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 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the brake malfunction and ABS warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that when she started the vehicle, she was unable to depress the brake pedal to the floor and started to hear an abnormal noise. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed that the brake booster pump assembly and brake actuator assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 162,000.
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the master, brake system, ABS warning, and traction control warning lights illuminated. Additionally, the message "Brake System Malfunction - Stop in Safe Place Immediately", check ABS/VSC system, and check braking system" messages were displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic several times, but was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 227,000.
Driving approximately 30K / hr on September 22, around 6 pm. Little traffic as the road leads deep to the country. No rain, great visibility. We'd just stopped to follow someone to a remote location and had not gotten out of the car at that time as the friend came to the driver's side door. A few minutes later, an alarm sounded and the indicator displayed "brake malfunction". The brakes were not working and at the same moment, smoke began filling the vehicle from the front vents. At this time you could also see small flames from the front hood of the vehicle. We immediately exited the car once it came to a complete stop (forced to park position). Flames could be seen falling from the passenger side front end. My husband shut off the vehicle. We ran around a ned in the road to get to safety. Within minutes (5-7 max) the car was engulfed in flames. …
Lights appeared on dash "brake malfunction", "check brake system", "check vsc system". Took my 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid to my local Toyota dealership. They said that it was the ABS brake system and it would cost $6000 to repair. I had the exact same problem in my 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. In that case, Toyota issued a warranty extension and the brakes were fixed by the local dealership. I had not yet decided what to do about my current brake problem. I had just gotten all four tires replaced as they were getting bald. I was on a trip back from va to sc with my family on I-95 south. It was raining. I was in the left lane and there was heavy traffic. There was suddenly a large traffic accident ahead of me and cars came to an abrupt stop in both lanes. I hit the brakes and began to skid. …
I was driving to work when suddenly my dashboard displayed the ABS vsc warning lights. I brought my car to Toyota dealership for them to run the diagnostics on it, which cost me $ 100. After which I was informed that the ABS actuator needs to be replaced for about $4500. So I asked if the car was drivable and if the breaks are still OK and working, they said it was fine to drive but to replace as soon as possible. I was about to go on a vacation so didnt have (the time )or money to spend on a part that in my mind should have been recalled by the manufacturer. I then attempted to call Toyota to check for any recalls on my model...they had none. As I was coming back from my vacation, doing about 60mph a lady pulled out in front of my car causing me to rearend her vehicle. My breaks locked up and thankfully no one got hurt. I am interested in contacting a lawyer to see what can be done.
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. …
While driving slowly in a school zone I attempted to stop for the crossing guard and children. The brake peddle began pulsating but I was able to stop using the emergency brake. The brake dashboard warning lights came on and showed ABS and vsc failure. The vehicle was taken to the nearest Toyota dealership who advised they would have to special order a part and charged me $1,800.00 for the part. They received the part 1 week later and called to advise that it was the wrong part and that the correct part was $1,000.00 more because they needed the whole assembly. I complained to the service manager and the Toyota motor corp. And they were unwilling to help me. My vehicle was removed from the dealership and taken to a certified independent repair shop. …
I was driving straight on a city street at 40 MPH when the vehicle stability control and check brake system warnings alerted, as well as the cabin alarm. At that time I pulled into a gas station and realized the brakes had gone soft and were not functioning properly. I turned off and restarted the car; the problem persisted. I cautiously drove a half mile to my house and connected my vehicle to a diagnostic tool. The codes indicated c1252-7 (brake booster pump motor), c1256-7 (low pressure accumulator), and c1345-7 (linear solenoid valve offset learning undone). The combination of codes points to the brake actuator and pump needing to be replaced. The brake pads, speed sensors, wheel bearings, and relays are all good. After much online research I discovered that brake actuator/pump failure is a common complaint on this vehicle and costs thousands to repair. …
Brake malfunction on 2008 Highlander Hybrid with 100,495 miles: I had the following warnings appear on the electronic screen - 'ABS system malfunction - park car in a safe place and call the dealer', 'vsc system failure', ' brake system warning'. A loud alarm came on suddenly when I was driving the vehicle, and is now constant when the ignition 'on' button is pressed, (I.e. When car is moving or in park). I need to use very high foot pressure to make the brakes work at all and this situation could easily have caused an accident if I needed to stop suddenly. I read the many similar brake related complaints on the NHTSA and Toyota blog pages. The local Toyota dealer is charging $2,435 [20-25% of net worth of vehicle] to replace the brake booster pump assembly which they indicate is only the first step in debugging the ABS/brake/vsc messages are due to. …
3 weeks after we purchased our 2008 Highlander Hybrid with only 115,000 miles on it, the whole dashboard lit up with warning lights. The lights indicated that the ABS had malfunctioned. It said to pull over and get it checked by the Toyota dealership immediately. We took it to the dealership and were told that there was an abnormal leak in the accumulator and that it will cost $4693.46 to repair. This is after we had just purchased the vehicle for $15,000. We are a family with 6 kids and obviously do not have that kind of money. We continued driving the Highlander until it became completely unsafe. The brakes stopped working while I was driving it one day with my kids. The brakes would go all the way to the floor and barely even stopped me. I managed to make it home without being in a wreck, but we feel that it is totally unsafe to drive. …
Brake complaints in other Highlander Hybrid years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid?
NHTSA has 113 complaints about the brakes of the 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, 57% of the model year's 197 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › control unit/module (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, though it has 6 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 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 119,000 miles, and 12% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 1 fire 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.