TSB: Some 2014 ? 2020 model year Toyota vehicles may exhibit a hard start and/or MIL ON condition with one or more of the following Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs): ?DTC P0171 and/or P0174 (System Too Lean Bank 1/Bank 2) ?DTC P0087 Fuel Rail / System Pressure ? Too Low Techstream data list analysis may reveal positive fuel trims including a no pressure condition verified by a manual fuel pressure gauge. Follow the Repair Procedure in this bulletin to address these conditions.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2017 Toyota Highlander brakes problems
moderate 11 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
When does it fail?
Of the 11 brakes complaints filed for the 2017 Toyota Highlander, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 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 8 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.
DL: On December 20, 2022, a settlement of claims for certain low pressure fuel pumps was approved by the federal court. The settlement includes Toyota?s agreement to provide a Customer Support Program for certain 2014-2020 model year (MY) vehicles originally equipped with low pressure fuel pumps repaired under Safety Recall 20TA02, Safety Recall 21TA03, Safety Recall 21TA05 or Special Service Campaign 21TC03. The purpose of this Customer Support Program letter is to help clarify how to administer this coverage in accordance with the settlement.
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 ↗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
The 2017 Highlander's brake system shows a pattern of serious failures across multiple categories. Owners report "Brake Power Low" or "Brakes Underpowered" warnings at low mileage—one at 18,600 miles requiring an estimated $4,000 vacuum pump and power booster replacement. Some vehicles display these warnings then refuse to start, with the brake system itself getting stuck in the engaged position.
More alarming are pedal-to-floor failures: multiple owners describe the brake pedal sinking to the floor during normal driving with the vehicle refusing to stop, occurring five times on one vehicle and once resulting in unintended acceleration that damaged property. Two owners experienced poor braking control in light snow, with vehicles sliding uncontrollably off the road despite brake input.
A recurring rear brake clunk or thunk noise—happening 10 to 30+ times daily during typical stop-and-go driving—has stumped Toyota dealers, who adjusted emergency brake components but found no defect. Owners installing brake controllers for towing face an added complication: the pre-collision system falsely triggers a malfunction warning, and some resort to disabling the trailer brake lights to clear the warning, creating its own safety hazard.
Several owners report dealer inspections finding nothing wrong despite clear symptoms, and at least one vehicle with the same brake power low symptom fell outside a related recall campaign.
Same Toyota Highlander brakes reports on nearby years: 2016 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020
Failure modes owners describe
Pre-collision system malfunction triggered by trailer brake controller
When a brake controller is installed for towing (as Toyota recommends for towing trailers under 5000 lbs), the manual brake switch activates the 'PRE-COLLISION SYSTEM MALFUNCTION' warning even when the pre-collision system is disabled. This issue is specific to 2017 and 2018 Highlanders with the collision avoidance system. Some owners resort to installing a diode to suppress the warning, which disables the trailer brake lights during manual override—a safety feature required by California law.
When: Occurs when brake controller is activated; issue specific to 2017–2018 model years
Symptoms owners cite: PRE-COLLISION SYSTEM MALFUNCTION warning displays; Warning persists even when pre-collision system is turned off; Manual brake switch triggers the warning
Repairs/costs cited: Toyota has not provided proper installation guidance. Owners report attempting diode installation as a workaround, which disables trailer brake light functionality.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota has acknowledged the requirement to install a brake controller for towing but has not provided rectification guidance despite repeated owner contact.
Rear brake clunk/thunk noise at complete stops and in reverse
A loud clunking or thunking sound from the rear brakes (both sides) occurs consistently when coming to a complete stop or shifting into reverse, especially in cold weather. The noise is audible 10–30+ times daily in typical city driving and loud enough to hear over music. Toyota dealers adjusted emergency brake shoes and lubricated components but found no defect and took no corrective action.
When: Started around November 2018 in cold weather; persists regardless of season
Symptoms owners cite: Clunk or thunk sound from rear brakes; Occurs at complete stops and when shifting to reverse; Sound comes from both left and right rear; Loud enough to hear over music
Repairs/costs cited: Emergency brake shoes adjusted and lubricated by authorized Toyota dealer; no improvement. Owner worried about brake failure or unintended emergency brake engagement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota dealership stated the sound is not a defect and indicated they will only take action if more complaints are filed.
Loss of braking control in snow
Vehicle loses braking control and traction in light snow conditions (2–3 inches), causing uncontrolled sliding off the road despite pumping the brakes. This occurred on the first snow of the season during normal city driving at 25 mph. The vehicle slid off the road twice in one trip, nearly hitting a telephone pole. Both the owner and another driver experienced the same loss of control in the same vehicle.
When: First snow of the season after vehicle purchase in March
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of braking control in light snow; Vehicle sliding off road despite brake input; No stopping ability despite brake pumping; Loss of directional control at low speed (25 mph)
Brake power low warning and vacuum pump/power booster failure
At 18,600 miles, the vehicle began displaying 'BRAKES UNDERPOWERED FIND A SAFE PLACE TO PARK' warning. An advisor recommended replacing the vacuum pump and power booster, with a quoted repair cost of approximately $4,000. This represents a major brake component failure at unusually low mileage, leaving the vehicle unsafe to drive.
When: At 18,600 miles
Symptoms owners cite: BRAKES UNDERPOWERED warning message; Unsafe to drive condition
Repairs/costs cited: Vacuum pump and power booster replacement quoted at approximately $4,000.
Brake power low warning and stuck brake system preventing engine start
Eight weeks after purchase (September 2017), after a 35-mile trip, the vehicle would not start. A 'BRAKE POWER LOW, STOP IN A SAFE PLACE' warning appeared, and the brake refused to release. The owner's husband took 15 minutes of manual effort to pull the brake to the up position to attempt a restart. The dealership could not recreate the issue.
When: September 2017, approximately 8 weeks after purchase
Symptoms owners cite: BRAKE POWER LOW warning; Brake stuck in engaged position; Vehicle will not start; Brake system will not release
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership unable to recreate the issue.
Unintended acceleration with brake depression ineffective
While depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle continued to move forward uncontrollably, resulting in collisions with a handicap sign, lawn tractor, and wheelbarrow. Damage included front bumper, license plate, license plate cover, and deep scratches to the left lower panel. The vehicle was repaired and the manufacturer was notified.
When: September 2017
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle continues to move forward despite brake pedal depression; Brakes ineffective in stopping vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle repaired following collisions.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was notified.
Brake power low warning not covered by recall
Owner received a 'Brake Power Low' warning and discovered NHTSA Campaign Number 18V211000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) exists, but the vehicle's VIN was not included in the recall despite exhibiting the same warning symptom.
When: At 39,460 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Brake Power Low warning
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Vehicle VIN not included in NHTSA Campaign Number 18V211000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) despite matching symptoms.
Brake system failure with pedal going to floor
The brake pedal went to the floor without stopping the vehicle on five separate occasions during normal driving. The vehicle was inspected and serviced by Toyota. One incident involved a 'Braking Power Low' warning light, but the recurring failure pattern indicates a systemic brake system malfunction.
When: Multiple occasions during normal driving
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal goes to floor; Vehicle does not stop; BRAKING POWER LOW warning on at least one occasion
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle inspected and serviced by Toyota.
Brake power low warning with flashing screen and clicking noise
When the owner pressed the brake to turn on the vehicle, the screen began flashing and making a clicking noise. Warning messages displayed included 'CHECK AWD SYSTEM', 'LANE DEPARTURE ALERT MALFUNCTION VISIT YOUR DEALER', and 'BRAKING POWER LOW'.
When: While vehicle was stationary
Symptoms owners cite: Screen flashing and clicking noise when brake pressed; Multiple warning messages including BRAKING POWER LOW; CHECK AWD SYSTEM warning; LANE DEPARTURE ALERT MALFUNCTION warning
Brake power low warning with no prior symptoms and vehicle refusal to start
Vehicle displays 'Low braking power' warning despite brakes functioning normally just hours earlier. The vehicle refuses to start even though it was operating normally minutes before the warning appeared.
When: No mileage or timing specified
Symptoms owners cite: Low braking power warning appears without warning; Vehicle will not start; No prior brake issues noted
Synthesized from 11 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
I purchased my Toyota in march. Last nite was our first storm of the year. I live in salem,nh and we had maybe 2-3 inches of snow. I was driving home and went off the road twice. I tried pumping brakes and I feel as though I had no control over this SUV I could not stop. It was not deep snow. I feel something is very wrong with this car. I was not going more than 25 MPH and my SUV went off road…
Had brakes trouble with your 2017 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 2017 Toyota Highlander?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 11 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $450 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Based on the 11 complaints filed, brakes issues most often appear around 14,606 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
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/2017/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.