Service Brakes Problems of Toyota Highlander - part 1

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.

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When I’m driving with the a/c on when I start to decelerate to a stop at a stop sign or light, my car lurches forward. It feels like I’m going to crash into the car in front of me, but I’m not sure how far it actually moves. It happens more in the summer months (more than once per week) when the a/c is on. In the winter it does happen less often. I purchased the car in 2021 and it has done this for at least the last 3 years if not longer.

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The contact owns a 2019 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while attempting to depress the brake pedal, the brakes failed to operate as intended. The contact stated that after taking the foot off the brake pedal, the brakes started working as intended. The vehicle was drivable. The vehicle was driven to the residence, and the contact researched and became aware that there were several owners who had the same failure. The failure mileage was 69,000.

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The antilock braking actuator has failed. This seems to be a known issue and was already recalled on the Toyota camry. Toyota sells the part for $1500 locally and labor will be added to that as well - which will put the cost of replacing this critical part almost above the current value of the vehicle. This is a safety issue if I lose braking capability. It has not yet catastrophically failed, but is making a buzzing sound which is the indication of this unit losing brake fluid pressure and trying to keep the brake booster pump running to restore the pressure. The booster pump will burn out, possibly catch fire and/or blow the fuse and then the braking will loose power assist, and with unit in place. . . . That makes braking almost impossible as it is not a typical brake system, all fluid goes through this failed module and without the electronic boost assist, one can not press the pedal hard enough to engage the brakes.

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The abs/brake actuator is going out. There is a stuttering as I'm coming to a stop, but when I brake from normal speeds to slow down, there is no stutter/vibration. Only when I'm going very slow and about to stop the car is when I feel a vibration/stutter in the vehicle. When pressing the brakes all the way down, there is a weird chirping/clicking noise that comes from under the hood towards the passenger side of the car. I do not have and did not get any warning lights about this, even still I don't have any. I have taken it to 2 mechanic shops now and they both have diagnosed the brake/abs actuator failing.

The contact owns a 2025 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while leaving the driveway at the doctor's office on a slope, the accelerator pedal was depressed while making a left turn, but the vehicle failed to move. The vehicle then rolled into traffic. The brake pedal was depressed, but the vehicle was slow to respond. The dealer informed the contact that her foot was on the brake and accelerator pedals at the same time, or a sensor identified movement around the vehicle, which stopped the flow of fuel. The dealer referred the contact to the manufacturer for assistance. Toyota was able to locate an issue in the log occurring at 3:00 pm. The failure mileage was approximately 15,000.

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While driving and applying the brakes to come to a complete stop at low speed (approximately 5–15 mph), the vehicle intermittently loses brake responsiveness for a brief moment during the transition from regenerative braking to hydraulic (friction) braking. This causes the vehicle to lurch forward unexpectedly before the brakes fully re-engage. The issue is intermittent and unpredictable, occurring most often when coming to a stop at slow speed, which makes it difficult to anticipate and compensate for. This has happened more than a few times now, most latest, on xxx, this occurred while approaching a stop at traffic light and it felt that the vehicle nearly made contact with the vehicle ahead of me. I brought the vehicle to elgin Toyota in [xxx] , in 2025 to report this issue. The service department test drove the vehicle but was unable to reproduce the symptom and did not perform any repair. I have since learned that Toyota issued technical service bulletin t-sb-0059-23, "hybrid regenerative brake transition feeling improvement," dated xxx, which describes this exact symptom in 2020–2022 Toyota Highlander and Highlander hybrid vehicles. I am filing this report because I believe this is a safety-related braking defect, particularly at low-speed stops, that creates a real risk of a rear-end collision. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

I had the dealer perform the repair described in Toyota technical service bulletin t-sb-0059-23 (hybrid regenerative brake transition feeling improvement), which reprograms the brake actuator control module. Following this repair, the vehicle continues to exhibit the same lurching behavior at the same frequency as before the update. The TSB did not resolve the underlying condition. This is a safety concern because the unpredictable brake transition affects the driver’s ability to judge stopping distance and vehicle behavior in real time, particularly in traffic or on downgrades. The vehicle now has over 36,000 miles, placing it outside Toyota’s basic warranty; however, this is a safety issue that should be addressed by a recall. I am aware of numerous other Highlander hybrid and sienna hybrid owners reporting the same defect, including reports that the same TSB reflash failed to resolve the issue for them as well.

Incident: [xxx] conditions: clear daylight, dry pavement, normal highway conditions crash/injuries: allstate claim #[xxx]; several people injured at approximately [xxx], I was driving my 2020 Toyota Highlander hybrid at about 55 mph in the slow/right lane. The vehicle ahead suddenly made a hard stop. I immediately and forcefully applied the brakes for an emergency stop. My front-seat passenger, [xxx], also saw the danger and yelled for me to stop at the same time. Based on our recollection, approximately five seconds elapsed between his warning and the collision. Despite the rapidly closing distance, the Toyota pre-collision system (pcs) did not appear to activate. There was no audible warning/beeping, no flashing red warning, and no “brake!” indicator on the dashboard. This was also observed by [xxx] and [xxx], who was seated in the second row and is particularly attentive to warning signals. The vehicle also did not appear to provide any automatic emergency braking or brake-assist intervention. Despite my immediate and forceful braking, the vehicle did not stop in time and collided with the vehicle ahead, causing significant damage and injuries. The forward-facing sensors and windshield were clean and unobstructed. There were no dashboard warning lights or known system malfunction indicators before the crash. I purchased the Toyota plus service package after completing the required maintenance during the initial coverage period. All scheduled maintenance and inspections were performed on time by certified Toyota technicians. I was repeatedly assured that the vehicle, including the braking system, was operating normally. I request that NHTSA investigate the possible failure of the pcs, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking/brake assist, and their integration with the braking system. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

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2023 Toyota Highlander hybrid regenerative brake transition loss of brake pad pressure resulting in acceleration of the vehicle under downhill conditions. Have momentarily experienced the loss of braking frequently during braking when going downhill. This results in the vehicle gaining speed during this 1 or 2 second period before braking returns. In one case it allowed our car to get dangerously close to the vehicle ahead of us but fortunately I was able to push the brakes harder to prevent an accident but did require aggressive braking. Luckily no one was behind us which may have resulted in the person following us braking hard or possible hitting us. This was a known issue for previous year Toyota Highlander models and Toyota issued service bulletin t-sb-0059-23 which is stated to only be for model years 2020 - 2022. So, Toyota dealers say they do not have a fix that applies to the 2023 model. It has been indicated that the dealer is unaware if any action is being taken by Toyota to address this issue in the 2023 and later models. We have multiple people driving this vehicle and this sudden loss of braking power is very concerning. The loss of braking force occurs upon the transition from regenerative braking to standard hydraulic breaking. Below are words from the Toyota technical service notice concerning the problem. "highlander hybrid vehicles may be sensitive to the momentary transition from regenerative braking to hydraulic braking under certain driving conditions, such as while driving downhill, or turning with light brake pedal application. The brake actuator control module can be updated to improve brake feeling for this condition. Follow the repair procedure in this bulletin to address this condition. ".

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While driving one day I got the abs light and brake light on on my car screen and the small display showed "barke malfunction" when I did the scan it is c1391 code which is for abs accutator issue. This showed be fixed by Toyota dealership for free. This is design issue seems like based on the google search with Toyota hybrid vehicles.

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I pushed the brake and swerved and the car kept going and a greater speed and surged into a house.

The contact owns a 2006 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 mph, the vehicle failed to decelerate while the brake pedal was depressed. The contact stated that excessive pressure was needed on the brake pedal to stop the vehicle. The abs and esc warning lights were illuminated. In addition, there was an abnormal sound coming from underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a local independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the abs unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was towed to another independent mechanic for a second opinion, and it was confirmed that the abs unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the brake actuator needed to be upgraded. The vehicle was diagnosed, and parts were ordered for the repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 195,000.

Abs actuator/accumulator issue on 2006 Toyota Highlander hybrid limited. Internal component failure there are recalls on others but not this particular year. Was driving along hit the brakes and got hard pedal. Yes there were other indicator lights on including the vsc system and traction control I came to an intersection and I couldn't stop I couldn't even kind of stop it was all hard pedal were before it was normal as if there wasn't an issue. I've done a lot of research and I've seen a lot of forums and people are complaining that Toyota isn't backing this problem my 2006 Toyota is in perfect condition not a single problem except for this break issue and if you take it to Toyota the park cost $2,200 in about roughly over $5,000 to fix it well who wants to put that kind of money into a car of that year the problem is it's just a shame and a safety deal that it put my family's life at risk we could have crashed it if I wasn't an actual driver by trade I wouldn't have known how to react in other families could be harmed in this. It's worth looking into I did not need to make her police report because I veered off into a field that saved my family's life. As of now I'm hoping to open a recall campaign and just have that part replaced I could have a car that could drive another 100,000 miles and give and keeptoyota good name.

When applying brake, in sporadic and unpredictable circumstances, the vehicle seems to switch from regenerative braking to brake pump braking. During this switch, braking power is lost completely. The vehicle was inspected by the dealer, they stated no issues found / unable to reproduce. This issue, if unresolved, increases risk of vehicle collision. No warning lights, no messages, no other symptoms of the problem. This issue has been present for ~1. 5 years.

8 speed transmission faulty.

I was told by oxmoor dealership I had to talk to Toyota corporate before I could get my car touched and that I did not need to talk to a lawyer. I called. Prior to the accident, the vehicle had been exhibiting multiple symptoms: an intermittent airbag warning light had illuminated briefly on the dashboard on a few occasions, and the vehicle had begun requiring noticeably longer physical distances to come to a complete stop at traffic signs and lights when not using cruise control. The vehicle was experiencing regular phantom seatbelt warnings—dinging as if a passenger was unbuckled when the seat was completely empty. The phantom seatbelt warnings I didnt think we're a big deal were occurring across multiple seating rows simultaneously in front and back. Directly preceding the crash, while making a turn, the vehicle swerved slightly. When I applied the physical brake pedal, the vehicle did not decelerate normally; instead, it experienced a sudden, abrupt forward acceleration surge into the building. I still haven't gotten my vehicle back or any information on what has been done or when I am getting my car back. I was also charged for an extra day for my rental when I was told to return it on the 16th. I haven't had a rental since then. I keep contacting oxmoor Toyota and they said they were waiting on Toyota corporate. I haven't had my car for a month. I tried to email. It was returned. My mailbox on my phone has been full of drs and other calls non stop. I texted online on the Toyota page for the claim as well. Ive repeatedly asked the Toyota dealership what is going on and I get we are waiting on corporate. I called Toyota corporate again today and was told they would get back to me. I told the dealership. I am under medical care and in severe pain. Yes my safety was put at risk. Police and fire department were here the night it happened. They said they don't do a police report on private property. There is an insurance claim through state farm.

The brakes on this vehicle disengage and re-engage at will during braking. There are no indications of when it will occur. Brakes will disengage during low and high-speed braking, braking while going uphill, downhill, on flat roadway or during turns. This has resulted in several near miss accidents as well as debris was struck in the roadway due to being unable to stop. This vehicle was purchased new from the dealership in nm and was reported to them starting at 18,000 miles. Vehicle has been taken to numerous dealerships and reported with them as well. Toyota's answer is this is normal. Brakes disengaging and resulting in near accidents is not normal. It is now pending formal inspection from Toyota corporate by dealerships dismiss the problem as unable to replicate. This is to the point where we only drive when absolutely needed due to fear of an accident as this is the only vehicle.

When applying the brakes when slowing down fro a traffic light or in traffic, the brkaes suddely stop workign for a few sseconds at a speed of 5-10 mph, causing car to lurch forward before the brakes reengage. This has existed for a couple of year but has gotten worse in thelast 6 month. S the risk is that the lurch occurs prior ot the full stop ,potentilly causing the car to run into the car directly in ftont of our car. Toyota is aware of the problem and issued a technical sevce bulletint-sb -0059-23 whichidentified this and a software update helps in resolving the issue. The bulletin however states the cost needs ot be paid by th cusotmer if it is out of warrnaty. This does not makes snse as it is a potetnail safety issue that coudl casue a collisiion and wodul seem to rise to the level of a recall. There are many refermces to the issue on social media. It seems Toyota should be rqeuired to make this a recall item at no cost to the customer.

This vehicle safety complaint is regarding my 2019 Toyota Highlander xle, VIN [xxx] . A Toyota-authorized dealership, sansone Toyota in avenel, new jersey, documented that the front driver axle is prone to freezing in the differential. This is a serious safety concern because if the axle seizes while the vehicle is in motion, it could cause sudden loss of control. This vehicle is used regularly as our family vehicle, including to transport our family of 6 with our young children. I am extremely concerned about continued operation of the vehicle while this documented condition remains unresolved. In addition to this safety-related axle issue, this vehicle has a broader history of serious mechanical problems. On may 13, 2022, after a recent service visit at dch brunswick Toyota, I reported that when I pressed the gas the vehicle was making an unusual noise like an old car, that the car delayed to speed when I pressed the gas, that I had to press the gas all the way in order for the car to move faster, and that it was not like this prior to service. At approximately 25,000 miles, I also asked that the brakes be checked because when we drove the vehicle and used the brakes, the car made a startling sound. In 2023, I also reported hard/heavy steering and jerking while driving. I reported transmission-related abnormal noises and drivability concerns while the vehicle was still within Toyota’s powertrain warranty period, but the condition was not properly diagnosed at that time. The transmission has since been confirmed by authorized Toyota dealerships to require full replacement. The vehicle also has a documented engine oil leak, leaking shock absorber, and prior recall history involving a stalling condition. I've filed this complaint with NHTSA due to the axle-related safety risk. Toyota is now on written notice of that condition. Mileage: approximately 101,000 documenting safety issue: sansone Toyota, avenel, NJ please review this potential safety defect. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information.

2023 Highlander hybrid braking suddenly changes at low speeds when coming to a stop. Vehicle's brakes work properly (regenerative and hydraulic combined) until it slows to make a stop or slows in heavy traffic. Suddenly the brake pressure changes and the vehicle "lunges" forward and brake pedal must be pressed extremely hard to stop or slow the vehicle. Problem happens most often when on a hill approaching a stop. Toyota dealer initially said that they never heard of such a problem until I presented them with t-sb-0059-23 hybrid regenerative brake transition feeling improvement for model years 2020 thru 2022 from Toyota's website. I had reported the issue 3 times before (twice while in warranty and documented by them once while in warranty) but they claim that there is no fix available and when and if one comes available it will only apply to vehicles with 36,000 miles or less. Looks like Toyota and this dealer could care less about safety and its customers.

The pre-collision system with pedestrian detection is a good thing, but there's a problem. It stops the car too abruptly on the highway, leading to rear-end collisions. When you release the brake pedal, the car remains stationary. To get it moving, you need to press the accelerator pedal. There have been four instances of the pre-collision system with pedestrian detection being activated in the last 12 months. Two of them ended in rear-end collisions. In the other two cases, there were no cars behind.

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.

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•the transmission malfunctioned and developed an abnormal internal noise at approximately 67,000 miles, which is an unexpected failure at low mileage. The vehicle had been properly maintained and had no prior mechanical issues. Atlanta Toyota inspected the vehicle and confirmed the transmission had failed and required full replacement. The dealer also stated that as a result of the transmission failure, other related components showed excessive and abnormal wear. A second independent service center inspected the vehicle and confirmed the same diagnosis. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. • this unexpected transmission failure created a serious safety risk due to the possibility of sudden loss of power, inability to accelerate, or complete transmission failure while driving. I rely on this vehicle daily to transport my child to school and to commute to work. A sudden failure while in traffic could result in becoming stranded or involved in a collision. • the vehicle was inspected by an authorized Toyota dealer and an independent service center. Both stated that the failure was unusual given the low mileage and normal use of the vehicle. • there were no warning lights, messages, or diagnostic trouble codes prior to the failure and afterward. The only symptom was an abnormal internal noise from the transmission, which began suddenly at approximately 66,000 miles. • the vehicle has received regular maintenance and is used for normal daily driving. There was no abuse, heavy towing, or unusual use that would explain a transmission failure at this mileage.

My 2006 Toyota Highlander hybrid limited has an abs fault that has caused my vehicle to undergo several maintenance issues and poses a serious safety hazard. My vehicle has less than 150,000, and over the course of the last year, my abs light, my emergency brake light, my tsc light, and my tire pressure sensor light have all come on and refuse to go away. Additionally, the maintenance light, along with a "check vsc system" message has been on my dash for months and will not reset. My abs has been making an intermittent buzzing sound that cycles every ten seconds when my car is on. That has been going one since shortly before the lights. When the lights came on, I noticed a serious change in my braking. The pedal would become spongy one moment and rock solid the next, or my car would brake intensely with the lightest pressure or require my foot basically to the floor to stop it. This has caused a serious issue for the safety of myself and my family. After using and obdii scanner with abs capabilities, the codes I received point to the abs assembly failing to retain pressure, hence the persistent cycling to compensate for it loosing pressure. This was confirmed after the battery voltage/connection, relays, fuses, and speed sensors had all been tested. After doing further research, several other owners of similar configurations to mine share the same issue. My dashboard even makes an incredibly distracting ringing noise that can only be stopped by removing all the fuses and relays to the abs entirely. This has not been caused as a lack of proper maintenance as this vehicle has only been in my possession for the past 3 years, of which before it came from the Toyota dealership. The dealership wants over $3,000 to fix the issue, and the part alone is $1,850 since the part has been discontinued. This fix costs more than the car is worth given its age and mileage. During any inclement weather, or in traffic, the car is unpredictable in how hard it might brake.

I am submitting this complaint regarding a serious braking safety issue with my 2020 Toyota Highlander hybrid limited, which currently has approximately 70,000 miles. I brought my vehicle to victory Toyota of canton (46352 michigan Ave, canton, mi 48188) and reported to service manager john maddison that, at low speeds, the vehicle briefly surges or feels as though it accelerates when I press the brake pedal before it actually begins to slow down. This behavior is alarming and creates the impression that the vehicle is moving forward when I am attempting to stop. This is a serious safety concern that could increase the risk of a crash, particularly in parking lots, stop-and-go traffic, or around pedestrians. The issue has become so concerning that my daughter refuses to drive the vehicle because she no longer feels confident that it will stop properly when she applies the brakes. A driver should never have to question whether a vehicle will respond correctly during normal braking. After researching the problem, I discovered that Toyota has already acknowledged this exact condition by issuing technical service bulletin (TSB) TSB-0059-23. The symptoms described in the TSB closely match the behavior my vehicle is experiencing. I therefore requested that the dealership inspect the vehicle and perform the repair outlined in the bulletin. Instead of addressing what appears to be a known braking-related issue, the dealership informed me that I must first pay a $190 diagnostic fee before they would even determine whether the TSB applies. I believe it is unreasonable to require customers to pay to confirm a condition that Toyota has already documented, particularly when it involves the vehicle's braking system and potential safety risks. I am concerned that other owners experiencing the same braking behavior may delay seeking repairs because of the required diagnostic charge, leaving potentially unsafe vehicles on the road. I respectfully request that NHTSA review this issue.

My 2020 Toyota Highlander hybrid has a braking issue identified in Toyota service bulletin t-sb-0059-23, hybrid regenerative brake transition feeling improvement. When going downhill and applying the brake, the vehicle lurches forward temporarily as the braking system transitions from regenerative to hydraulic braking. The first time my vehicle did this, it was very alarming and I had to take additional measures to slow my vehicle as I was driving downhill. My vehicle frequently demonstrates this problem, however, I did not report it to my local Toyota dealer because I read in an online chat group that it was a characteristic of this vehicle. Although the TSB recommends a reprogram of the brake actuator assembly control module, the repair is only covered under the Toyota basic warranty which is in effect for 36 months or 36k miles, whichever occurs first. My vehicle is past the warranty limit, and because I did not report it to my dealer previously, this repair is not covered under the TSB or the Toyota basic warranty. Toyota Highlander hybrid model years 2020-2022 are affected. The technical service bulletin was issued August 29, 2023, so if a 2020 model Highlander hybrid has this problem, 2020 models would have already passed the warranty limit by the time the TSB was issued and thus would not be covered. This is a safety risk as drivers can lose control of the vehicle when braking, particularly when going downhill. The warranty should be extended, or this problem should be elevated to a recall so that older affected vehicles, or those with higher mileage can be covered under warranty. Drivers should not have to pay for a recognized problem that affects the safety of this vehicle and has been identified in a technical service bulletin. This problem puts drivers at risk of losing control of the vehicle and the problem can be mediated with a software reprogram. T-sb-0059. 23 should be elevated to a recall, or extended regardless of age or mileage.

Black Toyota Highlander hybrid awd 2025 ~15000 miles what component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? without any warning, the braking action is delayed. It is a momentary loss and happens occasionally at light braking application, nowhere near hard enough to lock the wheels up the vehicle is available for inspection upon request how was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? if I were been closer to another vehicle/pedestrian/obstacle, an accident could happen has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? no, yet, I will book an appointment to allow the dealer to verify the issue has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? no were there any warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? no general: I have been driving the Highlander for a little bit more than a year, and this issue has happened at least 5 times, twice (2) this week.

Under braking conditions, typically at higher speeds or while going downhill, vehicle will lurch or accelerate momentarily before braking again. This has caught 3 drivers in our family off-guard as it is intermittent and sudden. This is unpredictable and causes the braking distance to vary. We are working to reproduce it. The dealership has not tried to recreate the issue but has told us there is a software update that will fix the issue, it is not covered under any safety recall or safety campaign by Toyota.

There is a technical service bulletin (TSB-0059-23) issued for 2020-2022 Toyota Highlander hybrid models addressing a braking issue. It happens every day. There are a lot of issues some drivers reported a momentary transition from regenerative braking to hydraulic braking, particularly when driving downhill or turning with light brake pedal application. Toyota has provided a software update for the brake actuator control module to improve brake feel. If you own one of these models and are experiencing this issue, you can visit a Toyota dealership and request this specific TSB repair. Addendum: there is no charge for this fix if your vehicle is within the warranty period. The repair procedure under Toyota’s technical service bulletin (TSB-0059-23) is covered by Toyota’s warranty, meaning the brake actuator control module reprogramming is performed at no cost to the owner.

When applying the brakes sometimes, particularly when breaking at the bottom of a hill, the car lunges forward before the brake catches and it stops. The transition is jarring and does not seem safe at all. I've been told by mechanics at the Toyota shop that it is normal for a hybrid vehicle, but if that is the case they need to not sell hybrid vehicles or find a way to avoid this problem. I've read tons of posts on online forums confirming that many other people have this with their Toyota hybrid vehicles, including the Highlander.

Since I got this car, when going down hill the breaks don't work properly. It is a sudden surge and the car takes a few extra seconds to break. It happens often and I always need to keep a good distance from the car in front of me to avoid a collision. I brought up during service to my Toyota dealership but they don't have a solution. Nothing shows up in the panel, the car just launches forward.

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 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.

When braking, and decelerating through 25 to 20 mph, the brakes temporarily stop functioning. There is a noticeable change in deceleration that can be felt by the driver and passengers. This almost feels like an acceleration, but we believe it's the brakes briefly stop functioning. The same problem occurs with different drivers so we are confident the problem is mechanical and not operator dependent. We believe this is a brake actuator issue and there may have been a similar problem in earlier model Toyotas.

When I am slowing down and coming to a stop, my car will surge forward. It feels like my brakes stop working for a second and that I pressed the accelerator. It has happened on flat road, hills and turns.