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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
619 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.

2021 Toyota Highlander brakes problems

brakes problem

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2021 Toyota Highlander Owner Comments (Page 3 of 3)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #8

Jan 212021

Highlander

  • miles

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

The Highlander Hybrid is dangerous and someone will get hurt. The brakes will occasionally, at lower speeds and under a variety of circumstances, stop working for a second or two. It actually gives the feeling that the car is accelerating or surging forward. My dealer was able to replicate the problem but said they hadn't heard of a fix yet. They had heard of this issue from several customers. Toyota maintains it is normal operation and is simply the hybrid switching from regenerative braking to mechanical braking. It is completely unpredictable. Sometimes it will go a week without happening. Sometimes it will happen several times in 1 day. My wife and I do not feel safe in this car. Very frustrating that Toyota doesn't seem to take this seriously. It's simply a matter of time before we rear end someone, or hit something else.

- Mitchell , IN, USA

problem #7

Oct 202021

Highlander

  • miles
At only 12,000 miles there is significant vibrating and shuddering when applying brakes. I was told after an inspection that it is the rotors.

- Montague , CA, USA

problem #6

Nov 172021

Highlander

  • miles
Regarding brakes: There is an inconsistent involuntary brake pressure release occurring when slowing down via braking where the brakes let loose for about a second before applying again. This occurs with no change in pressure applied to the brake pedal. This is a dangerous situation, especially if in emergency braking situation. This has occurred multiple times over the 16k miles that it's been driven, but more recently. There is no consistency on the speeds it occurs at either. Regarding fuel: We are unable to fill fuel tank completely due to poor venting in gas tank, which could lead to spilled gas similar to overfill, causing a hazard. This vehicle has a 17.1 gallon fuel tank but we are only able to get 12-13 gallons upon fill-up at empty. Both of these issues have been reported to our local Toyota dealership, with no resolution.

- Brentwood, TN, USA

problem #5

Aug 082021

Highlander

  • miles

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

I am noticing a little "gap" in the brakes when I am slowing down in traffic and going down hill. It is as if the brakes let up for just a second the car surges slightly as if I had taken my foot off the brake, the brakes loss the power and I have to press on it harder to stop the car. It's a bit disconcerting! I've checked with the dealer, they confirmed the brake is fully function no issue.

- Nigara Fall, NY, USA

problem #4

Jul 082021

Highlander

  • miles
My new 2021 Toyota highlander hybrid having random issues when braking, I noticed most of the time when the car is going downhill, the car will lose braking for a second and I have to depress the brake harder to slow the vehicle. In that second when it loses the brake the car is actually going forward, which can cause unpredictable stopping distance, it can accident if I follow too close. There is no warning light show in the dashboard, the problem is not able to reproduce. It can happen randomly.

- Buffalo, NY, USA

problem #3

Jun 162021

Highlander

  • miles
At random times, when traveling at 10-15 mph and applying the brakes to stop or slow, the brakes will slip for a second or less and then re-in-gauge. Never experienced this before with 2 other Toyota hybrids I have owned. Scary feeling. Have notified Toyota Customer service since I have read others with same model (highlander hybrid platinum) have same problem.

- Mobile, AL, USA

problem #2

May 142021

Highlander

  • miles
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.

- Chandler, AZ, USA

problem #1

Apr 062021

Highlander

  • 2,600 miles
We are experiencing pcs is not working, we were driving on freeway when cars stopped suddenly and not even displaying any warning signal of 'brake' on that moment, we were so close to impact a trailer, second time similar situation the next day after the first appt at service where they stated that pcs was working properly, cars stopped suddenly and not even with the warning timing set up in to the 'early time', warning us to use the brake. The explanation from second appt it was 'it worked with cruise on', on my previous cars never needed to turn on cruise, have a 3th appointment coming this week, but on electrician opinion is working fine without he even knowing you could set the warning timing on the menu by yourself.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

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