2007 Toyota Highlander: ABS light or ABS activating

Filed Jul 4, 2025 · Brakes, Electrical · VA

2007 hybrid ABS brake actuator problem. The primer motor continues to run to prime the pump even when car if off. The humming noise changes when you press on the brakes to load knocking groaning noises. No dash warning signs. I bought this car used and it has always made the humming noise since I bought it. I thought this was normal for a hybrid. Sometimes brake pedal would push easily to floor, but then get tighter. I would hear the knocking grinding noise. No warning lights, had brakes checked and they are good. Thought maybe air in line. This noise and loose pedal started about 1 year ago. 6/2024 it did not happen all the time. I also have a company car, so I do not drive the toyota highlander that often. Now I cannot drive it at all. For fear that the brakes would go out. I started looking further online on information regarding this. It seems toyota and lexus rx 300 hybrids (same part model number) 44510-48060 are all doing this. I looked up recall's and nothing for ABS hybrid problems. Just last week all warning lights came on in my car brake vsc. Reading all the problems with this ABS actuator pump, this should be recalled. 6/2025 per online, it is a known problem with toyota in the hybrid models. All of these units will need to be replaced, only a matter of time. Usually toyota's run up to and overr 300k miles. I planned on keeping mine around. But it is a 2007 with 189k miles on it. I am not sure I want to invest $2000.00 on just a part for a car this old! Junk yards sell used ones for $800+. Same model number and only in time that will fail. Apparently toyota has issued a new model number 44510-48061. There is also another new model 44050-48191. The replacement part (no labor) varies in price 44510-48060 new $1200.00, 44510-48061 $1350.00, 44050-48191 $2000.00

Filed May 29, 2025 · Acceleration, Brakes · NY

My vehicle about a year ago started to display the dash lights for the VSC, ABS, and Emergency Brake however there was no indication from the feel of the brakes as they were applied, or any indication that something was wrong with the vehicle. I had my brakes replaced on my rear tires, and for a time the lights went off. In April of 2025, the lights came back on however this time there was a distinct feeling that the brakes weren't working. I had the calipers, pads, rotors, and a tube replaced, however the lights are still on, and the vehicle now violently shakes after reaching speeds of 45 mph (mirroring the complaints from the following site: [XXX] ). Toyota has refused to acknowledge this and put consumers out thousands of dollars. This is clearly something toyota needs to honor. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jan 9, 2023 · Brakes · CA

While driving a vehicle came across me and when i pressed on the brake hard, the car would stop normally, and ABS, brake, VSC came on the display along with a high pitch sound. I quickly reacted by pressing the E-Brake and shift to B - braking mode to be able to stop or slow down. The dealer said it was the Brake actuator that failed and its out of warrant, there was an enhancement warrant program that was issued by Toyota but expired. I feel the safety of people and property that this should've been a recall knowingly it can go out anytime. Contacted Toyota Corp. and they said this would be an out of pocket cost to the consumer which is around $3000. The manufacturer knew this could go out at any moment and should've made the RECALL instead. during the enhancement warranty program they would not replace it since it was still functioning.

Filed Oct 15, 2022 · Brakes · CO

Driving at about 50 mph on two lane road, the VSC and ABS lights come on with a little chime warning, along with some other warnings. Check VSC is also in the small screen instead of the odometer. Toyota knows about ABS actuator issues on this vehicle, but Toyota did not extend the warranty beyond 150k miles and 10 years. This could be a safety issue with the ABS, VSC and brakes. Toyota published a "Warranty Enhancement Program - ZG1" on April 19, 2016, but only to dealers. After the initial warranty period, I've used independent repair shops, so I didn't get any notice. I did get other recall notices from Toyota on this vehicle and had them repaired by the dealer. Toyota should be more accountable for brake issues that could be safety related.

Filed May 19, 2022 · Brakes · PR

we were station in the Military base in Belle chasse LA. I'm having a SAFETY issue with the vehicle brake system and ABS.I contacted Toyota and nothing was done this vehicle has like 76000 miles and this a mayor concerned, and safety issue I believe this is a factory problem from day one. I have read thousands of same complaints on line with same problem. I also read that Toyota had the same issue with Prius and my understanding is that it was a recall on those. My car is low in millage for the year and I have been the only owner. This is a safety issue and I need help I'm very concern for our safety and others . Thank you, and your attention to this matter is appreciated.

Filed Jan 31, 2022 · Brakes · CA

The 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid and certain Prius and Lexus models were equipped with an ABS actuator that could potentially fail and cause serious injuries and or death. A safety notice and enhanced warranty covered the parts and labor 10 years later; however, after the 10 years was up, the owner would be responsible for the all the costs. I noticed the vehicle making erratic noises from the engine bay and discovered it was the brake actuator but no warning lights or significant braking issues were of concern around 1/5/22. On 1/30/22 I was driving the vehicle when suddenly multiple lights came on which include the VSC, ABS, Brake, warning light, and exclamation warning light came on. The vehicle started acting erratic with unusual power loss and poor braking responsiveness. This also occurred on my 2005 Toyota Prius which I got into an accident in where the vehicle was totaled. This part should last the life of the vehicle, and if replaced in the past due to safety concerns under the enhanced warranty, all vehicles with the same old part number should be recalled and replaced at no charge to the owner.

Filed Jun 21, 2021 · NJ

Was driving on highway and Check Hybrid System, Check ABS System and Check VSC system flashed on dash, lost all power. Had to manage my way and pull over on the side as I could not accelerate anymore. Sent vehicle to 3 shops/dealerships, NOBODY can figure out what is wrong and all saying it cannot be fixed. HELP PLEASE! Car starts up on battery but when engine tries to fire up it sputters and dies and gives the Check Hybrid, Check VSC System messages. Codes scanned showed all 6 coils were bad, replaced them all and still saying all 6 are bad. New coils, new plugs, nobody knows what is the issue. I'm already into this for thousands of dollars, I really, really cannot afford any more money into this! Someone please help me. Thank you so much.

Filed Mar 14, 2021 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 217,800 miles · AR

My vcs light,ABS,brake,traction control light is on. Plus a horrible buzzing noise always on. Brakes are hard to press down on. It happened when we were driving it.

Filed Dec 15, 2020 · Brakes · 168,000 miles · MD

About a month ago, my wife called me from far away telling me that she suddenly had brake-related warming lights. I quickly read up on the ABS system failures in this car, and since she did not yet have symptoms, I told her to drive back carefully. I then reviewed my files on the car and saw that they had sent me an extended warranty notice about this problem, and suggested that we bring the car in if we have these warning lights. But we never had the warning lights previously, so I missed the boat on the extended warranty. We did, however, almost from the time the car was just a few years old, have a loud clunking noise from under the hood on startup or shutdown. According to various highlander forums, this is a classic symptom of ABS actuator failure and if toyota had just mentioned this in the their extended warranty notice, I would have brought the car in immediately. I had the same sound from my 2007 prius; I mentioned the noise to the toyota service people and they told me it was the coolant thermos bottle and was of no concern. To fix my highlander, toyota wanted around three thousand dollars; I told them that was not reasonable since replacing it is simple: 2 bolts, 1 electrical connector, 6 brake lines, and a brake bleed. They wanted about $2000 just for the part. The toyota service manager told me I could still drive the car since it is not a safety concern: if it fails the ABS system will stop working but not the brakes. Based on the experiences of other hh owners that I am reading about at the federal safety agency web site, however, I find this hard to believe. Also, the brakes are now grabbing strangely and pulsating when they don't need to be. There should be a recall since 1.) the part should last the life of the car, 2. It is a safety concern, and 3. Toyota did not give accurate information in their notice to allow me to spot the problem in time.

Filed Jul 21, 2020 · Brakes · 174,000 miles · FL

Abs actuator failed causing erratic vehicle behavior and uncontrollable braking. Abs actuator was replaced by toyota in 2017 as part of an extended warranty program on a part that they realized was defective. In 2019 we experienced the same issues causing a very dangerous situation on the freeway and again took to toyota were they found that the ABS actuator failed again. This part is typically one that doesn't fail over the lifetime of a vehicle. This part is now needing to be replaced for the third time. I presume that the original ABS actuator was replaced with old inventory of the same defective part which is why it quickly failed again. Toyota wants to charge $3k to have repaired. There are a multitude of online complaints and reviews of customers experiencing the same dangerous situation in the same year make/model vehicle. I've contacted corporate and the best they are willing to do is provide a credit for $1k of the repair. For a part that typically never fails on a vehicle, no one should be expected to spend $3k every couple years continually replacing a known defective part that is a crucial safety concern. Toyota admitted there was a safety issue by initially declaring an extended warranty on the part, now that the replacements are failing in the exact same way toyota wants to brush the issue under the rug. This is an urgent safety concern.

Filed Jan 12, 2020 · Brakes · 129,000 miles · TX

Toyota had previously recalled the ABS brake module on several toyota highlanders. The same part that they recalled in other modules has now failed in my vehicle which has less than 130k miles on it. Per my mechanics instruction I have not driven the vehicle in months because it's not safe. The brakes aren't functioning properly and the vehicle will not completely stop when the brake pedal is fully engaged. It kind of grabs, and slips allowing the vehicle to roll forward or back depending on the gear the transmission is in. The ABS module refurbished is $2500, not including installation.

Filed Jan 2, 2020 · Brakes · MA

My brakes failed ABS anita breaking system failed because if that sb's failed my hybrid battery is not charging and my car is failed to stop