10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
8,464 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2012 Toyota Highlander brakes problems

brakes problem

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2012 Toyota Highlander Owner Comments

problem #10

Jul 222022

Highlander

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

This is the second Highlander Hybrid I've owned that has had the brake actuator and booster assembly fail affecting the functionality of the car's braking system. Replacing these two parts has an absurd price of over 3k at the dealership and other independent hybrid repair shops. My car only has 70k miles on it and I've read this issue applies to almost all other Toyota Hybrids. If most hybrid's brakes will fail eventually, putting at risk owners, why is there not a recall to fix this "not a matter of if, but when" possible life threatening issue?

- Toa Alta, PR, USA

problem #9

Jul 272022

Highlander

  • miles
I was driving and arrived home and suddenly lost my braking and almost hit my house if I didn't steer the wheel towards my lawn and put on my parking brake it would have been a disaster. I felt so unsafe that I had my vehicle towed for repair and had to replace the brake master cylinder. Two weeks later, we went on a family trip and parked my vehicle with my family and it was on a slight slope and went to put on the parking brake and it was still slightly moving forward only to put my vehicle in reverse QUICKLY in order in NOT DRIVE INTO A LAKE WITH MY FAMILY IN THE vehicle!!! I have just read the complaints and this is an ongoing problem since 2011 and I am quite SHOCKED that this is NOT ON RECALL!!! My wife has a Prius V 2013 and have not had any problems at all, BUT has a recall on a Brake Hydro-Boost pump fail for her vehicle, BUT nothing is wrong with her brakes, ONLY THE 2012 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER!!! Please let me know what Toyota needs to do to get this this fixed!!! I know there are probably more that no one is reporting this and I guess there must be a fatality in order for Toyota to fix this problem!!!!

- Hanover, MD, USA

problem #8

Jun 052022

Highlander

  • miles
The Brake Hydro-Boost pump failed while driving on I-75. Subsequently almost all braking was lost on the vehicle. I have researched similar failures on the same model brake pump assemblies, and feel that this is a very unsafe failure condition for the vehicle. The repair cost for this failure is exorbitant given the rate of failure which seems to exist with this make/model. Luckily I was driving the vehicle at the time and had the presence of mind to allow the vehicle to roll to a stop using engine braking. This failure could have caused a multiple fatality accident in may opinion. Toyota is negligent in their care regarding theses failures.

- Brandon, FL, USA

problem #7

Dec 122021

Highlander

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have had at least 6 occasions that in shifting from reverse and backing up that the bakes did not work, fortunately I was going slow and stopped with emergency brake. I have it also after backing safely, then shifting into drive that the brakes went to the floor and wouldn-??t stop the vehicle again, between the emergency brake and park I avoided disaster. Our car has only 27000 miles and we are very concerned that something bad could easily happen. The multiple occurrences have taken place in the last 1 - 2 years most recent today 12/12/2021.

- Ontario, CA, USA

problem #6

Aug 292018

Highlander

  • 45,800 miles
While stopped on an incline with brake being pressed vehicle started rolling backwards and skid light came on. Put vehicle in 'park' and vehicle stopped. Placed vehicle in 'drive', accelerated and drove away without further incident. Took vehicle to dealership for inspection and was told no problem identified.

- Oxford, MI, USA

problem #5

Jul 162018

Highlander

  • miles
When locking the doors, even though the batteries have been changed the doors have to be locked manuel. The trunk opens on it own. I can be in the house and when I go outside the trunk is open.

- Windsor Mill, MD, USA

problem #4

May 192017

Highlander

  • 30,101 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

1. my car has only 30000 miles and yesterday brake malfunction showed up. My wife had hard time stopping this vehicle. 2. since I am reporting brake issue. It is important to share our speed gage is counting 2 -3 miles/hour higher than actual speed. We had a kind of sense for this. Now I purchased a very high efficacy gps. Which confirmed. When ever we are passing by speed detector on any given street. My speed meter is 2 -3 miles higher as compared shows on speeding detector on street. I do not want to pay to the dealer but I wanted to report for sure.

- Redwood City, CA, USA

problem #3

Aug 152012

Highlander

  • 7,500 miles
Light turned red. I attempted to stop. Brake pedal was rock hard no response. Two more attempts useless. I just continued across the intersection and there was no further event. This was the third event for this car. I refuse to drive it again. I am awaiting a resolution from Toyota under a California lemon law dispute.

- San Rafael, CA, USA

problem #2

Nov 082011

Highlander 6-cyl

  • 139 miles
The car will not hold when parked on a steep incline. Not even in my driveway at home. Especially if there are people in the car because of the added weight. They adjusted it the first time and said it would be fine. That only lasted a month. Took it in again and they said nothing was wrong but they adjusted it more. Tech said they might have to charge me because it is going to wear out the parking brake pads. Never had some thing like this happen in any vehicle I have owned. It currently is not holding so I apply the brake to the floor and then put it in park. Not a good practice.

- Coraopolis, PA, USA

problem #1

Apr 302012

Highlander 6-cyl

  • 1,104 miles
While pulling into a parking stall in a private parking lot, my Highlander suddenly accelerated and I had no brakes at all! my Highlander went up over the curb which caused the vehicle to slow. I had brakes again and was able to apply the brake, coming to a safe stop. Not before slashing my left front tire and bending my tire rim. Thankfully no one was injured.

- Clinton, UT, USA

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