2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid: ABS light or ABS activating

Filed Apr 15, 2025 · Brakes · 227,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the master, brake system, ABS warning, and traction control warning lights illuminated. Additionally, the message "Brake System Malfunction - Stop in Safe Place Immediately”, check ABS/VSC system, and check braking system" messages were displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic several times, but was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 227,000.

Filed Dec 1, 2021 · Brakes · 162,000 miles · VA

The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the brake malfunction and ABS warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that when she started the vehicle, she was unable to depress the brake pedal to the floor and started to hear an abnormal noise. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed that the brake booster pump assembly and brake actuator assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 162,000.

Filed May 29, 2019 · Brakes · 121,000 miles · CA

All warning lights are on to check brakes, ABS. Abnormal leak in acumulator - ABS brake actuator needs to be replaced. I was sent a recall on this problem with my 2012 prius (although it is fine) but the highlander has the exact problem. When googling this I found many 2008 highlanders with the exact same problem. Toyota wants $3600 to replace the ABS acumulator yet they will replace the same part in the prius as a recall.

Filed May 6, 2019 · Brakes, Steering · 139,000 miles · FL

Abs pump and actuator failure. Warning lights on the dash buzzer, and nearly complete loss of stopping power, reduced fuel economy. We own a 2008 toyota highlander hybrid which confirmed by the dealer has a 100% failure rate which is the exact failure previously recalled on 2006-07 highlander hybrids, and 08-09 camry hybrids. This failure throws the same code, same symptoms, same parts as recalled on previous years, and same years in other models however toyota some how got away with not recalling 2008 highlander models. This is well documented on this site, consumer affairs and tons of other sites on the internet. I would like to see the government step in and force toyota to extend there warranty and recall these models. Toyota, there dealers and the public are very much aware of how shady toyota has been not honoring different years with the same part. This repair is on average $3k dollars.

Filed Mar 17, 2019 · Brakes · CA

Takata recall .. My car start getting an error light in my dashboard.. It says brake malfunction , vsc system and ABS system .. My car runs fine but sometime when I press the phrase pedal car doesn't break right away and making noise.

Filed Mar 4, 2019 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 78,000 miles · UT

Vsc, ABS, traction control error light. My mechanic identified this as a failer accumulator (ABS module), he said there is a tsb from toyota. I know there was a recall on this issue on this vehicle through year 2007. Concerned about possibility of total brake failure.

Filed Feb 26, 2019 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 163,500 miles · UT

We were driving the car normally on city streets, not even braking at the time when suddenly the ABS light and a couple others lit up on the dashboard along with a warning message on the screen about the ABS and vcs systems. Braking still worked as did everything else (less the ABS I assume).

Filed Feb 14, 2019 · Brakes · 110,000 miles · FL

The brakes started making a weird "burping / barking" noise and then the dreaded c1391 code popped up. There was a recall for the ABS actuators on the 2005-7 years but yet here we are with people reporting this failure on the 2008-11 years in droves. Clearly there is the same manufacturing issue. Ironically I had my highlander into a toyota dealership for weird brake noises a year previously and they told me they were normal.

Filed Dec 30, 2018 · Brakes · PA

I recently had a number of service lights appear on the dashboard of my 2008 toyota highlander hybrid, including the brake,vsc, and ABS. There was a message stating that I should take it to a dealer for service immediately. When I took it to the dealership, they determined it was an open circuit in the brake actuator (ABS). To my surprise this is a $3,000 plus fix and when I researched the problem online o found out there was a recall for the same part for the 2008 toyota camery hybrid and many complaint posters suggesting that I voice my concern here.

Filed Dec 20, 2018 · Brakes · 100,000 miles · AZ

I was driving slowly in traffic when several dashboard lights came on and error message began rotating through the center screen. "brake malfunction - stop the vehicle in a safe place immediately, and contact a dealer,' "check ABS - have your vehicle checked by a dealer," and "check vsc system - have your vehicle checked by a dealer." after researching this issue and having the car scanned by a mechanic, the problem appears to be the brake actuator assembly, and this appears to be a well-documented problem for toyota. They have this exact issue covered under a warranty enhancement program for the 2006-2007 models of this car, but for some reason have failed to include the 2008 model despite the same issue with those. I have found several examples of others with the same vehicle and same issues online. Clearly toyota knows this is a faulty part and yet they continue to use it and drew an arbitrary line in the sand on which ones they would fix. This part is not functioning as it should, they know it is bad and should be held accountable to fix it. I am very concerned by the safety factors this malfunction represents.

Filed Nov 21, 2018 · Brakes · 215,000 miles · AR

My 2008 highlander ABS is failed and that put our family and others in danger because of the ABS is not working properly. The lights keep staying on, doesn't matter what you do, reset it or not. The brakes stopped working, the siren inside the vehicle making buzzy noise when opening the door or attempting to start the vehicle. I've done a lot of research online regarding to the toyota hybrid models and found many disappointed customer reviews, they all point to the ABS platform design flaws by toyota just like the ABS on camry hybrids & other hybrid models that have been recalled. I took my vehicle to a local toyota dealer as suggest by toyota representative, the same toyota dealership where I bought my two camrys from; paid $125 to have them checked out. My highlander ABS and the results tuned out to be both ABS actuator (47070-48010) and ABS pump (44510-48080) are failed and the costs to have both fix is $9000 while the vehicle is only worth between $6000 (now $0) which is more than half of the vehicle's value, for just a few small defective parts made by toyota. I do believe that the cost is ridiculously high and because of the manufacture design flaws & not from end users fault. I've called toyota twice to bring it to their attention but I got disappointing results instead. We, toyota highlander hybrid owners need to unite and contact toyota and or smart attorneys to connect all the dots and sue toyota for the above problems. Our life and others is in danger due to toyota's defective parts.

Filed Oct 24, 2018 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 201,200 miles · FL

I have a 2008 toyota highlander hybrid . Has 200k miles and the ABS light came twice in one week while vehicle was in motion before applying the brakes. After resetting ABS light, had pulled c1252, c1256, c1319 & c1391 for ABS accumulator/actuator leak.very unsafe to drive due to my vehicle is braking only on base brakes and my ABS and vsc system has been deactivated due to fault present. Not sure why its not covered on extended warranty like other 2006 and 07 models. Over 200 complaints with the same issue. Repairs around $4,500 and up. Recall urgently needed!