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 2005 Toyota Highlander owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owned a 2005 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving 15 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and the vehicle accelerated and crashed into a fence. The air bags did not deploy. At the time of the crash, the vehicle was 20 MPH. The vehicle was towed to a junkyard. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact sustained a face injury where he lost several teeth and also had back pain. Medical treatment was needed for the injury, went to the hospital and got an x-ray and some dental work done A police report was filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 108,435.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Toyota Highlander. While driving straight, another vehicle suddenly drove in front of the contact. As a result, the contact crashed into the rear passenger side of the other vehicle. There were no injuries. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to carman Ford Lincoln (193 s dupont hwy, new castle, de 19720 at [phone]) where the front passenger side was repaired. A few months later, the stability control and parking brake indicators illuminated, and the radio and clock started to malfunction. The vehicle was taken to price Toyota (168 n dupont hwy, new castle, de 19720 [phone]) where it was recommended that the body control module needed to be replaced. The dealer stated that other failures May occur. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and did not assist. The approximate failure mileage was 119,271.
When I was trying to park my Toyota Highlander 2005 in front of the building where I work, backing up, the engine iddle went extremely high and I tried to stop, but I could not do it because the steering wheel and the brakes locked. I tried to put the gear in neutral, but instead, it went straigh to drive, so it causes major damages to 2 vehicles behind mine, and other 3 in front of mine too. Also my vehicle destroyed a mail box and a tree, but I could not stop until my Highlander stopped by itself totally destroyed. I ended up in the hospital with some trauma.
My 2005 Toyota Highlander master brake cylinder looks to be leaking near the brake booster. I know that it was replaced by Toyota dealer under NHTSA campaign number: 10V499000. However I do not remember the year. I was driving on local streets, when I stepped on the brake pedal and it went all the way to the floor. The next time I tried to step on the pedal it was working OK. But then the 3rd time I stepped on the brake pedal it was going all the way to the floor again. This was a shocked since it got me to work 9 hours earlier with no issue. I got home and checked the brake fluid level and looked to be at the correct level. I did not drive until next day to take it to my local mechanic, who told me it was the master brake cylinder. He stated that there was a small leak inside the brake booster and needed to replace the whole master brake cylinder. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Toyota Highlander. While driving 2-3 MPH in reverse, the vehicle abnormally accelerated. The contact attempted to brake but to no avail as the vehicle crashed into her garage. The air bags did not deploy but the contact was not injured and there was minimal damage to the vehicle and moderate damage to the contacts home. The vehicle was taken to the dealer yet the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. There were three additional occurrences of the failure and the vehicle was taken back to the dealer where repairs were made to the floor mat and the brake covers. The contact stated that she was still afraid to drive the vehicle. She later received notification of NHTSA campaign id number: 11V112000 (vehicle speed control:accelerator pedal) and the recall repair was performed on the vehicle. The failure mileage was 2,000 and the current mileage was 20,000.
Tl contact owns a 2005 Toyota Highlander. While driving approximately 40 MPH the vehicle lost control. The vehicle moved to the drivers left lane and a crashed occurred. The vehicle was struck from behind and moved into the third lane of the highway crashing into the median which caused the vehicle to stop. There was a police report filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and was repaired. The contact stated that after the crash occurred she received a recall notice ( NHTSA campaign id number: 10V499000, service brakes, hydraulic foundation master cylinder) and was informed by the dealer that the vehicle was included in the recall. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 MPH from a complete stop, the brake pedal traveled to the floor upon engaging. The vehicle failed to slow down and crashed into another vehicle. The driver's side air bag partially deployed. The contact suffered bruises and minor pain to the chest as a result of the driver's side seat belt faulty webbing. In addition, the seat belt retractor would not function during the crash. The front hood and bumper were damaged. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 37,804.
Driving down the freeway the rear passenger wheel locked up. Had to cut across two lanes of traffic to the side. The wheel still totally locked when it had to be dragged onto a flat bed. Luckily there was no injuries. Still not 100% sure or what's wrong but guessing it has something to do with the traction/ABS control system. They really should look into a recall because this seems to be a common issue.
In a 2005 Toyota Highlander, while parking the vehicle front bumper corner hit another vehicle. The brakes in this particular vehicle feel very spongy making it very difficult to control the speed and trajectory of this vehicle at slow speeds.
Brake fluid has to be refilled every 500 miles. There must be a leak somewhere in the brake master cylinder. Once we almost hit another vehicle because the brake nearly failed due to absence of brake fluid
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Master cylinder
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.
Remedy: 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.
Brake complaints in other Highlander years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2005 Toyota Highlander?
NHTSA has 24 complaints about the brakes of the 2005 Toyota Highlander, 11% of the model year's 224 complaints. The component named most often is controls › foot control/valve (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Toyota Highlander brake problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 10V-499 (master cylinder, Oct 21, 2010). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2005 Toyota Highlander brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 57,000 miles, and 19% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 7 crashes, 0 fires and 3 injuries 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.