272013-09-25. Suspension
13V3830002013-08-28. SUSPENSION:REAR
12V3730002012-08-02. SUSPENSION:REAR
20122532012-08-01. Suspension

A recall listed here may apply to some of the same vehicles. Only the manufacturer can say whether it applies to one vehicle.

Other bulletins for the same vehicles and component
Toyota PRO19-022022-02-14. Service bulletin. POL: This consolidated Tire Warranty Guide contains the complete warranty terms for all brands of ground and spare tires currently in use by Toyota. This information must be kept near the point of vehicle sale and be available to any customer that requests it. Customers can find this information on the Owner?s section of Toyota.com. Dealers can locate a copy of this guide on the Claims Processing & Resource Center in Dealer Daily as well.
T-SB-0391-08 Obs2020-08-03. Service bulletin. TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE June 23, 2020: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0063-20.
T-SB-0063-202020-08-03. Service bulletin. TSB: SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes Service Bulletin Nos. ST005-01, SU001-08, and T-SB-0391-08. The aforementioned bulletins are obsolete, and any printed versions should be discarded. Be sure to review the entire content of this service bulletin before proceeding. This Service Bulletin provides best practice procedures for vehicle pulling complaint, diagnosis, and repair for 2002 ? 2021 model year Toyota vehicles. This information supplements Repair Manual procedures when the symptoms are: ?Vehicle Pulling: The vehicle moves to the right or left when the driver holds the steering wheel while driving straight ahead without exerting steering effort. ?Steering Wheel Off Center: The vehicle travels straight, but the steering wheel is not pointed straight ahead. The vehicle is not pulling. Before repairing a vehicle pulling to one side, it is necessary to clearly identify the cause of the pulling condition. Frequently, pulling to one side is diagnosed as a wheel alignment concern. However, the actual cause may be related to the lateral force generated by the tires, vehicle damage, road crown or worn components. Performing a wheel alignment when tire force is the cause could result in the wheel alignment being set at a value outside of specifications. This could then cause other problems such as uneven tire wear, etc. A customer may notice a pull to the left when in the left lanes of travel and notice a pull to the right or no pull when traveling in the right lanes of travel on the very same section of roadway. This road crown effect is environmental and cannot be corrected with suspension adjustments or any other wheel or tire modification discussed in this bulletin.
T-TT-0528-19_Rev2020-03-30. Service bulletin. TT: Some 2014-2020 model year Highlander and Highlander HV vehicles are equipped with alloy wheels that are clad with a plastic cover. Use of a heat gun to facilitate removal of stick-on wheel weights may damage the coating on the cladding and cause it bubble and/or peel off
T-TT-0555-192019-09-16. Service bulletin. TSB: Some AWD 2014 - 2017 model year Sienna and 2016 - 2018 model year RAV4 customers may experience an abnormal noise from rear coupling unit while driving. This condition can be caused by utilizing an improper towing method when transporting vehicles.
T-SB-0076-192019-09-03. Service bulletin. TSB: Some 2009 ? 2019 model year Toyota vehicles with super chrome wheel finishes may become discolored and/or damaged when aftermarket cleaners, polishes, or brake dust removal products are used on wheels with super chrome finishes. Wheel cleaners and polish that contain acidic substances may damage the clear coat of the wheel, resulting in the undercoating (black) to become visible.
T-TT-0528-192019-03-25. Service bulletin. TT: Some Highlander and Sienna clad/chrome wheels might experience bubbling and/or peeling off on the wheel coating (see picture below). Table below shows the wheel part numbers affected by the issue.
T-SB-0211-17_Rev2019-03-18. Service bulletin. TSB: REVISION NOTICE February 5, 2019 Rev2: ? Applicability has been updated to include 2019 model year Highlander and Highlander HV vehicles. ? The Introduction, Warranty Information, and Repair Procedure sections have been updated. February 23, 2018 Rev1: ? Applicability has been updated to include 2018 model year Highlander and Highlander HV vehicles. ? The Introduction, Warranty Information, and Repair Procedure sections have been updated. Any previous printed versions of this bulletin should be discarded. SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes Service Bulletin No. T-SB-0016-16. ? The entire bulletin has been updated. Service Bulletin No. T-SB-0016-16 is obsolete and any printed versions should be discarded. Some 2014 ? 2019 model year Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles may exhibit a squeak noise from the rear suspension. This condition may be more noticeable in colder ambient temperatures and may occur when traveling over uneven roads or when the vehicle comes to a complete stop. Follow the Repair Procedure in this bulletin to address this condition.
T-SB-0016-16_Obs2019-01-07. Service bulletin. TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE April 29, 2017: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0211-17.
T-SB-0072-182018-08-20. Service bulletin. TSB: Some 2014 ? 2018 model year Highlander vehicles may exhibit a vibration from the front brakes during light application of the brake pedal at highway speeds. Follow the Repair Procedure in this bulletin to address this condition.