general problems of the 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid - part 2

The brake system and other warning lights went on suddenly. The car still stopped, but the brakes required more pressure. Toyota confirmed that the brake actuator assembly needed replacement, this part alone is $1600. Another related part Toyota says is required costs another $2600. Toyota has issued a warranty enhancement for the 2006 and 2007 models. Given that the problem is the same and involves vehicle safety, Toyota should extend the warranty to the 2008 highlander's.

Brake malfunction/ abs malfunction/ needs new brake actuator/ 3600. 00 to repair this. Happened when we had to apply brakes repetitively in stalled traffic.

I started the car one morning to find all of my brake warnings suddenly on. The vehicle showed no signs of any issues prior to this, and upon getting the vehicle to the mechanic, it was diagnosed as an abnormal leak in the accumulator. No incident or signs of issues led up to the sudden malfunction--it was in great operating shape leading up to the incident, and even upon parking and disengaging the car the evening before. There have been other accounts of this happening with Highlander Hybrid owners, even in the middle of driving somewhere. I just happened to be lucky enough to encounter the problem upon turning on the car.

My vehicle was purchased from a dealership in January 2017 and three weeks later, the abs control module/pump failed. Without a properly functioning abs control module/pump, operating the vehicle would be dangerous due to the �sticking brake� behavior. My Toyota-certified garage charged me over $3,000 to replace this part. The garage, who I've been using for over 7 years and absolutely trust, said that the local Toyota parts distributor had over 10 units of this part in stock, which the garage said was highly unusual for an item this expensive. I searched multiple online forums (toyotanation. Com, us. Toyotaownersclub. Com) and this same premature failing of the abs actuator within the abs control module/pump has happened to hundreds of owners, usually after their Highlander Hybrid passes 100,000 miles. I feel that this problem is due to a defective part and based on the high inventory levels kept on hand by Toyota parts distributors, it appears that Toyota is aware of this problem. I feel that Toyota should provide an extended warranty for this abs assembly and refund the amount that owners have had to pay out of pocket to have this defective part replaced.

I have been experiencing odd screeching noise from the rt front while stopped. Last week several warning lights came on telling me to pull over and call for repairs. I was subsequently told by my mechanic that the brake actuator assembly and skid control ecu units have failed. The cost of repair ( $3000) is beyond comprehension for a vehicle of this vintage, 2008 with under 100,000. While this would be covered under an extended warranty for the next model year it does not cover 2008. I believe it should, being that so many owners are having this exact , life threatening problem. At this time the brakes work but when applied they make a constant click and I feel rhythmic release and catching through the brake pedal.

The car has been meticulously maintained by the dealership since it was purchased new and has never been used for towing. We were driving normally when we began noticing a series of recurring hydraulic-like pulsations and noises whenever depressing the brake pedal even when the vehicle isn't moving. The pulsation sensation can be felt throughout the brake system when the brakes are applied even when not moving. The series of noises are coming directly from the abs system/actuator under the hood whenever the brake pedal is depressed. I believe this is due to an abnormal leak in the accumulator. The vehicle previously showed no signs of any issues when the Toyota service technician last inspected it. We have since paid a significant amount of money to have the brakes inspected and fluid changed, but that did absolutely nothing to resolve the issue. 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. I am seriously concerned and troubled by the safety factors this malfunction presents especially when traveling at any speed. This is clearly a well-documented problem for the 2008 models.

Vehicle makes a very scary "eeek eeek" noises when the brake pedal is depressed both when car is not moving and also during braking. Dealer diagnosed the issue to a malfunction of abs actuator (part # 44510-48080 superseded by part # 44050-48320). Total cost of parts plus labor quoted over $4000. Note: Toyota has done warranty extension for same type of problem with other models like the 07-08 Highlander Hybrid, prius hybrid, Lexus rx400h, etc. However 2008+ Highlander Hybrids have not been included yet. This should be a recall or warranty extension.

Dear NHTSA, I was recently informed by my mechanic that my abs brake actuator requires replacement. The cost of this repair is exorbitant. . . Approximately $3,200. 00. While the brakes themselves still function, and will pass pennsylvania state inspection, the vehicle apparently no longer has anti-lock brake capabilities. My 17-year old daughter currently drives this vehicle. As you can imagine I have great concerns over her safety. Unfortunately, at this time we cannot afford to make this repair. What is most concerning as a Toyota owner, is their lack of concern. Interestingly, if my car was a year older, Toyota would cover the repair of this device as part of an expanded warranty spearheaded through NHTSA. This is a considerable safety issue and could result is serious injury to my daughter. Please look into Toyota's refusal to expand the warranty on this part. The lives of thousands of Toyota highlander owners is potentially at stake. Thanks you. David thompson 717-215-0822.

While braking to stop car in a school pick up line, warning lights and messages began flashing. Warning lights stated brake malfunction, abs system etc. Dealer ran diagnostic, stated there is an internal leak of brake actuator, repair costs $5500. Lights were reset and 2 weeks later while driving lights and warnings came back on. Toyota has recall for 2006and 2007but not 2008.

Check brake systems, check vsc lights, brake malfunction etc lights have come on.

Check brake system warnings; code traced to accumulator not holding pressure (c1391 abnormal leak of acc press). $2,500+ repair. This same part was already covered under a warranty extension for the camry hybrid and they are built on the same platform. Should be covered for the highlander as well.

The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. While driving various speeds, the emergency repair indicator illuminated on the instrument panel. The dealer diagnosed that the brake booster actuator pump and accumulator pump would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 126,000.

Started car in evening and got warning "brake malfunction, check abs, check vsc system". Took car to our mechanic and he found code c1391. Mechanic said part very expensive and recommended contacting Toyota service as cost to repair would probably be similar. Mechanic said he had replaced for another customer (2004 model highlander) who after the repair got notice from Toyota about recall repair last week. Toyota service said cost to repair is $4000! reading on this site I see others with this issue. Definitely needs to be addressed by NHTSA.

On June 15th, 2016 while over 200 miles from home on a family trip with my pregnant wife and 2 year old son in the car driving down a 2 lane highway with a semi truck behind us at approximately 45 mph constant speed our 2008 Highlander Hybrid brakes locked up, a warning tone sounded, several lights lit up on the dash including brakes, abs, vsc, (((!))), and /!\, and the car stopped completely in the highway with the engine still running. The lcd displayed several alternating messages about the brakes, abs, and vsc and also about needing to have the vehicle checked by a dealer. As our car was about to be smashed by a semi truck I pressed the gas pedal to the floor. The brakes were completely locked up, but fortunately the car inched forward at less than 5 mph with wide open/full throttle to pull off of the road before the semi truck could hit us from behind. The situation was terrifying. I have taken the vehicle to a dealer. They do not know the reason for the issue. They want $500 to trouble shoot and generate a repair estimate. It sounds like the abs actuators are commonly $3,000. I have noted many similar problems on the NHTSA website for the 2008 Highlander Hybrid and other Toyota hybrid vehicles in which the brakes, abs, and vsc lights illuminate and braking issues occur.

As I was driving on the freeway a warning alarm came on and on the display screen 3 messages flashed. The first message said, "break malfunction - please pull over safely and contact your service dealer immediately". The second message said, "check vsc" and third said, "check abs". On top of that all of the warning device lights came on the dashboard. This was alarming and disconcerting. I had to drive about 10 more miles before I could pull over and stop safely. The warning signs have not gone away and I will have to take it to the Toyota service center. I have noticed multiple other complaints regarding the same issue. Seems to happen often with the 2008 model.

My 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid was just deemed totaled by the car dealership (newburgh Toyota) and my insurance company (liberty mutual), because of excessive rodent damage. It turns out that the rodents were attracted to the wiring because toyoyta uses eco-friendly soy-based coating on their wires which attract rodents!! rodents chewed wires, the wiring harness, plugged drainage holes with their bedding thus causing water damage, and ruined the hybrid batteries. The damage was estimated at more than $12,000, which of course Toyota would not cover under warranty. The vehicle would not start unless the battery was unhooked to "clear" the computer system. When it started the error messages/warning lights on dash were lit up everywhere, indicating it was unsafe to drive. It was taken to the dealership where a service tech stripped the interior and discovered rodents nests, droppings, water, and lots of damage. Photos attached. Parts alone for the repair were more than $10,000, and that did not take into account additional diagnostics or labor costs. As you can imagine, this has been a giant headache!.

Failed abs actuator system. Brakes do not work. They "grab" and or do not work when you need them. Have to pump many times to stop vehicle.

While driving abs, vsc and check engine light illuminated, I continued driving (was 10 miles from home on fwy). Five minutes later I encountered traffic, traveling at 40-50 mph I took foot off gas and began to apply brakes. Brakes immediately seized and the car started to skid. I released the brakes, then tried again, same result. I pulled to side of fwy and stopped. I drove surface streets using the parking brake when I needed to stop, until I got to my house. That evening and the next morning I checked toe cars operation, it didn't matter if I was traveling in fwd or reverse, the brakes immediately grabbed at the slightest application of the pedal. I took the car to a repair shop, he witnessed the same circumstance and did a computer diagnosis, which indicated a new brake actuator unit was needed ($3000). My primary concern (and my mechanic's) was that there was no fail safe, if the unit malfunctioned I would expect the abs system not to work, not to make the braking system completely inoperable. I narrowly avoided being rear-ended when they malfunctioned on the fwy. I reported the problem to Toyota motor as well (case #1511120583).

Incident date: 6-6-15. Started vehicle and dash warning lights came on for abs, vsc and brakes. Also the word, "brake" in red came on. Toyota dealer diagnosed a code 1391 (abnormal leak detected in accumulator) and tested brake system and found abs actuator/pump internal failure/leak. Dealer replaced abs actuator, part #44050-48320, and abs pump assembly, part #47070-48020. Original estimate to repair was $5,388. After complaining to Toyota's national customer care, the bill was reduced to $1,556.

Driving at a speed of approximately 40 mph and slowing down for a stop sign. Vsc, abs, and brake malfunction warning lights came on. Brakes functioned, but dealer said that the accumulator and booster assemblies need to be replaced.

Warning lights came on about brakes and instructions to take the car to the dealership. The repair required a replacement of the actuator for anti lock brakes. $3. 200. .

After purchasing the car (our first hybrid) we noticed that the breaks were acting different when slowing; while slowing down to stop at a stop light or sign or to slow in traffic, if the car is under 30 mph and hits a bump the breaks will release (while your foot is on the breaks) and the car will lunge forward even though your foot is pressing down and has not been released. This has happened over the past year and no one can seem to figure out the problem. The breaks are new and several forums have been read in regards to trying to figure out the issue. It seems that several hybrids experience the same issues. Breaking under 30, the car will hit a bump, breaks will release causing the car to lunge forward and possibly causing an accident. It has happened enough that our family is considering trading in the car. We have almost been in 10 plus accidents because we are almost stopped at the stop sign and the car hits a bump and accelerates into traffic coming from the left/right. With children in the back seat, this is a huge concern. We have sent Toyota an email asking for inspection, however they said they would just like to have our dealer look at it, however they have not been noted of this issue in the past, when clearly there are hundreds of others that are having the same issues and they have been in accidents. I find it very difficult to believe that acceleration/break release when hitting a bump causing the car to lunge forward into moving traffic is a safety concern when the breaks are perfectly good. We will be trading in the vehicle if something is not done about it shortly, not only are we worried about our family but we are also worried about others who could be involved. This issue has nothing to do with the breaks, they are good, and the issue is still re-occurring.

1-while traveling on an interstate highway, auto engine still running but no power to wheels. Fortunately near a ramp- coasted off ramp and into a parking lot. Message - check braking system- contact dealer. After several tries, re-engaged engine, jabbed brakes repeatedly in between several failures until trouble came clear. Nothing found on examination by dealer. 2- 8/14 check braking system message appeared. Auto would not move although electrical system working. Rocked car repeatedly to try to clear message. Connected emergency battery to battery- system came clear. 3- 11/14 check braking system message appeared. Same as #2. Also had check air-bag system message. All three instances occurred on pavement but shortly after being parked on grass. Although the last two were cleared by briefly connecting an emergency battery, availability of headlights indicated car battery had sufficient voltage to operate car's systems.

Since there has been so much talk about the Toyota hybrids I thought I would file a quick complaint that may need to be investigated. Just like on the Ford fusion hybrids and some of the Toyota hybrids under recall, my 2008 Highlander Hybrid has a bit of a funny brake feeling when going from regenerative braking to mechanical braking. I can duplicate the problem easily and it occurs several times daily. I've learned to live with it, but the first time it happened it startled me. Long story short, when travelling down hill and applying the brakes, the first braking is the regenerative braking. When it changes over to mechanical braking the vehicle sort of lurches forward and requires more pressure on the brake pedal to continue slowing down at the same rate. Again, this is something that I've learned to expect and I always leave plenty of room between me and any car in front.

My Toyota Highlander Hybrid '08 has always had a unnerving braking issue. Often, especially at slower speeds, when I first apply the brakes, instead of braking, the car actually jumps forward. I have asked the Toyota service (where I get my oil changed) about this and they say it's just the way the hybrid brake system works. While I haven't gotten in an accident because of this delayed brake response (knock on wood), it really does not seem like an appropriate way for brakes to work. Do the prius hybrids and the Highlander Hybrids share the same braking software?.

I have a 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. Ever since it was new, it has inconsistent braking at slow speeds, around 25 mph and slower. When braking at slow speeds, hitting a small bump or pothole will shut down the regen brakes, the brakes momentarily release, and then will reapply with the hydraulic brakes activated, but will require much greater pedal pressure to get the same braking force.

I have a 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. Ever since it was new, it has inconsistent braking at slow speeds, like 20 mph and slower. When braking at slow speeds, if I hit even a small bump or pothole, the brakes momentarily release, and then will re-apply but will require much greater pedal pressure to get the same braking force. I had the dealer look at it but said nothing was wrong.

2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid - experiencing brake problems. When applying the brakes, it takes a second before the brakes catch. The problems is exactly what is reported with the Toyota prius models and likely the same software problem. However, Toyota has not acknowledged this and is a major safety issue.

The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated that as she approached a stop sign and there was a pothole the vehicle lunged forward immediately after she applied the brakes. The dealer was contacted and stated that it was related to the computer electronics but there were no recalls. They will not replace or repair the failure. The failure mileage was 25,000.

The contact owns a 2008 Toyota highlander. While traveling approximately 15 mph over bumpy roads with his foot on the brake pedal, the braking system would hesitate to engage without warning. He confirmed that the feeling was as if he had removed his foot from the brake pedal when in fact, he had not. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where they could not duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was contacted and would not offer any assistance; however a claim was filed appropriately. The failure mileage was 23,000 and the current mileage was unknown.

My 2008 Toyota hybrid highlander has on numerous occcasions lost braking power when going over a bump in the road. I first noticed this several months ago.

Shortly after commencing braking, brakes briefly seem to "let go" or slip. The sensation is of the car lurching forward, almost accelerating. Then braking resumes. Please note that this is not a one-time incident; I notice it every time I drive at slow or moderate speeds, and then need to brake--most recently, today. 2008 model Highlander Hybrid was purchased in March 2009; we have owned it for 11 months.

The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. On approximately four occasions while driving various speeds including approximately 25 mph with the brake pedal engaged the vehicle failed to stop within a reasonable time. The failure occurred on icy weather conditions. She also stated that intermittently the vehicle would surge when she tapped the brake pedal. She took the vehicle to the dealer who did not inspect the vehicle. She has not called the manufacturer. The vehicle has not been repaired at the time of the complaint. The current mileage was approximately 45,000. The failure mileage was approximately 15,000.

My wife was driving the highlander in the first week we had the car. She was driving in slow moving rush hour traffic in cambridge MA at less than 15 mph. When a car in front of her stooped quickly, she hit the brakes which initially stopped, but on their own released for a fraction of a second and then re-engaged. This caused her to hit the back of another car. Initially we reported this to Toyota and were told that it had to with the hybrid braking system. This type of brake release has occurred at least on a weekly basis and but is not consistent. We have both learned how to drive the car more conservatively because of the problem with the brake. Today the car was brought into the dealership where this behavior was confirmed by Toyota after driving our car, and we were told that this problem may be related to the braking problem described in the prius as well. A low battery was changed, in hope of helping.

I own a 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. Sometimes when I apply the brakes, the car feels as though it is actually accelerating and not decelerating. This "gap" in decelerating does not last a long time, but is disconcerting and my normal reaction is to hit the brakes harder. My daughter has also experienced this. The Toyota dealer has denied that there is any problem with the brakes. This has occurred regularly since I purchased the car in April 2008.