204 of the 2,062 complaints about the Toyota Highlander (9.9%) concern Brakes, making it the model's #5 problem area. That share is 1.6× the Brakes share across all tracked vehicles.
204Complaints · Brakes
9.9%Share of complaints
1.63×vs. all vehicles
36Last 12 months
8.8%Share involving a crash or fire
1Related recalls
Analysis
By model year, Brakes complaints peak with the 2018 model (52, 19% of that year's complaints) and are lowest for the 2025 model (1). 36 Brakes complaints were filed in the last 12 months versus 25 in the 12 months before — the pace is rising.
Owners most often describe: “brake”, “braking”, “forward”, “hybrid” and “regenerative”. 18 of these reports (8.8%) describe a crash or fire, with 11 injuries and 1 death mentioned.
1 recall campaign relates to this area, most recently campaign 18V211000 (2018-04-03, model years 2018).
Incident: [XXX] Conditions: Clear daylight, dry pavement, normal highway conditions Crash/Injuries: Allstate Claim #[XXX]; several people injured At approximately [XXX], I was driving my 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid at about 55 mph in the slow/right lane.
Brakes · 2026-08-27 · ODI 11759973 · Crash
The Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection is a good thing, but there's a problem. It stops the car too abruptly on the highway, leading to rear-end collisions. When you release the brake pedal, the car remains stationary.
Brakes · 2026-04-29 · ODI 11734587 · Crash
While driving and applying the brakes to come to a complete stop at low speed (approximately 5–15 mph), the vehicle intermittently loses brake responsiveness for a brief moment during the transition from regenerative braking to hydraulic (friction) braking.
Brakes · 2026-09-02 · ODI 11761604
The cars brakes will release and car will lurch forward forcing you to hit the brakes again to avoid colliding with car in front of you. This is a KNOWN problem called "HYBRID REGENERATIVE BRAKE TRANSITION FEELING IMPROVEMENT" PER Toyota's TSB-0059-23.
Brakes · 2026-09-02 · ODI 11761642
The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop as intended.
Brakes · 2026-08-17 · ODI 11757410
Coming to a stop or slowing down the vehicle has a spot where it feels like the brakes fail then come back on. Especially if going down a grade. This happens around 15 to 20 mph.
Brakes · 2026-08-17 · ODI 11757477
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Related recalls
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM Campaign 18V211000 · 2018-04-03 · Model years: 2018
Summary: 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. During the manufacturing process, the oil galley in the rotor for the brake booster vacuum pump assembly may have been improperly machined possibly resulting in a sudden loss of brake assist.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake booster vacuum pump, free of charge. The recall began on May 9, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371, or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are J0K/JLD.
How common are Brakes problems on the Toyota Highlander?
204 of the 2,062 complaints about the Toyota Highlander (9.9%) concern Brakes, making it the model's #5 problem area. That share is 1.6× the Brakes share across all tracked vehicles.
Which Toyota Highlander model years have the most Brakes complaints?
By model year, Brakes complaints peak with the 2018 model (52, 19% of that year's complaints) and are lowest for the 2025 model (1).
Is there a recall for Toyota Highlander Brakes problems?
1 recall campaign relates to this area, most recently campaign 18V211000 (2018-04-03, model years 2018).