Brake Master Cylinder problems of the 2007 Toyota Highlander

The contact owns a 2007 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving 50 mph she engaged the brakes but the vehicle would not decelerate or stop. The contact then engaged the emergency brake and was able to stop the vehicle, which was then towed to the dealer for diagnosis. The contact was informed that the brake booster and the master cylinder would need to be repaired. In addition, there was a leak in the master cylinder. The manufacturer was notified and agreed that the failure was not normal wear. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure and current mileages were 73,933.

The contact owns a 2007 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 mph, the vehicle began to jerk with slight hesitation. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician informed that the failure was related to the master cylinder. The vehicle remained at the dealer for one week to replace the master cylinder. There was a recall related to the defect on the model years 2004-2006 under NHTSA campaign id number 10v499000 (service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder). The manufacturer was made aware of the problem and was unable to provide assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 82,000.

When new I had no difficulty with the brakes on my vehicle. They performed well, and I never felt anxiety that my brakes "wouldn't be there" when needed. But over the past year this has changed. At first I noticed the brake pedal felt soft, and was lower to the floor. I brought my car in to westbury (NY) Toyota. They made some adjustments which appeared to correct the problem at that time. Then, about two months ago, the brake pedal again began to feel soft. In addition, it would intermittently sink all the way to the floor while depressed. This would happen main;y while stopped at a traffic control device (stop sign or light), but occasionally also happened while using moderate breaking to control vehicle speed while driving down an incline. I brought the vehicle in to marietta (GA) Toyota. They made some adjustments, which seemed to correct the problem. However, a few weeks later the brakes began again to exhibit the same symptoms. This became extremely alarming when, while driving down an incline, I was unable to fully stop before my vehicle traveled into the near lane of cross traffic. I again brought the vehicle to marietta Toyota. They found nothing wrong, and told me the master cylinder is designed to release pressure while the pedal is held. I opened a ticket with Toyota (#1003232005), but I am concerned they may say the brakes are working correctly, even though they clearly seem unsafe to me.