While driving I heard a clunking noise and warning lights for ABS, slip indicator, brake warning system instructing me to pull over and service vehicle as it was unsafe to drive I took the vehicle to local dealership and they found that the ABS Actuator and Brake pump had failed and needed to be replaced. While researching the issue I found that the manufacturer had issued an extended warranty service bulletin but did not issue a recall. I have included the service bulletin below.
2009 Toyota Highlander brakes complaints
Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 26 of 26, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Braking system warning lights came on. Prior to that the vehicle was making several clunking noises from the front and rear mostly when braking. The stopping distance while braking has been reduced to nearly double the distance while much more force is needed to be applied to the brake pedal to get the vehicle to come to a stop.
on 26/Jan/2022 i driving on highway suddendly the front wheel passanger side lock, luckily i quickly get off drive land to emergency land. The Brake Malfuntion light come up, i so scare, do not what happen. But i should do complaint about brake system on this vehicle. Thanks. Vu Dam.
Brake Actuator and Pump Assembly. If I drive the car Toyota has told me it could be catastrophic when the brakes stop while I’m driving. Yes, Toyota inspected and gave the quote to me. This vehicle had 446,000 others fixed (2008-2010) under a “warranty” instead of a “recall”! The car has not stopped yet working, it’s parked because I don’t want to die or kill anyone. I can still drive it maybe 20 mph without using any brakes. The closest store to buy food is 16 miles one way! Yes I have on the middle console screen: “BRAKE (in red) Brake Malfunction” which then says underneath that “Stop the vehicle in a safe place immediately, and contact a dealer.” “ABS Check ABS” and “Check Brake System” both of which say “Have your vehicle checked by a Dealer“. And on the dashboard it shows Lights (warning light in yellow with a !,) BRAKE in red, ABS (!), there’s actually a circle around the ! between the two ( ). Than the anti-brake symbol is on which is yellow with a car symbol and skidmarks behind it. I have attached the photo of the inspection bill and the text from the Toyota rep of how much it’s going to cost to repair. I did speak with the service manager, Steve, who told me that the NTSB is who decides if there should be a recall on this type of thing or not. I feel like if there were 446,000 cars fixed this is a huge issue! Mine should be included! I cannot drive the car so therefore I am stranded!
I have owned my 2009 highlander hybrid since I purchased new from dealer in july 2009. In mid december 2020 I noticed on two separate occasions that with my foot firmly on the brake pedal the vehicle would still be moving a few feet before stopping. No warning lights so I figured no big problem. In january 2021 a warning light flashed on for maybe 5 seconds regarding brake problem. On february 2nd I brought it to my local toyota dealer to assess. They scanned it and didn't receive any dtc codes. I was advised that my front brake pads were at 4mm and should be replaced soon. I did that. Vehicle drove without incident until june 20th when several warning lights lit up. Abs, tire pressure, brakes and traction. The warning lights stayed on so I brought my highlander back to my local toyota dealer. This time I was told that dtc c1391 came up. Abnormal leak in accumulator, replace brake actuator and pump assembly. That would come out to $2901.24. Toyota had issued a customer support program bulletin regarding the brake actuator and brake booster pump assembly. But for some unknown reason, given the dangerous condition a failure would present, that 100% coverage of replacement expired on december 31, 2020. Toyota is not making any exceptions on this matter. It appears that toyota is putting their reputation as well as dollars and cents ahead of their customers.
Several warning lights illuminated, tire pressure, brakes, ABS, traction, they all stayed on for a few minutes and then went off. The car seemed to be driving normally. This happened a couple times, it was not alarming, the first time the light illuminated was approximately november 12th, the lights stayed off for weeks and it happened again around december 11th, the third time, jan 14th, I got the vehicle to the dealership. It turned out to be that the brake actuator was leaking and the whole brake system could fail. It seems hazardous and extremely dangerous that the lights did not stay illuminated to reflect the severity of the situation and not a loose fuse or tire pressure issue. I assumed that since the lights went off, there was no issue with the vehicle. It is a very costly part and repair and toyota is aware that the part has been problematic. They have not notified customers of the issue so to look out for this dangerous issue. They had extended the warranty on the part yet gave no notice that the part was problematic and to be aware of the issue and take it in at once if the light ever comes on. It is a serious issue and it seems that more should be done on toyota's part to ensure drivers safety. To top it all off the warranty expired december 31st, 2020. I got the vehicle to the dealership jan 14th 2021. Toyota is making no exceptions to delays warranty coverage caused by the pandemic. It seems like they are putting money ahead of safety on more than one level and ahead of customers.
Faulty brake actuator. This is causing the vehicle calibers to engage without touching the brake pedal..the brake stays stuck causing one of the four tires to drag.this is a very dangerous malfunction and could cause death or bodily injury.
Abs, traction control, brake malfunction light on in dash due to the ABS brake pump and actuator not having enough power and a abnormal leak. The lights stay on for a day or 2 and go off for about the same time first time lights came on I hit pounding water on interstate on my way home from work at around 7pm an lost control of the vehicle. Luckily I didnt hit anything. The traction control, ABS is not working. I have seen where the 2008 models have been recalled for the same issue.
This is for a 2009 toyota highlander hybrid limited with about 142000 miles. The vehicle has not been in any accidents and is not abused in any way. All maintenance are up to date with the major timing kit replaced most recently at about 140000. While driving the vehicle on normal roads (sometimes highway, sometime city roads), I get three warnings that pop up at the center screen between the air vents; 1) check ABS, 2) check brake system, and 3) brake malfunction. For the first two warnings, it is followed by "have your vehicle checked by dealer." but, for the third warning, it is accompanied by "stop the vehicle in a safe place immediately and contact dealer." these warnings also correspond to three lights that pop up by the speedometer; 1) vsc, 2) ABS, and 3) brake. The lights stay on for two to three days at a time and then will go away without any reasonable explaination. This happens about every other week. I was unable to bring it to a dealership when the light is on as I live very far away from the dealership. When I call and describe the warnings, I am told that this may be a problem with the actuator and it is common. The dealer estimated the cost to be around $3500. I did a quick search online and find that this is a common problem among same generation highlanders. I should not have to pay for this and the manufacturer needs to get the vehicle right. I feel unsafe driving this vehicle with the uncertainty of being able to stop safely when necessary. I understand that toyota had a recall on the brake system for the prius and camry, but did not include the highlander. They should have since this is a safety problem that is common with the first and second generation highlanders. Please get toyota to take responsibility before an accidents occurs. Brakes are an important safety feature that should not be compromised.
2009 vehicle (manufactured 9/2008) only has 83k miles on it. Croaking sound for week or so and then one morning ABS failure warning on display. Codes are c1241 and c1391. Same problem as others. Needs new ABS pump and actuator. The parts are #44050-48320 and #44070-48020and cost over $3k for parts alone. Very disappointed in toyota, I thought toyota quality was better than this.
I was sold over internet by vandergrift toyota of arlington,tx a falsely advertised 2009 toyota highlander,that was delivered to me in san antonio, tx in enclimate weather and while I was in a full body brace, I had told them of weather, and was in down pour when they delivered, I was unable to examine car in my condition and weather till next morning. Car had been wrecked, had silt in rear tail lights, I tried to have dealership fix it, by taking car back to them, I did not hv another car. The conditions of the car were never disclosed, I did not received a buyers guide, only a blank sales contract with my name, car make and model and VIN with price paid. I hv repeatedly tried to resolve matter, dealer has lied repeatedly and billigerent. I have called owners of dealership, berkshire hathaway, they defer to dealer, dealer has done nothing, I have tried to tell people at berkshire hathaway this is something a dealer has dropped on me, who are and represent the berkshire hathaway brand, I told bh, I would persue and seek to expose to authoritative entities, and press,they have done nothing. I have also filed a pending complaint with texas dmv. I also have according to use title 18 2511 (2)(d), recorded conversations with dlrships used sales mngr, general mngr/partner, and berkshire hathaway, and previous owner who told me when car traded in, dlr sd wold not keep do to miles and age, wd go to wholes auction. I also hv screen shot where dealer continued to advertise car for sale at reduced price 12 days after initial deposit and over a week after wire trnsfer, and 5 days after delivery. Other, problems included components advertised or options not included. Toyota tow pkg, turned out to be uhaul hitch bolted on, no wiring to even coonect to brakes, and no additional radiator/fans/ to aid in hauling /towing, and no stellite radio as advertised. Original ad photos faked
While driving down the expressway with the family (50mph), check engine light and traction control suddenly turn on and flicker on and off randomly. Engine power hesitates. At the stoplight, check engine light continues to turn on, and off randomly, as well as traction control light. Engine appears to be stalling at times, and RPM bounces between 500-900. Acceleration when pressing against gas pedal results in uneven acceleration. Pulled vehicle off to the side, turned engine off, and examined vehicle. Examined vehicle and do not see anything suspicious. Turned vehicle back on, and check engine light with traction control off. Moments later, lights turn back on. Limped vehicle back to residence via local roads. Continued to experience intermittent on/off check engine light and traction control. After arriving at residence, parked vehicle and performed additional examination. Noticed burning smell at rear brake shoes, possibly from traction control holding on to brakes. Will bring car to dealership on 08/05/13 first thing in the morning.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 toyota highlander. The contact stated that the suspension was loose and the braking system would not operate properly. The brakes would go to the floorboard when depressed. The brakes would not engage intermittently when depressed. The contact stated that the driver's seat would no longer move backward, and was positioned entirely too close to he steering wheel. The contact stated there was little room for movement when driving. The vehicle was taken to four separate dealers and the contact was told that the vehicle was operating as designed. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 400 and the current mileage was 6,500. The consumer stated when she realized a police officer was behind she attempted to stop, the vehicle continued to accelerate and the brakes collapsed very low to the floor. The consumer had to pump the brakes to slow the vehicle down. The consumer also stated the lug nuts broke on the front driver side wheel. The cruise control was inoperative, and the engine had a slight ticking sound and the rotors were rusting. Updated evoq 12/23/10 the consumer stated the seat belt wrapped tightly around her throat. The front wheel was loose, there was a whining noise coming from the vehicle. When the consumer attempted to accelerate the vehicle would stall, the cruise control no longer worked. The accelerator pedal no longer stays in place and the steering wheel turned in different directions. Updated 07/07/11.
Tl*the contact owns a 2009 toyota highlander. While driving down hill at 2 MPH, the brakes began to shudder and the warning light illuminated on the instrument panel indicated shift to p function. Within a few minutes, another warning light indicated, brake default contact the dealer immediately illuminated. The vehicle was turned off and after it was restarted; the warning lights were no longer illuminated. The contact called the dealer and was informed that they were not familiar with that type of failure. The vehicle had not been inspected or repaired when the complaint was filed. The current and failure mileages were 20,107.
Tl*the contact owns a 2009 toyota highlander. While driving 15 MPH during a snow storm the wheels locked. The brakes also locked while driving down a hill which caused the vehicle to slide 200 feet. The dealer was notified. The failure mileage was 10,250. The VIN was unknown. The current mileage was 10,430. Updated 11/16/10.
Tl*the contact owns 2009 toyota highlander. The contact stated that while driving approximately 22 MPH and engaging the brake pedal in attempt to stop the vehicle, she was forced to apply extreme pressure. The dealer was unable to duplicate or diagnose the failure. A claim was filed with the manufacturer. The failure mileage was 58,000.
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