Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a drained battery. The dealer determined that the battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with an ABS actuator malfunction, and the ABS actuator was replaced. The failure recurred and the ABS actuator was replaced a second time. The contact stated that the brake pedal needed to be depressed multiple times for the brakes to respond as needed. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed with ABS actuator malfunction for the third time. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. …
I bought new a 2007 Highlander Hybrid . The brakes have continually performed spongy and the accelerator would stick . I have had to drive with exaggerarted braking space to compensate . My wife has had three small accidents ( rear end due sudden stops in urban traffic setting . Over the years we have pressed darcars Toyota dealership in rockville md for assistance but they claimed no problem . Calls to Toyota USA were greeted with no help. Our insurance has been drastically increased we have tried to get the insurer, geico . To assist us in the defective braking problem and sticky accelerator. We are nearing the 5 year write off of those accidents . We have sideline the SUV and had to perchase a another Toyota ( prius )for my wife , a nurse . We have not had problems with accidents and braking ever before . …
My car had been making a chirping noise when I brake so I took it to a brake place and they put on new brake pads and rotors, about a week late all the lights on my dash came on saying everything was wrong, I called the brake place they said it was just a loose connection. About 2 months later I was slowing down to make a stop at a light approximately a half a football field away and my brakes just stopped working and I slid into the car in front of me.. I took it back to the brake place they said it was the Hybrid system, from which there was a recall for my car. I took it to the Toyota dealer and they fixed the recall but then said my problem is the brake hydraulic actuator, a 2500.00 part! From what I understand it is the sensor that tells your brakes to operate when you press the brake pedal!!! …
The ABS brake modulator began exhibiting very loud and continuous pumping/priming sounds for several weeks. During this time period upon hard braking the brake system would fail to respond immediately - there was a delay between the instant the brake pedal was depressed, and when the brakes were actually engaged to slow the vehicle. Today, all the instrument warning lights illuminated, including: master warning light, brake warning light, electronically controlled brake warning, anti-lock brake system, and slip indicator. All this indicates a failure of the ABS brake modular component. Toyota motor sales, USA, inc. Published warranty enhancement program - zg1 to address this issue. The warranty is only valid for up to 10 years or 150,000 miles and has recently expired for my vehicle. …
While driving under normal conditions, all dash lights went on saying check vsc system, ABS, brake lights, warnings and traction. Took vehicle to service at Toyota dealer and was told the ABS actuator assembly has to be replaced, for nearly $2500. This is a vehicle with under 65,000 miles on it and the actuator should last for the life of the vehicle. I just had the radiator replaced and brakes replaced two months ago. This problem was not detected. Brakes have always been soft on this vehicle. Now the battery is not charging and the brakes only seem to work off and on. I have to pump the brakes to make them work right. This is a huge safety problem as all of my driving is in the city in traffic. From reading online this is a problem that occurs frequently with this type of Toyota Highlander and other models. I don't feel safe driving it and I can't afford to fix it. …
While entering into a driveway at a very slow speed, I stepped on the brake to slow down further. But instead of braking, the car lunged forward. I felt I was not in control of the vehicle. I continued to hit the brakes, but the vehicle continued to go forward. It slammed into the car that was parked in the driveway and caused major damage. It also shoved the car into their garage, split the frame in half and ripped off brick from their home. The surface was slippery with wet leaves and there was a slight incline going up the driveway, but I just had brand new top of the line winter tires put on and I was probably only going 5 MPH. It did not make any sense. From reading the forums on line, I believe this is a major defect with the Hybrid and Toyota is not doing anything about it. They need to do a recall. Lives are at stake. Thank god no one was hurt, but it could have been fatal.
I own a 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. On Monday, jan. 25th, my wifewas parking our Highlander. She pulled into the parking space. Her foot was on the brake pedal. When she went to put the transmission into park, the car suddenly shot forward and hit a tree, damaging the front fender. My wife was sure she had the brake pedal depressed. We believe this accident was caused by a problem of sudden acceleration or braking that made the car go forward overpowering the brake. We also believe that this problem May be related to the Toyota acceleration and electronic braking that has been the basis of the recent Toyota recalls. Based on our experience: 1. 2007 Toyota Highlander hybrids should be added to the recall list. 2. Since we don't know when this will happen again, we do not feel save driving our Highlander. Please help us to resolve this problem.
I have owned a 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid for several years. I bought the car used and was never notified of a safety recall warranty extension for the antilock braking system (ABS module). The known defective part failed 6 months after the extension expired and was never notified of the recall. Local dealer now states the repair will cost $2500 which is about what the car is actually worth. This is my highschool daughter's car and the liability of the ABS module & brakes failing could be significant. The car is otherwise drivable and the brakes work although the ABS module continues to light up the vsc warning light on the LED monitor in the dash. My hope is to find some goodwill through Toyota or possibly the part manufacturer, however have been unable to do so to this point.
My brake actuator began making noises and vibrating while still covered by the secondary warranty. I took it into local Toyota dealership, and was told that despite the sound and vibration the car has to throw the proper warning codes to be covered. When my rear window motor overloaded and failed, immediately the vsc/brake/ABS warning lights all came on the dashboard. I believe that the brake actuator has been bad for awhile, but only an unrelated electrical surge caused the ECU to trip the brake actuator error codes. I'm grateful that Toyota responded to previous complaints by extending the warranty -but the delay in tripping the error code cost me 6 months of driving with the pulsating and pounding brake noise and allowed my secondary warranty to expire.
The vsdc warning came on with code c1391, which means the ABS pump accumulator assembly has gone bad, which costs thousands of dollars to fix. When I contacted Toyota, they said they extended the warranty on this and that extension ran out a couple of years ago. However, this makes no sense to extend a warranty on a part you have admitted is bad and a safety hazard, as the brakes will fail after this faulty part remains in the dysfunctional state. It appears to me that Toyota, was trying to appease as few as people as possible by extending a warranty on something as dangerous as this. They refuse to fix the problem, even though it will cause death to many. The mechanic said this has happened to many Toyota highlanders, per his information too.
Brake complaints in other Highlander Hybrid years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid?
NHTSA has 46 complaints about the brakes of the 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, 42% of the model year's 110 complaints. The component named most often is antilock › abs warning light (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 92,000 miles, and 17% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 10 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.