TSB: Some 2018 ? 2024 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with an A25A-FKS, A25A-FXS, M20A-FKS, or M20A-FXS engine may exhibit one or more of the following conditions: ?Milky/discolored engine oil. ?An ?Oil Pressure Low? warning message on the Multi-information Display (MID). ?A MIL ON condition with Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) P05202A (Engine Oil Pressure Sensor/Switch ?A? Signal Stuck in Range) and/or P052477 (Engine Oil Pressure Too Low [Severe]) present. Moisture from blow-by gases condenses and accumulates in the engine oil during short trips in extreme cold weather. When the moisture in the oil freezes, the oil pressure may drop, and the aforementioned warning indicators may displa
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2021 Toyota Highlander brakes problems
moderate 47 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Complaints
47
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
2crashes
What stands out
Owners have filed 47 brakes complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Among the 20 model years of Toyota Highlander in our records for brakes problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
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.
TSB: Some drivers of 2020 ? 2022 model year Highlander Hybrid vehicles may be sensitive to the momentary transition from regenerative braking to hydraulic braking under certain driving conditions, such as while driving downhill, or turning with light brake pedal application. The brake actuator control module can be updated to improve brake feeling for this condition. 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 2021 Highlander Hybrid has a pattern of unpredictable braking behavior that owners describe as dangerous. The most common complaint is a momentary surge or lurch forward when the vehicle transitions from regenerative to hydraulic braking—often downhill, during turns, or at low speeds. Owners say it feels like the brakes let go for 1–2 seconds before re-engaging, forcing them to push harder on the pedal. Some report near-misses with other vehicles; a few had more serious incidents, including one crash that totaled the vehicle.
Toyota issued Technical Service Bulletin T-SB-0059-23 in August 2023 for 2020–2022 models, recommending a brake actuator control module reprogram. The fix is free under the basic 36-month/36k-mile warranty, but many owners are out of warranty or hit mileage limits before discovering the problem. Dealers have performed software updates with inconsistent results—some owners report improvement, others say the surging persists.
Dealerships struggle to reproduce the issue during diagnostics, leading many to dismiss complaints or blame driver error. One owner was told it is normal hybrid behavior; another was instructed on proper two-foot driving technique despite the problem occurring with one foot. Owners with experience in other Toyota hybrids reject this explanation, noting their Prius or previous models never exhibited the issue. A handful of owners report severe incidents—complete brake failure or uncontrolled acceleration—though these are rare.
Same Toyota Highlander brakes reports on nearby years: 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2022 · 2023
Failure modes owners describe
Brake surge/lurch during regenerative-to-hydraulic transition
The braking system momentarily loses grip or surges forward when transitioning from regenerative to hydraulic braking, particularly downhill or during light brake application. Owners report the car lurches forward, accelerates, or feels like brakes fail for 1–2 seconds before re-engaging.
When: Intermittent; most common downhill, during turns, or at low speeds. Owners report it happening 2–4 times monthly to multiple times per day.
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle lurches or surges forward despite brake pedal depressed; Momentary sensation of brake failure or brakes 'letting go'; Driver must press brake pedal harder to stop vehicle; Can throw occupants forward against headrest; Unpredictable; no pattern to when it occurs; More frequent on bumpy roads, downgrades, or during cornering
Repairs/costs cited: Toyota Technical Service Bulletin T-SB-0059-23 (Hybrid Regenerative Brake Transition Feeling Improvement) recommends reprogramming the Brake Actuator Assembly Control Module. Multiple owners report a computer/software update was performed at dealerships; some report partial or no improvement after updates. One owner reported a second update in August 2025 with cost of $348.01 out of warranty.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Technical Service Bulletin T-SB-0059-23 issued August 29, 2023, for 2020–2022 Highlander Hybrid models. Repair covered under Toyota Basic Warranty (36 months/36k miles). Toyota has characterized the behavior as normal hybrid operation and transition between braking systems. Some dealers have stated it is driver inexperience with regenerative braking; owners dispute this claim, citing experience with other hybrids.
Uncommanded acceleration and complete brake failure
In rare but severe incidents, owners report the vehicle accelerated uncontrollably while brakes either did not function or failed completely. One owner reported the car jumping curb at idle speed after brake failure; another reported full acceleration with no brakes, resulting in vehicle striking boulders and trees.
When: Isolated severe incidents; one occurred at parking lot idle speed during routine parking maneuver; another during normal driving.
Symptoms owners cite: Brakes completely unresponsive to pedal input; Vehicle accelerates on its own (full throttle in one case); No warning lights or messages prior to event; No pattern or reproducibility
Repairs/costs cited: One vehicle totaled by insurance after striking boulders and trees; vehicle came to rest upside down. No injuries reported. One owner seeking advice on next steps with manufacturer.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented in narratives for these severe incidents.
Brake fade or softness requiring excessive pedal pressure
Owners report brakes feel soft, fade, or require significantly more pedal pressure than normal to achieve stopping power. Some describe a delay in braking action or braking effectiveness less than expected for the pressure applied.
When: Intermittent; some owners report more frequent occurrence on rough surfaces, after stopping at bottom of slopes, or during turning.
Symptoms owners cite: Brakes require harder pedal pressure than expected; Sensation of brake fade or reduced stopping power; Delay in braking action (1–2 seconds); Braking effectiveness inconsistent with pedal pressure applied; Occasional chattering or shuddering during braking
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reported dealer recalibration performed twice with TSB0017-21 (Recalibration); problem recurred. Dealerships unable to permanently resolve issue. One owner at 35k miles planned to report at scheduled service.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One owner cites TSB0017-21 for recalibration. Some dealers have performed brake recalibration with no lasting fix.
Brake system chattering, vibration, or shuddering
Owners report vibrating, shuddering, or chattering sensations when brakes are applied, sometimes accompanied by reduced braking grip on downhill sections or during off-ramp deceleration.
When: At low mileage (one reported at 12k miles) and during specific driving scenarios (downhill, off-ramps).
Symptoms owners cite: Significant vibrating and shuddering when brakes applied; Chattering sound or sensation during braking; Reduced brake grip, requiring extra proactive braking; Brakes sometimes do not grab as expected on downhill sections
Repairs/costs cited: One owner at 12k miles was told issue is due to rotors. No permanent repairs documented.
Electronic/electric parking brake malfunction
Vehicle produces loud screaming or squealing sound during park brake engagement cycle. Concern that brake unit may fail while driving and become engaged mid-operation.
When: During gear shift to Park; worsens in warmer weather.
Symptoms owners cite: Loud screaming/squealing noise when engaging park brake; Noise increases in warmer weather; Another Highlander observed making identical sound at dealership
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer stated sound is normal for this vehicle. Owner disputes this.
Pre-Collision Brake System (PCS) malfunction or false activation
Owner reports PCS not activating when vehicles stop suddenly on freeway, creating near-collision scenarios. After dealer service, PCS reportedly only functions with cruise control enabled, which is not the normal requirement.
When: During freeway driving with sudden vehicle stops ahead.
Symptoms owners cite: No brake warning signal displayed when vehicles ahead stop suddenly; PCS not engaging automatically; Near-collision situations on two separate occasions; PCS reportedly only functions with cruise control activated
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple dealer appointments; second appointment noted PCS functions 'with cruise on.' Third appointment pending at time of complaint.
Low brake power warning and safety feature malfunction
Dashboard warning indicating low brake power and simultaneous malfunction of safety features.
When: Unknown timing or pattern.
Symptoms owners cite: Brake power low warning displayed; All safety features indicate malfunction
Synthesized from 47 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
There is a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB-0059-23) issued for 2020-2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid models addressing a braking issue. It happens every day. There are a lot of issues Some drivers reported a momentary transition from regenerative braking to hydraulic braking, particularly when driving downhill or turning with light brake pedal application. Toyota has provided a software update…
My brakes seem to have an issue at times and I am happy to provide it for inspection if needed. When traveling downhill with a slight curve to a stop at slower speeds, the car lunges forward for a second just after the brakes have been engaged. It does not happen all the time, but when it does happen it feels like you could crash into a car in front of you. This issue happens 2-4 times a month…
I own a 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The vehicle exhibits a dangerous braking surge defect. When braking during cornering or in stop-and-go traffic, the vehicle randomly surges forward even though the brake pedal is depressed. This creates a serious safety hazard and increases the risk of collision. On multiple occasions, this defect has nearly caused an accident. The last time it happened we…
Had brakes trouble with your 2021 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 2021 Toyota Highlander?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 47 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 47 complaints filed, brakes issues most often appear around 2,600 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/2021/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.