2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid: jerking or lurching

Filed Feb 21, 2019 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 120,000 miles · LA

While driving on a residential road the brake system failed to properly stop the car. This issue first happened in january 2017. At that time I took the car in and had the brake actuator assembly replaced under a limited service recall by toyota and the replacement actuator assembly also failed within 18 months. While driving through a residential area the brakes again failed to stop the car, making a grinding noise and jerking to a halt after pressure applied to the brake pedal. Because the actuator assembly was replaced under the limited service recall toyota denies any culpability in the failure of the replacement part and refuses to offer further assistance.

Filed Jun 4, 2011 · Fuel system · 40,573 miles · FL

While driving my 2006 hylander hybrid @ 55 MPH, at night, there was a loud pop / thud and lurch, then total loss of power and the dash board lit up like a christmas tree. I barely made it to the shoulder of the road without getting getting hit from behind several times as vehicles steered around me. Honking their horns and flashing their lights at me. As I crawled to the side of the road @ 10:30 at night. I feel lucky to be alive. Vehicle has just over 40,000 mile on it and has had all required maintenance. Turned out to be the hybrid inverter failed. This is a non sevicable part.

Filed May 17, 2011 · Brakes · 30,000 miles · ME

I have a toyota highlander hybrid 2006. When I am braking to a stop at less then 15mph I often feel the car "lurch" forward for an instant as if the brakes stopped working for an instant. I searched on the web and found forums where other owners of highlander hybrids reported similar issues. I think it is possible the braking switches from regenerative to hydraulic and there is a little pause or loss of performance for this instance which forces you to add more pressure to the brake pad to maintain smooth braking. Toyota has not stated that this is something that happens on their hybrids but most of the other drivers have had my experience. I would like confirmation that this is an issue and a determination if this is a safety or design issue that needs to be acknowledged by the federal safety agency or toyota.

Filed Dec 21, 2010 · Brakes · 51,500 miles · CA · crash

I was parking on a steep hill and as I stepped on the brake, the vehicle lurched forward approximately 2 feet and hit the side of a fence post and caused damage to my front bumper. Since I bought this vehicle in 2007 I have noticed that often times while driving and then trying to brake on steep hills the vehicle lurches forward. This lurching often causes me to end up in the middle of an intersection or very close to a car in front of me, thus making it a very unsafe situation especially while driving kids. I have reported this problem to my toyota service dealer several times and each time they deny that there is any issue.

Filed May 23, 2010 · Brakes · 10,000 miles · MA

My 2006 toyota highlander hybrid lurches forward when you first apply the brakes at about 20-25 MPH or less, giving the sensation of losing braking power. The brakes also squeak when pedal applied and have since I purchased the car. Now has 65,000 miles. Prius aside, the problem can be dangerous and dealer says simply knows nothing about the problem and no one else complains. Just look at your complaints as well as hundreds all over the internet. Let's try to fix the problem before there is a death which gets someone's attention at your office. Thank you. Below date is irrelevant. Happens all the time and has for years.

Filed Feb 15, 2010 · Brakes · 30,000 miles · ME

In our 2006 highlander hybrid we have had a repeated feeling that the brakes are giving way. The problem has been present for the 10 months we've owned this vehicle. The condition seems to occur regardless of conditions. I don't notice it after hitting a bump like is reported with other toyotas. This problem seems to resolve itself within a moment or two of the give way. It definitely is a concern when braking in traffic at a red light or coming down a hill to a stop. There is definitely a greater chance for rear-ending the vehicle in front of us when this occurs. I would estimate that this has happened weekly, if not daily. So far, the problem doesn't seem to be getting worse - it's just something you can count on. I've seen this problem reported on multiple car forums. It's also been described as a lurch, feeling of brief acceleration, give-way, brake gap and others. I haven't read anywhere yet that toyota has a fix for this problem. Would like info if there is.

Filed Feb 15, 2010 · Brakes · 35,000 miles · TX

I have experienced many instances of loss of braking power, particularly while traveling on an incline, decline, or over an uneven surface. I have complained of this problem since I began driving the vehicle in 2006. When attempting to stop on one of these surfaces, there is a momentary loss of braking power and the SUV seems to lurch forward for an instant before braking power returns and the vehicle stops.

Filed Feb 15, 2010 · Brakes · 60,000 miles · NY

My 2006 toyota highlander hybrid has a persistent problem with the brakes. The problem resembles that reported by prius drivers. Specifically when I am riding the brakes, on an downhill, as I approach a stop, etc, if I hit a pothole or a bump in the road the brakes suddenly release and the vehicle feels like it is lurching forward for a moment. It is a frightening sensation of losing control. This problem happens on a daily basis. I live at the top of a steep hill and experience the problem everytime I leave home. It has not caused an accident but I believe it could in an emergency stopping situation.

Filed Feb 7, 2010 · 36,000 miles · DC

My 2006 toyota highlander hybrid's brakes appear to have the same problem that is attributed to design fault in the brakes of the prius model. I bought the car used, last june 2009. The problem is that the brakes momentarily "fail" when I hit a pot hole or drive over a bumpy road -- in other words if I start braking and hit a bump, the car lurches forward for a second before continuing to slow down. (this is not antilock braking engaging -- I know what that feels like.) I have not seen this problem reported with any toyota models other than the prius, but the descriptions I read/hear in the media are exactly what I have experienced in my car. I have had the car road tested by my mechanic -- but I could not produce or simulate the conditions that lead to the problem. But that was a couple of months ago. I experience the problem weekly, if not daily -- and it is alarming! In a panic stop on a bumpy road, results could be disastrous. Please advise those investigating prius brake problems that it may not just be a prius problem. Please advise me if there is other action I can take to notify investigators or toyota. Thanks

Filed Feb 4, 2010 · Brakes · 1 miles · PA

I have a 2006 toyota highlander hybrid. Repeatedly since I purchased this vehicle, and as recently as today, I have experienced the exact same type of braking issues now being investigated with respect to the toyota prius. When braking on an uneven or wet surface, the car will jerk forward unexpectedly and I will feel as if the brakes are failing. I have complained to the dealer and to service and they deny the problem.

Filed Feb 3, 2010 · Brakes · 5,000 miles · NJ

2006 toyota highlander hybrid the vehicle lurches forward whenever slow braking (gas pedal not pushed) ever since purchase in 2006, and still behaves this way now. We have contacted our dealer on at least three different occasion, and one additional time after the recall being issued. Each time, the dealer says that there is nothing wrong with the car. The dealers most resent response (02/02/2010) was that our car is not in the recalled list, and there is nothing wrong with our car. The dealer can check again but if they still finds nothing wrong, we have to pay for the check up. But we hear so many reports of identical experience to ours in toyota hybrid cars (prius, camry and highlander) that does not involve the gas pedal. The car lurches or accelerate when slow braking!!!

Filed Jan 12, 2009 · Steering · 39,200 miles · FL

I was pulling up to subway and I noticed that my steering was a little tight. I went and ate and then headed to my friends house in orlando. While I was on the highway I almost hit a car because the steering started to jerk violently towards the right and left. I made it to a toyota dealership in orlando because it was right next to me, but as I was parked and the engine still running the wheel wouldn't stop moving back-in-forth. That is when I found out toyota will not pay for the repairs for free, even though I could of killed or injured myself and other people around me. Toyota needs to do something about this and fix it!!!