2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid: multiple warning lights

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 Jun 12, 2018 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 60,035 miles · GA

While driving under normal conditions, all dash lights went on saying check vsc system, ABS, brake lights, warnings and traction. Took vehicle to service at toyota dealer and was told the ABS actuator assembly has to be replaced, for nearly $2500. This is a vehicle with under 65,000 miles on it and the actuator should last for the life of the vehicle. I just had the radiator replaced and brakes replaced two months ago. This problem was not detected. Brakes have always been soft on this vehicle. Now the battery is not charging and the brakes only seem to work off and on. I have to pump the brakes to make them work right. This is a huge safety problem as all of my driving is in the city in traffic. From reading online this is a problem that occurs frequently with this type of toyota highlander and other models. I don't feel safe driving it and I can't afford to fix it. It's barely worth the cost of repairing it. If this is a known public safety issue why doesn't toyota recall this part? The service person told me the brakes may now fail at any time, in a day or in two weeks. He told me to avoid other vehicles on the road!

Filed Aug 29, 2015 · Brakes · 124,180 miles · CA

I took my car in for a flat tire repair and an alignment. After the services were performed the mechanic was unable to reset the computer as it kept showing an error. All lights on the dashboard were lighted. I drove the car to a toyota service center. When driving I noticed that the brakes did not feel quite right. It didn't feel like they would brake quickly if need be. The ultimate diagnosis was the car had a c1345 linear valve offset undone and c1368 linear valve offset malfunction. A new brake actuator was installed at a cost of $3200. Per my research, this has been reported for the toyota camry hybrid as an issue. Perhaps the highlander should also be looked into.

Filed Oct 20, 2014 · Brakes · 129,000 miles · FL · crash

My car had been making a chirping noise when I brake so I took it to a brake place and they put on new brake pads and rotors, about a week late all the lights on my dash came on saying everything was wrong, I called the brake place they said it was just a loose connection. About 2 months later I was slowing down to make a stop at a light approximately a half a football field away and my brakes just stopped working and I slid into the car in front of me.. I took it back to the brake place they said it was the hybrid system, from which there was a recall for my car. I took it to the toyota dealer and they fixed the recall but then said my problem is the brake hydraulic actuator, a 2500.00 part! From what I understand it is the sensor that tells your brakes to operate when you press the brake pedal!!! Then I started researching and it looks like others are having the same problem in the hybrid highlander in 2006 and 2007 makes!!! I put my car in my garage for the last 2 months because I simply do not have the money to fix this and now the battery is completely dead! When I drove it home from the dealership after they fixed the recall and told me the news about the actuator, it felt like I was driving on ice and really had no control of the brakes at all... I would think with the complaints I have seen about this, that this would be a recall issue, I mean when you press on the brake pedal and your brakes actually work, your car should stop!! This could really end up hurting someone!

Filed Mar 13, 2013 · Electrical · 62,687 miles · CA

The vehicle did not start when the key was turned. The dashboard flickered, many lights were lit and then the flickering stopped after a few seconds and the check engine light came on.

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.