2021 Toyota Highlander: brake failure

Filed Sep 17, 2026 · Brakes, Electrical · 123,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander. While driving 20 MPH uphill, the messages "Engine Failure," "Brake Failure," and "Pull Over to A Safe Place, See Owner's Manual" were displayed, and several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, but the failure persisted. After a second restart, the message "See Dealer" was displayed with the check engine warning light illuminated. After a third restart, the vehicle was driving rough while the accelerator pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by phone. The failure mileage was approximately 123,000.

Filed Nov 20, 2025 · Brakes, Wheels · NY

I am reporting a serious safety defect involving the rear brake system of my 2021 Toyota Highlander, purchased from Penn Toyota (Glen Cove, NY). The dealership represented the vehicle as “Toyota Certified” and indicated that it passed all safety inspections. On November 15, 2025, I discovered that the rear brake rotors and pads were in extremely unsafe condition, showing severe corrosion, deep pitting, uneven pad wear, and structural deterioration. This damage clearly developed over a long period of time and indicates that the vehicle could not have passed a legitimate safety inspection at the time of sale. The rear brakes had to be replaced immediately to prevent potential brake failure. After replacing the rear rotors and pads, the vehicle passed the New York State Inspection on the same day, proving that the previous brake condition was unsafe and improperly inspected. This raises concerns of: Brake safety failure Improper or falsified dealership inspection Risk of reduced stopping power Potential loss of vehicle control I am submitting photos, the repair invoice, and the inspection result that confirmed the brakes were unsafe prior to repair.

Filed Aug 29, 2025 · Engine, Fuel system · CA

Entering the freeway a mile from home the car would not properly excellerate, only reachind 40 mph before exiting the freeway in favor backroads to my appointment. Shaking back and forth while driving, exacerbated when braking and coming to stop, I needed to put the car into neutral to calm down the shaking while waiting for the light to change. I just went through experiencing a brake failure and reporting of that to this Agency and now see another of many defects associated with the 2020-2022 Toyota Highlanders and Siennas Toyota is not addressing through Recalls as they should be, and further frustrated this Agency has or chooses to have no means by which to enforce Toyota's responsibility to the public

Filed Jun 14, 2025 · Brakes, Engine · CA · crash

Yesterday, as I do a couple times a month, I went to switch parking places, putting my 2021 Toyota Highlander where my 2007 Mazda was parked, in order to drive it and keep the battery from dying. After starting both cars I first moved the Mazda to make room for the Toyota. As I was slowly steering the Toyota at (idle speed) into the now vacant parking spot, the car accelerated on it's own, prompting me to hit the brakes, but to no avail. The car jumped the curb hitting, knocking over and and damaging a large ceramic planter and small tree in my neighbor's yard. My split second reaction upon having no brakes and a run away car was to push it out of drive, which ended up putting the car into reverse, causing a harsh jolt, followed by the car accelerating again on it's own, in reverse towards another neighbor's garage. I live in a condo complex, so all of this took place within about 30 feet of forward/backward/forward motion. My second split second decision (with no brakes) to avoid smashing into the garage was throwing it back into drive, which sent it accelerating back towards the parking place again. This time I had the presence of mind to push the power button on the dash, allowing me to barely come to stop before jumping the curb again. Whole thing lasted about 15 seconds. I had an appointment to attend, so after a brief conversation explaining to my (now outside) neighbor what happened, I left in the older car. Returning later in the day I found damage to the front of my Toyota and wonder if my transmission is damaged as well. I'm reimbursing my neighbor today. I've not attempted to drive the Toyota since, and am seeking your advice on how best to proceed, whether I should initiate contact with Toyota regarding this incident, or is that something you should initiate? Please advise. Thank you.

Filed May 31, 2024 · Brakes · OH

When braking, there is a momentary period where it feels like the brakes fail, then function again. When approaching stopped traffic, this could put those vehicle occupants, and our vehicle occupants at risk of an accident. Toyota maintains this is normal for a hybrid, however our 2013 Camry Hybrid has no such momentary brake failure. Our independent repair shop has been unable to replicate this condition , but they have found no obvious problems with the braking system - they believe it is something computer caused, likely when the hybrid generation brake switches to the hydraulic brake. There are no warning lights displayed. This has been a long standing issue.

Filed Jun 11, 2023 · Brakes · IL

When braking, often it feels like the brakes are not engaged, not right away, but during the braking process. This causes the vehicle to surge forward like there are no brakes. Immediately you feel like the brakes failed, then you push them again, they work. It is very random with no reference to different speeds, inclines, never know when it may happen. It has caused many near misses for our family whenever this happens.

Filed Jun 3, 2022 · Brakes · CA

When slowing down, It doesn’t happen all the time, but it’s as if the brakes disengage and the car feels like it is accelerating . After a second or two it will engage after I applied a lot harder because I’m freaking out because it feels like I have complete brake failure. I took the vehicle to Toyota and they told me it is normal to experience this because the breaking system is switching between the electric motors and the break calipers. I have been driving for over 40 years and there is NOTHING normal about this! I have gone into intersections at stop signs and almost rear ended vehicles in front of me as a result of this. Just because Toyota has a problem that they acknowledge, but claim that it isn't a problem, doesn't make it right and it is downright dangerous. This issue has been present since purchasing the vehicle.