Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2017 Toyota Highlander owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
My car would randomly shut off at red lights, one time I was on a hill & thought I was going to roll back into the car in front of me. After restarting it would turn on. The radio would randomly shut off. We eventually replaced the battery. On a Fri.(Dec 17th) my car would not start, so my Husband drove the kids & I to school, upon my return the car started. He told me the wheel locks & I need to move it. Then on Mon. (Dec 20th) driving my daughter to preschool school...I have video from home camera showing your system will not let me attach a video) ...my car stalling as I reversed out of the driveway. I loose all control, then you hear that I pulled the emergency break & stop just before two cars pass by. …
The contact owns a 2017 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the Brake Power Low message was illuminated. The contact became aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V211000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle had not yet been taken to an independent mechanic or local dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 39,460.
March 5th purchased a battery from Autozone Z net Fit Match that caused cascading electrical and life -safety risk while traveling from hewitt, TX to Washington DC for our families spring break trip including 4 minor children. Component: 12-Volt Battery / Electrical System / Power Steering / Service Brakes Summary: Vehicle suffered catastrophic failure of Power Steering and Braking systems while in motion due to the installation of an incompatible lead-acid battery recommended by AutoZone's 'Z-Net' catalog. Despite Toyota Technical Service Bulletin T-TT-0523-19 (Jan 2019) stating this VIN requires an Enhanced Flooded Battery (EFB/AGM) for its Stop-Start system, the retailer's database continues to misidentify standard batteries as compatible. This mismatch causes a voltage drop that disables critical safety modules ('Limp Mode'). I have video evidence of the catalog error. …
This is the SECOND incident with this vehicle in the past 4 months. When going to start my vehicle, it would not start. It gave me this error message: Braking power low, Stop in a Safe Place, See owners manual. There is NOTHING about this in the owners manual. The first time I thought it was battery related and after 3 different chargers on my vehicle, it finally started. Tonight I proceeded to push the button without the foot pedal and the radio came on, so it is definitely not the battery. I've tried several times to start and to no avail. Problem has not been reproduced as i cannot drive my vehicle at this time. No inspection as of yet. No warnings or symptoms prior to failure. Research shows it may have to do with a fuel pump pressure issue. I have paperwork on this issue under a customer support program 23TE01. Hoping this can become a recall and i can get this fixed .
I have a 2017 Highlander, there have been several occasions the latest being 5/21/2022 that when trying to start I get "Braking Power Low" Stop in Safe Place and SUV does not start, after several attempts it starts. I called the Toyota dealership where I purchased SUV, asked if they knew about this issue and was informed, they have no knowledge and never heard of this issue, I looked online and found there have been some complaints. For now, my SUV starts after several attempts, but I am concerned that in the future it may not start and am not sure what to do. Are there or will there be any recalls on this issue? I'm sure the dealership (Toyota) will be more than happy to have me pay to fix this problem when it comes to that, but I feel this Toyota issue.
My 2017 Toyota Highlander just stop working all of sudden, I can't start the engine at all it says in the dashboard boaster power low/ park in the side in safe place. I was trying to start the engine it since it's 102 outside and I have my baby with me. I search it online and find out that toyota has recall for the same problem but only for 2018 Toyota Highlander. I can't even drive my car to the dealer/mechanic since I can't even start it all. Driving with this type of vehicle with same problem is really danger. The toyota should check inspect all their vehicle first for safely of everyone.
I had my battery replaced about 3 days ago at the Toyota dealership . Yesterday, I was stopped at a red light and when I attempted to drive, the vehicle stalled. "Braking power low" message on the dashboard and the car would not restart. I was able to jump start it after about 30 minutes. I got towed to a local repair shop who could not identify or duplicate the issue. I had no warning indicators other than failing to start the morning of getting the battery replaced 3 days ago.
my car has 18600.0 miles on it the problem is i started getting a " brakes under powered find a safe place to park" after doing some research, i have been advised to replace the vacuum pump and power booster at cost of aprox. 4 thousand dollars the car is not safe to drive i am disabled so this creates a hard ship for me. this is a major brake component why does it need to be replaced with only 18600.0 miles on it this is my only from of transportation and yes the mileage is correct
Brake system malfunctioned and failed. Our safety was put at risk with no braking ability. The car was inspected and serviced by Toyota. One light showed braking power low on one occasion While driving car listed above, on five different occasions the brake pedal went to the floor with out stopping the vehicle. Our safety was put at risk on each occasion.
I was driving home and a warning brake light came on which said breaking power low stop in a safe place, BSM not available. Car won't start again, ABS light, traction control light, all wheel drive system, engine brake light, antilock brake system. All of these alerts are on the dashboard.
Brake complaints in other Highlander years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2017 Toyota Highlander?
NHTSA has 29 complaints about the brakes of the 2017 Toyota Highlander, 11% of the model year's 271 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2017 Toyota Highlander brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2017 Toyota Highlander, though it has 3 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 2017 Toyota Highlander brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 15,000 miles, and 54% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 0 fires and 7 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.