Dealer stated that brake actuator needs to be replaced. Brakes are not working< vsc light on< noise< $3200 to fix"?? no recall"

- Pensaola, FL, USA

My ABS pump/actuator started making a weird sound and runs a lot. I was told that it needs to be replaced and was quoted $3200. I have a check vsc message, brake light, and ABS light on now as well.

- Albuquerque, NM, USA

We purchased a Toyota highlander with the hopes of getting a reliable transportation vehicle due to its high ratings and reported reliability...sadly, I was mistaken when the ABS brakes failed to respond and I nearly got into a horrible accident driving the car on the highway. Upon getting the vehicle looked at, it was ascertained that the ABS actuator assembly was to blame. The cost!!!!!!!!! $1,900 and no recall on a part that should last the lifetime of the vehicle!!!!!! I could of been killed in this faulty contraption due to manufacturers negligence.

- Farmington, MI, USA

When coming to a stop the brakes randomly surge instead of stopping. After a van rear ended my car at a stoplight, the tendency to surge increased and caused two rear end collisions within a few months. Toyota claims there is nothing wrong with it. Codes were documented, but I feel this is an issue that needs to be addressed beyond the manufacturer. It is especially prone to the surge when brakes are hit suddenly on city or highway streets. It feels as though the computer cannot decide whether to charge the battery or brake and that hesitation is frightening!

- Ocoee, FL, USA

Brake actuator / accumulator loosing pressure. Actuator motor runs all the time now and at times results in loss of braking. Loss of braking has occurred both in motion as well as at a stop. One time also right after car was turned on and shifted into reverse with brakes applied the car moved in reverse even with brakes applied. We can no longer drive the car due to a safety concern for ourselves, children, and other people on the road. This temporary loss of braking could kill someone. Repair is $2500 at the dealer essentially rendering the car a financial total loss.

- Austin, TX, USA

Driving and brakes failed. Luckily, was able to pull over avoiding dangerous accident. Dealer states that this is the brake actuator and requests $2500 to fix. Research hows that this is a known issue for years and should have an action for recall.

- Land O Lakes, FL, USA

The contact owns a 2006 Toyota Highlander hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and depressing the brake pedal to stop the vehicle, the brakes would stop abruptly and in some occasions would case the vehicle to accelerate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the hybrid brake actuator had failed and would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 180,000. The VIN was not available.

- Keller, TX, USA

Vehicle makes loud noise after shifting when you release the brake. Was told ABS pump needs to be replaced for $3200 from Toyota dealer

- Chicago, IL, USA

Upon starting my car, the check vsc system, brake and ABS lights came on. I turned of the the engine and the warnings went away. About three weeks later, as I was driving down the freeway at 70mph, the warning lights suddenly appeared. Took the car to the dealership and was told I need a new battery. Next days, as I was driving down the freeway, again out the warning lights suddenly appeared. Too it back to the dealer and three days later they tell me I needed to fix the brake actuator and the cost would be over 4K. Out of nowhere, the brakes just fail. We can't afford to have the car fixed.

- Mission Viejo, CA, USA

I have a 2006 Toyota Highlander hybrid limited. The brakes started working improperly. We had it checked out by local Toyota dealership. The mechanic said the ABS acuator needed to be replaced. My wife and I done some research, this component is suppose to last the life of vehicle. From what I've seen online Toyota will not step up to the plate and recall this part because of cost! this is a vital safety part and cost should not even be part if the equation. To replace this part it costs $2500 to $3500 thruogh the dealership we went to. We can not replace family members if something bad happens. Some one please help, this will end up costing some one their life! the vihicle was in motion when the brake pedal got very hard and would not engage the brakes at all. We almost hit a vehicle in front of us, at the last minute brakes engaged and no incident happened. We have parked the car ever since and will not drive it until Toyota recalls part!

- Columbia, SC, USA

On 12/02/13 the brake light and vcs system light came on. The warning light also went on and a beep noise inside the cabin, brakes does not function (breaks not responding). I took the car to an authorized Toyota dealership. According to the dealer codes (C1241 low or high power supply voltage, C1256 accumulator low pressure, and C1391 abnormal leak in accumulator) must be replaced the actuator assy, B part no. 4405048190. Actuator was replaced on 12/28/13 at $1,495 with tax for $ 1,600 and labor cost of $333.84. Ust be replaced. On 05/25/15 again the brake light and vcs system light came on. The warning light also went on and a beep noise inside the cabin, brakes does not function (no break). I took the car to an authorized Toyota dealership for a diagnostic and I pay $64.20. Again they mentioned that for a second time the actuator assy, B part no. 4405048190 needs a replacement. I ask for the guarantee and only was valid for 1 year. Diagnostic trouble codes report (ABS/vsc/trac), codes (C1252 break booster pump motor on time abnormally long, C1256, accumulator low pressure, C1391, abnormal leak in accumulator). I think that there is an electronic problem with the 2006 Highlander hybrid and they do not know what the cause since is in a 6 years period the actuator assy was replaced and less than 1.5 year again the same part (actuator assy) needs replacement, current price is $2,000. I cannot use the car the brakes are not responding and I can have an accident.

- Ponce, PR, USA

While driving home from work in normal free-flowing traffic conditions on the freeway, several lights came on the dash indicating brake issues including vsc, ABS, skid, parking brake light. Continued to cautiously drive home, brakes seemed ok. Had our non-dealer mechanic look at the brakes all were fine and had recently been replaced. He could not find a brake issue. Took to the local Toyota dealer and one code came up C1391 "abnormal leak in accumulator" and was told I needed a new brake actuator at the cost of $3273. Diagnostic cost $138. Additional information on diagnostic paperwork from dealer says, "check for dtc's found C1391, check for fluid leaks, could not find leaks, check accumulator pressure voltage (3.5 V), depressed pedal 4-5 times accumulator pressure drops below 3.0 V, recommend replace brake/ABS actuator". other notes, some part of hybrid system seems to be cycling every few minutes. Over the years, when braking, there have been times where they "jump" or don't grab during brake pressure and after reading have found this complaint with other owners. I see that the Camry and the Lexus have both had this part recalled/replaced by Toyota and wondering why, when this is likely the same hybrid system and component, that Toyota will not step up to the plate and offer this replacement part for owners for free or at a discount? the other vehicles have had accidents as a result of this part and Toyota should step up to the plate on the Highlander hybrid.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

Driving from austin to san antonio mostly at 70mph. Noticed brake, ABS, slip indicator and low pressure tire indicator lights came on. Stopped to check under hood, braking was normal. Brake fluid levels were normal but ABS actuator seem to be cycling even while motionless. Tested braking and experienced no problem. Drove back to austin. Took car to dealer the next day, was told it was a leak in the actuator body and it had to be replaced. Cost $3580. Have deferred repairs.

- Austin, TX, USA

Ligths came on for ABS and brake while trying to stop vehicle. Toyota dealer here in Florida wants to replace actuator braking system at my cost $ 2,850 including labor.

- Naples, FL, USA

While traveling on a mountain highway my Toyota highlander started making an extremely loud squealing noise from underneath the dash. All of the warning lights on the dash came on and remained on. I lost braking power and pedal went extremely hard. Vehicle brakes locked up while going downhill and vehicle spun out of control. Almost hit an oncoming vehicle coming from the opposite direction. Brakes have been malfunctioning since, vehicle is currently not being driven.

- Port Hueneme, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2006 Toyota Highlander hybrid. While driving at low speeds, the vehicle accelerated when the brake pedal was depressed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 156,000.

- Forest Hill, MD, USA

ABS brake accumulator failure at 98,958 miles. Dealer wants $3000 for repair. It looks like all 2006 Highlander hybrids, some Lexus models are impacted. Toyota knows what is going on and they have even redesigned the accumulator for the new highlander with a different part number. Toyota will not issue a recall due to the significant cost of accumulator.

- Lakeland, FL, USA

I already replace the brake actuator with a cost of $2,600, after a year it fail again. As researching in the internet I found out this is a major problem with the 2006 Highlander hybrid. All the warning lights came on. The actuator is priming every 15 seconds.

- Bayamon, PR, USA

The contact owns a 2006 Toyota Highlander hybrid. The contact stated that while traveling approximately 20 mph, the brake pedal was applied and failed to respond. As a result, the contact crashed into a planter pot. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries reported. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number: 11V112000 (vehicle speed control) and NHTSA campaign id number: 10V499000 (service brakes, hydraulic ).the approximate failure mileage was 58,160.

- Novato, CA, USA

In June 2014 we heard a squeaking noise when we put the car in drive and the brakes were applied while we were on a trip. Two days after we returned the"check vsc system" came on and the car would not start.. the dealer said it was due to the battery. We replaced it and the warning light went away. However, three months later the noise is back. The dealer (different one) said the brake actuator needs replacement. Very expensive repair costing $3,600. After doing research, I saw many complaints (and a recall) for this defective part in other Toyota vehicles. Toyota needs to do a recall for the highlander as well. Our car has been meticulously maintained. We bought it new. Very unhappy.

- Carlsbad, CA, USA