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 ↗2023 Toyota Highlander brakes problems
severe 14 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Complaints
14
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
1crash
1injury
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.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2023 Highlander has brake issues spanning rotor durability and braking response, with Hybrid models showing patterns matching earlier recall campaigns.
Rotor warping appears at low mileage: one owner at 25k miles experienced severe chatter during downhill braking. Toyota resurfaced the rotors under warranty after initially denying coverage, but the owner worries thinned rotors will fail again sooner.
Hybrid braking transitions cause more frequent and serious complaints. Multiple owners describe sudden loss of brake pressure during downhill braking, hill approaches, and low-speed stops—the vehicle lurches forward, requiring the driver to stomp the pedal again. One owner's frequency jumped from once or twice monthly when new to daily occurrences. Dealers acknowledge the problem and confirm their technicians have experienced it themselves. Toyota published TSB-0059-23 for 2020–2022 Hybrids addressing regenerative-to-friction brake transition feeling, but dealers state no fix exists for 2023 models and won't implement the TSB without a mileage cap (36k miles). One owner reported complete brake failure at 8 mph, resulting in a totaled vehicle; the dealership service manager confirmed seeing the same failure in other 2023 Hybrids.
Steering wheel and brake pedal vibration at highway speeds (25+ mph) persists despite tire replacement and alignment work. Service finds no rotor defects on inspection.
Same Toyota Highlander brakes reports on nearby years: 2020 · 2021 · 2022
Failure modes owners describe
Brake rotor warping at low mileage
Rotors warp prematurely, causing severe chatter during braking. One owner reported this at 25k miles; Toyota initially denied warranty coverage, then agreed to resurface the rotors. Owner expressed concern that reduced rotor thickness from resurfacing would cause recurrence.
When: 25,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Severe chatter during downhill braking; Wobbling sensation during braking at highway speeds
Repairs/costs cited: Rotor resurfacing performed by Toyota dealership
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota initially stated warranty does not cover brakes; later agreed to inspect and resurface rotors if necessary
Brake pressure loss during hill descents and low-speed transitions
Multiple 2023 Hybrid owners report sudden loss of brake pressure or 'lunging' forward when braking downhill, during hill approaches to stops, or during low-speed braking. Occurs in both regenerative-to-friction brake transitions and general braking situations. Frequency increases over time for some owners. Toyota issued TSB-0059-23 for 2020–2022 models covering hybrid regenerative brake transition feeling, but dealers state no fix exists for 2023 models.
When: Throughout vehicle ownership; frequency increases over time for some owners
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of brake pressure during downhill braking; Vehicle lunges forward during braking; Brake pedal requires extreme pressure to stop vehicle; Loss of braking sensation at low speeds and during hill approaches; Brakes momentarily lose pressure during turns and parking; Vehicle surges forward when braking in the middle of deceleration
Repairs/costs cited: No permanent fix available from dealers; owners report dealers acknowledge the issue but state no solution currently exists
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota Technical Service Bulletin TSB-0059-23 issued for 2020–2022 Hybrid models only (36-month or 36,000-mile limit); no TSB or fix for 2023 models. Dealers claim issue cannot be fixed without additional sensors or computers on the vehicle
Steering wheel and brake pedal vibration at highway speeds
Steering wheel, brake pedal, and vehicle vibrate when braking at 25 mph and higher, primarily on highways but also in 25+ mph residential zones. Issue persists despite regular maintenance, new tires, and wheel alignment/balancing. Service inspections find no rotor defects.
When: Occurs at 25 mph and higher speeds
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel vibration during braking; Brake pedal vibration during braking; Vehicle vibration during braking; Occurs primarily at highway speeds
Repairs/costs cited: No repair performed; service inspections report brakes check out fine and no rotor issues detected
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota service stated brakes are good; no further action taken
Complete brake failure during low-speed stop
Single incident where brake pedal was depressed at 8 mph (pulling out from gas station toward stop sign) and brakes did not engage, resulting in crash at approximately 40 mph impact. Owner reports no automatic braking engaged. No airbags deployed. Vehicle totaled. Owner believes issue relates to transition from electric to gas braking in hybrid system. Notes Toyota issued recalls for 2020–2022 hybrids for same issue. Dealership service manager acknowledged observing same problem in other 2023 Highlander Hybrids.
When: Single incident during vehicle operation; occurred during low-speed approach to stop sign
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal depressed with no braking response; Automatic braking did not engage; No airbag deployment; Complete loss of vehicle control
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle totaled; no repair documented
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota issued recalls for 2020–2022 Hybrid models for this exact issue; dealership service manager acknowledged observing same problem in 2023 Highlander Hybrids
Synthesized from 14 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
When applying the brakes sometimes, particularly when breaking at the bottom of a hill, the car lunges forward before the brake catches and it stops. The transition is jarring and does not seem safe at all. I've been told by mechanics at the Toyota shop that it is normal for a hybrid vehicle, but if that is the case they need to not sell hybrid vehicles or find a way to avoid this problem. I've…
Since I got this car, when going down hill the breaks don't work properly. It is a sudden surge and the car takes a few extra seconds to break. It happens often and I always need to keep a good distance from the car in front of me to avoid a collision. I brought up during service to my Toyota dealership but they don't have a solution. Nothing shows up in the panel, the car just launches forward.
My 2023 Toyota Highlander has had an issue where the steering wheel and brake pedal vibrate when braking at around 25 mph and higher. The car will also vibrate. This happens on the highway mainly but also on 25+ speed zones in residential areas. I have taken my car for regular maintenance and the brakes have always checked out fine. There has never been a service report stating anything is…
Had brakes trouble with your 2023 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 2023 Toyota Highlander?
It's a meaningful issue. 14 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.
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/2023/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.