2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid: brake failure

Filed Jul 24, 2019 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 210,000 miles · TN

I replaced my brakes after several warning lights and codes kept popping up on my dash. Had the rotors turned. But when I returned to driving my car after I thought it was fixed the brakes would all of a sudden just go out the hydraulic part would go completely to the floor. The car would make a high pitched noise and then no brakes. Took it to toyota in clinton tn. Said my ABS brake actuator was failing. Would cost me 2200 dollars to fix. This certain part on your car is supposed to last you a lifetime. I dont have money like that now it was take me a lifetime to save up for the repairs. Very scary. This would happen to me randomly as I was driving no matter where or how far the trip I was taking. Didn't know if I was going to be able to make it home sometimes. You just never knew when. Sometimes it would be fine and others it would be absolutely scary.

Filed Sep 12, 2018 · Brakes · 100,000 miles · CA

When braking at any speed, the brake pedal vibrates and makes a "chirping" sound. After researching I've discovered it's a brake actuator issue. Toyota did extend the warranty briefly, but no recall was issued. My toyota certified mechanic said brake failure could definitely occur when the actuator fails completely. When braking over bumps, the brakes seem to give out briefly as well which is quite startling. The replacement part is $1800 plus labor, which is ridiculous considering this is definitely a safety issue.

Filed May 29, 2015 · Acceleration, Brakes · 90,501 miles · MI

First noticed on date above, but occurs at least once a week. When slowing down, and brakes are applied, if a bump, pothole, and traction is lost for a split second the brakes stop working and the car surges,coasts, disengage. Firm pressure on brakes is used to compensate for the loss of braking power. As a result stopping distance is increased. This loss of breaking power lasts for 1/2 to 1 second. Perhaps its related to the hybrid regenerating system. Never the less it is very disconcerting to lose brakes, even for a split second

Filed Aug 21, 2013 · Brakes · 920,000 miles · PA · crash

At slow speed, entering my driveway, brakes failed, resulting in slight acceleration, causing an accident with our other vehicle in driveway.

Filed Oct 10, 2012 · Electrical, Fuel system · 40,162 miles · CT

Driving on the interstate at 55 MPH the car, without warning, died. No power, lights, brakes, steering, nothing worked. At side of road tried to restart. All warning lights came on, would not restart, everything then went dead. Car was towed to dealer. It was claimed to be a coil pack, however upon further investigation, I found out it was actually the power inverter that converts 12vdc to AC to power the electric motors on the car. When the inverter shorted out, it killed the entire electric battery system, the hybrid batteries and the gas engine battery causing all systems to shut down. The car is a death trap. Toyota knew this would happen when they sold me the car and did not tell me. I found out that this has happened to hundreds of highlander hybrid owners, mostly 2006, 2007 and some 2008. If the car is over 7 year/100,000 warranty toyota will not fix it. It cost owners $10,000 to $15,000 to fix. This is a major problem that will, may have, killed the driver and occupants. The problem usually occurs over 40mph, which is usually highway driving. That's what happened to my wife. On the highway at 55mph in the center lane. Car dies without warning. She was fortunate to get to the side of the road without an accident. No brakes and no steering. Toyota needs to recall these cars; they have a design flaw that will kill someone if it hasn't already.

Filed Jun 1, 2010 · Brakes · 42,000 miles · NY · crash · 1 injury

Re. Toyota 2007 highlander hybrid braking failure resulting in a high speed collision. I was involved in an accident that occurred on thruway 87 in the state of ny which was largely the result of the brakes on my highlander hybrid not functioning properly. What happened: I was heading northbound traveling 65 MPH with traffic on the thruway a little more towards the heavy side but traffic was moving smoothly. Apparently, several vehicles a head of me, a goat ran onto the thruway and a tractor trailer locked his brakes up and came to a stop. There were probably three vehicles between the truck and myself and first two vehicles quickly moved into the left lane with the last vehicle practically swerving into a space that hardly fit his vehicle at the last moment. This quick movement alerted me to be on guard and I moved my foot over to the brake pedal. The truck didn't have brake lights or flashers on nor had there been any brake lights visible to me to indicate slow moving traffic ahead so I was still traveling at 65 MPH before realizing after a short delay that the truck was at a stand still. I quickly decided that the left lane was full so I couldn't swerve left, the right lane had a guard rail there but looked like there might be enough room to squeeze by on the shoulder albeit with a high risk of flipping, so I chose to brake and square up on the truck's bumper. I was about 90 to 100 yards out when I started braking. I felt the anti-lock brakes pulsing hard and the vehicle was shuddering hard. After about 5 to 10 pulses, the brakes stopped working and the vehicle coasted but doing this at 50 MPH+ and this goes on for 40 yards or so until right before impact. I felt the anti-lock brakes start kicking in again but it was too late. I hit the rear of the tractor trailer at around 50 MPH and stopped dead. I had called my toyota dealership several times of the braking problem (I.e., inconsistent operation on rough surface) and also I logged it on dot's website before the accident. Updated ivoq 09/15/10

Filed Mar 5, 2010 · Brakes · MA

Copy of a note sent to toyota via their website regarding sudden, short-lived decrease in braking power in a highlander hybrid: "on monday feb. 8, I stopped by lia toyota of northampton, ma to schedule a service appointment -- 25,000 mile service and requested they check the brakes, as I had experienced a sudden, short-lived (a second or so) decrease in braking power on random occasions. I know zip about cars, but I said it felt like an air bubble or some such in the brake lines. It appeared entirely random, happening at in-town as well as highway speeds (once). A day or two later toyota announced the recall for 2010 prius's. When I heard about it and the reason I thought, "ah, that's exactly what the highlander does, and it's a hybrid." so, today I went in for service, discussed the brakes, and was told that unless fellas in the shop can drive the car and experience the braking issue, there is nothing they can do -- they cannot even file a report with toyota, ie. They cannot get information up the chain to folks who actually make the cars. That is a ludicrous policy, especially given that) a known problem exists in a hybrid braking system and b) (and I assume a bit here) the highlander braking system is probably a near cousin of the prius's. In any event, here's a report from a consumer -- a highlander hybrid owner has experienced on multiple, random occasions a sudden, short loss of braking power when apply the brakes. It's not LED to any accidents; it is simply disquieting (though the highway speed incident was a bit thrilling). As a matter of course, I'd check your other hybrids gang.

Filed Feb 12, 2010 · Brakes · TX

I have a 2007 toyota highlander hybrid. When braking over bumpy roads or potholes (even small bumps), the sensation I get is that the brakes are no longer engaged. The car feels temporarily out of control. This sensation is stronger if the bumps are encountered during a turn or if there are multiple bumps about a foot or two apart (as often left by buses repeatedly stopping in the same areas on city streets). On familiar roads, I know where the bumps are and can drive/brake accordingly. Unfamiliar roads make this problem less predictable and more dangerous. This problems sounds very similar to the problems with toyota prius' braking. My vehicle is not currently part of the recall and I wonder if toyota is being evasive about how extensive the problem truly is. Temporary loss of braking over bumpy roads has existed since I took possession of my new highlander in june 2007. I can predict occurrence with near 100% accuracy on certain familiarly bumpy roads. I see on this form that I must pick a date for "the" incident (there have been many). I'll pick a date of recent particularly memorable/scary occurrence. Note: this online reporting system requires me to choose "electric brakes" or "hydraulic brakes." I don't know which to choose: I think it is a hybrid of both, so neither choice is accurate. The federal safety agency: you can do better!