Toyota Highlander Service Brakes Problems
Owners have filed 589 complaints with NHTSA about service brakes problems on the Toyota Highlander across 25 model years. The 2006 model year has the most (71). The words owners use most often: “brake actuator” (13% of reports).
- 589service brakes complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 81mention a crash
- 30mention an injury
- 4related recalls
- $3,400typical repair cost reported by owners
- 21%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.
- Brake actuator: mentioned in 79 of 589 complaints (13%)
- Power low: mentioned in 33 of 589 complaints (6%)
- Feels like: mentioned in 30 of 589 complaints (5%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical service brakes repair on the Toyota Highlander at $3,400, and half of them between $2,600 and $4,300.
Based on 54 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2012–2026), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do service brakes problems happen?
Based on 235 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 589 complaints, 81 mention a crash, 30 an injury.
Toyota Highlander service brakes complaints by model year
| Model year | Service Brakes complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Highlander | 2 | 20% | 15,000 |
| 2024 Highlander | 8 | 19% | — |
| 2023 Highlander | 19 | 10% | — |
| 2022 Highlander | 37 | 14% | 1,800 |
| 2021 Highlander | 67 | 13% | 14,855 |
| 2020 Highlander | 38 | 12% | 15,592 |
| 2019 Highlander | 18 | 4% | 5,500 |
| 2018 Highlander | 53 | 20% | 13,490 |
| 2017 Highlander | 28 | 10% | 14,750 |
| 2016 Highlander | 19 | 17% | 26,500 |
| 2015 Highlander | 15 | 8% | 10,000 |
| 2014 Highlander | 3 | 2% | 23,000 |
| 2013 Highlander | 16 | 8% | 26,000 |
| 2012 Highlander | 12 | 7% | 7,500 |
| 2011 Highlander | 13 | 7% | 64,300 |
| 2010 Highlander | 25 | 12% | 69,300 |
| 2009 Highlander | 21 | 16% | 152,450 |
| 2008 Highlander | 66 | 16% | 155,000 |
| 2007 Highlander | 29 | 23% | 127,000 |
| 2006 Highlander | 71 | 26% | 150,500 |
| 2005 Highlander | 6 | 3% | 116,667 |
| 2004 Highlander | 6 | 2% | 110,961 |
| 2003 Highlander | 10 | 4% | 137,000 |
| 2002 Highlander | 4 | 1% | 120,000 |
| 2001 Highlander | 3 | 2% | 88,536 |
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.
Brake lag with loss of brakes during transition from regenerative to hydraulic friction braking. The vehicle braking system cuts out causing the vehicle to freely move forward which has caused near rear-end collisions with other vehicles, and loss of brakes at stop signs and crosswalks. The vehicle…
Multiple warning lights appeared on the dash board including ABS, also check VSC system in the dialogue window. Code C1391 (Abnormal leak in accumulator) appeared in a diagnostic scan. After some internet research, it appears this a common problem with the 2006 Toyota Highlander and is a very…
The brake actuator for the hybrid system has failed. My vehicle brake pedal is difficult do depress and unsafe to drive. This is a known issue with other Toyota hybrids that have been recalled but for some reason the highlander is not recalled even though it uses the same problem part as the…
When traveling at slower speeds and applying the brakes on a slight decline, my 2021 Toyota Highlander HYBRID lurches forward with alarming force. On probably 5 separate occasions, this has nearly resulted in me lurching into traffic running perpendicular to me. I have come within 2-3 feet of…
We were behind a vehicle that had come to a rolling stop because the vehicle in front of him had hit the person in front of him , we were going about 25 miles per hour and about 2 car lengths from him . I applied the brakes but the vehicle failed to stop . It was as if I did not press the brakes at…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Toyota Highlanders have service brakes problems?
No. NHTSA has 589 owner complaints about service brakes 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?
Yes: 4 safety recalls list service brakes. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix service brakes problems on the Toyota Highlander?
Owners report a typical cost of $3,400 (half paid between $2,600 and $4,300), from 54 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about service brakes problems on the Toyota Highlander?
The most frequent phrase is “brake actuator”, in 79 of 589 complaints, followed by “power low” (33).
Other Toyota Highlander problems
- Power Train problems (1,041)
- Electrical System problems (634)
- Engine problems (536)
- Structure problems (446)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (444)
- Steering problems (365)
- Air Bags problems (356)
- Visibility problems (318)
See all Toyota Highlander problems.