I bought my car 2006 toyota highlander hybrid from a non-toyota dealership last year august. And few months later I started noticing sqeezing noise and since last few months I have noticed a tapping noise whenever I apply break even when car is in stationary. I took car to toyota dealership and they said it seems to be an actuator problem and needs to investigated in detail. I feel it is very dangerous to drive the car as whenever I apply breaks I hear tapping noise. I have also seen post related to same problem from many customers.
2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid brakes complaints
Page 2 of 6: complaints 11 to 40 of 137, newest first, as owners wrote them.
"takata recall" my 2006 toyota highlander hybrid has been making a loud scrapping screeching noise from the left rear brakes. Brake discs and emergency brakes were replaced, but the noise persists. It feels almost as if emergency brakes are activated but the car can still move forward. Sound lessens when driving and does not appear when car is in reverse.
Having problems with the ABS module actuator. Brakes are soft and locking up at lower speeds. This seems to be a known problem with the hybrids both highlander and prius.
When applying the brake pedal the car produces a chirping / crunch noise and it slips a tad. This happens when the car is on or off, moving or stopped. On a recent service visit, the dealer said that it's likely the brake actuator and to just drive with it until it produces an error code. Online, I read that toyota had created an "extended warranty for this issue, but would only fix it if it produced an error code. That "extended warranty" is now passed and my car still hasn't produced the code. This has got to be a safety issue.
Was going 50 miles an hour and all my ABS and break lights went on. I was lucky I was on a straight away with plenty of space between the me and the car in front of me. What kills me is my children were in the car. I was able to stop eventually and waited hours for a tow truck and ride. I received no information about the warranty extension that toyota supposedly got out to all those who purchased vehicles with this malfunction.
Brake actuator failure. My 2006 toyota highlander hybrid limited just had a failure of the brake actuator that was diagnosed by texas toyota grapevine. Unfortunately this failure happened after the time that was covered under a warranty enhancement program from toyota for this defective part. I called toyota USA and they said since the part did not fail during the time of the warranty enhancement they will not help. Fortunately no one in my family was injured during the failure nor was there any property or bodily injury to anyone else. As expected, I will not buy another toyota since they placed my family's lives in danger due to a known defective part that should have been replaced under a recall.
Anti lock brake actuator making a rapid clicking sound and vehicle displays check vsc systems warning light. This seems to be a common malfunction with toyota hybrid vehicles. The warranty needs to be extended to correct this issue.
Brake actuator was making a lot of noises starting in 8/2017 when I bought the car. Actuator problem lights came on in 3/2018, I don't know if they came on before I owned car. When I took car into dealer on 9/8/2017 they told me noise was normal and there was no problems with brakes. On 4/2/2018 vsc/ABS/brake/traction lights came on and toyota told me I had to replace brake actuator. I opened case # 1804022826 with toyota who told me I was responsible to pay for repair. Thousands of dollars later I have a new brake actuator that doesn't make any sounds at all.
I was stopped at a traffic light at the off-ramp of east-bound 202/mcqueen rd exit. My right foot was on the brake pedal, when the vehicle began to accelerate unexpectedly and hit the rear of vehicle stopped in front of me. As I realized the collision, I pressed the brake harder deliberately (while the car in front of me had started to move further), and to my horror my car continued to accelerate despite my depressing the brake pedal. I consciously checked my feet to ensure I was pressing the brakes and not the accelerator. My car continued to strangely & unexpectedly accelerate until it hit the same car in front of me again the 2nd time at the traffic intersection. After the 2nd collision, my car stopped and I pulled over to the side of the mcqueen road.
First a loud ringing happened and car would not stop. We have serviced car regularly, brakes are new, but car does not stop. Trying to brake at the intersection, stop light and highlander would not stop. Put us in danger almost LED me into accident, was told it was the ABS system and that toyota is aware of this. This is a huge safety design issue and expensive fix toyota needs to fix their design flaws. There is not physical contact or wear and tear on the part for it to fail. Ms. Deborah huston at toyota stone walls the process to get this resolved. She claims toyota is not aware of these issues, but the federal safety agency records show customers have been complaining for a long time and that they know.
I have been having problems with my breaks not working! Im an extremely scared to drive my vehicle now I dont want my family hurt or others in the road it is a big safety concern that toyota needs to address until it has been completed on all vehicles! Toyota has diagnosed it as the break accumulater as defective! The cost is 3000 I just can belive this hasn't been fixed on all vehicles!. I really hope we can get this done soon so I can drive my vehicle again!
I was pregnant and driving with 2 small children when the lights on my dashboard came on about vsc and a loud ringing happened and then I tried to brake at the stop light and they were so difficult to push I barely stopped in time to avoid an accident. Was told it was the ABS system and that toyota is aware of this but put stipulations on an extended warranty rather than recall so it's too late for most to get fixed and be covered. This is a huge safety issue and expensive fix toyota needs to stand behind.
My brakes began making a lot of noise while parked or stationary. The local toyota dealer diagnosed the malfunction as the brake actuary assembly. I did some research and it turns out this is a recognized problem with 2006-7 toyota highlander hybrids and in response toyota extended the warranty period until december 2017 to compensate. However, I wasn't aware of this defect until recently, just a few months after the end of the extended warranty period. Why wasn't a recall issued for something as important to safety as the brakes?
I purchased a 2006 highlander hybrid fwd in feb 2018 from hercules police department. Fairly often when I apply the brakes at lower speeds 20-30mph , the SUV surges forward like the brakes have released for a moment and then have reapplied. It is dangerous and very disconcerting in close traffic or when going around a corner or circle. Although I have managed not to have a collision, I have come pretty close when driving with a reasonable distance from the car in front. I have described it to toyota, which they denies there is any problem since there is no recall was done. I have had it diagnosed without any problem with the brakes being identified. This is a problem that is noted by many people on the internet who describe the exact problem with my model as well as other hybrids manufactured by toyota. It is a defect that could cause a serious accident if emergency braking is necessary, which at some point we all need to do to be safe on the road. Please address this with toyota.
Mechanic put new brakes on all four wheels. When done the : maintenance vsc message; traction control; ABS; and brake lights came on. Three other mechanics looked at it and concluded that the accumulator was not working property. I was able to confirm this diagnostic through many exact same complaints on your site.. Also, all the brake components were severely rusted causing an added time to do the parts out. To date there has not been an accident; but the problem in new york is car won't pass yearly inspection because of other filed complaints the next stop is the dealership apparently if I can get there safely. (I'm another person on social security without large amounts of cash ~$2000 - $5000 to spend on a car that is now depreciated to ~ $4500.) this safety issue needs to be a recall
2006 highlander hybrid, check hybrid system, check vsc light, brake and ABS light all on permanently and my brakes aren't working. I was fortunate noone got hurt.. It was really dangerous when you press the brake and it doesn't stop. ... From what I read ABS accumulator which cost 3k+ to replace and the hybrid inverter which cost 5k+ to replace. The federal safety agency please issue a recall on this issues.
Brake actuator assembly is malfunctioning, and is causing the vehicle charging system light to activate which in turn does not allow you to start the vehicle. I was told that if I was to continue driving with the malfunction, I could lose my breaking system while driving. Toyota is aware of this problem, and refuses to do a recall on my vehicle. The cost to repair is over $2100. Faulty braking system should be a priority for toyota.
Vehicle stability control warning light came on. Nothing in manual about it. Called toyota dealer said no rush to bring it in. Snowstorm delayed me. Went in - told dangerous to drive. Have to replace the automatic braking actuator - part costs $1800 and 3 hours labor - around $2400 - the car only has 130k on it. Brake was slipping day I got to the dealer unless I pressed harder than normal.
I was on highway the light( brake vsc ABS..) then I heard noise I try to push the break didn't stop and I am glad that I manage to slow it down. I take it to mechanic and he told me this because some kind of ABS brake accumulator and related issues. There have been a couple instances where I'm pressing the brake pedal and it starts to slow down, then feels like the brakes release, then grab again slowing the vehicle to a stop. I've almost crashed a couple times. I've heard and read of many people having the same issue with this system and some have even had accidents due to this. To me, I dont have $4000 to fix the problem and rigt know I am student and I dont know what to do, it should be recall. Also, when turning the key to on, the accumulator has started making a loud buzzing noise for 10-15 seconds. Please, please consider this system for immediate recall
Brake acuatotor failed. Abs system failure. Loss of brakes!!!!!
Warranty enhancement letter zg1 brakes failed to engage for the owner and a third-party mechanic. Mechanic suggested it was the ABS system and recommended to take it to the dealership. I was told of the warranty letter zg1; mechanic at dealership read codes (c1345 and c1368). They attempted a re-calibration but was unsuccessful. The recommendation was to replace the actuator. Toyota corporate was contacted to see if this would fall under the warranty for replacement. They declined replacement because none of the following codes were noted (c1391, c1252, c1253, c1256). The warranty verbiage does not state these codes must be indicated, but instead says they "may be illuminated". My argument is that if there is a known problem with the actuator, regardless of which codes were illuminated, then this component should be replaced by toyota. At this point, I have not been told if it is safe to operate my highlander and depend on the braking system or not.
Abs system failed at 137,000 miles , mechanics stated this should never happen,I was driving when ABS brake light came on and continues to stay on, and on 09/17 my ABS and brake light is on,and when I push brake petal down , my car does not stop. Unable to get car to come to a stop. I recently change my brake pads in august and everything was working perfectly untill septamber 20th 2017
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 toyota highlander hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 35 MPH, there was clicking noise when the brake pedal was depressed. The anti-lock brake system warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to tustin toyota in tustin, california that diagnosed the vehicle as anti-lock brake system failure and needed replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.
Abs system failed at 180,000 miles , mechanics stated this should never happen,I was driving when ABS brake light came on and continues to stay on, and on 6/10/17 my abc light is on,and unable to push brake petal down , unable to get car to come to a stop.
Check vsc system, brake and ABS lights come on, also audible alarm. Abs braking does not work.
Brakes disengage momentarily while braking at slow speed. This happens intermittently, and is very disconcerting. The other day it happened on a highway and caused a rear end collision at low speed. This may have been an actual brake failure, but afterward the brakes worked again. We are now afraid to drive the car, and the dealer won't do anything about it because he can't 'replicate' the situation. Online, hundreds of people have posted similar complaints with no remedy.
The check vsc warning sign is on. The dealer ran the diagnostics that indicated the ABS brake actuator and pump should be replaced due to leaking and fatigue failure.
Brakes stopped working then grabbing. Very dangerous! Needs to be a recall on the actuator.
While stopping or stopped with my foot on the brake pedal, there's a clicking sound. I have found that it's coming from the ABS brake accumulator. There have been a couple instances where I'm pressing the brake pedal and it starts to slow down, then feels like the brakes release, then grab again slowing the vehicle to a stop. I've almost crashed a couple times. I've heard and read of many people having the same issue with this system and some have even had accidents due to this. To me, it seems like this would be an ideal candidate for a recall, especially since the repair can be up to $4,000 and most people don't have that much that they can just pay out at a given moment. Also, when turning the key to on, the accumulator has started making a loud buzzing noise for 10-15 seconds. Please consider this system for immediate recall to help prevent any mishaps.
My speed was about 30 MPH; speed limit was 40mph. I was driving north-bound approaching an intersection. Up ahead, I saw that traffic was stopping and the light was red. I had plenty of time to slow to a stop, and I started to even though I was back about 15 car lengths from the cars ahead. When I started pushing on the brake, my car immediately 'died' but the car kept rolling forward, even though I confirmed my foot was on the brake. I was very startled that the car kept rolling with brake applied. Before I could think about what to do next, the car then rumbled and shook, and the engine made a revving sound. Then the car just sped up incrementally faster and faster even as I desperately continued to shove hard on the brake. I yelled "what's it doing?' I quickly wondered if I should pull the key out of the ignition but felt that was the wrong thing to do. As the car went faster, I went into absolute panic. I could not stop the car. I didn't know how to miss hitting anyone. I was desperate to avoid cars, but I was completely unable to stop my car even as I continued pushing hard on the brake. Then I hit the car in front of me at the light. I truly believe this was an unintended brake acceleration. I am deeply compelled to report this so that the cause and resolution may be found before others are seriously hurt or killed. I suffered a fractured back and was in the hospital 4 days; and driver I ran into was hurt as well requiring hospital attention. Both the 3rd party company for toyota who downloaded the data box and toyota say the brakes were not applied; that is not factually untrue! The data computer print-out shows what took place prior to the impact. In fact, it shows that the accelerator continued to accelerate up to the point of impact which tells us that the computer took over the actions of the car and disengaged the brakes.
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