The contact owned a 2016 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed low speeds on a decline, the brake pedal depressed all the way to the floorboard. As a result, the vehicle rolled downhill into a busy intersection and was struck by another vehicle on the passenger side door. The air bags did not deploy. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and deemed at total lose by the contacts insurance provider. A police report was filed with no injuries reported. The manufacturer was notified of the failure; a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the federal safety agency hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 62,000.
2016 Toyota Highlander brakes problems
19 complaints (17% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 28,000. 7 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 19
- of this car's complaints
- 17%
- typical mileage
- 28,000
- crashes
- 7
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
Owners did not name a specific part.
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Toyota Highlander brakes problems in other years
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
What 2016 Toyota Highlander owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
I have had problems with the brakes since I bought the vehicle new in 2016. I have the brakes checked every year and when I had problems but they never found the problem why the brakes do not work. The worse accident was on November 19, 2022 when my wife was using the car. She was in the car alone. She went to brake and the brakes did not engage, she slammed on the brakes 4 times and the car did not even slow down and she rear-ended the car in front of her. The air bags did not engage and she was injured. The brakes do not always work, I have gone through stop signs and red lights but the dealership says there is no problem.
brakes did not work in January 13, 2023 when backing out of driveway. Have had numerous dealership look at it multiple times in last 4 years.
2 years ago I pulled my car, that was backed into the driveway out to turn it around to face in to the garage. As I pulled forward going very slowly I pressed on the brakes and the rubber pad on the pedal came off and caused my foot to come off of the pedal. I hit my wife's car and caused some slight damage to my car and to hers. I contacted Toyota and they had my car inspected and gave me a report that the brakes worked fine. I have not replaced the rubber pad, because I am afraid the cover will come off again in a similar matter. I explained this to Toyota but they closed the case of my complaint. I believe this is a danger that can cause an accident.
I've had two serious incidents involving the car's auto braking system we bought as part of a safety package. Both were identical. Each time I was driving on a major highway and the car detected a potential side impact crash. Both times, I saw the hazard in time and given the close proximity of traffic behind be and the high rate of traffic flow speed I determined my best chance at avoiding the crash was to accelerate past the side impact hazard. The car disagreed and slammed on the brakes. This caused me to almost lose control of the car because my speed both times was >70 MPH. And it would have caused a serious multi-car collision from behind. The first time it occurred I went straight to a toyota dealer and asked how to 'turn off' the system. They said they can't without dismantling every aspect of the car's safety features. After watching another toyota go through what I believe was a similar incident while driving through a tunnel recently, I again visited a toyota. They seemed interested in the complaint but had no ideas for me as to what to do about it. Said they'd received no other complaints, which I find difficult to believe.
Brakes did not work and car went through a 4 way stop sign. Dates went out: september 2019, october 2019. Brakes failed on a normal day driving under 30 MPH in residential area.
At low speeds such as slowing for a stop sign vehicle randomly brakes by itself with sudden stopping of vehicle. Occupants and items in vehicle are thrown forward. Normal brake pressure applied. Has happened to both myself and my wife while driving. Vehicle has been to shop multiple times including 1 replacement of 12v battery as a solution, however vehicle continues to have issues. Listed date is approximate of original occurrence. Some instances captured on dash-cam video.
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 toyota highlander. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the contact heard metal rubbing on the front brakes. The front brake pads, rotors, and calipers were repaired by orland toyota (8505 w 159th st, tinley park, il 60487), but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to elmhurst toyota (440 w lake st, elmhurst, il 60126) where it was determined that the brake pads were fine; however, the rotors were not. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 77,000.
When I am on regular speed and push the break paddle then staring is shacking and it's have just 10000 miles on it
Started complaining about brakes at 10,000 miles. The dealer turned rear rotors at 28,000 and installed new pads. Now at 37,000, the front rotors are warped also. Cannot be turned down.no coverage from the dealer. Defective rotors are my complaint. Toyota forums complain about theses rotors all the time.the vehicle shutters as brakes are applied.
Questions about the 2016 Toyota Highlander brakes
Does the 2016 Toyota Highlander have brakes problems?
Owners have filed 19 complaints about the brakes of the 2016 Toyota Highlander, 17% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2016 Toyota Highlander brakes problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 28,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2016 Toyota Highlander brakes?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
What year does the Toyota Highlander have bad brakes?
The Toyota Highlander model years with the most brakes complaints are 2006 (103 complaints), 2008 (82 complaints) and 2021 (68 complaints).
Other 2016 Toyota Highlander problems
Electrical 14Airbags 10Engine 10Lights 9Visibility 9Driver assistance 7Tires 7Steering 6Acceleration 4Body 4Fuel system 4Seats 4Wheels 4Seat belts 2Suspension 2Locks 1Transmission 1
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2016 Toyota Highlander?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history