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.
2007 Toyota Highlander brakes complaints
Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 36 of 36, newest first, as owners wrote them.
We have a 2007 toyota highlander hybrid limited with approximately 150k miles. In october 2017 we began to experience breaking pulsing and squeaking issues. Upon inspection at precision toyota of tucson, az, it was determined to be the break actuator. The break actuator failure is a very common problem for toyota vehicles beginning as early as 2004 and this can be easily searched online. This break failure can result in complete break failure while driving (and reports of this occurring are easily searched online). In 2017, the break actuator replacement was fully covered by the warranty enhancement program, but it was verbally estimated at $2200 to repair at that time. As the owners of this vehicle for since 2009, it was odd that we were never notified of this recall/extended warranty- but just 'fortunate' enough to have ours fail in a timely manner to be fully covered by the extended warranty. In november 2020, our 2007 toyota hybrid highlander began demonstrating the same break actuator failure 'symptoms' as in october 2017 (pulsing breaks, reduced response to increased break pressure, squeaking noise when break depressed while parked or driving). This repair/replacement is no longer covered under the warranty enhancement program, even though the 2008- 2010 models of our vehicle had an extension until 12/31/2020. The estimate for this second repair in 3 years is ~$2500-$2800... For a widely-known and dangerous break engineering error that toyota is well aware of and has been for years.
C1391 ' abnormal leak of accumulator pressure while driving
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.
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 $3k every couple years continually replacing a known defective part that is a crucial safety concern. Toyota admitted there was a safety issue by initially declaring an extended warranty on the part, now that the replacements are failing in the exact same way toyota wants to brush the issue under the rug. This is an urgent safety concern.
While driving I got error codes check vsc system, brakes light. I took it to the dealership and the car needed brake actuator assembly replaced, the cost is 2900$ . This should be a recall as the car became unsafe to drive and this is my second hybrid toyota car with the same problem with huge cost of repair for a defective part installed by the company
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.
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
I had a wheel bearing replaced in my 2007 toyota highlander and as soon as it was fixed all the warning lights came on in the car, including the vsc light, ABS light, brake light, and several others. It was not showing any codes when checked so they turned them off. Over a period of about a year the lights came on and off but with no affect to my braking system. I had brought the car into toyota (tallahassee, fl) for a recall on the hybrid system they told me that it was reading a code for the recall and that was why the lights were on and once they fixed the recall they were off until the next day following picking the car up and they all came back on and now they are saying the ABS control module which would cost $3000+ to fix. The brakes are not working properly at all and sometimes not at all. This is extremely unsafe and should be a recall! I have heard several other people with the same toyota have experienced the same issue.
The brake actuators make weird sound only when you hit the brakes. The car may be in a turned on or off position. All you have to do is press the brakes and there is a weird sucking and chirping sound coming from the brake actuator assembly. Talked to dealer and they did a brake fluid flush but that did not help. Toyota reimbursed the service charges but I think they did that to shut me up. The brake actuators can fail anytime and I am worried that toyota has known this problem for a while now and is not fixing them. This is a serious issue and the faulty brake actuator assembly needs to be replaced by toyota.
My 2007 highlander hybrid lost it's power brakes last week and I had to limp home, then have it towed to a dealer. They said my ABS actuator needs to be replaced and it will cost me $2600! My car has 127,000 miles on it, and is in good shape, I have it serviced regularly. Why isn't my car part of the actuator recall?
I purchased a used 2007 toyota highlander hybrid less than 2 years ago and because I was not the original owner, I did not receive and recall notices or extended warranty coverage notices. Now my brakes are failing and it has to do with the brake actuator assembly that toyota offered to repair free under their "enhancement" program. I was unaware of this because I am not the original owner and now the enhancement program has expired. Average cost of this repair is $2,500-$3,000 and I do not have that type of money and yet I need my car daily to work. At some point the brakes, as currently indicated on the dashboard and from the sound they are making, are going to fail, resulting in an accident. Their enhancement program was good for 10 years or 150,000 miles, whichever came first so I am past the 10 year period. Why do they put limits on life and death safety issues with their cars ? I need the federal safety agency's help. Thank you.
The brake actuator for the ABS system failed and needed to be replaced. This was and is a known potential problem by the toyota company as a result of many toyota owners replacing their vehicle actuators due to failure but no recalls have been activated and available for my vehicle as of this current date. I fortunately did not get into an accident as a result but stop use of the vehicle and had it repaired immediately by a toyota dealership at my own expense. This was a very costly expense I incurred both in the actuator part and the labor to replace it. The actuator affected the brake system of my vehicle and is a major safety issue.
In 2015 I was told by the toyota dealer that my ABS pump and accumulator needed to be replaced. That was done and I immediately starting having problems with the brakes. Two things: (1) per the service rep, this replacement needed to be done due to a pumping sound being emitted from the ABS pump after the SUV was turned off. The exact same noise started up within a few days of the replacement. I took it back to the dealer and pointed the noise out and was told that that noise was "normal" (sic) (2) immediately after the new ABS system was installed, a serious defect in the brakes appeared: as I pulled to a stop the car would speed up or suddenly move forward as if I had stopped braking. I would have to readjust my braking instantly to keep from having an accident. This has been scary for years. For years because each time I had the car serviced and brought this up to toyota and test drives were performed, I was always told that they didn't experience it or didn't see it or some such. Twice they did other brake work which did nothing to solve the problem. Lastly, I was recently driving on highway us 19 and all the ABS and brake warnings came on and a loud screech started and continued -- absolutely ear splitting. I put my foot on the brakes and the pedal went way down and with effort I was able to get the cfar to slow down. The power assist had disappeared along with the ABS. The message in the readout states something like "vcs problem" or error -- I don't remember sitting here writing this, but it is a vcs problem. I called toyota and was told that 6 months after my ABS system was overhauled, a service bulletin was issued stating that the older (mine) ABS pumps have cracks or a crack in them. I believe any auto with an ABS system with a crack in the pump body should be recalled and those ABS systems replaced at the cost of the toyota.
Hazardous safety issue. Possible manufacturer defect to electrical system on 2001-2007 toyota highlanders. While driving at high or low rate of speed, there has been many close calls of being hit from behind due to the manufacturer defect to their electrical components or wiring in specific to rear braking lights. When depressing the brake pedal the rear passenger brake lights do not come on. Light bulbs changed, fuse was checked and connectors checked. There has been multiple identical related issues reported by consumers on many blogs and forums online. Only remedy mentioned was to have the toyota dealer to replace the electrical braking component or circuitry. This should be a recall for the toyota highlander 2001-2007 on the critical braking systems on these vehicles. Why do consumers have to pay upwards of $400 to replace what appears to be a manufacturer issue. This is a accident made to happen. Also due to their poor design, the vehicle can't pass the state's vehicle safety inspection.
2007 toyota highlander hybrid limited was experiencing concerning brakes beginning to lurch forward, brake pedal stiffness, and associated noise. In short, the issue is a critical loss of assisted braking. Took it to the dealership in texas and was instructed that the ABS actuator had failed. Mechanic indicated that this failure is fairly common in toyota hybirds from 07 (both highlander and camry). The highlander ABS actuator component is identical to the ABS actuator in the 2007 camry hybrid that was the subject of a the federal safety agency investigation which culminated in 2014 with toyota issuing an enhanced warranty program covering the 2007 camry hybrid (the federal safety agency investigation pe 14-001, conducted by kareem habib). Was informed that other owners of 2007 highlander hybrids had experienced the same problems. A quick search online shows that these issues are quite ubiquitous in the 07 hybrid models. This presents a significant safety issue. I subsequently relocated for work to the washington, dc area and called toyota to see if they would offer a fix or cover the repair. Was instructed to bring the car into a different dealership. Dealership confirmed that the issue is a faulty ABS actuator (design defect) and the cost of repair/replacement would be $3506.02. Dealership sent toyota corporate the information and requested that they repair be covered. Toyota corporate denied coverage of the repair. Was also instructed by toyota corporate that despite the fact they had requested that I take the car into the dealership, I owed $129.95 for the mechanical inspection. The failure of assisted braking presents a significant safety issue. This issue was recognized by the federal safety agency in it's aforementioned investigation of identical failures in the 2007 toyota camry hybrid. I respectfully request that the federal safety agency initiate an investigation into the 07 highlander hybrid ABS actuator.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 toyota highlander. While driving 40 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed but it took a longer distance to stop the vehicle. The vsc warning light illuminated. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who diagnosed that the brake actuator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 110,000.
I was driving on double r boulevard in reno at about 35 MPH when suddenly loss brakes. I had to push very hard on the brake pedal and the brake pedal stumped and the brake light came on. The emergency brake was not in use and the brake will for a few seconds and then not work. This happened repeatedly. I manage to park the car at a nearby smith's. My husband took the car to the reno toyota (dealer) , where they told us it was the master cylinder and that had to be replaced. The next day they told us the replacement didn't solved the problem and the booster had to be replaced, this problem sounds very familiar to the recall of toyota on 2004-2006 models but toyota won't assist us with the repairs. We are just thankful that were not on the freeway with our kids. This was a very scary situation when you realize there are no brakes to stop the car. I would like toyota to be responsible for the repairs of the defective parts ($1,750).
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 toyota highlander. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH she engaged the brakes but the vehicle would not decelerate or stop. The contact then engaged the emergency brake and was able to stop the vehicle, which was then towed to the dealer for diagnosis. The contact was informed that the brake booster and the master cylinder would need to be repaired. In addition, there was a leak in the master cylinder. The manufacturer was notified and agreed that the failure was not normal wear. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure and current mileages were 73,933.
Tl*the contact owns a 2007 toyota highlander. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle began to jerk with slight hesitation. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician informed that the failure was related to the master cylinder. The vehicle remained at the dealer for one week to replace the master cylinder. There was a recall related to the defect on the model years 2004-2006 under the federal safety agency campaign id number 10v499000 (service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder). The manufacturer was made aware of the problem and was unable to provide assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 82,000. Updated 06/16/11*lj updated 06/27/11
Tl*the contact owns a 2007 toyota highlander. While driving approximately 20 MPH, the brake light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the technician stated he would need to bleed the brakes and change the oil. The brake light illuminated again after the repairs were made and the brake pedal extended to the floor. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was waiting for a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, who stated they were unable to assist, and the contact would have to repair the vehicle at her expense. The approximate failure mileage was 73,000.
I purchased a 2007 toyota highlander, hybrid in sep of 2009. I have noticed an interruption in engaging the brakes every time I press the brake pedal. Toyota says this it a normal delay between the mechanical and ABS engaging. I am a long time driver and this is very unsettling.
Sudden loss of brakes on a 2007 toyota highlander. Car rear ended a truck. Driver broke right braking ankle. No skid marks. Driver's head hit steering wheel even though air bag deployed. Believe air bag only partially deployed.
When new I had no difficulty with the brakes on my vehicle. They performed well, and I never felt anxiety that my brakes "wouldn't be there" when needed. But over the past year this has changed. At first I noticed the brake pedal felt soft, and was lower to the floor. I brought my car in to westbury (ny) toyota. They made some adjustments which appeared to correct the problem at that time. Then, about two months ago, the brake pedal again began to feel soft. In addition, it would intermittently sink all the way to the floor while depressed. This would happen main;y while stopped at a traffic control device (stop sign or light), but occasionally also happened while using moderate breaking to control vehicle speed while driving down an incline. I brought the vehicle in to marietta (ga) toyota. They made some adjustments, which seemed to correct the problem. However, a few weeks later the brakes began again to exhibit the same symptoms. This became extremely alarming when, while driving down an incline, I was unable to fully stop before my vehicle traveled into the near lane of cross traffic. I again brought the vehicle to marietta toyota. They found nothing wrong, and told me the master cylinder is designed to release pressure while the pedal is held. I opened a ticket with toyota (#1003232005), but I am concerned they may say the brakes are working correctly, even though they clearly seem unsafe to me.
Since the purchase of our 2007 toyota highlander hybrid we have had brake deceleration issues. The brakes seem to occasionally skip, then lurch forward as soon as the braking system initiates. While I have not gotten into any accident, I have become accustomed to braking early in preparation for stopping. It happens at low speeds (between 5-45mph) although that is when I'm most likely to come to a full stop. Not sure what would happen at full highway speed. Called the dealership and was told that this has not been reported to them, though they would take a look. After reading posts of identical braking issues, and with the acceleration issues in consideration I feel it best to file a complaint for the safety of my family.
Tl*the contact owns a 2007 toyota highlander hybrid. He was informed that the rotors were rusting and the pads were worn due to the winter weather. The brake pads, rotors, and calipers had rust on them and they were stuck together due to the inclement weather. When engaging the brake pedal there was a pulsating and uneven feeling. The manufacturer was stated that they were waiting for a response from the dealer to see what the outcome would be. There were related recalls directly related to the failure for other year, make and model toyota's. The vehicle will be repaired; however, he doesn't know who will assume the repair cost. The contact is aware of the safety risk involved. The failure and current mileages were 28000.
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