The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Highlander hybrid. While driving at speeds of 15 mph and applying the brakes on a rough road surface, there was a delay in brake application. The vehicle did come to a stop after momentary hesitation. The dealer had not yet been contacted to report the failures. The failure mileage was 5,600 and the current mileage is 6,858. Updated 05/19/10.

- Kennebunk, ME, USA

2009 Toyota Highlander hybrid. I had noticed braking issues and heard about the prius recall. This describes exactly the issue I am experiencing with my brakes. From the Toyota prius 2010 recall: "some owners have reported experiencing inconsistent brake feel during slow and steady application of the brakes on rough or slick road surfaces when the anti-lock brake system (ABS) is activated in an effort to maintain tire traction."

- Ithaca, NY, USA

The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Highlander hybrid. The contact stated that when braking at low speeds, the brake would release on its own at a distance; however, when his speed increased the brakes performed normally. The failure occurred more frequently when he approached a stop sign in colder weather. The dealer told him that the braking system sent power to the battery and the failure was normal. He had not spoken with the manufacturer to-date. The current mileage was 7,773. The failure mileage was approximately 100.

- Verona, NJ, USA

I write to highlight some unusual behavior exhibited by my 2009 hybrid highlanders braking system which I purchased in May 2009. In short, in certain driving conditions, there is a slight delay/pause between depressing the brake pedal and any braking force applied by the braking system. The delay is momentary and I've experienced this to last no more than half second (.5 sec.) at most I've noticed that this occurs mostly in a situation where I have forcefully applied the brake. It has seemed to recur mostly when driving down a decline. It does not occur during situations where I smoothly and evenly apply pressure to the brake pedal. During my 5,000 mile service at the glendora Toyota dealerships, I mentioned the behavior (as well as a soft grinding sound during low speed travel) but they could not find anything wrong in their tests. My wife and I have both independently experienced behavior this several times and the problem is still recurrent. I have decided to report this behavior after reading todays ap article by ken thomas and yuri kageyama (us government investigating brakes in 2010 prius) which described similar problems with 2009 Toyota prius vehicles. Although the problems my particular vehicle has exhibited have thusfar been slight when compared to those reported in the article, I feel compelled to report the issue and I certainly hope that the problem does not surface during a time the extra braking time is needed. Aside from the above-described behaviors, the vehicle has operated without problems and my family and I are otherwise very satisfied with our purchase and hope we can rely upon this vehicle for many more years. If I can be of any assistance to either the NHTSA or Toyota corporation, please feel free to contact me.

- Sierra Madre, CA, USA

I own a 2009 Toyota Highlander hybrid, purchased new in Aug. 2009. I have experienced a few incidents related to braking that are similar to what's being described by prius owners. On certain road surfaces/conditions, I have felt what I would describe as a pause in the braking system. It's almost like a sliding sensation on ice, even though the vehicle is not sliding. The duration is for probably less than a second in duration, but enough to get the attention of the driver. It has happened only in isolated circumstances, and the majority of the time, the brakes work perfectly. There have been no accidents or mishaps in my experience with this condition. I have not notified Toyota, as I am awaiting a possible investigation and potential recall. Perhaps Toyota needs to investigate all hybrid's braking systems.

- Greentown, IN, USA