Toyota Highlander Service Brakes, Hydraulic Problems
Owners have filed 137 complaints with NHTSA about service brakes, hydraulic problems on the Toyota Highlander across 19 model years. The 2006 model year has the most (23). The words owners use most often: “master cylinder” (12% of reports).
- 137service brakes, hydraulic complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 27mention a crash
- 9mention an injury
- 4related recalls
- 10%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Master cylinder: mentioned in 16 of 137 complaints (12%)
- Stopping distance: mentioned in 7 of 137 complaints (5%)
- Parking space: mentioned in 7 of 137 complaints (5%)
- Brake pads: mentioned in 7 of 137 complaints (5%)
At what mileage do service brakes, hydraulic problems happen?
Based on 101 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 137 complaints, 27 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 9 an injury.
Toyota Highlander service brakes, hydraulic complaints by model year
| Model year | Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 Highlander | 1 | 0% | 8,000 |
| 2021 Highlander | 1 | 0% | 123,000 |
| 2020 Highlander | 2 | 1% | 51,000 |
| 2019 Highlander | 2 | 0% | 26,250 |
| 2018 Highlander | 5 | 2% | 32,000 |
| 2017 Highlander | 1 | 0% | 39,460 |
| 2013 Highlander | 1 | 0% | 12,356 |
| 2012 Highlander | 2 | 1% | 4,989 |
| 2011 Highlander | 2 | 1% | 8,000 |
| 2010 Highlander | 3 | 1% | 17,019 |
| 2009 Highlander | 5 | 4% | 20,107 |
| 2008 Highlander | 13 | 3% | 29,000 |
| 2007 Highlander | 6 | 5% | 39,000 |
| 2006 Highlander | 23 | 8% | 34,500 |
| 2005 Highlander | 13 | 6% | 52,500 |
| 2004 Highlander | 16 | 6% | 64,506 |
| 2003 Highlander | 22 | 9% | 59,200 |
| 2002 Highlander | 4 | 1% | 74,000 |
| 2001 Highlander | 15 | 11% | 13,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (4)
Service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum
Model years: 2018
Problem: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018 Toyota Camry and Highlander vehicles, 2017 Toyota Sienna and Tacoma vehicles and 2017 Lexus RX350 vehicles. During the manufacturing process, the oil galley in the rotor for the brake booster vacuum pump assembly may have been improperly machined possibly resulting in a sudden loss of brake assist.
Risk: A sudden loss of braking assist can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake booster vacuum pump, free of charge. The recall began on May 9, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371, or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are J0K/JLD.
Electrical system:wiring; service brakes, hydraulic:fluid
Model years: 2016
Problem: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2016 Highlander vehicles manufactured May 26, 2016, to September 16, 2016. The brake fluid level sensor may not be connected to the wire harness, preventing the sensor from detecting the brake fluid level. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
Risk: If the brake fluid level is low and is not detected, the braking performance may be decreased, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, connect the wire harness to the sensor, free of charge. The recall began November 14, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this G03.
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:master cylinder
Model years: 2004, 2005, 2006
Problem: Toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2006 avalon, model year 2004-2006 highlander, model year 2004-2006 lexus rx, and model year 2006 lexus gs and is vehicles. Brake fluid containing polymers is used that acts as lubricants for certain brake system components. If replacement brake fluid is used that does not contain such polymers, or that contains only small amounts, a part of the rubber seal located at the rear of the brake master cylinder may become dry, and the seal may curl during movement of the piston. If this occurs, a small amount of brake fluid could slowly leak from the seal into the brake booster.
Risk: A leak of brake fluid could lead to a change in brake pedal feel and overtime a degradation in braking performance increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the seal with a newly designed one. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on november 15, 2010. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331 and lexus at 1-800-255-3987.
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:master cylinder
Model years: 2001
Problem: Vehicle description: sport utiity vehicles. The reservoir filler cap of the brake master cylinder may induce a vacuum, introducing some air into the brake master cylinder reservoir. This could cause abnormal brake noise and increased pedal stroke when the brakes are applied.
Risk: The increased pedal stroke will lengthen the stopping distance of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will bleed the air from the brake lines and replace the reservoir filler cap. Owner notification began july 30, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, the brakes failed to respond causing the braking distances to be extended. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent but had occurred on several occasions almost causing a crash. The…
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…
The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop as intended. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to stop, and the vehicle jerked abnormally. No warning lights were…
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…
The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made an abnormal, loud clunking sound. The ABS, the parking brake, and the traction control warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Toyota Highlanders have service brakes, hydraulic problems?
No. NHTSA has 137 owner complaints about service brakes, hydraulic for the Toyota Highlander. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Toyota Highlander service brakes, hydraulic?
Yes: 4 safety recalls list service brakes, hydraulic. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about service brakes, hydraulic problems on the Toyota Highlander?
The most frequent phrase is “master cylinder”, in 16 of 137 complaints, followed by “stopping distance” (7).
Other Toyota Highlander problems
- Power Train problems (1,041)
- Electrical System problems (634)
- Service Brakes problems (589)
- Engine problems (536)
- Structure problems (446)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (444)
- Steering problems (365)
- Air Bags problems (356)
See all Toyota Highlander problems.