2008 Toyota Highlander: grinding or squealing brakes

Filed Nov 5, 2026 · Brakes · WA

Subject: Sudden Unintended Braking and Loss of Vehicle Control – 2008 Toyota Highlander V6 AWD I am reporting a serious and potentially life-threatening incident involving my 2008 Toyota Highlander V6 AWD. Shortly before this incident, I had all four tires replaced at Les Schwab. While driving approximately at highway speeds, with my foot on the accelerator and absolutely no pressure on the brake pedal, I suddenly heard a knocking sound and felt the vehicle jerking violently. It felt similar to ABS activation, although I do not know what system was responsible. I stopped and inspected everything finding nothing wrong so proceeded to drive the car back home. The vehicle then suddenly and forcefully applied the brakes without any input from me. The rear wheels appeared to lock, causing the tires to skid. The back end of the vehicle fishtailed and began attempting to spin around. I struggled to maintain control. There were three children riding in the vehicle with me. All four occupants were placed in immediate danger. After stopping, I shifted into Park and then back into Drive. The brakes released, and the vehicle began moving normally again. However, I subsequently noticed a continuous metallic grinding noise. No ABS, traction control, or other warning lights illuminated. I am requesting an investigation into the cause of this sudden unintended braking, rear-wheel lockup, and loss of vehicle control. This incident could easily have resulted in a fatal collision. Three children were passengers in the vehicle when it unexpectedly applied its own brakes at approximately 45 mph.

Filed Apr 2, 2022 · Brakes · TX

Chief complaint ISSUES were as follow : " BRAKE MALFUNCTION STOP The vehicle in a safe plase immediately and contact Dealer." Warning lights were illuminated on the instrument cluster or information display: yellow master warning light, the red brake system warning light and buzzer, yellow ABS warning light, yellow SLIP indicator light. After carefull diagnosis, it was determined that the brake booster pump was turning on frequently or working constantly. Unusual squeaky noise can be heard when depressing the brake pedal. In addition, the ABS Diagnostic Trouble Codes were identical as the problem. From research it should be noted. Toyota has previously identified and issued safety recall for the same vehicle however stopped short of including the 2008 Toyota Highlander hybrid model with the aforementioned Vin number.

Filed Dec 3, 2021 · Brakes · AR

On November 26, 2021 my 2008 Highlander Hybrid started displaying Check ABS, Check VSC System, Check Brake System and Brake Malfunction, errors on the display screen. I could feel the the grinding noise and brake pedal seemed different than normal. The Brake Malfunction error was displayed with a warning to "Stop the vehicle in a safe place immediately, and contact a dealer". I bought a vehicle diagnosis code reader and it showed C1391 (Abnormal Leak in Accumulator Pressure). I received the same code late last year in 2020 and took my vehicle to dealer. They told me that I was not driving my vehicle due to pandemic and the 12V battery went bad. They removed the errors and I replaced the battery from Walmart. I did not see the error code again until now (after 1 year). I received a Customer Support Program Bulletin letter (POL19-06) from Toyota in 2019 or early 2020 which mentioned C1391 as a verification of problem in vehicle. I showed it to the dealership during my 2020 visit and they said my vehicle is not covered. I believed them since I did not see the error again after replacing the 12V battery. Now I am having the same problem again. The ABS error was displayed on 11/26/2021. I was able to read and reset the ABS error code C1391 on 11/30/2021. The ABS error showed up again on 12/2/2021 while I was driving the car with my family in it. I had to reset it to reach home safely. It ABS error came back ON again before reaching home. I am unable to get it fixed because the extended warranty provided by Toyota for this known safety issue expired on 12/31/2020 and now I am billed for the replacement parts and labor ($4000). Toyota should have opened a recall for this faulty ABS system or should not have an expiry date to this program. After searching the internet I am also surprised that this problem is not only with Highlander Hybrid but though out Toyota and Lexus product lines. I request you to please ask Toyota to open a recall on this life threatening issue.

Filed Aug 27, 2021 · Brakes · NV

On approx. August 13, 2021, my 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid vehicle began making grinding sounds when the brake is fully depressed while the transmission lever is set to "drive". On approx. August 20, 2021, my vehicle started showing 4 error messages on the display: Brake Malfunction, Check ABS, Check VSC System, and Check Brake System. The Brake Malfunction error was displayed with a warning to "Stop the vehicle in a safe place immediately, and contact a dealer". At the same time, these 5 warning lamps became illuminated: Brake System Warning Light and Warning Buzzer (Red), Brake System Warning Light (Yellow), Master Warning Light (Yellow), ABS Warning Light (Yellow), and SLIP Indicator (Yellow). A car repair technician obtained the following error codes from the vehicle in a diagnosis: C1241 (Low or High Power Supply Voltage), C1253 (Pump Motor Relay), and C1391 (Abnormal Leak in Accumulator). I was informed that the VSC (vehicle stability control) safety feature of the vehicle is disabled while the error codes and messages are present. Toyota previously issued a customer support bulletin (No. POL19-06) on June 6, 2019, titled "Customer Support Program ZKC: Certain 2008-2010 Model Year Highlander Hybrid Vehicles Coverage for Brake Actuator Assembly and Brake Booster Pump Assembly". In the bulletin, Toyota acknowledged that its 2008-2010 Highlander Hybrid models had "certain internal malfunctions of the Brake Actuator Assembly". Affected error codes include C1391, C1252, C1256, and C1253. Affected warning lamps consists of all 5 of the warning lamps that were illuminated in my vehicle. Affected parts include 04008-26448 (Actuator Assy, Brake w/ Fluid) and 04008-51148 (Pump Kit, Brake Booster w/ Accumulator). Instead of issuing a recall for this hazardous defect, Toyota opted to offer "Customer Support Program ZKC". The malfunction that manifested my vehicle is not eligible for this program. Toyota should issue a proper recall to address this safety hazard.

Filed Jun 6, 2015 · Engine · 102,321 miles · IL

When you start up car there is a engine grinding noise for a few seconds. This has been reported by many people on the internet, just google 2008 toyota highlander start up engine noise and you will get a better look at what it sounds like. This could lead to severe engine damage . It is a defect in the engine.

Filed Oct 25, 2014 · Engine · 63,000 miles · MI

After parking the car at the airport for a couple of days and upon return started the car and started hearing grinding noise from the passenger side of the engine and would not be audible at the highway or freeway driving speeds (> 40 miles). Took to the dealer to get 2 outstanding recalls (spiral cable and software update for brake pedal override) and was told that the water pump is failing. Cost could be around $800 and was not happy to hear as the quality of these parts consistently been deteriorating and had to replace on earlier toyota's that I owned.

Filed Feb 18, 2011 · Engine, Suspension · MD

2008 toyota highlander. Consumer states squeaky noise when vehicle tires go over any bumps as well as when the vehicle is started in the morning when the weather is cold *tgw the consumer stated the noise was coming from the dashboard on the passenger side. The dealer was unable to find a problem. Also, the water pump was leaking.