While driving approximately 25 mph on a city street, the brake system failed entirely when attempting to stop at a red light. There was no previous warning that the brakes were not functioning. In the moment of failure, the ABS warning system alert showed on the dashboard display. Eventually, the brakes began to work again, and I pulled to the side of the street and turned off the vehicle. No warning lights or indicators showed after restarting the vehicle, and the braking system appeared to be somewhat functional again. The mechanic we brought it to was able to replicate the problem in the same conditions, but is as yet unclear on what is causing the failure.

- St. Paul, MN, USA

ABS and vsc system warning lights came on suddenly for the first time while I was driving. I parked the car and it would not start. I was stranded and suddenly had a critical brake failure with no prior warning. My vehicle has low mileage at approx. 70,000. This is a dangerous failure which has been covered by warranty in previous models and is still a problem.

- Lynnwood, WA, USA

At Toyota, we are dedicated to providing vehicles of outstanding quality and value. As part of our continual efforts to ensure customer satisfaction, Toyota would like to advise you of a voluntary customer support program that has been initiated for your vehicle. Toyota has received reports regarding certain internal malfunctions of the brake actuator assembly in certain 2008-2010 model year Highlander hybrid vehicles. In these reports, customers have noted various brake system related warning lamps are illuminated. This customer support program provides coverage as it applies to the brake actuator assembly and brake booster pump assembly. The specific condition covered by this program is for certain internal malfunctions of the brake actuator assembly. If the condition is verified, the vehicle will be repaired with new brake actuator assembly and brake booster pump assembly under the terms of this customer support program. If the following warning lamps are illuminated, the vehicle may be experiencing a concern with the brake actuator assembly and brake booster pump assembly that is covered by this customer support program. The part is back ordered and they don't know when they will be available. I just picked the vehicle for the dealership and they will notify me when it's available. I'm still driving the vehicle. This has been going on since I first filed 7 months ago. It's funny has the part is available to purchase, but it's on back order for my vehicle. This is not right. Looks like I'm going to have to wait again. Thanks for your assistance in this matter.

- Camarillo, CA, USA

When applying pressure to the breaks there is a chirping sound. Toyota has deemed this an ABS actuator failing issue; which is an issue I have seen repeatedly online posted by other hy hi drivers. I am also seeing 2 years previous have been recalled for this very issue. Why is the recall not extended and is there any way for it to be" the cost of the vehicle to the cost of repair is so great and unfortunately, this is not a normal failure that is to be expected. Its to my understanding that a complete failure can cause a very unavoidable fatal crash as the breaking system failure would lock up all break function. This has occurred in the past too with vehicles under further deterioration of the ABS actuator. Would you please give heavy thought to an extension of the warranty to cover this issue for the 2008 models" its a great risk to Highlander drivers and those around us.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

ABS module failure, same us other people complaining. Got dash lights on and the car lost complete brake power. ABS actuator needs to be replaced. The price for the part is unbelievable high and seems to be recalled on earlier models

- Chicago, IL, USA

ABS system has failed just like everyone else. Pump keeps coming on every 5 seconds or so. Screen tells you to stop the car and contact the dealer. Toyota needs to cover this expensive repair or at least some portion of it.

- Lenexa, KS, USA

After researching online, I have noticed this is a very common issue and Toyota issued recalls out for 2006 & 2007 but has not acknowledged 2008 as having the same issue. I was almost in an accident and noticed there are others out there that have been in accidents. Why is it that nothing has been done to correct this? first, I heard an airy sound when braking then a soft brake pedal before almost complete brake failure. The Highlander truly felt like it was not stopping. I literally had to put my complete body weight on the brake pedal to finally get it to stop as it keeps surging forward. It was scary, to say the least. I was in a heavy populated parking lot. I could've hit a pedestrian or hit another car because I couldn't get the car to stop from surging forward. After all this, finally, lights appeared. (engine light, brake light, vsc light & skid lights came on). Wouldn't you think after just being fully serviced at a Toyota dealership, something would've been noticeable? I reached out to Toyota Corp. And again I was told this is not common and no recalls have been issued. I saw a very common denominator that once the Highlander hits a certain mileage this happens and a very costly master cylinder and brake booster needs to be replaced. A parking lot and in motion.

- Gainesville, FL, USA

The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Highlander. While driving 45 mph, the brakes completely malfunctioned. The contact had to apply the emergency brakes to stop the vehicle and avoid a crash. The contact also stated that the ABS warning indicator illuminated at the time of the failure. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The dealer (Toyota of stamford, 909 E main St, stamford, ct 06902, (203) 348-3751) stated that the brakes were not covered by a recall and the contact would have to pay for the repairs. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed that there were no recalls associated with the VIN. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 265,000.

- New York, NY, USA

I was driving on the street and an error message displayed along with a loud ringing sound. The message on the screen said to pull over immediately and call a dealer because there is a brake malfunction. It also said to check the ABS and the vsc. I could feel the my brake pedal wasn't reacting when I pressed on it. I had to press the pedal all the way down really hard to get the car to slow down.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

ABS actuator not working. Brake malfunction warning on display screen.

- Baldwin, NY, USA

When driving in routine city driving at low speed, brake warning lights lit up dash. "check brake system, check vsc system, check ABS system, pull to side and go to dealer" dealer diagnosed problem as brake accumulator pump assembly. Part alone cost about $2,000 plus labor. Part is not covered under any warranty and unless you fix it, it is unsafe to drive. This part has failed in other Toyota models that has resulted in a recall.,

- Honolulu, HI, USA

Undetected brake fluid leak while in use. Vehicle undercarriage was checked for leaks but not visible.

- Monroe, CT, USA

Braking became erratic. Pedal was squishy and ABS lights came on. This occurred over several months but on an intermittent basis. Lights would go off for a while then come back on.

- Houston, TX, USA

The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that the brake warning indicator illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the accumulator and activator failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The failure recurred. The manufacturer stated that the repair was not covered by warranty or recall. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000. Updated 10/06/16

- Miami Shore, FL, USA

The steering wheel had been adjusted to a setting for a shorter driver, and while in the process of re-setting it for a taller driver, the steering wheel and its housing came completely off of the shaft that reaches into the engine. To safely get off the road, an attempt was made to stick it back on, and it was unable to stay in the correct position. Once the vehicle was pulled over, to try to reattach it, the driver again attempted to seat the housing on the shaft. This maneuver was completed successfully, but upon attempting to drive again, the "slippery when wet" warning light came on and whatever engine mechanism that alerts began to engage, affecting the brakes, accelerator, and steering. This all happened as we were backing out of the driveway, and then attempting to maneuver into the roadway.

- Highland Park, IL, USA

The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Highlander. While driving at 5 mph, the brake pedal was depressed and became stuck. The contact had to depress the brake pedal multiple times to release the pedal. The check engine and brake warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the brake booster needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000.

- Lobeco, SC, USA

While driving down highway 17 South towards santa cruz, California on a raining Wednesday morning, I suddenly felt my vehicle loosing control in a slippery downhill highway and I hit the center divider with the left front of vehicle and car spun multiple times and hitting the left rear bumper to the wall facing the oncoming traffic. There are 4 of us in the vehicle all wearing seat belts and suffered injuries. The airbags did not deploy and the antilock brake system did not activate. My insurance company declared the vehicle total lost. I was advised to contact Toyota dealership in fremont to investigate the reasons why the air bag and ABS did not activate. I am about to call the dealership once they open in few minutes.

- Fremont, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 mph, the brake sensor, vsc sensor and the trac off sensor lights illuminated. The contact then noticed that the braking system malfunctioned, making the vehicle difficult to stop. The contact indicated that additional pressure was applied to the brake pedal in order to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was diagnosed by the dealer where the contact was informed that the hub of the wheel bearing was corroded. The contact stated that both rear wheel harnesses were replaced to repair the defect. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 94,154.

- Niles, IL, USA

While driving at 35 miles per hour, the brake light on the dashboard came on, brake pedal began going all the way down while braking, and the brake pedal began making noise. I stopped the car, open the hood and found that all my brake fluid was gone. The Toyota dealership was nearby I drove the car slowly to the dealership. They checked the brake system only to find out that all the brake fluid was in the brake booster. My service adviser told me the brake system failed due to bad seals between the master cylinder and the brake booster. Now the master cylinder and brake booster need to be replaced. I purchased the Highlander brand new in 2008. The vehicle is only 5 years old with approximately 78,420 miles on it and has been serviced every 5,000 miles ever since I purchased it. This should never happen to a vehicle that has been well maintained. It's a serious safety matter, and my brakes had just been replaced along with the brake fluid at the same dealership on October 02, 2013.

- Tustin, CA, USA

The right front brake of my 2008 Toyota Highlander popped loudly when I backed up. It sounded and felt like the brake locked up. This problem seemed to have already existed since the day I purchased the brand-new vehicle in December 2008, and it got worse and worse. Therefore, I took the vehicle to a Toyota dealer for inspection and the they said, "there is nothing wrong with the brake. It is normal and is just that the break is shifting." However, I asked them why the popping sound "only" came from the right front brake. They avoided my question and did not answer. As my concerns over the brake grew more and more, I took my vehicle to the same dealer again, but they said, "my vehicle is out of warranty and I have to pay $45 to have it re-checked." I told them that when my vehicle was inspected for the problem the first time, it was still under warranty, and the problem never went away; instead, it became even worse. However, they still insisted that I had to pay in order to have it inspected again. I was so disappointed I left the dealership. At the time of this writing, the right front brake still makes a loud, annoying popping sound when I back up my vehicle, which makes me worry that the brake could malfunction anytime when I am on the road.

- Russellville, AR, USA