Service Brakes Problems of Toyota Highlander - part 2

In June 2019, Toyota issued a recall for abs malfunction, diagnostic code c1391 - brake actuator and accumulator. New parts were issued by Toyota in 2019 as part of the recall. My vehicle experienced abs malfunction, diagnostic code c1391 in March 2022 and was repaired by Toyota with the new and improved parts issued as part of the recall. As of October 14, 2024, my vehicle is experiencing the same issue again - abs brake malfunction diagnostic code c1391, with the brake system light, master warning light, abs light and abs malfunction warning noted on the screen. The vehicle can be inspected. Toyota has inspected and confirmed it is the same issue again. The new and improved parts from 2019 should not fail within 20,000 miles. Toyota did confirm that they used the new parts issued as part of the recall and cannot explain why they failed faster than the original parts causing dangerous braking issues.

See all problems of the 2008 Toyota Highlander 🔎.

Multiple abs related(abs, traction, brakes) warning lights/messages making driving my Highlander dangerous to me and others. Warning lights appeared 9/30/2024. No symptoms or warning lights appeared prior. Vehicle was then inspected by Toyota of plano. Code 1391indicating an internal leak in the abs. Confirmed by service dept of Toyota of plano, TX indicating the need for replacement of abs module assembly. This as an acknowledged Toyota problem that was with a service bulletin that expired last year. Plano Toyota advised me to ask Toyota brand engagement for help but they declined. Toyota brand engagement declined to extend the prior bulletin or assist in any way. . The Toyota case file is under my name and #241008000770. Any assistance from NHTSA would be appreciated.

See all problems of the 2013 Toyota Highlander 🔎.

When braking the brakes will occasionally “quit”, causing unexpected acceleration. They kick back on if I stomp hard on the brake, causing the occupants to jolt forward. It could easily cause a collision if an unexpected vehicle or pedestrian were in the way, and could cause a rear end collision were I to have someone following close behind and hard brake unexpectedly. This has been reported to the dealership but they have been unable to replicate it. It happens intermittently, primarily when braking on a slight downhill slope. The issue has been since the vehicle was new. No warning lights or alerts activate inside.

See all problems of the 2022 Toyota Highlander 🔎.

While steering to the right to exit a parallel parking spot, the abs sensor cable came into contact with a suspension bolt, snapping the sensor wire. This triggered the check engine light and caused a malfunction in the braking systems.

See all problems of the 2020 Toyota Highlander 🔎.

Out of nowhere, I couldn’t get the car to start. It keeps saying “low braking power”. I had someone checked with code scanner and nothing shows up, and it’s not battery issue neither. The car guy said there’s a very high chance the issue is from the brake booster vacuum pump.

See all problems of the 2018 Toyota Highlander 🔎.

The car surges forward when braking, as if the brakes are momentarily released. It almost caused be to hit the car in front of me. The brakes released in the middle of braking.

See all problems of the 2023 Toyota Highlander 🔎.

Brake booster did not work. We were almost in 2 wrecks due to it taking longer to stop the vehicle. The dealer finally fixed it after I paid over $1500. They didn't care about how this was a known defect in 2018 Toyota Highlanders and took forever to identify and fix. No one has looked at it since just got it back today. Once the brake light went on the dash board I brought it in. I did wait one day when it went off, but once it came back on again I was going to, but then was scared when it didn't come on and then I could barely stop.

The vehicle is a hybrid. While traveling downhill at a speed around 35 mph with light brake pressure, the vehicle feels like it lurches forward a second or so before returning to braking. It has occurred since we purchased the vehicle new in 2021. It has happened multiple times in a variety of scenarios but it occurs most consistently in the downhill scenario described above.

See all problems of the 2021 Toyota Highlander 🔎.

All brake warning indicators lit up. Took it to a mechanic that specializes in hybrids and they diagnosed it as a brake assembly/actuator issue, with a diagnostic code of c1391, with a repair estimate of $4888. Found online that there was a Toyota customer support program 21te03 that addressed this issue, but my vehicle was outside of both the primary and secondary coverage periods. My issue is that if they knew this was a very serious safety defect for older hybrid vehicles, why would they only offer to address it during a very short period of time?? there are many people reporting online that the same thing happened to them (problem arose after coverage period expired). Toyota says they “care about the customers’ ownership experience,” but by neglecting to help those of us experiencing this issue, they are showing the exact opposite. Hope you will help the roughly 74,700 owners potentially impacted by this, by encouraging Toyota to be accountable for the safety of their owners. Thanks.

See all problems of the 2012 Toyota Highlander 🔎.

My vehicle has codes c1253 and c1256. These codes are associated with faulty brake actuators, a well documented issue in Highlanders. Faulty brake actuators can cause problems with braking, which can put my safety and the safety of others at risk.

Degenerative breaking. When breaking sometimes it jolts- seems to lose braking power. This is a safety hazard. It could cause a crash.

Brakes momentarily lost during certain conditions. If going down a hill and applying brake, suddenly loses pressure and vehicle surges forward. Taking a right hand turn, slowing, brake suddenly loses pressure and lunges forward causing vehicle to go into wrong lane. Parking, apply brake, surges forward, end up in the next spot forward. I've had several very close calls, including trying to stop behind a bicycle at a stop sign, came within inches. I've repeatedly been to dealer. Toyota calls it "loss of braking sensation", have issued a TSB for years prior to 23. I have a 23 hybrid, there is no TSB or fix. Dealer is aware of the issue, has techs who have experienced it themselves. Just can't be fixed without Toyota stepping up. Happy to work with Toyota if they want to put sensors or computers on the vehicle. When the vehicle was new it only occurred once/twice a month. Now it is every day. The latest incident was today driving back from the dealer.

As I was returning to my house and about to pull into our garage I was driving very slowly, riding the brake in fact. I was going less than 1 mph but as I first entered the garage my car engine suddenly roared very loudly and sped inside. I pressed as hard as I could on the brakes and the car skidded towards the left and slammed into the garage wall. I firmly believe that the only thing that kept my car from traveling farther was the garage door frame. Between my braking and then turning off the engine, I came to a stop. There were skid marks on the pavement at the garage entrance from the hard braking and both the driver's door and the passenger door on that side were severely damaged. The car was now angled to the left and not pointed straight into the garage as it should have been. At no time did I press on the accelerator.

Loss of brake sensation when slowing down through 20-25mph. Brake pedal takes a sudden plunge and car surges forward, forcing the driver to suddenly have to push hard on the brakes in order to stop. Usually happens under moderate braking, especially when there is a slight downhill grade. Toyota dealer confirms that it happens but says there are no codes and there is nothing they can do. Toyota dealer service advisor has had it happen to him while driving. This happens regularly, as often as 2-3 times per week, and can be reproduced.

Two problems being reported are severe safety issues, and could result in injury, death, and/or property damage. Problem 1: while driving, the brake pedal suddenly went all the way to the floor, and the car would not stop. To avoid hitting the car in front at a stop sign, I had to turn the wheel, resulting in running through the stop sign and onto the grass and shoulder before the car finally stopped. Multiple dashboard warning lights appeared. After stopping, the brakes momentarily returned but failed again within 2-3 minutes. A loud, high-pitched, piercing whistle sound began, indicating a complete loss of brakes. The car had to be towed 200 miles back home. It is not safe to drive the car without functioning brakes. The obd scan codes are: c1256 (accumulator low pressure), c1391 (abnormal leak of accumulator pressure), and c1256 (accumulator low pressure). Problem 2: when starting the car, the brakes are applied first, and then the car is placed in gear. The car involuntarily and immediately jumps forward or backward and continues to move, even though the brakes are being applied. Having the foot on the brakes has no effect on the car moving! the car should not move at all when the brakes are being applied. To stop the movement, I must quickly pump the brakes repeatedly. This occurs every time the car is placed into gear after starting the engine, causing it to jump forward or backward and continue moving despite brake application. Both problems are severe safety issues, and could result in injury, death, or property damage.

See all problems of the 2006 Toyota Highlander 🔎.

We were driving at about 40 mph and approached our turn. When I depressed the brakes, they felt spongy and I had trouble slowing quickly. The yellow triangle illuminated on the dash and a long warning beep sounded. I was able to get safely parked in a parking lot, and my son came and took a look as well. We had the car towed to a shop, who diagnosed the problem, stating that we needed to replace the brake booster pump and actuator assembly. A family member noted that Toyota had issued a recall for vehicles with the same year/make/model for the braking system, so we had it towed to our local Toyota dealership to verify that they had no open recalls on the brakes and complete a full inspection otherwise. They validated that the brake booster pump and actuator assembly needed to be replaced. I am left wondering why my vehicle was not included in Toyota's recall.

There was a customer support program from Toyota for certain Highlander from 2008 to 2010. The deadline was in 2020. The same issue started for me three weeks ago. Local Toyota service center confirmed that it is the same code and issue but quoted me over $3000 to replace the whole thing. Since Toyota admitted that this is a faulty part and had support program to replace the parts, there should not be expiration date on the support program. This issue can only be fixed by Toyota service center since it requires specialized tool and software. Customer should not be forced to pay the excessive fees because Toyota used faulty parts in the beginning.

I was in the drive thru at a fast food restaurant and after I placed my order I was about 5 cars from the pay window. As I went forward where there was a curve I stopped and then when the car in front of me moved forward to the pay window I let up on the brake and accelated slowly. When I put my foot on the brake pedal it went to the floor and the car would not stop. I served to the right of the car in front of me ( I did not hit it) and rolled to the parking space to the right. The car hit the curb and bounced up a little and hit the sign and then rolled backwards and I swerved the car so as to not hit the cars in line. I tried to put the car in drive but it wouldn't go. I then put the car into park which stopped the car with a jerk. After a few minutes I turned the car off as the brakes had not come back. I sat in the driveway blocking it. As I sat there I checked the screen for any error messages or warnings and saw none. After about 10 or 15 minutes I tried the pedal again and got pressure. I was able to start the car and pulled it into the parking spot. I then called totota roadside service and had the car towed to my house. Today as instructed by Toyota service they sent a tow truck to my house to tow it to the dealership service department. The service manager checked something and said nothing showed up but would have the tech check everything out.

See all problems of the 2024 Toyota Highlander 🔎.

As your braking coming to a stop, the vehicle surges forward, feels like you lost your brakes and then it stops. If the car in front of you were to stop suddenly, you would hit them from behind. It had been going on for a while, but since it was my wife’s car she said she just stayed way back from the car ahead of her. I came within inches of hitting someone in early June 2025. I took the car to my Toyota dealer June 25, 2025 and they said there was a computer update for the braking system. It took away most of the problem, but it still surged. On August 19, 2025 I took the car back to the dealer where they had another computer update for the brakes. We will see if that works!! I feel it’s a safety issue, we should have been notified. Out of warranty cost me $348. 01.

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.

See all problems of the 2017 Toyota Highlander 🔎.

The vehicle hesitates during right turns, creating a hazardous, potentially dangerous, situation. From research I understand this is a known issue when transitioning between battery and gasoline propulsion. Research indicates this is a known situation, Toyota t-sb-0059-23. However, the TSB expires at the termination of the vehicle 3 years/36 months warranty. As a safety issue, in my opinion this problem should be addressed, regardless of vehicle age or mileage.

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.

When I brake, the SUV feels like it accelerates/surges forward rather than slowing down. I need to apply the brakes hard to then stop the vehicle. I never know when it will happen but it happens very often.

When decelerating from a speed of approximately 25 mph on a downward slope of about 5 degrees, and applying the brakes, a number of things occur: 1) there is a 1-2 second delay in the braking action. 2) when applied the braking action is less than expected for certain brake pedal pressure, which causes the driver to increase the brake pedal pressure 3) when the brake pedal is initially depressed, the speed of the vehicle experiences a slight upward speed bump before the braking action is applied, which is 'light' as described in 2). This behavior is transient. Most of the time, it does not happen. It happens often enough to be of concern.

When I slow down to make a right or left turn I apply pressure to the brake pedal and my vehicle brakes feel like they are "gulping: or not holding, causing my vehicle to lurch forward slightly. This has been happening since I purchsed in July 2022. I replaced my tires last month thinking it was the tires, but the vehicle still lurches forward when braking in a turn. I will put the last time this occurred in your details below.

Subject: urgent safety concern - recurring issues with Toyota Highlander hybrid models dear national highway traffic safety administration, we owned the car since almost new, after repeated attempts with Toyota, like others 300k customers from their own site, I am writing to file a formal complaint regarding persistent safety issues with Toyota Highlander hybrid models, specifically between the years 2004 and 2007. Despite previous reports and numerous attempts to seek assistance from Toyota, the response has been unsatisfactory, with the company deflecting responsibility rather than providing a resolution. **vehicle information:** - make: Toyota - model: Highlander hybrid - year: 2007 - VIN: jtehw21a570043517 **description of the issue:** 1) the primary concerns involve the hybrid a) brake actuators failing/loosing braking power 2) the electrical inverters, which have shown a pattern of failure across many vehicles, including my own. 3) leaky blow back from engine into intake. 4) seat belts are not properly retracting, these failures could compromise the safety of the vehicle but also risk to the driver, passengers, and others on the road. **previous reports:** I have previously reported these issues to Toyota, but the attempts to resolve the matter have been met with deflection of blame. It is imperative to note that these issues are not isolated incidents but are widely reported by other owners of the same model. **impact on safety:** the malfunctioning of critical components such as the braking system has led to near-miss incidents that could have resulted in severe injuries or fatalities. It is unacceptable for such critical safety issues to remain unaddressed. **request for action:** I urge the NHTSA to investigate these reports thoroughly and take appropriate action to hold Toyota and its ceo accountable. The safety of countless drivers and the integrity of our transportation system depend on your prompt attention to this matter.

See all problems of the 2007 Toyota Highlander 🔎.

While at a stop sign fully stopped the car rolled forward on several occasions. My warranty had just expired a month prior. My car has always been maintained and maintenanced. I was stuck paying a lot of money and no car should be moving when you have your foot on the brake. The dealership said master cylinder/ brake booster went out. Their is a recall on the hybrid for the same exact thing but not my car.

See all problems of the 2019 Toyota Highlander 🔎.

We received this from Toyota. Customer support program bulletin date: page: pol19-06 6/6/2019 1 of 3 revised 8/28/19 customer support program bulletin (zkc): repair coverage for brake actuator assembly and brake booster pump assembly on certain 2008-2010 my Highlander hybrid vehicle. When we received this bulletin, we asked our Toyota dealer service department (stevenson Toyota east, denver, CO) to address this issue multiple times when bringing in our vehicle for service in 2019 and 2020 and were told repeatedly they would not fix this issue since the abs light was not on. Now that this bulletin is expired the abs light is on. We took our Highlander to the Toyota dealership in melbourne, florida and were told that this repair will now cost us $2473. 89. Our 2010 Highlander is barely worth that, and now we have to repair this on our own even though Toyota knew the brake actuator assembly and brake booster pump would eventually fail at some point in time. Despite this, Toyota refused to resolve this issue when we asked (more than once) right after receiving the service bulletin in 2019 and as a result is causing a safety issue for our college aged son who drives this car, and all other drivers on the road should the abs system fail. The attached estimate states the abs service light has not come back on but this is not true and my son is having issues with the brakes.

See all problems of the 2010 Toyota Highlander 🔎.

On numerous occasions when applying the brakes on my vehicle there is a very noticeable "surge" when the vehicle slows to a near stop. It feels like there is a momentary loss of braking before the brakes re-engage. I have had the vehicle since new and it seems like the problem has become more noticeable over time. I have lost some confidence in the safety performance of the vehicle due to this dangerous issue.

The abs pump and actuator on this vehicle have failed. The warning lights on dash indicate abs, brake, traction control, and (!). Toyota knows that the actuator on over one hundred thousand vehicles has an internal leakage (which can not be seen on visual inspection). I have requested Toyota to repair and replace this manufacturing malady and Toyota has declined any assistance.

See all problems of the 2009 Toyota Highlander 🔎.

On March 16, 2024 this vehicle experienced a complete brake system failure. This is a very serious braking issue and the vehicle has had several braking incidents leading up to the complete failure. Toyota motor corp has dismissed the issue each time as there have been no codes or warning lights prior to this incident. We filed a complaint concerning this braking issue on June 12, 2023, ref#11526496 since that first report there have been several other incidents where the brake pedal went soft and depressed to the floor as the vehicle accelerated forward. Since the complete system failure occurred on a Saturday, as of this writing, it has not yet been reported to the service department. We filed a complaint with Toyota motor corp stating that this is a very serious safety concern that could lead to injury or death and they dismissed it.

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.

The abs module on the vehicle continually go bad. A newly never used one was purchased 2yrs 4 months ago. A genuine Toyota part ($1300) and it has already gone bad. This is causing safety issues as the brakes make a loud thumping sound when pressed. The car also starts rolling in reverse when turned on if the engine hasn’t started as yet.

The brake pedal gave no resistance, going right to the floor. The abs system warnings lit up on the dashboard at the same time. I was able to pull the car over safely, but it was not driveable and needed a tow to a repair shop. The repair shop noted that the brake actuator assembly and skid module failed and needed replacement. After doing research we are confident the issue is exactly as hundreds of other owners have previously reported to Toyota, bbb, and NHTSA. Toyota has since issues recalls and warranty extensions for the other Toyota hybrid model that utilize the same platform/system but just not for the later 2008 Highlander hybrid. Someone needs to step up and hold Toyota accountable for the same faulty parts they continued to install in their other hybrid vehicles they sold to consumers. The abs system is clearly not functioning properly as hundreds of consumers have previously noted. Why would Toyota cover the cost of repair for other hybrids with this same defect but not others? there needs to be a recall or warranty extension issued for this model/year as Toyota has issued for other hybrid models using the same platform. This is clearly a well-documented problem for the 2008 models.

The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 mph, the contact depressed the brake pedal to slow for traffic. The contact stated that the vehicle was vibrating and as he depressed the brake pedal the pedal stiffened and required more pressure to depress. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the brake pedal failure occurred only between driving 60 to 70 mph. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000.