29 of the
55 complaints about the 2009 Toyota Highlander Hybrid are about the
braking system — 53% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
80,000 miles.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING UP A HILL AT 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE ABS, TRACTION CONTROL, STEERING SYSTEM, AND BATTERY WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, "STOP VEHICLE IN A SAFE PLACE IMMEDIATELY" APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL WITH EXCESSIVE FORCE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND HAD IT TOWED HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ROYAL SOUTH TOYOTA (LOCATED AT 3115 S WALNUT ST, BLOOMINGTON, IN 47401, (812) 331-1100) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT NO FAILURE CODE WAS FOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,842.
NHTSA complaint #11220968 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 215,000 milesLayton, UT
SERVICE BRAKES
BRAKES FAILED SHORTLY AFTER THE ABS WARNING LIGHT WENT OFF. DEALER DIAGNOSED THIS AS A BREAK ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY FAILURE. IT LOOKS LIKE TOYOTA HAD A WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM FOR VEHICLE YEARS 2006-2007. HOWEVER, MY 2009 APPEARS TO BE HAVING EXACTLY THE SAME ISSUE, YET IT'S NOT COVERED BY THE PROGRAM. GIVEN THE SEVERITY OF THE PART FAILURE, IT'S NOT CLEAR WHY THIS IS NOT A RECALL... WE WERE LUCKY THAT NO ACCIDENT RESULTED FROM THIS FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #11184733 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 168,200 milesMiddletown, OH
SERVICE BRAKES
ONCE CAR WAS SITTING IN A LOT AND ANOTHER TIME, RUNNING ON HIGHWAY. ABS, BRAKE,TRACTION CONTROL, VSC LIGHTS CAME ON ALSO MESSAGE DISPLAY SAID ABS MESSAGE AND BRAKE MESSAGE. CODES FROM ABS DTC,S ARE ALL A C-0371, 1271 THROUGH 1278, 1281, 1346, & 1391. SEEMS TO BE SAME ISSUE AS THE '06-'07 HIGHLANDER HYBRIDS AND THE '04-'09 PRIUS. THERE WAS AN EXTENDED COVERAGE FOR THE BRAKE ACTUATOR ON THOSE VEHICLES. I HAVE BEEN READING MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS, SAME THINGS, WITH THE '09 HIGHLANDERS. LOOKS LIKE REPAIRS RANGE FROM $2500-$5000,WHICH IS RIDICULOUS.
NHTSA complaint #11170887 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 66,000 milesFleming Island, FL
SERVICE BRAKES
TAKATA RECALL- WHEN FUILING FROM THE PUMP, NUZZLES KEEP SHUTING OFF ITSELF LIKE THE TANK IS ALREADY FULL. ITS BEEN HAPPENING RECENTLY. AT THE SAME TIME, CHECK BREAK SYSTEM BY DELER START APPERING. IT TAKES 3 TO 4 PUSH TO START THE CAR AFTER THIS ERROR MESSAGE. SOMETIMES IT TAKES LONGER AND ESPECIALLY IT HAPPENS IN THE MORNING. TOOK TO DELER BUT THEY DID NOT FIND A CODE TO CHECK BUT THIS IS STILL HAPPENING.
NHTSA complaint #11166620 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 127,000 milesTbilisi, NC1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES
THE BRAKE SYSTEM COMPLETELY WENT OUT OF ORDER SUDDENLY, DURING THE MOTION IN THE STREET. ALTHOUGH THE BRAKE SYSTEM LIQUID WAS RENEWED IN TOYOTA CENTER JUST FEW DAYS AGO, FEW DAYS PRIOR TO REQUIRED SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE DATE. NOW THE PRICE OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM REPAIR IS CATASTROPHIC. AS I AM ASKING FOR ADVICE, ALL THE OTHER HIGHLANDER OWNERS COMPLAIN ABOUT THE SAME. THIS IS A BIG SHAME FOR TOYOTA
NHTSA complaint #11141975 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 280,000 milesWest Hartford, CT
SERVICE BRAKES
ABS VSC AND BRAKE LIGHTS ARE ON - AS PER HARTFORD DEALER NEED TO REPLACE THESE PARTS 44050-48320 AND 47070-48020
NHTSA complaint #11088868 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 121,593 milesMesa, AZ
SERVICE BRAKES
ABS AND BRAKE MALFUNCTION LIGHT COMES ON. AUTO REPAIR SHOP TOLD ME THE ABS ACTUATOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $3,500
NHTSA complaint #11079765 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 146,000 milesWake Village, TX
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ROBBINS TOYOTA OF TEXARKANA (6233 MALL DR, NASH, TX 75569 (903) 794-5121) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ACCUMULATOR PART FAILED AND THE ACCUMULATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 146,000. *LN THE CONSUMER STATED AN INDEPENDENT DIAGNOSTIC TEST FOUND THE ACTUATOR TO BE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. *JS 5 WARNING LIGHTS ARE ILLUMINATED ON MY VEHICLE. 1) MASTER WARNING LIGHT 2) BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT IN RED 3) BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING IN YELLOW 4) ABS WARNING LIGHT 5) LIGHT ABOVE ABS IN YELLOW, I CAN BE CONTACTED AT 903-280-0111 UPDATED 9/12/18
NHTSA complaint #11033815 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Richardson, TX
SERVICE BRAKES
WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, A "CROAKING" NOISE CAN BE HEARD AND VIBRATION FELT THROUGH THE BRAKE PEDAL. DEALER SAYS THE ABS ACTUATOR IS FAILING. IF IT FAILS, THE ABS WILL BE INACTIVE AND BRAKE PERFORMANCE WILL BE DIMINISHED. APPARENTLY TOYOTA IS AWARE IF THIS ISSUE ON 2006-2007 MODELS AS THEY HAVE EXTENDED THE WARRANTY FOR THE ABS ACTUATOR REPLACEMENT.
NHTSA complaint #11021488 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesBradenton, FL
SERVICE BRAKES
AT ROUGHLY 80K MILES, EVERY TIME I STARTED THE CAR, A "BRAKE MALFUNCTION" ALERT WOULD DISPLAY. MULTIPLE SENSORS ON THE ARE ILLUMINATED. THE BRAKES FEEL NORMAL, BUT RECENTLY I DID NOTICE SOME AUDIBLE NOISES WHEN I USE THE BRAKES. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THE BRAKE ACTUATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED FOR AROUND 3200 W/ LABOR. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, I FOUND THAT THIS SAME SYSTEM WAS RECALLED ON THE CAMRY HYBRID BUT NOT THE HIGHLANDER HYBRID, DESPITE MANY COMPLAINTS.IF THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT, IT IS A VERY DANGEROUS ONE THAT COULD CAUSE BRAKE FAILURE AND LEAD TO DEATH
NHTSA complaint #11001249 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 174,000 milesRego Park, NY
SERVICE BRAKES
WHILE BRAKING TO STOP CAR IN A SCHOOL PICK UP LINE, WARNING LIGHTS AND MESSAGES BEGAN FLASHING. WARNING LIGHTS STATED BRAKE MALFUNCTION, ABS SYSTEM ETC. DEALER RAN DIAGNOSTIC, STATED THERE IS AN INTERNAL LEAK OF BRAKE ACTUATOR, REPAIR COSTS $5500. LIGHTS WERE RESET AND 2 WEEKS LATER WHILE DRIVING LIGHTS AND WARNINGS CAME BACK ON. TOYOTA HAS RECALL FOR 2006 AND 2007 BUT NOT 2009.
NHTSA complaint #10983340 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 69,000 milesLongmont, CO
SERVICE BRAKES
I WAS DRIVING 5 MPH AND MY BRAKES COMPLETELY WENT OUT. LUCKILY, SINCE IT WAS ON HALLOWEEN NIGHT WITH KIDS EVERYWHERE NO ONE WAS HURT. ABS WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AND WARNING LIGHTS SAID TO PULL OVER AND TAKE TO MECHANIC. I HAD NO BRAKES AND COASTED HOME GOING 2MPH. IT WAS MY ABS ACTUATOR PUMP.
NHTSA complaint #10927284 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 122,000 milesNEW Port Richey, FL
SERVICE BRAKES
WHILE DRIVING FROM ORLANDO TO TAMPA FLORIDA MY WIFE HAD THE ABS BRAKE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND A WEIRD NOISE COMING UNDER THE VEHICLE. SHE WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT HOME AND WE TOOK THE CAR TO DEALER. THEY SAID WE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE BRAKE ACTUATOR AT A COST OF MORE THAN $3,400! WE CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHY SUCH A SMALL PART WOULD COST ABOUT A QUARTER OF THE VALUE OF THIS VEHICLE AND AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ONLINE I FOUND NUMEROUS OTHER PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS ISSUE REALLY NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO AND TOYOTA SHOULD ISSUE AN IMMEDIATE RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #10924610 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 155,000 milesPhiladelphia, PA
SERVICE BRAKES
ABS ACTUATOR NOISE WHEN DEPRESSING AND RELEASING BRAKES. MAY LEAD TO FAILED ABS SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #10896776 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 147,000 milesSaint Petersburg, FL
SERVICE BRAKES
ABS LIGHT ON WITH WARNING, BRAKES PERFORMING POORLY. THE ABS ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY AND BREAK PUMP FAILED REQUIRING REPLACEMENT WITH A COST OF OVER $3764 IN REPAIRS. THE TOYOTA CAMRY HYBRID HAD MILLIONS OF RECALLS FOR THE ABS ACTUATOR BUT THE HIGHLANDER HYBRID WAS CURRENTLY NOT ON RECALL. I OWN A 2000 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER WITH OVER 200,000 MILES AND NEVER HAD AN ABS ISSUE. THIS CAR IS ONLY 6 YEARS OLD AND SHOULDN'T REQUIRE THIS PROBLEM SO EARLY.
NHTSA complaint #10839207 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 89,000 milesGlendora, CA
SERVICE BRAKES
BRAKE AND ABS WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON WHILE TRAVEL CITY SPEED (35-40MPH). NO NOTICEABLE BRAKING PROBLEM BUT ADVISED CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. DEALER SAYS THERE IS AN INTERNAL LEAK AND THE BRAKE ACTUATOR AND BOOSTER NEED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $5,100 (MAINLY THE COST OF TOYOTA PARTS). THIS IS A SOCCER MOM CAR NO ROUGH DRIVING OR BRAKING...AND NO ACCIDENTS. I CALLED TOYOTA CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE AND THEY SAY THE PARTS ARE OUT OF WARRANTY. HOW DOES THESE TWO PARTS ACCOUNT FOR OVER 10% OF THE ORIGINAL VALUE OF THE CAR 6 YEARS AGO. SHOULDN'T I EXPECT MORE FROM TOYOTA?
NHTSA complaint #10749605 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 4,300 milesNoblesville, IN
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED, THE STOPPING DISTANCE WOULD INCREASE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION BUT THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,300 UPDATED 01/07/2014 *LJ ALSO, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER REPLACED A SENSOR
NHTSA complaint #10553759 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 8,000 milesShavano Park, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
RIGHT FRONT BRAKE "CLANKS" WHEN BRAKE PEDAL IS PRESSED FAIRLY HARD. DEALER CLAIMS THIS IS NORMAL FOR HIGHLANDERS AND THAT HIS ENTIRE INVENTORY EXHIBITS THE SAME SYMPTOMS. (START LAST YEAR AND CONTINUES; COMMENTS ARE FROM DEALER TODAY -- JUNE 3, 2010.)
NHTSA complaint #10334452 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 5,600 milesKennebunk, ME
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 15 MPH AND APPLYING THE BRAKES ON A ROUGH ROAD SURFACE, THERE WAS A DELAY IN BRAKE APPLICATION. THE VEHICLE DID COME TO A STOP AFTER MOMENTARY HESITATION. THE DEALER HAD NOT YET BEEN CONTACTED TO REPORT THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,600 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 6,858. UPDATED 05/19/10.
NHTSA complaint #10325836 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Saratoga Springs, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID 2009 BRAKES FADE FOR A BRIEF BUT NOTICEABLE MOMENT WHEN BRAKING. SOMETIMES IT IS MORE PRONOUNCED THAN OTHERS BUT IS SIMILAR TO THE OTHER COMPLAINTS I HAVE SEEN RE THIS SAME THING ON THIS SITE. WHILE TO SOME IT MAY FEEL LIKE A SLIGHT ACCELERATION IT IS MORE LIKE THERE IS A SUDDEN RELEASE OF BRAKE PRESSURE AND THEN IT COMES BACK.
NHTSA complaint #10317153 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 1,000 milesFarmington Hills, MI
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
TOYOTA HYBRIDS SURGE WHEN BRAKING. I TOOK THE CAR IN TWICE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER TOLD ME THEY WERE AWARE OF THE SURGE. IT OCCURS WHEN THE CAR IS BRAKING AND THE CAR GOES FROM GAS TO CHARGING THE BATTERY.
NHTSA complaint #10316586 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 10,000 milesSouth Riding, VA
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
WE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUES WITH OUR 2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID AS BEEN REPORTED IN THE TOYOTA PRIUS RECALL. AT TIME THE BRAKING SEEMS TO STOP FOR LESS THAN A SECOND.
NHTSA complaint #10310291 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ithaca, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. I HAD NOTICED BRAKING ISSUES AND HEARD ABOUT THE PRIUS RECALL. THIS DESCRIBES EXACTLY THE ISSUE I AM EXPERIENCING WITH MY BRAKES. FROM THE TOYOTA PRIUS 2010 RECALL: "SOME OWNERS HAVE REPORTED EXPERIENCING INCONSISTENT BRAKE FEEL DURING SLOW AND STEADY APPLICATION OF THE BRAKES ON ROUGH OR SLICK ROAD SURFACES WHEN THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) IS ACTIVATED IN AN EFFORT TO MAINTAIN TIRE TRACTION."
NHTSA complaint #10308577 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100 milesVerona, NJ
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN BRAKING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE BRAKE WOULD RELEASE ON ITS OWN AT A DISTANCE; HOWEVER, WHEN HIS SPEED INCREASED THE BRAKES PERFORMED NORMALLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED MORE FREQUENTLY WHEN HE APPROACHED A STOP SIGN IN COLDER WEATHER. THE DEALER TOLD HIM THAT THE BRAKING SYSTEM SENT POWER TO THE BATTERY AND THE FAILURE WAS NORMAL. HE HAD NOT SPOKEN WITH THE MANUFACTURER TO-DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 7,773. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100.
NHTSA complaint #10307746 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 6,000 milesDuck, NCCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
I OWN A 2009 HIGHLANDER HYBRID AND AM CONCERNED THAT I AM EXPERIENCING THE SAME TYPE OF PROBLEMS WITH BRAKING THAT ARE NOW BEING REPORTED FOR THE PRIUS. SOMETIMES, WHEN BRAKING IT FEELS LIKE THE BRAKES ARE NOT ENGAGING AND THERE IS A SENSATION THAT THE CAR IS SPEEDING UP. CONTINUED PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL FINALLY SLOWS THE CAR DOWN. I WAS RECENTLY INVOLVED IN A MINOR ACCIDENT WHEN I WAS UNABLE TO BRAKE QUICKLY ENOUGH WHEN APPROACHING A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND HIT THE CAR IN FRONT. THE SENSATION THAT THE BRAKES WERE NOT ENGAGING WAS EXPERIENCED AT THAT TIME AS WELL AS ON OTHER OCCASIONS. I REPORTED THIS ISSUE TO MY TOYOTA DEALER JUST A FEW WEEKS AGO, AND THE MECHANIC WHO TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE, WITH ME IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, STATED HE EXPERIENCED A SIMILAR DELAY IN BRAKING. THE BRAKES WERE THEN TESTED USING COMPUTERIZED DIAGNOSTICS AND I WAS TOLD EVERYTHING CHECKED OUT OK BUT WAS OFFERED NO EXPLANATION OF WHY I WAS HAVING THIS ISSUE WITH THE BRAKES. I AM SHARING THIS ISSUE WITH YOU AS I BELIEVE MY HIGHLANDER HYBRID 2009 MAY NOT BE CONSISTENTLY TRUSTWORTHY WHEN THE BRAKES ARE NEEDED. PLEASE ADVISE.
NHTSA complaint #10307266 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 10,000 milesCambridge, MA
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
I OWN A 2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. IT HAS HAD THREE INSTANCES OF UNINTENDED LOW SPEED ACCELERATION SINCE I PURCHASED IT IN JUNE 2009. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED, IT WAS SO UNEXPECTED AND UNCONVENTIONAL THAT I THOUGHT IT MUST HAVE BEEN A MISTAKE IN MY PERCEPTION. THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED I WAS MORE AWARE BECAUSE IT HAD HAPPENED ONCE BEFORE. AND THE THIRD TIME EVEN MORE SO. NOW I AM ALERT FOR THE EVENT AND WILL TRY TO RECORD IT AS ACCURATELY AS POSSIBLE IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN. AS BEST I CAN DESCRIBE IT, I WAS SLOWING DOWN, ALMOST TO A STOP. IT IS AT THE POINT WHERE YOU HAVE SLOWED THE CAR BY BRAKING, THEN TAKE YOUR OFF THE BRAKE OR LIGHTEN THE BRAKING PRIOR TO THE FINAL BRAKING WHICH BRINGS YOU TO A FULL STOP WITHOUT A SMALL JOLT. I PROBABLY WAS TRAVELING BETWEEN 5 AND 10 MILES PER HOUR. I HAD MY FOOT OFF THE GAS AND BELIEVE PROBABLY OFF THE BRAKE AS WELL. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR ACCELERATED. I DEPRESSED THE BRAKE AND THE CAR STOPPED NORMALLY. I HAVE NOT WORKED ON CARS IN YEARS, BUT DID EXTENSIVELY WHEN I WAS A TEENAGER. SO I THINK OF MY SENSES AS REASONABLY ATTENTIVE TO THE SOUNDS AND MOTIONS OF VEHICLES WHICH INDICATE THAT SOMETHING IS AMISS. HOPE THIS HELPS.
NHTSA complaint #10306266 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 6,000 milesGreentown, IN
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I OWN A 2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID, PURCHASED NEW IN AUG. 2009. I HAVE EXPERIENCED A FEW INCIDENTS RELATED TO BRAKING THAT ARE SIMILAR TO WHAT'S BEING DESCRIBED BY PRIUS OWNERS. ON CERTAIN ROAD SURFACES/CONDITIONS, I HAVE FELT WHAT I WOULD DESCRIBE AS A PAUSE IN THE BRAKING SYSTEM. IT'S ALMOST LIKE A SLIDING SENSATION ON ICE, EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE IS NOT SLIDING. THE DURATION IS FOR PROBABLY LESS THAN A SECOND IN DURATION, BUT ENOUGH TO GET THE ATTENTION OF THE DRIVER. IT HAS HAPPENED ONLY IN ISOLATED CIRCUMSTANCES, AND THE MAJORITY OF THE TIME, THE BRAKES WORK PERFECTLY. THERE HAVE BEEN NO ACCIDENTS OR MISHAPS IN MY EXPERIENCE WITH THIS CONDITION. I HAVE NOT NOTIFIED TOYOTA, AS I AM AWAITING A POSSIBLE INVESTIGATION AND POTENTIAL RECALL. PERHAPS TOYOTA NEEDS TO INVESTIGATE ALL HYBRID'S BRAKING SYSTEMS.
NHTSA complaint #10305276 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sierra Madre, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I WRITE TO HIGHLIGHT SOME UNUSUAL BEHAVIOR EXHIBITED BY MY 2009 HYBRID HIGHLANDERS BRAKING SYSTEM WHICH I PURCHASED IN MAY 2009. IN SHORT, IN CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS, THERE IS A SLIGHT DELAY/PAUSE BETWEEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL AND ANY BRAKING FORCE APPLIED BY THE BRAKING SYSTEM. THE DELAY IS MOMENTARY AND I'VE EXPERIENCED THIS TO LAST NO MORE THAN HALF SECOND (.5 SEC.) AT MOST I'VE NOTICED THAT THIS OCCURS MOSTLY IN A SITUATION WHERE I HAVE FORCEFULLY APPLIED THE BRAKE. IT HAS SEEMED TO RECUR MOSTLY WHEN DRIVING DOWN A DECLINE. IT DOES NOT OCCUR DURING SITUATIONS WHERE I SMOOTHLY AND EVENLY APPLY PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. DURING MY 5,000 MILE SERVICE AT THE GLENDORA TOYOTA DEALERSHIPS, I MENTIONED THE BEHAVIOR (AS WELL AS A SOFT GRINDING SOUND DURING LOW SPEED TRAVEL) BUT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG IN THEIR TESTS. MY WIFE AND I HAVE BOTH INDEPENDENTLY EXPERIENCED BEHAVIOR THIS SEVERAL TIMES AND THE PROBLEM IS STILL RECURRENT. I HAVE DECIDED TO REPORT THIS BEHAVIOR AFTER READING TODAYS AP ARTICLE BY KEN THOMAS AND YURI KAGEYAMA (US GOVERNMENT INVESTIGATING BRAKES IN 2010 PRIUS) WHICH DESCRIBED SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS VEHICLES. ALTHOUGH THE PROBLEMS MY PARTICULAR VEHICLE HAS EXHIBITED HAVE THUSFAR BEEN SLIGHT WHEN COMPARED TO THOSE REPORTED IN THE ARTICLE, I FEEL COMPELLED TO REPORT THE ISSUE AND I CERTAINLY HOPE THAT THE PROBLEM DOES NOT SURFACE DURING A TIME THE EXTRA BRAKING TIME IS NEEDED. ASIDE FROM THE ABOVE-DESCRIBED BEHAVIORS, THE VEHICLE HAS OPERATED WITHOUT PROBLEMS AND MY FAMILY AND I ARE OTHERWISE VERY SATISFIED WITH OUR PURCHASE AND HOPE WE CAN RELY UPON THIS VEHICLE FOR MANY MORE YEARS. IF I CAN BE OF ANY ASSISTANCE TO EITHER THE NHTSA OR TOYOTA CORPORATION, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME.
NHTSA complaint #10305650 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 8,000 milesCharlottesville, VA
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
BRAKES FADE FOR A BRIEF MOMENT -- PERHAPS HALF OF A SECOND -- AND THEN COME BACK. ALTHOUGH THE BRAKES ARE BEING APPLIED CONSISTENTLY THROUGHOUT, THE SENSATION IS AS IF THE DRIVER WERE EASING OFF THE BRAKE AND THEN COMING BACK ON WITH MORE PRESSURE.
NHTSA complaint #10303845 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.