Brake complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 20% | 15,000 miles |
| 2024 | 8 | 19% | — |
| 2023 | 20 | 11% | — |
| 2022 | 39 | 15% | 8,000 miles |
| 2021 | 68 | 13% | 27,000 miles |
| 2020 | 41 | 13% | 16,000 miles |
| 2019 | 20 | 4% | 25,000 miles |
| 2018 | 58 | 22% | 17,000 miles |
| 2017 | 29 | 11% | 15,000 miles |
| 2016 | 19 | 17% | 28,000 miles |
| 2015 | 15 | 8% | 11,000 miles |
| 2014 | 3 | 2% | 23,000 miles |
| 2013 | 17 | 8% | 24,000 miles |
| 2012 | 14 | 8% | 8,000 miles |
| 2011 | 17 | 9% | 45,000 miles |
| 2010 | 30 | 14% | 43,000 miles |
| 2009 | 26 | 19% | 102,000 miles |
| 2008 | 81 | 20% | 128,000 miles |
| 2007 | 36 | 29% | 100,000 miles |
| 2006 | 102 | 37% | 100,000 miles |
| 2005 | 24 | 11% | 57,000 miles |
| 2004 | 24 | 8% | 74,000 miles |
| 2003 | 33 | 13% | 94,000 miles |
| 2002 | 12 | 4% | 100,000 miles |
| 2001 | 19 | 14% | 53,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
My car was parked in the driveway with the engine running. The engine was then turned off from outside the vehicle using the start/stop button. Once the engine stopped, the car moved backward down the sloped driveway and struck a pickup truck that was parallel parked on the street. I then entered the vehicle and attempted to shift into drive, but a warning appeared indicating the hybrid system was off and instructing me to put the car in park. Multiple attempts were made to drive the car forward, but instead, it was driving in reverse. The car would not move forward for approximately five minutes. I eventually turned the engine off and restarted it after a couple of minutes. After restarting, I was able to drive the car off the street.
>While exiting a highway my vehicle surged forward crashing into the vehicle in front of me.Engaging the brake, my car smashed into the van again. I had no control over the forward momentum of the car. >Both the driver & I were in danger of injury >The problem has not been addressed as my damaged car is being repaired >The vehicle has not been inspected >I was given no warning that the incident was forthcoming
I was involved in a vehicle crash on 7-1-25. I had just pulled out of the gas station and was coming up to a stop sign so I was only going about 8mph I put my foot on the brake and nothing happened. I had my foot all the way down on the brake pedal because I saw a car coming and they were traveling at about 40mph. No automatic braking nothing worked. I had no control. I just prayed that I hope this doesn't hurt. None of my airbags deployed. My car is now totaled and of course I got the ticket because I did not have control of my vehicle. I strongly believe this has to do with the brakes and how it switches from electric to gas in my hybrid vehicle. Toyota has recalled prior years 2020 to 2022 hybrids for this exact issue. This is a huge safety issue and thankfully I am alive to make this complaint. …
weather conditions were severe due to a snowstorm, causing ice buildup on the road, low visibility, and slippery pavement. Despite driving cautiously, I lost control of the vehicle, which resulted in going off the road, down an embankment, and crashing into a tree. Immediately after the impact, I called 911 emergency services for assistance. I attempted to exit the vehicle, but the driver's door was blocked due to the position of the tree. I remained inside the vehicle until a passerby stopped and helped me get out. As a result of the impact, my vehicle sustained significant damage The shocking thing about it all is that the vehicle did not activate the airbags and that is worrying to me because it could have been unfortunate.
The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed, causing the vehicle to shudder and the steering wheel was vibrating. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with warped rotors. The contact related the failure to Technical Service Bulletin: 0072-18 (Front Brake), however, the vehicle was not covered under the TSB. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 12,000.
The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, the brakes failed to respond causing the braking distances to be extended. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent but had occurred on several occasions almost causing a crash. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer on several occasions, but the cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 8,000.
Upon attempting to engage the brakes, it was found that they did not work. Immediately thereafter, the car began an uncommanded full acceleration. The insurance company has totaled the car. Our safety as occupants was obviously at serious risk. The driver chose to take the car off the road rather than jeopardize the lives of others on the same road. The car plowed through boulders and trees, coming to rest upside down wedged between an earthen berm and a tree......suspended about 2 feet above the ground. There were no warnings prior to the incident. The car has been inspected by the insurance company, and has been authorized for inspection by the manufacturer. There were no serious injuries as a result of the accident. We were VERY lucky! Uncommanded acceleration without any control is a frightening event any time....but definitely in the vicinity of other vehicles full of families.
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander. While driving 20 MPH uphill, the messages "Engine Failure," "Brake Failure," and "Pull Over to A Safe Place, See Owner's Manual" were displayed, and several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, but the failure persisted. After a second restart, the message "See Dealer" was displayed with the check engine warning light illuminated. After a third restart, the vehicle was driving rough while the accelerator pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by phone. The failure mileage was approximately 123,000.
Related recalls (3)
Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist › Vacuum
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018 Toyota Camry and Highlander vehicles, 2017 Toyota Sienna and Tacoma vehicles and 2017 Lexus RX350 vehicles.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake booster vacuum pump, free of charge. The recall began on May 9, 2018.
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.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Master cylinder
Vehicle description: sport utiity vehicles. The reservoir filler cap of the brake master cylinder May induce a vacuum, introducing some air into the brake master cylinder reservoir. This could cause abnormal brake noise and increased pedal stroke when the brakes are applied.
Remedy: Dealers will bleed the air from the brake lines and replace the reservoir filler cap. Owner notification began July 30, 2001.
Frequently asked questions
Which Toyota Highlander years have brake problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2006 (102), 2008 (81), 2021 (68), 2018 (58) and 2020 (41) model years. Brake complaints make up 37% of all complaints for the 2006.
Is there a recall for Toyota Highlander brake problems?
Yes — 3 recalls, including 18V-211 (vacuum, Apr 3, 2018); 10V-499 (master cylinder, Oct 21, 2010); 01V-228 (master cylinder, Jul 5, 2001). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Toyota Highlander brake problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles; 47% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (14 mentions), followed by the foundation components › master cylinder (10).
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.