general problems of the 2017 Toyota Highlander

27 problems related to service brakes have been reported for the 2017 Toyota Highlander. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2017 Toyota Highlander based on all problems reported for the 2017 Highlander.

1 Service Brakes problem

Failure Date: 03/07/2026

March 5th purchased a battery from autozone z net fit match that caused cascading electrical and life -safety risk while traveling from hewitt, TX to washington DC for our families spring break trip including 4 minor children. Component: 12-volt battery / electrical system / power steering / service brakes summary: vehicle suffered catastrophic failure of power steering and braking systems while in motion due to the installation of an incompatible lead-acid battery recommended by autozone’s 'z-net' catalog. Despite Toyota technical service bulletin t-tt-0523-19 (Jan 2019) stating this VIN requires an enhanced flooded battery (efb/agm) for its stop-start system, the retailer’s database continues to misidentify standard batteries as compatible. This mismatch causes a voltage drop that disables critical safety modules ('limp mode'). I have video evidence of the catalog error. This is a systemic misrepresentation affecting 2017+ Toyota Highlander safety compliance.

2 Service Brakes problem

Failure Date: 02/23/2025

With 22k miles on vehicle, car won’t start due to brake power low fault. Battery was replaced in attempt to rectify problem with no success, vehicle will need to be towed in for repair.

3 Service Brakes problem

Failure Date: 05/31/2024

My car has 18600. 0 miles on it the problem is I started getting a " brakes under powered find a safe place to park" after doing some research, I have been advised to replace the vacuum pump and power booster at cost of aprox. 4 thousand dollars the car is not safe to drive I am disabled so this creates a hard ship for me. This is a major brake component why does it need to be replaced with only 18600. 0 miles on it this is my only from of transportation and yes the mileage is correct.

4 Service Brakes problem

Failure Date: 02/29/2024

Four separate times I attempted to start my car and it would go dead. After a minute the dashboard lights would illuminate and a 'braking power low' light would come up. The vehicle would then start each time. The fluid is fine and there is a new battery in the car. My concern relates to the recall for same model 2018 vehicle.

5 Service Brakes problem

Failure Date: 01/05/2024

I had my battery replaced about 3 days ago at the Toyota dealership . Yesterday, I was stopped at a red light and when I attempted to drive, the vehicle stalled. “braking power low” message on the dashboard and the car would not restart. I was able to jump start it after about 30 minutes. I got towed to a local repair shop who could not identify or duplicate the issue. I had no warning indicators other than failing to start the morning of getting the battery replaced 3 days ago.

6 Service Brakes problem

Failure Date: 11/13/2023

This is the second incident with this vehicle in the past 4 months. When going to start my vehicle, it would not start. It gave me this error message: braking power low, stop in a safe place, see owners manual. There is nothing about this in the owners manual. The first time I thought it was battery related and after 3 different chargers on my vehicle, it finally started. Tonight I proceeded to push the button without the foot pedal and the radio came on, so it is definitely not the battery. I've tried several times to start and to no avail. Problem has not been reproduced as I cannot drive my vehicle at this time. No inspection as of yet. No warnings or symptoms prior to failure. Research shows it may have to do with a fuel pump pressure issue. I have paperwork on this issue under a customer support program 23te01. Hoping this can become a recall and I can get this fixed .

7 Service Brakes problem

Failure Date: 09/17/2023

Brake system malfunctioned and failed. Our safety was put at risk with no braking ability. The car was inspected and serviced by Toyota. One light showed braking power low on one occasion while driving car listed above, on five different occasions the brake pedal went to the floor with out stopping the vehicle. Our safety was put at risk on each occasion.

8 Service Brakes problem

Failure Date: 07/17/2023

Braking power low message on the dashboard and the car won’t start.

9 Service Brakes problem

Failure Date: 04/01/2023

While driving all of these lights started to flash.

10 Service Brakes problem

Failure Date: 02/27/2023

The contact owns a 2017 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the "braking power low" warning message was illuminated. The contact became aware of NHTSA campaign number: 18v211000 (service brakes, hydraulic); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle had not yet been taken to an independent mechanic or local dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 39,460.

11 Service Brakes problem

Failure Date: 05/21/2022

I have a 2017 Highlander, there have been several occasions the latest being 5/21/2022 that when trying to start I get "braking power low" stop in safe place and SUV does not start, after several attempts it starts. I called the Toyota dealership where I purchased SUV, asked if they knew about this issue and was informed, they have no knowledge and never heard of this issue, I looked online and found there have been some complaints. For now, my SUV starts after several attempts, but I am concerned that in the future it may not start and am not sure what to do. Are there or will there be any recalls on this issue? I'm sure the dealership (Toyota) will be more than happy to have me pay to fix this problem when it comes to that, but I feel this Toyota issue.

12 Service Brakes problem

Failure Date: 04/09/2022

Vehicle displays “low braking power” although breaking was fine just earlier in the day and no known issues. Vehicle refuses to start even though it was operating normally just a few minutes ago.

13 Service Brakes problem

Failure Date: 12/20/2021

My car would randomly shut off at red lights, one time I was on a hill & thought I was going to roll back into the car in front of me. After restarting it would turn on. The radio would randomly shut off. We eventually replaced the battery. On a fri. (Dec 17th) my car would not start, so my husband drove the kids & I to school, upon my return the car started. He told me the wheel locks & I need to move it. Then on mon. (Dec 20th) driving my daughter to preschool school…I have video from home camera showing your system will not let me attach a video) …my car stalling as I reversed out of the driveway. I loose all control, then you hear that I pulled the emergency break & stop just before two cars pass by. I then restart the car, it goes, I drive 3 houses down I pressed the break to make a left turn onto a side street, my car accelerated & smashed into a telephone pole on the drivers side. You can hear the crash on my home camera. The impact was so hard, it bent my a frame, my airbags did not deploy, my drivers side door would not open. I shifted the pole & cracked the frozen dirt ground around it as seen in the pics. I can provide a copy of the body work repairs. We paid our $1k deductible. The car jpeg image icon does is not show like the other pics attached, so I attached a screen shot as well. We have other pictures & video’s of damage to provide upon request.

14 Service Brakes problem

Failure Date: 11/03/2021

I was driving home and a warning brake light came on which said breaking power low stop in a safe place, bsm not available. Car won’t start again, abs light, traction control light, all wheel drive system, engine brake light, antilock brake system. All of these alerts are on the dashboard.

15 Service Brakes problem

Failure Date: 08/11/2021

My 2017 Toyota Highlander just stop working all of sudden, I can’t start the engine at all it says in the dashboard boaster power low/ park in the side in safe place. I was trying to start the engine it since it’s 102 outside and I have my baby with me. I search it online and find out that Toyota has recall for the same problem but only for 2018 Toyota Highlander. I can’t even drive my car to the dealer/mechanic since I can’t even start it all. Driving with this type of vehicle with same problem is really danger. The Toyota should check inspect all their vehicle first for safely of everyone.

16 Service Brakes problem

Failure Date: 01/05/2021

I was out for heading home & my vehicle would not start. I had the brake pedal pressed & pushed the start engine button. The vehicle just made a rapid clicking noise. There was a "braking power low/ stop in a safe place" light on the dashboard. Having been through this before after having the vehicle for 8 wks I waited & tried to get the brake pedal to the up position. Tried starting again;results the same. Called the local dealership,was told to tow it in for a diagnotstic. Again, I tried the brake pedal/ start sequence: no luck. The dash message center light reappeared immediately over-lapped by "depress brake pedal and push engine switch to start"(brake was depressed). Tried one more time to start results the same. Then the "charging system malfunction/ stop in a safe place/ see owner's manual" light appeared in the dash. Finally started 3 hours later: I drove home. Went to local dealer they said it was the battery. Went to my regular dealership. Enroute, the message center on the dash flashed bright red without words(@ 40mph). My regular dealership tested my battery, it was fine. They ran diagnostic; they said the result was a bad computer that needed to be replaced. Was given a loaner vehicle. 2 wks later they called and said after more testing it is the battery, not the computer.

17 Service Brakes problem

Failure Date: 11/13/2020

Vehicle was stationary. I pressed the brake in order to turn on the vehicle screen started to flash and making clicking noise. Warning messages include: check awd system, lane departure alert malfunction visit your dealer and braking power low.

18 Service Brakes problem

Failure Date: 11/07/2020

While pressing on brake and pushing power button to turn on vehicle, a clicking noise sounded as if the battery was malfunctioned. When looking at the screen, it alerted low braking power. Unable to turn on vehicle because of this. The vehicle was stationary when this occurred.

19 Service Brakes problem

Failure Date: 07/26/2020

1 week ago, 7-26-20, my car stalled slightly and then an engine icon appeared. A message appeared for me to visit my dealer. I took it to the Toyota dealer. The light went off as I arrived there. I had to pay for a diagnostic check and they couldn't find anything wrong. I was told to make sure I was using a good grade of gas. Later in the week I got gas at a shell station. The car wouldn't crank at the pump. It kept trying to turn over. I got a message to depress the brake and push ignition. Then it said low brake pressure. I sat there a few minutes and tried again. I finally got it to stay on. The next day I drove around fine for a while with no problem. Then I tried to go back out and it wouldn't crank. It was full of good gas. The engine icon came back on. Then the message about being harder to steer came up. It kept saying depress the brake and push ignition. I tried a few more times and got the message about problems with the Smart key system. I checked the recalls for 2017 Highlanders and noticed there electrical problems. I bought this car used in March 2020.

20 Service Brakes problem

Failure Date: 03/12/2020

While driving in a city street at approximately 20 mph I had my window wipers on due to some pollen on my windshield. While window wipers were engaged I approach a downward hill and hit noting but sun glare blinding me I put my brakes on but by that time my SUV slammed into the car in front of me. The emergency braking system did not activate.

21 Service Brakes problem

Failure Date: 07/04/2018

Tl- the contact owns a 2017 Toyota Highlander. The contact, whom was the front passenger, stated that the fell asleep behind the wheel and upon waking up, attempted to depress the brake pedal but the vehicle failed to a stop. As a result the vehicle crashed into a light pole and the air bag failed to deploy. The driver sustained stomach, head and neck injuries, the front passenger sustained foot, chest, tongue and neck injuries, the rear passengers sustained neck, head, lips, foot and arms injuries which all required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. The contact called queensboro Toyota dealer at (718) 335-8600, located at 62-10 northern blvd, woodside, NY 11377, but did not offer further assistance. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 30,000. Aw.

22 Service Brakes problem

Failure Date: 12/09/2017

I purchased my Toyota in March. Last nite was our first storm of the year. I live in salem,nh and we had maybe 2-3 inches of snow. I was driving home and went off the road twice. I tried pumping brakes and I feel as though I had no control over this SUV I could not stop. It was not deep snow. I feel something is very wrong with this car. I was not going more than 25 mph and my SUV went off road and I narrowly missed a telephone pole. I have never had an SUV that drove this badly. Something is not right, my husband even drove after I went off road and while he was driving the car slid all over road too. Do you have any other complaints in this type of weather. I bought this car for safety features and now I am in fear of my life in snow. Help me please.

23 Service Brakes problem

Failure Date: 11/23/2017

We were in a thanksgiving day related touch n go traffic on a normal street, which enters into a mall. All of us are stopped at a red light, car ahead of us just started moving and we followed after allowing a safe distance, then suddenly the car ahead of us stopped, so I tried stopping quickly, but the car's automatic collision avoidance kicked in and took control of my brakes, but it still didnt stop, I was trying to stop, but the brakes were not working. Ended up rear-ending car infront of me. The whole point of this safety feature was to prevent the car from rear ending other cars in day-to-day traffic situations. Also our speed was not more than 20 mph, when I hit the gas pedal, almost instantly I realized I have to stop and took my foot off the pedal, tried braking, but car kept rolling forward. This is just 4 month old car with 2500 miles on it. Waiting to see how Toyota handles my case, in the meantime, insurance thinks I am at fault and started the claim, covering the car infront of me. My dashboard displayed a "brake" message in red color, which is true, it identified a collision, but didnt stop. Imo stopping is more important! there was some damage to car infront of me, my car had some minor damage to grills and front bumper area.

24 Service Brakes problem

Failure Date: 09/26/2017

Purchased the Highlander August 2017. September 2017 (8 weeks later) we returned home from an 35 mile trip and parked. I had to go back out about 30 minutes later. When I tried to start the vehicle I could not get the vehicle to start. Received a "brake power low, stop in a safe place" light. It took my husband 15 minutes to get the brake to release and be able to manually pull it to the up position so we could try to start it. The dealership was unable to recreate this incident.

25 Service Brakes problem

Failure Date: 05/01/2017

I had my car brand new, when I start driving my front tires brakes sometimes make noises also when I turn around I heard my front tires make noise, I always do oil and maintance service by Toyota dealership, I told them all the time they sayed checked everythings normal, they always sayed, and engine check lights was on when I was driving after only 2 yrs, they sayed I have pay fee for service engine had something going on, it did not cover it, also now when I am driving on freeway about 70-80 miles I heard some wierd noise on my car bottom area, I did double check down, it does not and break leaking, I am not really happy with my, now only 4 yrs, still has more noises come out, also I told the dealer , they sayed everythings normal,.

26 Service Brakes problem

Failure Date: 05/01/2017

2017 Toyota higlander. Consumer writes in regards to unintended acceleration. The consumer stated while depressing the break pedal the vehicle continued to move forward. Due to the failure the consumer has ran into a handicap sign, lawn tractor and wheelbarrow. The collisions caused damage to the front bumper, number plate and number plate cover. Also, caused deep scratches tot he left lower panel. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified updated 09/28/2017.

27 Service Brakes problem

Failure Date: 02/01/2017

Tl- the contact owns a 2017 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while having the brake pedal depressed the engine revved. The contact stated all the warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to island toyoya located 1591 hylan blvd, staten island, NY where the failure could not be replicated. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 17100. Kh.


Other Service Brakes related problems of the 2017 Toyota Highlander


Highlander Service Bulletins
Highlander Safety Recalls
Highlander Defect Investigations