Electronic Stability Control Problems of Toyota Highlander Hybrid - part 2

8/1/2016 2013 Highlander Hybrid was traveling at 60mph when lights on dash started blinking with a loud beeping noise. Brake malfunction, check abs was reading on the information screen. Traffic ahead on 2 lane highway with a speed limit of 55mph had suddenly stopped and I was forced to slam on brakes. At this point the brakes felt very heavy, heavier than usual, as I detected wheel lock up and proceeded to pump the brakes to avoid rear ending the vehicle ahead.

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Issue with abs actuator causing loss of vsc function.

See all problems of the 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid 🔎.

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.

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Abs acuator is not working!.

See all problems of the 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid 🔎.

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!.

Abs actuator is pumping to prime brakes every 15 secs. Defective and needs to be replaced. Toyota says $2300.

At 61. 614 miles Nov. 9 2013, diagnosed code c1391, abnormal leak in accumulator. Verified by dealer where it was bought. Abs module diagnosed with internal damages. Actuator assy, br, part num. 44050-48320 was replaced under extended warranty, for $3,102. 71 plus brake fluid, for $3,118. 25 after the system was bled also (see invoice of that date). Problem returned involving same part 44050-48320, plus part num. 47070-48020 pump assy, brake defective at 84,687 miles, just 23,073 miles later, last December 17, 2015; was taken to another dealer, braulio agosto Toyota in rio piedras, puerto rico as reprint shows, from Dec. 17 2015 (reprint date was Dec. 31 2015). Also included photos showing exact mileage of 84,687 miles, easy to verify with reprint, and warning messages displayed inside the vehicle, same messages appeared last Nov. 9 2013. Vehicle has excellent maintenance at 2 different dealers; I am including related invoices: June 7 2013 at 55,586 miles:1st rear brake pads replacement, turning of rotors performed, 1st problem on Nov. 9 2013 just 5 months 2 days later; pdf invoice Dec. 19 2014 at 72,436 miles, when front brake pads were replaced at our request, due to excessive brake pedal travel; oct/15/15 at 82,379 miles left caliper base was replaced, part 4722-48140; 47717-48150 plate pad support at 83. 025 miles on oct/29/15. Parts prices for same 2nd repair included, local complaint, inspection, result and photos. Unsafe condition evident since Dec. 17 2015: inverted brake pedal pressure when applying the brakes, not shown while driving at speed yet, but unsafe to drive normally because there is no guarantee it will not happen at speed. Local consumer department (daco) has the case for administrative judge evaluation after confirming the problem today, Feb 23 2016 at 3rd dealer with us represented by pablo e. Rosado, my brother. See all documents, some in spanish.

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).

The vsc system warning appears and it smell like the brake is imgage of attached like a burning metal smell.

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.

I was driving on a straight highway between 45 -50 mph. Sudden a bunch of lights and warnings came up in the dashboard. I lost power steering and motor propulsion too. I pressed the accelerator and nothing happened. Although I had the ability to brake, it seemed that the braking was also impaired. However because I was going up an incline I did not need strong braking. I managed to coast over to the breakdown lane. Luckily there were only a couple other cars near me so it wasn't too difficult to maneuver by them and coast to the other side of the road where the breakdown lane was. Once I was completely stopped I shut the car down completely and restarted in the normal hybrid startup manner. The car propulsion and steering came back but now the message was alternating between "maintenance needed" and "check vsc system", and the check engine light and symbol was on. I shut off everything electrical to minimize electrical drain. I was able to drive the car another 8-10 miles to get home but I was constantly looking to see where I could pull over if the car stopped again. I made it home. Tomorrow bring it to the Toyota dealer. Significantly, I recently had the brake actuator replaced at a cost of around $2700, specifically because they warned me that I could lose braking and other electronic facilities unpredictably. I thought that expensive repair would avoid this. Unfortunately it appears that what they were predicting could happen did happen, but after the repair! I was on a highway when the car died but with not much traffic and an easy access breakdown lane. Had it been 10 minutes later I might have been on a much busier highway in a place where a breakdown lane is much harder to reach. That would have been a dangerous situation. Had it been daytime and in a safer area I would have stopped and called for a tow truck.

While driving the power steering stop working. Very hard to turn the steering wheel to park in safe place. Car runs but is very difficult to steer. Safety hazard.

See all problems of the 2005 Toyota Highlander Hybrid 🔎.

First noticed on date above, but occurs at least once a week. When slowing down, and brakes are applied, if a bump, pothole, and traction is lost for a split second the brakes stop working and the car surges,coasts, disengage. Firm pressure on brakes is used to compensate for the loss of braking power. As a result stopping distance is increased. This loss of breaking power lasts for 1/2 to 1 second. Perhaps its related to the hybrid regenerating system. Never the less it is very disconcerting to lose brakes, even for a split second.

Took 2006 Toyota hybrid highlander in for a popping sound and vsc light , abs brake lights on. The Toyota dealer told me it needed a new abs accumulator for $ 28881. 71 . I was told this was dangerous that brakes could fail !!! upon looking I find this to be a problem with others . . . Time for a recall !!!!!!!!!!.

As I pulled out of the parking lot of a hotel the check vcs system, check hybrid system, check awd system warnings began to illuminate and alternate. The master warning light, slip indicator light, check engine warning light and the electronically controlled brake system warning light were all illuminated as well. The car would drive, however, the power steering and abs were not working. I was able to drive the car to the closest Toyota dealership. I was originally told that the car simply needed a new battery. Once the battery was replaced, I was told that the ecu for the abs system had died and would need to be replaced at the cost of $2000. When I mentioned the recall and the fact that the symptoms were directly in line with the recall notice for the imp I was told that while my VIN fell under the boj recall, the specific serial # of my imp did not. I was also told that this was not the problem my car was having. When I asked whether the serial numbers of the d1m recall were checked I was told this was an "interim recall" and that they were not authorized to do repairs on this one yet so they couldn't check. Research has indicated that an imp failure can cause and ecu failure. Furthermore, an ecu failure would not have caused the system to go into fail safe mode as it did. I have a Toyota case #, but they have told me there is nothing they can do.

While accelerating from a stoplight and driving in a 45mph zone, our 2007 Highlander Hybrid began to accelerate on its own. The engine revved as if someone were flooring the gas pedal. Neither my husband nor I knew what was happening. Then we heard a loud thud sound from the back seat and we lost power steering, power brakes, and we started to decelerate. Traffic was averaging 45-50mph around us. Thankfully, my husband was able to safely coast us into the right lane, then into a parking lot, and then into a parking spot. After that we were not able to start the vehicle and we had multiple error messages flash across the instrument panel: "check hybrid system" & "check vehicle stability". We were told by Toyota that our error codes indicated that the inverter "blew up" & needs replacement. They did not mention anything about the recall which I found while researching. We are 13 VIN numbers after the recall for this same issue. We were told the part costs $10,000 before taxes & installation. Toyota won't honor the earlier recall and so I've towed the vehicle home. :(.

The hybrid abruptly stalled while driving, light and alarms all around. Dealer states its the power inverter, he mentioned it was a recall, but not covering my car. The symptoms are identical.

Check vsc system came on, then off, it happens a lot took it to a dealer they found nothing now the warning is on all the time, took it to the dealer and now they want $2,600. 00.

Vehicle became unstable and wabbling, almost caused accident with loss of control, while in motion and displayed warning messages for brake and vehicle stability control with code p0a7a and possible other codes. Vehicle was taken to tyson's Toyota where it was diagnosed as having a defective hybrid inverter and requires $8000+ in repairs. We contacted Toyota and 2 days later they concluded that this is not a defect and no assistance will br provided for the repairs. This issue is similar/identical to another Toyota recall number 11v342000.

Driving the upper roadway of the queensboro 59th st bridge the car just died. Flashing on the panel read check the vsc system waited for a tow around a dangerous curve, we could have been killed. Otw to the Toyota dealer to see if they will honor the recalled inverter part.

I have a 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid 2wd. I tried to start the car one day and multiple warning lights came up on panel. I took a test drive around the block and noticed I did not have power brake assist, abs or vsc. The failure never went away. I took the vehicle to the dealership and they are replacing the brake actuator and skid control computer, two parts I wouldn't expect to fail.

I made a right hand turn and was accelerating, heard a pop and the car shut down. I coasted to the side of the road and the car wouldn't start. The check hybrid system light came on and then the check vsc light came on. The car was towed to the dealership. Dealership said the hybrid inverter failed.

While driving the vehicle up a slight incline in the street after driving about 10 miles, it suddenly stopped moving. The engine was still on but the car would not go forward or backwards. The message on the dash was first check csv (or vsc) and then check hybrid system. The police had to push the car out of the intersection and the car was hauled to the Toyota dealer. I have not heard from them in 6 days what the problem is.

2010 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. Consumer states that vehicle is suppose to be all wheel drive, however the hybrid system is not compatible with the all wheel drive system the consumer stated when the vehicle would slide, the hybrid system shut down the all-wheel drive system because the computer was trying to prevent damage to the generator which is a part of the hybrid system.

See all problems of the 2010 Toyota Highlander Hybrid 🔎.

My wife was parked in front of our apartment building, idling with her foot on the brake, when our 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid suddenly accelerated and crashed into a gate. Before the car crashed, she repeatedly applied the brake and even put the car in park. The car did not stop. After the impact, the engine continued to rev and accelerate before finally stopping. This had never happened before. The body has been repaired, but per Toyota, nothing mechanical or electronic has been touched. Last week Toyota sent a specialist out to inspect the car and download data. We were present at the time, and 5 dtc codes displayed. The descriptions displayed on the investigator's lap top mentioned vehicle speed sensors on right wheel and left wheel, the emps, body ecu switch circuit and "low or high power supply voltage". The car was test driven, and no errors or codes were reported. The car is now waiting to be taken to a dealer to be reviewed and fixed.

In early February 2010 during heavy snowfall, I lost partial traction in my all-wheel-drive (awd), 2009 Toyota Highlander Hybrid while driving up the steep street to my home. When the traction loss occurred, all power from the gas engine and the front and rear wheel electric motors was cut off by the computerized vehicle stability control (vsc)/traction control (trac) system. The loss of power to all four wheels resulted in the vehicle skidding perpendicular to the street and then sliding sideways down the mountain about 200 feet. That situation happened twice. By having no power to any of the four wheels, I was unable to steer the vehicle into the skid and had absolutely no control of it. This meant that when the awl was needed most, the vehicle became no wheel drive. There is a serious flaw in the engineering design. Regardless of the reason behind the phenomenon, it constitutes a serious safety defect that could cause people to be seriously injured or killed. I have contacted Toyota motor sales (tms) in CA and my local Toyota dealer. Both told me that the problem would have to be duplicated by a dealer tech before any resolution could be initiated. So, the next and last time it snowed here I contacted the service mgr who told his shop was closed because of the snow and no one was available to test drive my vehicle. Basically, I have been ignored by tms and the dealer in hopes that I will drop my complaint. I previously reported the complaint as odi #10314563 via a telephone call. The lady who took my call entered it with incorrect information. Nhtsa has not contacted me regarding an investigation of the incident, and I am hereby requesting such contact and follow-up. Updated ivoq 08/04/10.

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2006 Toyota highlander, 54,248 miles I brought my 2006 highlander into a dealer facility for routine maintenance and to investigate a v. S. C. Warning light indication that had appeared. I was told that the obd test revealed a c1241 code. I was told that I needed to purchase a new battery. I followed the service recommendations and replaced the battery. Immediately after the battery was replaced the v. S. C /abs/check engine lights were on. Returned to dealer where obd test indicatedc1300 failed skid control ecu. Vehicle appears to operate without anti-lock brake, vehicle skid control and traction control functionality. Vehicle handling is very unstable. Near crash on freeway when left front brake locked up.