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 ↗2016 Toyota Highlander brakes problems
severe 13 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
13
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
3crashes
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 ↗TSB: Some 2014 ? 2019 model year Highlander vehicles may exhibit a vibration from the front brakes during light application of the brake pedal at highway speeds. Follow the Repair Procedure in this bulletin to address this condition.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2016 Highlander brake complaints cluster around several distinct problems. Two owners experienced hard, unintended braking triggered by the pre-collision system at highway speeds (>70 mph), with the system overriding the driver's deliberate evasive maneuver and creating rear-collision risk. Toyota dealers told owners the system cannot be disabled.
Multiple owners report complete brake failure—pedal sinking to the floorboard with zero stopping power at low speeds, causing collisions. One incident occurred at 62,000 miles; another at idle speed in a parking lot, and another involved the brake pedal rubber cover separating, causing the driver's foot to slip off.
Rotor defects appear frequently: owners report metal-on-metal rubbing, excessive wear, and warping as early as 10,000–28,000 miles. One owner's front rotors warped again at 37,000 miles and could not be machined further. Dealers initially machined and reinstalled rotors rather than replace them.
A separate group of owners describe sudden, violent braking without pedal input during normal low-speed driving or stop-sign approaches. One owner reported the issue persists despite battery replacement and multiple shop visits. One owner's parking brake failed to hold a fully loaded vehicle on a hill.
A manufacturer recall (NHTSA #16V775, G03) addressed brake fluid reservoir sensor connector noncompliance; at least one vehicle was sold without the remedy applied.
Same Toyota Highlander brakes reports on nearby years: 2013 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019
Failure modes owners describe
Unintended auto-braking engagement (Pre-Collision System)
Toyota Safety Sense pre-collision system applies hard braking without driver intention, even when the driver has chosen an alternative evasive maneuver. Happens on highways at high speed (>70 mph) in response to detected side-impact hazards.
When: Highway driving at high speed
Symptoms owners cite: Hard braking with no driver input; Sudden deceleration on highways at >70 mph; Pre-collision system activates inappropriately for side-impact hazards
Repairs/costs cited: Toyota dealer stated system cannot be disabled without dismantling safety features; dealer said no remedy available
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer has received similar complaints; stated no solution available
Complete brake failure—pedal to floor
Brake pedal loses effectiveness and sinks to the floorboard with no stopping power. Occurs at low speeds or while parking. Results in loss of vehicle control and collision.
When: Low speed parking and driving; one incident at 62,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal depresses to floorboard with no braking effect; Vehicle does not stop despite brake application; No warning lights illuminated prior to failure
Repairs/costs cited: Brake fluid level was full; vehicle towed to dealership
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota case opened; owner referred to NHTSA
Brake pedal cover separation
Rubber pad on brake pedal separates during pedal depression, causing foot to slip off pedal and lose braking ability.
When: Low-speed reversing and maneuvering
Symptoms owners cite: Rubber pad detaches from pedal during braking; Foot slips off pedal when pad separates
Repairs/costs cited: Owner did not replace cover due to fear of repeated failure
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota inspected vehicle, reported brakes working fine, closed case without remedy
Front brake noise and rotor failure
Metal-on-metal rubbing noise at front brakes. Rotors wear excessively or warp despite repairs. Initial machining does not resolve problem; owners report rotors cannot be turned down further.
When: Early in vehicle life: complaints starting at 10,000–28,000 miles; one incident at 77,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Metal rubbing sound on front brakes; Brake pedal vibration and shudder under braking; Brake noise at low speeds (~40 mph)
Repairs/costs cited: Front brake pads, rotors, and calipers machined at Orland Toyota; failure recurred; Elmhurst Toyota confirmed rotor defect but did not repair. Rear rotors turned at 28,000 miles with new pads; front rotors warped at 37,000 miles and cannot be turned down.
Unintended hard braking at low speed
Vehicle applies brakes suddenly and violently without driver input during normal driving or approach to stop signs, at speeds under 30 mph and during parking maneuvers. Causes occupants and cargo to lurch forward. Recurs despite multiple dealer visits and battery replacement.
When: Low-speed driving, stop-sign approach, and parking; earliest complaint at 10,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden, hard braking without driver input; Vehicle stops abruptly at low speed; Occupants thrown forward; cargo shifts; Recurs despite repair attempts and battery replacement
Repairs/costs cited: 12V battery replaced as attempted solution; issue persists. Some instances captured on dash-cam video.
Brake ineffectiveness at high speed and downhill
Brakes do not provide sufficient stopping power during downhill driving or at speeds over 70 mph. Vehicle vibrates and is difficult to control. Occurs early in vehicle life on low mileage.
When: Downhill and high-speed driving; reported at 25,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Reduced braking effectiveness at speed >70 mph; Difficulty stopping safely downhill; Vibration while braking; Hard to maneuver with confidence
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer machined rotors and reinstalled them; owner concerned rotors should have been replaced instead
Brake malfunction with no diagnostic codes
Brake pedal depression produces no braking effect. Dealer cannot diagnose or find failure after testing.
When: 50 mph highway driving; 30,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal depressed but no braking effect
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer tested; no failure found
Parking brake failure on loaded vehicle on incline
Parking brake does not hold vehicle in place when fully loaded on a hill, allowing the vehicle to roll.
When: Hill parking with full load
Symptoms owners cite: Parking brake fails to hold vehicle on incline; Vehicle rolls despite engaged parking brake
Brake fluid reservoir sensor connector defect (Recall G03)
Manufacturer recall NHTSA #16V775 Recall #G03 issued for brake fluid reservoir sensor connector noncompliance. Vehicles sold without remedy applied.
When: Vehicle sold as new without recall remedy
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer recall NHTSA #16V775 Recall #G03 issued for brake fluid reservoir sensor connector safety noncompliance
Synthesized from 13 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
The contact owned a 2016 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed low speeds on a decline, the brake pedal depressed all the way to the floorboard. As a result, the vehicle rolled downhill into a busy intersection and was struck by another vehicle on the passenger side door. The air bags did not deploy. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to…
Had brakes trouble with your 2016 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 2016 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 10 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most brakes failures cluster between 20,000 and 37,000 miles, with the median around 28,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 20,000; a quarter make it past 37,000. 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/2016/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.