10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 5 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 32,914 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
I am the owner of a 2006 Highlander hybrid. I have experienced the same brake conditions as caused the recent recall, specifically, the brakes "skip" when braking at speeds less than 25 mph when they switch from regen to regular braking. This is very dangerous as the car does not continue to slow down at the same rate and I have almost hit the car in front of me several times. This seems to be a very common condition and may be more frequent when hitting a sharp bump, but it happens once or twice a day in all conditions.
- Ipswich, MA, USA
I own two 2006 Toyota Highlander hybrids. After hearing about the braking recall issued recently for the prius, we are now both 100% sure that the same problem exists in both of our vehicles. The vehicle will suddenly lunge forward for about a second when braking, especially when the road surface is bumpy. We had previously written it off to our imagination, but the problem definitely exists in the 2006 Highlander hybrid. Wondering when the recall will be...
- Newton, MA, USA
My Highlander hybrid (2006) was only a few months old when an incident occurred where my brakes failed to stop the vehicle as anticipated in a normal distance causing me to bump the car in front of me (no injuries). I thought my foot had slipped off the brake momentarily. However, I discovered this to be an occurrence under certain conditions - typically 25mph or less and hitting a bump. I contacted the dealer service department and the manager indicated he was aware that some owners were experiencing similar occurrences. The sensation is like the braking friction suddenly "slips" causing the vehicle to stop at a further distance than anticipated. I've sense found that there is a sudden transition from hybrid regen braking to standard hydraulic braking. Some have indicated that it might be related to the ABS system. When contacted by a Toyota rep about the problem he simply indicated that it didn't exist. This was not true since the dealer mechanic knew of the problem back then. And, as recently as last week I spoke to a mechanic who serviced my car at the Toyota dealer and he acknowledged that the problem is reported by other owners. A disappointing response. Now we find that the prius hybrid is producing similar eccentricities in braking. Toyota should have included all hybrids that have this problem in their recall repair.
- Fairlawn, OH, USA
2006 Highlander hybrid 4WD. Surge when braking and going over bumps. Since 2007, on many repeated occasions, when I go over bumpy roads and braking, I have been experiencing a slight acceleration surge when braking. Every time I bring my highlander into the Toyota dealer I ask if they know about the problem, what causes it, and if there is any service information or bulletin on it. Form notes>>I checked service brakes..this applies to the regular braking system-this term is not clear. As to what mileage--this is a continuing ongoing problem so there is no way to indicate that answer in your boxes. Similarly this has happened at a wide range of speeds, 15-35 mph so your form does not provide a way to indicate that.
- Florence, MA, USA
Please do not limit your brake investigation to new priuses. We have a 2006 Toyota Highlander hybrid that has extra brake fading when braking on bumpy surfaces. One particular street is very ruff at the bottom of a hill where we brake to make a right turn, and on this street the brakes always feel like they are "letting go" but if you keep pressing the pedal the vehicle does slow down. We have never had an accident due to this behavior, we have just grown accustomed to this quirk.
- Seattle, WA, USA
2006 Toyota Highlander hybrid- a delay when the brakes were pressed in cold conditions and on some bumpy roads.
- Milford, MI, USA
2006 Toyota Highlander hybrid brakes malfunction on rough roads, rain, bumps. This happens everyday to and from work or driving around town. Toyota said this is how a hybrid drives, no action taken by Toyota. I drive slow to avoid accidents.
- Powder Springs, GA, USA
We purchased a new 2006 Highlander hybrid in June of 2006. The problem we have encountered is when the car is slowing down when braked and the rear end gets bounced by rough pavement. The brakes will fade and the stopping takes a few feet longer than expected. We took the car back to the dealer "kerry Toyota", and were told that they did not find any problems. We will both say that the panic "heavy brake pedal" braking mode on this vehicle is amazing and works quite well. We love this car and have adjusted to it; but with anticipated longer stops on rough roads, or potholes! we like the car so well that we recently purchased the 2010 prius. After the 1st servicing of the prius, we did notice a high pitched squeal in the rear brakes. We are anxiously awaiting solutions to the Toyota braking problems that have been reported by their customers.
- Cincinnati, OH, USA
2006 Toyota Highlander hybrid. Problem with non linear hand off from regenerative braking to regular braking that occurs routinely. I was told that it was nothing to worry about, but now see that Ford has a recall of its hybrids with similar problem. Do other highlander owners have a similar problem" is this at all related to the currently reported 2010 prius braking problems"
- Dubuque, IA, USA
Braking problem - 2006 Toyota Highlander hybrid when applying brakes, electrical regeneration begins. But, if you go over a bump the regeneration drops out. This results in an estimated (by me) 25% reduction in braking power. The driver must then apply additional brake pressure to regain stopping power. This occurs constantly and has been reported numerous times to my dealer. Was told that this is the way it was designed to work.
- Marlton, NJ, USA
The contact owns a 2006 Toyota Highlander hybrid. While driving 20 mph over a bump in the road and applying the brake pedal, the vehicle accelerated. The brakes began operating normally immediately after driving over the bump. The failure has occurred approximately 50 times. The dealer was contacted and stated that was a normal response for a hybrid vehicle. No repairs have been made to the vehicle. The failure mileage was 500 and the current mileage was 51000. Updated 4/5/10 updated 06/04/10
- Libertyville, IL, USA
During braking I experienced a "slipping" of the braking system when the car hits rough road or bumps.
- Manassas, VA, USA
2006 Toyota Highlander hybrid limited 2wd - same symptoms as the just announced prius brake recall. If I am braking and hit a pothole, the brakes relax and I must push much harder to get the same braking force. I have noticed this since my vehicle was new, but have adapted to it. I have not had an accident, but this should be addressed as the fix is likely a software update.
- San Diego, CA, USA
I have a 2006 Toyota Highlander hybrid. Repeatedly since I purchased this vehicle, and as recently as today, I have experienced the exact same type of braking issues now being investigated with respect to the Toyota prius. When braking on an uneven or wet surface, the car will jerk forward unexpectedly and I will feel as if the brakes are failing. I have complained to the dealer and to service and they deny the problem.
- Pittsburgh, PA, USA
Purchased 2006 Toyota Highlander hybrid new in 2006. Complained several times to the dealer that just before coming to a complete stop, the brakes seemed to release and the car surged forward. The dealer insisted that this was normal for hybrids as the electronic braking switched to hydraulic braking and no fix was available. I now have a 2010 prius with a similar problem. I would like to see the Toyota highlander included and also investigated for this problem along with the 2010 prius investigation.
- Barnegat, NJ, USA
I purchased a 2006 Toyota hybrid highlander from alexandria Toyota. Alexandria, va. Over the years since purchase, I have noticed problems with a peculiar "forward thrust movement" with active breaking and have had it in the shop specifically for this in 2007, as well as mentioned it at all manufacturer checkup times.the dealer downloaded some new Toyota "drive train computerized program once ("2007) to correct the problem, but the problem intermittently continues. Here is a specific example which occurred christmas eve when applying the brakes prior to the stop sign at the end of our street. I applied the brakes but the car did not stop, instead it "thrust itself", for lack of better word, further forward while breaks were applied, forcing me to slam on the brakes to avoid busy cross street oncoming traffic. Upon slamming the breaks all the way down and holding, the car reacted correctly and stopped. Inches away from a car traveling at 35 mph or more. Our street road was not wet nor did it have ice: The car motion was not one of a slippery slide. The ambient temperature was 40F. My teens were in the car, and the passenger seated teen observed the situation. She has similarly reported this tendency to "go forward" with braking rather than slow, and the need to press hard. I was naturally upset at this near miss occurrence christmas eve. I personally have had this happen at least a half a dozen times as I can recall since purchase. I called Toyota when it first happened to report it without satisfaction. I went to my dealer without correction or recognition of it being a problem. The recent reports on fellow Toyota brands have me worried. Any car that goes forward rather than stop under certain conditions when breaks are applied is worrisome. Please include your evaluation of the Highlander hybrid in your review. Is Toyota aware and not telling us? I want NHTSA to know about this and I appreciate any help you have to offer.
- Alexandria, VA, USA
2006 Toyota highlander, 54,248 miles I brought my 2006 highlander into a dealer facility for routine maintenance and to investigate a V.S.C. warning light indication that had appeared. I was told that the obd test revealed a C1241 code. I was told that I needed to purchase a new battery. I followed the service recommendations and replaced the battery. Immediately after the battery was replaced the V.S.C /ABS/check engine lights were on. Returned to dealer where obd test indicatedc1300 failed skid control ECU. Vehicle appears to operate without anti-lock brake, vehicle skid control and traction control functionality. Vehicle handling is very unstable. Near crash on freeway when left front brake locked up.
- Pacific Palisades, CA, USA
Hi, this is an issue with Toyota Highlander hybrid braking, the braking system doesn't work properly and and vehicle moves forward and this is intermittent. It been recurring for some time and the dealership(Toyota of hackensack) won't acknowledge the issue ad are dismissive to downright disrespectful. When you brake St times the vehicle continues forward like the brakes are not holding or no brakes being applied. As you can see from the links below its not an isolated issue. www.hybridcars.com/forums/Toyota-highlander-hybrid-T404.html townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.F0D8058/3 www.hybridcars.com/forums/brake-failure-2007-T1013.html www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2007/09/prius_accelerate.html thanks manoj das
- Garfield, NJ, USA
Vehicle started to loose brake pressure when going down hill or moving ahead slowly as in a fast food rest line. The brakes would hold at first then loose pressure to a point were you had to push harder on the pedal to make them work. This would happen on a hill which would take you by surprise and cause the car to be out of control until you pushed harder on the brake. If a car was coming from another intersection you would not have time to stop your car and could cause a accident. While in a line at the drive thru the brake pressure let go and my car hit the car in front there was no damage and the other driver was nice enough to forgive me but that might not always be the way. The car was going in for service the next day or so and I explained the problem to the dealer. They said it was a normal condition of the hybrid. This was after the tech. Person drove the car and said he felt it, he also drove another hybrid and he said the same thing happened which to me proves my point. I called Toyota they and the dealer say they cannot fix the problem and will do nothing about it. I told them it did not do this when I first bought the car it only started about 2 months ago which proves it is not a normal condition.
- Fall River, MA, USA
- Corning, NY, USA