TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 Toyota Highlander brakes problems
severe Owners of the 2013 Toyota Highlander have filed 13 NHTSA complaints about the brakes, typically surfacing around 26,000 miles at roughly $450 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See brakes across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
13
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
| Model year | brakes complaints |
|---|---|
| 2009 Highlander | 20 |
| 2010 Highlander | 32 |
| 2011 Highlander | 15 |
| 2012 Highlander | 7 |
| 2013 Highlander (this page) | 13 |
| 2014 Highlander | 3 |
| 2015 Highlander | 6 |
| 2016 Highlander | 13 |
| 2017 Highlander | 11 |
5crashes
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 13 brakes complaints filed for the 2013 Toyota Highlander, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA brakes complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 10 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering brakes on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2013 Highlanders describe brake failures ranging from intermittent pedal unresponsiveness to complete loss of braking during low-speed parking maneuvers. Several incidents involved vehicles striking curbs, landscape features, or structures after brake pedal application failed to decelerate the vehicle; one owner reported a 40-foot rollover down a hill. Dealerships and independent shops disassembled brake systems but could not reproduce the failures, leaving the root cause undiagnosed in multiple cases.
A distinct problem affects the ABS system: the accumulator develops internal leaks (diagnostic code C1391), causing ABS and check engine lights to illuminate. Toyota has a Service Bulletin addressing this issue, but owners report the bulletin has expired and Toyota Brand Engagement declined to extend coverage. The fix requires ABS module replacement and brake actuator/booster pump service; U.S. owners have access to a customer support program, but international owners cannot obtain parts.
Other complaints document brake noise (clicking, grinding, squeaking), severe pedal pulsation, and burnt odor through vents immediately after purchase. One owner at 25,000 miles found rear rotors worn unevenly with rusty unused rings, suggesting improper caliper pressure. Parking brake failures—disengaging unexpectedly or not releasing completely—have also been reported, with one dealer identifying possible wiring interference from dealership installation.
Same Toyota Highlander brakes reports on nearby years: 2010 · 2011 · 2016
Failure modes owners describe
Brake pedal stuck or unresponsive
Brake pedal becomes unresponsive, stuck in a raised position, or does not travel to the floor despite hard pressure. Vehicle does not decelerate or stop when pedal is pressed.
When: Occurs intermittently during normal driving; in one case after driving over an ice patch on otherwise plowed roads
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal stuck or elevated; Pedal does not press to floor; Vehicle unable to stop despite brake application; Brake function returns to normal after the incident
Repairs/costs cited: Complete brake system disassembly and inspection by independent mechanics and dealers found no defects; issue could not be reproduced
Brake failure during low-speed maneuvering
Brakes fail to engage or respond during parking maneuvers, causing vehicle to strike curbs, landscaping, or structures. Some incidents involve sudden acceleration while brakes are applied.
When: Multiple incidents during parking lot maneuvers; one confirmed at 73,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal depressed but brakes do not engage; Vehicle does not decelerate when braking; Sudden or continued acceleration despite brake application; Vehicle travels significant distances (40+ feet downhill) before stopping
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers unable to duplicate failures; one vehicle deemed total loss after 40-foot rollover
ABS module internal leak and failure
ABS module develops internal leaks in the accumulator, causing ABS and brake warning lights to illuminate. Confirmed by dealership service departments; Toyota Service Bulletin exists but has expired.
When: Warning lights appeared without prior symptoms; one case documented February 2025; another at unknown mileage
Symptoms owners cite: ABS light illumination; Traction control warning light; Check engine light; Dashboard message: 'Brake malfunction, contact dealer immediately'; No warning signs prior to light activation
Codes mentioned: C1391 - Abnormal leak in Accumulator, 1391 - Internal leak in ABS
Repairs/costs cited: Requires replacement of ABS Module Assembly and Brake Actuator/Booster Pump; system bleed required. Toyota has customer support program for U.S. vehicles only; parts unavailable outside U.S.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Service Bulletin exists but expired; Toyota Brand Engagement declined to extend bulletin or provide assistance
Brake noise and abnormal pedal feedback
Grinding, clicking, squeaking, pulsating, and other abnormal brake noises during braking; severe pulsation felt in brake pedal with burned odor through heater vents.
When: Occurred immediately after purchase on first drives; another case documented early in ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Clicking, squeaking, grinding noises; Brake slipping and dragging; Brake vibration; Tremendous pulsating in brake pedal; Vehicle jumping forward when braking attempted; Burnt odor through heater vents; Gushing sound from brakes
Brake pad and rotor wear imbalance
Rear brake rotors show uneven wear with unused rusty rings at periphery of rotor surfaces despite pads being mostly unworn. Indicates improper caliper pressure distribution affecting only partial rotor contact area.
When: Identified at 25,000 miles during first scheduled maintenance
Symptoms owners cite: Rear pads less than half worn; Both rear rotors show 0.8 cm peripheral circular unused rusty rings on both surfaces; Pads contacting only partial rotor area; Suspected inadequate caliper pressure on both rear wheels
Repairs/costs cited: Rear brake pad and rotor replacement required at 25,000 miles; owner suspects rear calipers not receiving adequate pressure
ABS system continuous operation and overheating
ABS pump motor continues running after vehicle is shut off; ABS makes loud knocking noises during braking; ABS drum component becomes excessively hot even when stationary.
When: Unspecified timing
Symptoms owners cite: Very loud knocking noises from ABS during braking; ABS drum attached to ABS extremely hot; ABS continues running after engine shutdown; System attempting to maintain pressure independently
Repairs/costs cited: No recall found on this VIN
Parking brake failure to engage or release
Parking brake disengages unexpectedly while vehicle is parked with brake applied, or fails to release completely after engagement. One case suggests wiring installation at dealership may obstruct brake release lever.
When: One case occurred during initial startup while parked in garage with parking brake previously engaged
Symptoms owners cite: Parking brake disengages without driver action; Vehicle rolls backward; Parking brake does not release completely; Possible obstruction from plastic panel or wiring affecting lever movement
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership service identified possible wiring obstruction on left panel; ordered clip to hold plastic panel in place
Synthesized from 13 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
While driving uphill, the brakes malfunctioned and brakes (and the gas) wouldn't work. My car slid backwards down the hill into a street with an oncoming car. Brake function did not return the entire slide down the hill (approx. 65 feet), and the screen on the dashboard said "brake malfunction, contact dealer immediately" it was towed to the dealership over a week ago with no resolution to…
Had brakes trouble with your 2013 Toyota Highlander?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the brakes problem on the 2013 Toyota Highlander?
It's a meaningful issue. 13 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Across the 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most brakes failures cluster between 12,356 and 36,000 miles, with the median around 26,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 12,356; a quarter make it past 36,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
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.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/Toyota/Highlander.
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. Some links on this page are affiliate links.