The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at slower speeds, the braking system experienced intermittent brake failures, causing the brakes to erroneously release while being depressed. During the failure, the vehicle unintendedly lurched forward. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted regarding the failures. The failure mileage was 6,000.
Toyota Highlander Hybrid brake failure problems
58 of the 824 owner complaints about the Toyota Highlander Hybrid describe brake failure, most of them for the 2006 model year.
- owner complaints
- 58
- worst model year
- 2006
- typical repair cost reported
- $4,300
- typical mileage
- 108,000
Is there a fix? No recall or service bulletin covers this area of the car yet.
By model year
Often reported together
ABS 23Warning lights 3Power steering loss 3Jerking 3Check engine light 2Sudden acceleration 1
Trouble codes mentioned
C1391 2C1368 1C1345 1C1256 1C1253 1C1252 1
What owners say
The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, there was a hesitation, and the vehicle surged forward before coming to a stop. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact became aware of TSB 0059/23, the federal safety agency ID Number: 10244133 (Electrical System, Air Bags, Service Brakes) for the 2021 - 2022 Toyota Highlander. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with brake failure. The contact was informed that the brake actuator needed to be replaced; however, the dealer confirmed that the year, make, and model were not included in the TSB. The dealer attempted to update the brake actuator module according to the TSB; however, the update failed due to the year the vehicle was manufactured. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The approximate failure mileage was 6,000.
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.
Brakes failed shortly after the ABS warning light went off. Dealer diagnosed this as a break actuator assembly failure. It looks like toyota had a warranty enhancement program for vehicle years 2006-2007. However, my 2009 appears to be having exactly the same issue, yet it's not covered by the program. Given the severity of the part failure, it's not clear why this is not a recall... We were lucky that no accident resulted from this failure.
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.
The brake malfunction light came on while driving. Toyota says its the brake actuator assembly and it will cost me $4700 to replace the part. They recalled toyota highlander 06-07, prius 04-09 and lexus with the same problem. The result can be total brake failure. Since toyota knows this is an issue with the defective parts , all autos with that part needs to be recalled/repaired with toyota's assistance.
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.
The brakes failed when backing up at about 4 MPH. Car didn't stop until it hit a tree. Braking assist didn't work. Two feet on brakes could not stop the car.
The ABS actuator is leaking fluid and needs to be replaced. Luckily, I noticed a noise from the slipping ABS while idling at traffic lights, and brought it in for service before a warning light came on, or my brakes failed. Though many online accounts of this same fluid leak issue on this vehicle make, model, and year, describe dangerous brake failures. The repair cost is over $4,000 at the toyota dealership. According to a cars.com article from july 1, 2016, there has been a free replacement service bulletin for the brake actuators on toyota prius 2004-2009, and highlander hybrid 2006-2007. The 2008 highlander hybrid has the same issue, with at least 75 identical complaints on www.carcomplaints.com. This important safety issue needs to be addressed by toyota: please include the 2008 toyota highlander hybrid to the service bulliten to replace the brake actuator assembly, free of charge at a toyota dealership.
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.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the Toyota Highlander Hybrid brake failure
Which Toyota Highlander Hybrid years have brake failure problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2006 (24 complaints), 2008 (19 complaints) and 2007 (8 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix brake failure on the Toyota Highlander Hybrid?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $4,300 (median of 21 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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