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 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I checked by local car repair shop found out failure code C1391. Mean- Brake Actuator Assembly fault. Recall program ended already by 2020. But is not my mistake, i every time on time change oil, tire, brake pads and do State inspection. this is Part defect from beginning some cars failing low mileage some failing after. This is whole part failure only by Toyota Hybrid vehicles. This repair only done by Toyota dealership because of Toyota software to install. Repair cost about 3500$ and i can't afford this repair cost i have 3 children 6years, 3years, 10 month old. Dangerous to drive with kids. Toyota USA already denied my request. Sincerly, [redacted]
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the ABS and stabili-trak warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The mechanic retrieved DTC: C1391, indicating that the brake actuator assembly was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the Extended Program had expired, and the contact was advised to call the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.
ABS system failure for the second time after repair, cost $3400 to replace after causing complete loss of brakes. 4 years after incident same exact ABS warning and VCS system failure with message to immediately take vehicle to dealership. There is a class action lawsuit on other hybrid models but Toyota inspected and said it would cost another $3500 to fix because there is no recall on the part.
Myself, and many other 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid owners, have a vehicle code labeled C1391 "Leak in Accumulator" wherein the vehicles brake actuator and brake booster pump malfunction. The dash of my vehicle has the following indicators on; Check ABS, Check Brake System, Check VSC System, Yellow Master Warning Light, Red Brake System Light & Buzzer, Yellow ABS Warning Light, and Yellow Slip Indicator Light. This has been a significant cause of concern for me over the past two-three years since purchasing this vehicle. This is a known issue throughout the Toyota Highlander Hybrid community and the dealership is not upholding their previous recall which occurred in late 2019 and ended in 2020, after I had purchased the vehicle. The cost of repairs is upwards of $4,000 and Toyota has not given the proper opportunity for recall repairs to owners. …
The brake pedal gave no resistance, going right to the floor. The ABS system warnings lit up on the dashboard at the same time. I was able to pull the car over safely, but it was not driveable and needed a tow to a repair shop. The repair shop noted that the brake actuator assembly and skid module failed and needed replacement. AFTER DOING RESEARCH WE ARE CONFIDENT THE ISSUE IS EXACTLY AS HUNDREDS OF OTHER OWNERS HAVE PREVIOUSLY REPORTED TO TOYOTA, BBB, AND NHTSA. TOYOTA HAS SINCE ISSUES RECALLS AND WARRANTY EXTENSIONS FOR THE OTHER TOYOTA HYBRID MODEL THAT UTILIZE THE SAME PLATFORM/SYSTEM BUT JUST NOT FOR THE LATER 2008 HIGHLANDER HYBRID. SOMEONE NEEDS TO STEP UP AND HOLD TOYOTA ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE SAME FAULTY PARTS THEY CONTINUED TO INSTALL IN THEIR OTHER HYBRID VEHICLES THEY SOLD TO CONSUMERS. …
Brought this sport utility truck from a dealership out of Sandersville, Geogia in 2018. Never had an issue with this vehicle. All services are done in the dealership. It previously has 168k mileage. I have always heard sounds from as i have learned is the ABS motor\pump system since purchasing the vehicle in 2018, but never any issues. Now November 2023 this ABS situation has my whole dashboard lit up. This got full attention due we were traveling when this occurred to us telling me to stop the vehicle, pull over, shut the car off and contact a dealer. We exited the freeway at a gas station to see what the matter was about. I didn't since any tightness in the brake pedal so I drove back home to be safe. Warning messages read: Check VSC System, BRAKE Malfunction, Cheak Brake , Check ABS. …
In June 2019, Toyota issued a recall for ABS malfunction, diagnostic code C1391 - brake actuator and accumulator. New parts were issued by Toyota in 2019 as part of the recall. My vehicle experienced ABS malfunction, diagnostic code C1391 in March 2022 and was repaired by Toyota with the new and improved parts issued as part of the recall. As of October 14, 2024, my vehicle is experiencing the same issue again - ABS brake malfunction diagnostic code C1391, with the brake system light, master warning light, abs light and ABS Malfunction warning noted on the screen. The vehicle can be inspected. Toyota has inspected and confirmed it is the same issue again. The new and improved parts from 2019 should not fail within 20,000 miles. …
We were driving at about 40 MPH and approached our turn. When I depressed the brakes, they felt spongy and I had trouble slowing quickly. The yellow triangle illuminated on the dash and a long warning beep sounded. I was able to get safely parked in a parking lot, and my son came and took a look as well. We had the car towed to a shop, who diagnosed the problem, stating that we needed to replace the brake booster pump and actuator assembly. A family member noted that Toyota had issued a recall for vehicles with the same year/make/model for the braking system, so we had it towed to our local Toyota dealership to verify that they had no open recalls on the brakes and complete a full inspection otherwise. They validated that the brake booster pump and actuator assembly needed to be replaced. I am left wondering why my vehicle was not included in Toyota's recall.
Good Afternoon, The brake actuator and booster pump failed on my 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. ABS, Brake, and VSC warning lights came on, and the brakes became weak and unsafe. A repair shop confirmed the issue with codes C1252, C1256, and C1391. I tried to fix it at a local shop last year, but the problem came back. It seems this repair can only be fully done at a Toyota dealer due to software requirements. However, the dealer repair cost is very high. I cannot afford the repair or a new car right now because of family budget limits - we have three children and rely on this vehicle every day(only one car). Toyota declined to help, even though I later found this issue was once covered under Program ZKC, which I missed. The vehicle is still unsafe and available for inspection. Thank you very much for considering my issue!
Chief complaint ISSUES were as follow : " BRAKE MALFUNCTION STOP The vehicle in a safe plase immediately and contact Dealer." Warning lights were illuminated on the instrument cluster or information display: yellow master warning light, the red brake system warning light and buzzer, yellow ABS warning light, yellow SLIP indicator light. After carefull diagnosis, it was determined that the brake booster pump was turning on frequently or working constantly. Unusual squeaky noise can be heard when depressing the brake pedal. In addition, the ABS Diagnostic Trouble Codes were identical as the problem. From research it should be noted. Toyota has previously identified and issued safety recall for the same vehicle however stopped short of including the 2008 Toyota Highlander hybrid model with the aforementioned Vin number.
Brake complaints in other Highlander years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2008 Toyota Highlander?
NHTSA has 81 complaints about the brakes of the 2008 Toyota Highlander, 20% of the model year's 405 complaints. The component named most often is power assist › vacuum (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Toyota Highlander brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2008 Toyota Highlander, though it has 11 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 brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 128,000 miles, and 15% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 6 crashes, 1 fire and 8 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.