Toyota Highlander brake problems, 2016–2026
309 of the 2,522 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Toyota Highlander 2016–2026 name the brakes (NHTSA’s “Service Brakes” heading — the hydraulic brakes, ABS and brake assist). The loudest years: 2021 (68), 2018 (59), 2020 (41). Filed under the same heading across these years: 2 manufacturer bulletins, 2 recall campaigns. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Toyota Highlander brake problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the brakes | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2025 | 2 | 20% | — | — | the year → |
| 2024 | 8 | 19% | — | — | the year → |
| 2023 | 19 | 10% | — | — | the year → |
| 2022 | 40 | 15% | — | — | the year → |
| 2021 | 68 | 13% | — | — | the year → |
| 2020 | 41 | 13% | — | 8 TSBs | the year → |
| 2019 | 20 | 4% | — | 11 TSBs | the year → |
| 2018 in depth | 59 | 22% | 21k | 1 recall | the record → |
| 2017 | 30 | 11% | 15k | — | the year → |
| 2016 | 22 | 19% | 28k | 12 TSBs · 1 recall | the year → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the brakes. Nothing here is a rate.
When the brake complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2017: 7 · 2018: 13 · 2019: 17 · 2020: 13 · 2021: 27 · 2022: 41 · 2023: 72 · 2024: 45 · 2025: 43 · 2026: 31
Across the model years, half of the 78 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the brake problem between 9,000 and 39,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the brakes, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at slower speeds, the braking system experienced intermittent brake failures, causing the brakes to erroneously release while being depressed. During the failure, the vehicle unintendedly lurched forward.
When slowing down, It doesn’t happen all the time, but it’s as if the brakes disengage and the car feels like it is accelerating . After a second or two it will engage after I applied a lot harder because I’m freaking out because it feels like I have complete brake failure.
The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated while coming to a complete stop and depressing the brake pedal, he heard abnormal squeaking and rubbing sounds. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure persisted while at a complete stop.
Intermittently during normal driving conditions, there exists instances where brake hydraulic failure occurs. At times the "brake" indicator light will illuminate associated with increased brake pedal feel. Braking power is reduced. Also, driver display screen displays "braking power low" warning indication.
After driving on an interstate and having my foot on the brake - the car jumps forward and accelerates. It has done this for a couple years, and it continues to happen more frequently. Sometimes it just jumps forward when you are driving through town and go to slow down. This seems like a safety issue
What is on file about the brakes, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall campaigns filed under this heading, any model year
- 18V211000 HighApr 3, 2018 · 6,046 vehicles
- 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.
- 16V775000 HighOct 24, 2016 · 7,056 vehicles
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2016 Highlander vehicles manufactured May 26, 2016, to September 16, 2016. The brake fluid level sensor may not be connected to the wire harness, preventing the sensor from detecting the brake fluid level. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
2 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading, any model year
- Jan 30, 2025
- Although the Brake Booster and Brake Booster Pump Assemblies are covered by Toyota’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 3 years or 36,000 miles (whichever comes first), we at Toyota care about the customers’ ownership experience. Toyota is providing coverage for repairs related to certain internal malfunctions of the Brake Booster and Brake Booster Pump Assemblies in some of the subject vehicles.
- Jan 29, 2025
- Some 2017 – 2019 model year Highlander Hybrid vehicles may exhibit a condition in which the brake, ABS, and/or TRAC warning lights are on and/or a Check VSC message displays. One or more of the following specific Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs): C1391, C1252, C1256, and/or C1253 will be stored in the vehicle memory to be used as verification. This condition may be caused by a small internal brake
Every one filed under the heading is listed. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Other systems with a record on the Toyota Highlander
Source: the same files- body and structure problems
- airbag problems
- fuel system problems
- engine problems
- electrical problems
- transmission and drivetrain problems
Every system, every model year: Toyota Highlander problems by year →
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Toyota Highlander years have the most brake complaints?
2021, 68; 2018, 59; 2020, 41. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2018 (22%).
Is there a recall for the brakes on the Toyota Highlander?
Yes — 2 campaigns are filed under this heading across these model years: 18V211000 (2018), 16V775000 (2016). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do brake problems show up on the Toyota Highlander?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 21,000 miles across the model years; half of them between 9,000 and 39,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Service Brakes" heading cover?
The hydraulic brakes, ABS and brake assist. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.