2013 Toyota Highlander brakes problems

Filed May 4, 2026 · Brakes · TX

After a hard braking session because of a car that pulled quickly in front of me the ABS light and check engine light came on with a code of C1391 - Abnormal leak in Accumulator. A warning message came on the info center saying I needed to take it to the dealer to have the brake system checked for a serious issue. Went to the dealership and they replaced the Brake Actuator and Brake Booster Pump and bled the system. This all happened in Febuary of 2025. This put everyone at risk because it could have resulted in a total brake system failure. There were no issues or lights before this incident.

Filed Oct 14, 2024 · Brakes · TX

Multiple ABS related(ABS, TRACTION, BRAKES) warning lights/messages making driving my Highlander dangerous to me and others. Warning lights appeared 9/30/2024. No symptoms or warning lights appeared prior. Vehicle was then inspected by Toyota of Plano. Code 1391indicating an internal leak in the ABS. Confirmed by service dept of Toyota of Plano, Tx indicating the need for replacement of ABS Module Assembly. This as an acknowledged Toyota problem that was with a Service Bulletin that expired last year. Plano Toyota advised me to ask Toyota Brand Engagement for help but they declined. Toyota Brand Engagement declined to extend the prior Bulletin or assist in any way.. The Toyota case file is under my name and #241008000770. Any assistance from the federal safety agency would be appreciated.

Filed Oct 26, 2022 · Brakes · MI

All ABS brake lights on indicating a brake malfunction. Toyota has a customer support program to change out parts for free if vehicle is in USA. This should be a recall as it is a major safety concern and affects vehicles that may also be outside of the USA. If vehicle is outside of USA one can not even buy the updated parts (brake actuator and brake booster) to repair the vehicle because Toyota will not sell the parts to a dealer if the vehicle is not at a U.S.A. dealer so I am rendered with an unusable unreliable unfixable Toyota vehicle.

Filed Apr 1, 2020 · Brakes · 730,000 miles · CA · crash

Tl* the contact owned a 2013 toyota highlander. The contact stated while driving into a parking space, the brake pedal was depressed however, the brakes failed to engage. Due to the failure, the vehicle went over the parking space, traveling down a hill about 40 feet down landing on the front grille of the vehicle. The contact stated that no air bags deployed. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. No police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an unknown toyota dealership where they were unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was deemed a total loss by the dealership. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 73,000.

Filed Mar 28, 2019 · Brakes · 143,800 miles · TX

Abs system issue. When applying brakes the ABS makes very loud noises like knocking very loud. Local mechanic found that the round drum attached to the ABS was very hot. Vehicle had been driven to mechanic and was stationary when he checked it. Brake fluid level good. Abs will keep running after vehicle is turned off. Trying to keep correct pressure in system, I was told. Checked for recall, but no recall on this VIN

Filed Oct 25, 2018 · Airbags, Brakes · 100,000 miles · CA · crash · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 toyota highlander. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the contact t-boned another vehicle on the front driver's side. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained injuries to the right leg, which required medical attention. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. Furthermore, while the vehicle was stationary and while driving various speeds, the anti-lock brakes failed on more than one occasion in october of 2018. The contact stated that the brakes and wheels seized on three occasions. An independent mechanic was made aware of all the failures, but could not determine the sources. A dealer was not made aware of the failures. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

Filed Jul 1, 2018 · Brakes · 26,000 miles · NJ

I am the one and only,'original new car owner'. At 25k miles I needed to replace brake pads as well as rotors. Rear pads were less than half worn, however both rear rotor had 0.8 cm, peripheral circular unused rusty rings on both surfaces.both, left + right wheels. I know I am repeating to double emphasis my anxiety for a car my daughter uses. I suspect both rear calipers (brake-cylinders) receive less than adequate pressures + pads are touching only half of expected rotor area. Immediate & thorough inspection of my vehicle is requested.

Filed Mar 14, 2018 · Brakes · 30,000 miles · CT

I have a 2013 toyota highlander and recently while driving toward a stop sign, I went to slow my vehicle to stop and my brake pedal was stuck. Also, the brake pedal seemed to be in a higher than normal position because I remember having to raise my leg to reach the height of the pedal. No matter how hard I pressed I couldn't get the brake pedal to the floor and I was unable to stop the car. I was forced to go through the stop sign and into what is often a very busy street in my city. Thank god no cars were coming during the time of my incident. After that the brake pedal went back to performing normally and I got the car back home. Later I had my vehicle flatbed to a very good garage. Mechanics disassembled the entire brake system and drove my vehicle but, they didn't find a problem. Road conditions that day were dry other than a small ice patch I had to go over prior to the stop sign. It had snowed days before so the roads were plowed and very clean except this small ice patch remained. But, because it was on the road my speed was much slower than normal. Months prior to this incident I had a different a issue with these brakes and bought it to the dealer and they didn't find anything and told me my experience was normal. Uncomfortable with their answer a month later I had the brakes checked at a different auto shop and again the mechanic found nothing. However, this latest incident was the most serious one. I'm not convinced it's nothing and have read about other highlander owners who had similar brake issues with their vehicle. However, I can't seem to find any formal investigations or recalls related to any brake issues regarding toyota highlanders. Even so I felt I had to share my story not just to get to the bottom of my situation but, to also alert others of a safety issue that I am experiencing with my highlander.

Filed Dec 7, 2015 · Brakes · 36,000 miles · PA

While driving uphill, the brakes malfunctioned and brakes (and the gas) wouldn't work. My car slid backwards down the hill into a street with an oncoming car. Brake function did not return the entire slide down the hill (approx. 65 feet), and the screen on the dashboard said "brake malfunction, contact dealer immediately" it was towed to the dealership over a week ago with no resolution to date from toyota.

Filed Apr 1, 2015 · Brakes, Steering · 30,500 miles · TX · crash

I turned on my car, put it on drive when I tried to press the gas and turn the wheel to get out of the parking lot the steering wheel locked so hard I could not turn it. I pressed on the brakes but the brakes were not functioning at all as I was pressing on the brake pad the check engine light came on and so did the brake light on the dash board, on the big screen where it shows my info and other fancy gadgets showed "brake malfunction park car in safe zone" as the car drove forward by itself and the brakes were not working the car hit an empty parking space to come to a complete stop. I was at a school parking lot with kids everywhere around me!