MY 2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER LOOKS TO BE LEAKING NEAR THE BRAKE BOOSTER. I KNOW THAT IT WAS REPLACED BY TOYOTA DEALER UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V499000. HOWEVER I DO NOT REMEMBER THE YEAR. I WAS DRIVING ON LOCAL STREETS, WHEN I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND IT WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. THE NEXT TIME I TRIED TO STEP ON THE PEDAL IT WAS WORKING OK. BUT THEN THE 3RD TIME…
2005 Toyota Highlander brakes problems
severe 18 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450
Complaints
18
Recalls
0
Crashes
3
Avg fix
$450
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH THE VEHICLE LOST CONTROL. THE VEHICLE MOVED TO THE DRIVERS LEFT LANE AND A CRASHED OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS STRUCK FROM BEHIND AND MOVED INTO THE THIRD LANE OF THE HIGHWAY CRASHING INTO THE MEDIAN WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND …
Common questions
How serious is the brakes problem on the 2005 Toyota Highlander?
It's a meaningful issue. 18 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $450 for brakes repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to brakes?
No active recalls currently cover brakes issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
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