10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
5 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
7 / 0
Average Mileage:
10,855 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2017 Toyota Highlander brakes problems

brakes problem

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2017 Toyota Highlander Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #26

May 312024

Highlander

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

my car has 18600.0 miles on it the problem is i started getting a " brakes under powered find a safe place to park" after doing some research, i have been advised to replace the vacuum pump and power booster at cost of aprox. 4 thousand dollars the car is not safe to drive i am disabled so this creates a hard ship for me. this is a major brake component why does it need to be replaced with only 18600.0 miles on it this is my only from of transportation and yes the mileage is correct

- Pensacola, FL, USA

problem #25

Jan 052024

Highlander

  • miles
I had my battery replaced about 3 days ago at the Toyota dealership. Yesterday, I was stopped at a red light and when I attempted to drive, the vehicle stalled. -??Braking power low-?? message on the dashboard and the car would not restart. I was able to jump start it after about 30 minutes. I got towed to a local repair shop who could not identify or duplicate the issue. I had no warning indicators other than failing to start the morning of getting the battery replaced 3 days ago.

- Ludowici , GA, USA

problem #24

Nov 132023

Highlander

  • miles
This is the SECOND incident with this vehicle in the past 4 months. When going to start my vehicle, it would not start. It gave me this error message: Braking power low, Stop in a Safe Place, See owners manual. There is NOTHING about this in the owners manual. The first time I thought it was battery related and after 3 different chargers on my vehicle, it finally started. Tonight I proceeded to push the button without the foot pedal and the radio came on, so it is definitely not the battery. I've tried several times to start and to no avail. Problem has not been reproduced as i cannot drive my vehicle at this time. No inspection as of yet. No warnings or symptoms prior to failure. Research shows it may have to do with a fuel pump pressure issue. I have paperwork on this issue under a customer support program 23TE01. Hoping this can become a recall and i can get this fixed.

- Waterford, WI, USA

problem #23

Sep 172023

Highlander

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Brake system malfunctioned and failed. Our safety was put at risk with no braking ability. The car was inspected and serviced by Toyota. One light showed braking power low on one occasion While driving car listed above, on five different occasions the brake pedal went to the floor with out stopping the vehicle. Our safety was put at risk on each occasion.

- Jacksonville , FL, USA

problem #22

Apr 012023

Highlander

  • miles
While driving all of these lights started to flash.

- Reading, MA, USA

problem #21

Dec 202021

Highlander

  • miles
My car would randomly shut off at red lights, one time I was on a hill & thought I was going to roll back into the car in front of me. After restarting it would turn on. The radio would randomly shut off. We eventually replaced the battery. On a Fri.(Dec 17th) my car would not start, so my Husband drove the kids & I to school, upon my return the car started. He told me the wheel locks & I need to move it. Then on Mon. (Dec 20th) driving my daughter to preschool school-??I have video from home camera showing your system will not let me attach a video) -??my car stalling as I reversed out of the driveway. I loose all control, then you hear that I pulled the emergency break & stop just before two cars pass by. I then restart the car, it goes, I drive 3 houses down I pressed the break to make a left turn onto a side street, my car accelerated & smashed into a telephone pole on the drivers side. You can hear the crash on my home camera. The impact was so hard, it bent my a frame, my airbags did not deploy, my drivers side door would not open. I shifted the pole & cracked the frozen dirt ground around it as seen in the pics. I can provide a copy of the body work repairs. We paid our $1k deductible. The car jpeg image icon does is not show like the other pics attached, so I attached a screen shot as well. We have other pictures & video-??s of damage to provide upon request

- Reading, MA, USA

problem #20

Jul 172023

Highlander

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Braking power low message on the dashboard and the car won-??t start

- Indiana , PA, USA

problem #19

May 212022

Highlander

  • miles
I have a 2017 Highlander, there have been several occasions the latest being 5/21/2022 that when trying to start I get "Braking Power Low" Stop in Safe Place and SUV does not start, after several attempts it starts. I called the Toyota dealership where I purchased SUV, asked if they knew about this issue and was informed, they have no knowledge and never heard of this issue, I looked online and found there have been some complaints. For now, my SUV starts after several attempts, but I am concerned that in the future it may not start and am not sure what to do. Are there or will there be any recalls on this issue? I'm sure the dealership (Toyota) will be more than happy to have me pay to fix this problem when it comes to that, but I feel this Toyota issue.

- Church Point, LA, USA

problem #18

Apr 092022

Highlander

  • miles
Vehicle displays -??Low braking power-?? although breaking was fine just earlier in the day and no known issues. Vehicle refuses to start even though it was operating normally just a few minutes ago.

- Spring , TX, USA

problem #17

Nov 032021

Highlander

  • miles
I was driving home and a warning brake light came on which said breaking power low stop in a safe place, BSM not available. Car won-??t start again, ABS light, traction control light, all wheel drive system, engine brake light, antilock brake system. All of these alerts are on the dashboard.

- Saint Louis, MO, USA

problem #16

Aug 112021

Highlander

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My 2017 Toyota Highlander just stop working all of sudden, I can-??t start the engine at all it says in the dashboard boaster power low/ park in the side in safe place. I was trying to start the engine it since it-??s 102 outside and I have my baby with me. I search it online and find out that toyota has recall for the same problem but only for 2018 Toyota Highlander. I can-??t even drive my car to the dealer/mechanic since I can-??t even start it all. Driving with this type of vehicle with same problem is really danger. The toyota should check inspect all their vehicle first for safely of everyone.

- Delano , CA, USA

problem #15

Jan 052021

Highlander

  • 44,832 miles
I was out for heading home & my vehicle would not start. I had the brake pedal pressed & pushed the start engine button. The vehicle just made a rapid clicking noise. There was a "braking power low/ stop in a safe place" light on the dashboard. Having been through this before after having the vehicle for 8 wks I waited & tried to get the brake pedal to the up position. Tried starting again;results the same. Called the local dealership, was told to tow it in for a diagnotstic. Again, I tried the brake pedal/ start sequence: No luck. The dash message center light reappeared immediately over-lapped by "depress brake pedal and push engine switch to start"(brake was depressed). Tried one more time to start results the same. Then the "charging system malfunction/ stop in a safe place/ see owner's manual" light appeared in the dash. Finally started 3 hours later: I drove home. Went to local dealer they said it was the battery. Went to my regular dealership. Enroute, the message center on the dash flashed bright red without words(@ 40mph). My regular dealership tested my battery, it was fine. They ran diagnostic; they said the result was a bad computer that needed to be replaced. Was given a loaner vehicle. 2 wks later they called and said after more testing it is the battery, not the computer.

- Dundalk, MD, USA

problem #14

Sep 262017

Highlander

  • 2,571 miles
Purchased the Highlander August 2017. September 2017 (8 weeks later) we returned home from an 35 mile trip and parked. I had to go back out about 30 minutes later. When I tried to start the vehicle I could not get the vehicle to start. Received a "brake power low, stop in a safe place" light. It took my husband 15 minutes to get the brake to release and be able to manually pull it to the up position so we could try to start it. The dealership was unable to recreate this incident.

- Dundalk, MD, USA

problem #13

Feb 052019

Highlander

  • 48,939 miles
I had this car 2017 brand new, after 10000 mile, I heard some noises for my front wheels, I did my oil and maintance service often by Toyota dealership, I told them all the time about brakes and front wheel make some noises, they always everythings looks fine, after 2 yrs I had engine check lights on, I went to Toyota dealership, and they sayed it S not covered I have pay my own money for fixed, they sayed engine misfire on cylinder, for new car only driving 2yrs, it S happened Feb/05/2019, after 6 months they found front passenger outer cv boot leaking and I have to pay my own packet too, and now I have again problem, when I am driving on freeway about 70 mgh I heard some noise on my car back seats down, when I looked under my car there is no crack or leaking, looks everything good, I dont know where is noices comming from my under car, I just went to maintence today again Toyota dealership they sayed everythings normal, I dont know now what should I do, I am not really happy with my new car and with Toyota

- Castro Valley, CA, USA

problem #12

May 012017

Highlander

  • 9,800 miles
I had my car brand new, when I start driving my front tires brakes sometimes make noises also when I turn around I heard my front tires make noise, I always do oil and maintance service by Toyota dealership, I told them all the time they sayed checked everythings normal, they always sayed, and engine check lights was on when I was driving after only 2 yrs, they sayed I have pay fee for service engine had something going on, it did not cover it, also now when I am driving on freeway about 70-80 miles I heard some wierd noise on my car bottom area, I did double check down, it does not and break leaking, I am not really happy with my, now only 4 yrs, still has more noises come out, also I told the dealer, they sayed everythings normal,

- Castro Valley, CA, USA

problem #11

Nov 132020

Highlander

  • 0 miles
Vehicle was stationary. I pressed the brake in order to turn on the vehicle screen started to flash and making clicking noise. Warning messages include: Check AWD system, lane departure alert malfunction visit your dealer and braking power low.

- Commerce, GA, USA

problem #10

Nov 072020

Highlander

  • miles
While pressing on brake and pushing power button to turn on vehicle, a clicking noise sounded as if the battery was malfunctioned. When looking at the screen, it alerted low braking power. Unable to turn on vehicle because of this. The vehicle was stationary when this occurred.

- Heber, CA, USA

problem #9

Jul 262020

Highlander

  • 40,000 miles
1 week ago, 7-26-20, my car stalled slightly and then an engine icon appeared. A message appeared for me to visit my dealer. I took it to the Toyota dealer. The light went off as I arrived there. I had to pay for a diagnostic check and they couldn't find anything wrong. I was told to make sure I was using a good grade of gas. Later in the week I got gas at a shell station. The car wouldn't crank at the pump. It kept trying to turn over. I got a message to depress the brake and push ignition. Then it said low brake pressure. I sat there a few minutes and tried again. I finally got it to stay on. The next day I drove around fine for a while with no problem. Then I tried to go back out and it wouldn't crank. It was full of good gas. The engine icon came back on. Then the message about being harder to steer came up. It kept saying depress the brake and push ignition. I tried a few more times and got the message about problems with the smart key system. I checked the recalls for 2017 Highlanders and noticed there electrical problems. I bought this car used in March 2020.

- Augusta, GA, USA

problem #8

Mar 122020

Highlander

  • 58,000 miles
While driving in a city street at approximately 20 mph I had my window wipers on due to some pollen on my windshield. While window wipers were engaged I approach a downward hill and hit noting but sun glare blinding me I put my brakes on but by that time my SUV slammed into the car in front of me. The emergency braking system did not activate

- Summerville, SC, USA

problem #7

Feb 202019

Highlander

  • 15,000 miles
Since it has become colder in the midwest around November 2018, I can hear a clunk or a 'thunk' kind of sound when I make a complete stop or put the car in reverse. The sound is coming from the back, the area where the brakes are, both left and right side. This is in my 2017 Highlander AWD xle. I have addressed it with an authorized Toyota service dealer many times but nothing has been 'found' by them. They adjusted the emergency brake shoes and lubricated the emergency brake parts, but nothing has fixed it. The sound keeps coming back. I have also filed a complaint with Toyota corporate headquarters. The case is now closed due to the service dealer stating the sound is not a 'defect' and they have to basically wait for more complaints to take any action. I can hear this sound anywhere from 10 to 30+ times a day when I drive around in a city and Suburban setting, where I am stopping at many stop signs and red lights. It is loud enough to hear over some low to medium loud music playing. It almost sounds like the emergency brake engaging. I am worried the brakes will fail or the emergency brake will engage without me setting it. I have small children in the car with me most of the time. This needs to be addressed.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

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