2010 Toyota Highlander Brakes Problems

Your 2010 Highlander Hybrid may have a faulty brake actuator assembly or brake booster pump that can fail over time. Toyota issued a service bulletin in 2019 covering this repair for free, but the dealership refused to fix it when you requested service because the ABS warning light wasn't on yet. Now that the ABS light has come on and your son is experiencing brake issues, the repair costs over $2,400 and is no longer covered. The fix will require replacing the brake actuator and booster pump assemblies at a Toyota dealership.

Your brakes may fail to respond when you try to stop at slow speeds (under 15 mph), causing your Highlander to roll into the vehicle ahead of you. This has happened multiple times and resulted in two accidents, even after a complete brake service where the mechanic found nothing wrong with the pads or shoes. No warning lights or sounds appear before the brake failure occurs.

Your brake system may be experiencing a malfunction where the brake actuator and accumulator fail, causing warning lights to appear on your dashboard. When this happens, your ABS (anti-lock braking) and VSC (vehicle stability control) systems become disabled, which reduces your vehicle's braking safety and stability control. This is a known issue on 2010 Toyota Highlander Hybrids, and the manufacturer's support program for it expired in 2020. Fixing this typically requires replacing the brake actuator and accumulator assembly.

Your vehicle is displaying multiple brake system warning messages and lights indicating a brake system malfunction. Your car's stability control safety feature has been disabled as a result. The diagnostic code points to an abnormal leak in the brake accumulator, which Toyota has acknowledged as a known issue in certain 2008-2010 Highlander Hybrid models, though your vehicle may not be covered under their customer support program. Repair will likely require replacement of the brake actuator assembly or brake booster pump assembly.

When you press the brake pedal, your car accelerates for 1-2 seconds instead of slowing down. This unexpected acceleration during braking creates a serious safety risk for you, your passengers, and others on the road. The problem has been happening for over a year, but you haven't had it diagnosed by a dealer yet. A dealer inspection and brake system diagnostic will be needed to identify whether the issue is in the brake components, engine control system, or their interaction.

Your brake actuator and brake booster pump have malfunctioned, triggering multiple warning lights on your dashboard including ABS, traction control, and a "Brake Malfunction: pull over car immediately" message. This is a known safety issue that Toyota acknowledged in 2019 with a recall program, but the program has since expired and many vehicles no longer qualify for free repairs despite continuing to experience this problem. The fix will likely involve replacing the faulty brake actuator and brake booster pump components.

While driving on the highway, your ABS, stability control, and airbag warning lights came on together with a warning triangle, followed by continuous loud beeping. When your wife tried to pull over, she had to press hard on the brakes to stop the car, which was frightening. You believe the ABS accumulator may be losing pressure, causing the brake pump to run constantly and potentially burn out. Fixing this will likely require inspecting and possibly replacing the ABS accumulator and brake pump assembly.

While driving, your traction control, ABS, and brake warning lights came on together with an urgent message to pull over. Your power brakes failed completely, requiring you to press the brake pedal hard all the way to the floor to get minimal braking response. A loud alarm sounded during the incident, and you nearly hit other cars in a parking lot. This issue likely involves the brake booster or master cylinder and needs immediate professional inspection.

Your brake system's actuator assembly and brake booster pump have failed, which control your brakes and anti-lock brake system (ABS). You may experience unpredictable stopping distance, inconsistent ABS performance, and a brake pedal that feels either too soft or too firm—creating a serious collision risk. You'll likely see multiple warning lights including ABS and Brake System warnings on your dashboard. The fix will require replacement of the failed brake booster pump assembly and actuator assembly components.

You received a brake warning light on your 2010 Toyota Highlander. Your concern is that Toyota has acknowledged this is a known issue but will only repair it for free if it occurs before December 30, 2020, or before the vehicle reaches 150,000 miles. You believe Toyota should take responsibility for this brake-related problem regardless of timing or mileage.

MY 2010 HIGHLANDER HYBRID HAD AN ISSUE WITH THE BRAKE ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY AND BRAKE BOOSTER PUMP ASSEMBLY. CUSTOMER SUPPORT SERVICE IS EXPIRED ON DEC 31, 2020 WHICH IS NOT FAIR. THIS PROBLEM CAN CAUSE SERIOUS ACCIDENT AND CAUSE. IT WAS LUCKY THAT MY WIFE MANAGED TO STOP THE VEHICLE WHEN BRAKE DOES NOT WORK AND ALL THE LIGHTS ON. MY WIFE NOW COULD NOT DRIVE BECAUSE SHE IS TOO SCARED TO DRIVE ANYMORE. THIS ISSUE RAISED A BIG ENOUGH ISSUE FOR TOYOTA TO EXTEND COVERAGE. IT NEEDS TO BE A RECALL, AS THE TOTAL REPAIR COSTS EXCEED $3500 IN MOST CASES FOR A PART TOYOTA HAS ESSENTIALLY ADMITTED WAS DEFECTED.

While driving several passengers, vehicle brakes failed, dash lights came on. Brake booster pump and actuator failed according to Master Mechanic. Vehicle available for inspection. Brake failure sudden reduction is stopping distance unexpected nearly causing collision to other vehicle and possible injury or death to others. Toyota aware of issue (customer support bulletin (zKc) which expired 12/31/21 without notifying me of issue unless NHTSA call for SAFETY RECALL. Problem is same exact as my 2010 PRIUS which was safety rcalled NHTSA Code 13V235000.without any brake problem indicators. Toyota refuses to repair unless NHTSA calls for a SAFETY RECALL beyond 12/31/21 expired date of (csp bulletin zKc. I experienced what I thought was slight & brief dash light which went back to normal immediately. First appeared Sept 1, 2021.

ABS LIGHTS ARE ON AND IT SAYS TO CHECK THE VEHICLE BY DEALER. THIS MIGHT BE WITH ALL THE HYBRIDS.

BRAKE ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY AND BRAKE BOOSTER PUMP ASSEMBLY ARE VIBRATING EVERY 30 SECONDS PERIODICALLY AND MAKING VIOLENT NOISE. THIS IS ALSO HAPPENING WHEN I PUSH THE BRAKES. THE CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. TOYOTA REFUSED TO REPLACE THE UNIT, STATING THAT THEIR PROGRAM EXPIRED 12/31/2020. THEY SAID THEY PUBLISHED THIS: "CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM BULLETIN (ZKC): REPAIR COVERAGE FOR BRAKE ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY AND BRAKE BOOSTER PUMP ASSEMBLY ON CERTAIN 2008-2010 MY HIGHLANDER HYBRID VEHICLES". HTTPS://STATIC.NHTSA.GOV/ODI/TSBS/2019/MC-10164925-9999.PDF WE HAVE NEVER RECEIVED THIS NOTICE BEFORE. THIS LOOKS LIKE A WAY FOR TOYOTA TO BYPASS A MAJOR RECALL AND REDUCE THE COSTS OF REPLACEMENTS. NHTSA MAY BE ENABLING THIS KIND OF EVASIVE BEHAVIOR.

MY 2010 HIGHLANDER HYBRID IS PRESENTING A CODE C1391 FOR AN ISSUE WITH THE BRAKE ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY AND BRAKE BOOSTER PUMP ASSEMBLY. CURRENTLY MY ABS, TRACTION CONTROL, AND CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM LIGHTS ARE ON WITH A MESSAGE NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. TOYOTA HAS RECOGNIZED THIS ISSUE AND OFFERED FREE REPAIRS, EXTENDING COVERAGE UNTIL DEC 31, 2020. THE CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM BULLETIN TO SUPPORT THIS IS POL19-06. THIS ISSUE RAISED A BIG ENOUGH ISSUE FOR TOYOTA TO EXTEND COVERAGE. IT NEEDS TO BE A RECALL, AS THE TOTAL REPAIR COSTS EXCEED $3500 IN MOST CASES FOR A PART TOYOTA HAS ESSENTIALLY ADMITTED WAS DEFECTED.

VEHICLE WAS ON CITY STREET COMING TO A STOP BRAKE PEDAL WENT AL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND SKID ICON CAME ON LUCILY I STOPPED JUST IN TIME TO AVOID A WRECK. TOYOTA SAID WAS BRAKE ACTUATOR GOING BAD .SAME PROBLEM AS OTHER TOYOTAS THAT WERE RECALLED,AS MY VEHICLE WAS NOT ON RECALL LIST TOYOTA WONT FIX IT UNDER RECALL AND WANT ME TO PAY $3000 TO FIX IT .MAYBE THAT WILL FIX IT? WHY CANT A RECALL FIX A PROCLEM WITH ALL BRAKE ACTUATORS AS THERE IS OBVIOUSLY A DEFECT IN ACTUATORS. THANKS LARRY

ABS - CODE -1391,THIS IS SECOND TIME,FIRST TIME(2016) WAS CHANGED THIS PART -44510-48080

I ALMOST GOT IN TO AN ACCIDENT ON 5/11/2018 DUE TO THE ABS SYSTEM NOT STOPPING THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING IN I-95. I GOT A WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASH AS I WAS PRESSING THE BRAKES, LATER THE CAR DID NOT WANTED TO STOP, BUT IT DID NOT PREVENT ME FROM HITTING THE OTHER CAR. I PRESS ON THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR. LATER, I TOOK THE CAR TO GET DIAGNOSE AND PUT ERROR CODES C1391, ABS ACCUMULATOR LEAK OR MALFUNCTION. CONTACTED DELRAY TOYOTA IN DELRAY BEACH, FL AND THEY DENY TO DO A RECALL WHEN THERE IS AN EXTENTED WARRANTY RECALL ON CAMRY AND PRIUS MODEL LINE FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. CALLED TOYOTA CORP. AND THEY ARE DENYING TO DO ANYTHING TO FIX THE SAFETY PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. THEY STATED THAT SINCE THERE WERE NOT ENOUGH BUYERS FOR THIS MODEL, THEY WILL NOT COVER OR MAKE A RECALL ON SAFETY FOR THE PUBLIC. I HAVE FOUND OVER ALL THE INTERNET COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE. I AM LOOKING FOR A RESOLUTION. A PICTURE OF THE ERRORS CODES ON THE VEHICLE IS INCLUDED ON THE COMPLAINT.

I WAS DRIVING TO PICK UP MY SON WHEN A BRAKE MALFUNCTION WARNING LIGHT CAME ON INDICATING A PROBLEM WITH ABS SYSTEM. AFTER PICKING UP MY SON I WENT DIRECTLY TO THE DEALER AND THE FOUND THE PROBLEM WAS GIVEN BY CODE C1391, A BRAKE ACCUMULATOR VACUUM LEAK. WAS TOLD VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE WITHOUT REPAIR, INTERNAL PRESSURE LOSS COULD PREVENT CAR FROM STOPPING IN A PANIC SITUATION. ALTHOUGH IT APPEARS THIS IS COVERED BY WARRANTY EXTENSION FOR SOME MODEL YEARS OF HIGHLANDER, CAMRY AND PRIUS, TOYOTA WOULD NOT EXTEND SAME COURTESY TO ME, NOR WAS DEALER ABLE TO OFFER ME A GOODWILL ADJUSTMENT. PUMP ASSEMBLY AND ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY PARTS AND REPAIR COST ABOUT $5300.00. VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW FROM THE DEALER, HAD ALL RECOMMENDED AND NECESSARY MAINTENANCE AT DEALER ON DEALER SCHEDULE. *BF *TR

HYBRID BREAKING SYSTEM. THE HYBRID BREAKING SYSTEM (ACTUATOR, ACCUMULATOR, & PUMP) ON MY 2010 HIGHLANDER HYBRID ARE FAULTY AND HAVE FAILED. MY FAMILY PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FROM TOYOTA DEALER WHEN IT WAS APPROXIMATELY 1.5 YEARS YOUNG, AND HAVE PERFORMED ALL NECESSARY SERVICE AT CAMELBACK TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN A TIMELY FASHION. (23 SERVICE HISTORY REPORTS SHOWN ON CARFAX.) OUR HIGHLANDER HAS LESS THAN 100K MILES AND IS LESS THAN 10 YEARS OLD (APPROXIMATELY 8 YEARS OLD). THE FAULTY HYBRID BREAKING SYSTEM IS A KNOWN ISSUE, THAT TOYOTA HAS ISSUED 'LIMITED EXTENDED WARRANTIES' ON AT LEAST 736K VEHICLES (WHICH WOULD COVER MY REPAIR FREE OF CHARGE IF MY VEHICLE WAS OLDER ('WEP-ZG1' COVERS FULL REPLACEMENT OF BREAKING SYSTEM AT NO COST TO CUSTOMER FOR VEHICLES WITH 150K MILES OR LESS OR 10 YEARS OR NEWER) AND FULL RECALLS ON THE PRIUS BREAKING SYSTEM. CAMELBACK TOYOTA FIRST QUOTED ME $2,500 FOR THE REPAIR' BUT THAT FIRST REPAIR WAS ONLY TO REPLACE THE ACCUMULATOR AND THE PUMP. THE NEXT DAY, THE BRAKE MALFUNCTION LIGHTS CAME ON, AND NOW THEY'RE QUOTING ME ANOTHER $2,064 TO REPLACE THE ACTUATOR. MY FAMILY HAS CARED FOR THIS CAR PROPERLY, AND DONE NOTHING THAT WOULD CAUSE A TOTAL BREAK MALFUNCTION. THIS IS A MALFUNCTIONING BREAK SYSTEM THAT TOYOTA (AND THEIR PARTS MANUFACTURER) NEED TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR. A BREAKING SYSTEM IS ARGUABLY THE MOST IMPORTANT SYSTEM ON ANY VEHICLE! THIS IS PUTTING MY FAMILY, AND OTHER FAMILIES AT RISK. I ASK THE NTSB TO FORCE A RECALL ON MY 2010 HIGHLANDER HYBRID MODEL. THANK YOU. FURTHER EVIDENCE: IN 2013, TOYOTA RECALLS THE PRIUS: HTTP://WWW.NBCNEWS.COM/BUSINESS/TOYOTA-RECALLS-PRIUS-LEXUS-HYBRID-FAULTY-BRAKES-6C10208931 HIGHLANDER HYBRID 2008 COMPLAINTS: HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/TOYOTA/HIGHLANDER_HYBRID/2008/BRAKES/SERVICE_BRAKES.SHTML HTTP://WWW.CARPROBLEMZOO.COM/TOYOTA/HIGHLANDERHYBRID/ABS-BRAKE-FAIL-PROBLEMS.PHP

THIS MORNING AT 7:45 AM EST MY CAR SELF BROKE WHILE IN DRIVE AND TRAVELING AT 45MPH. I WAS LUCKY THE DRIVER BEHIND ME WAS ABLE TO AVOID HITTING ME. IS THIS A KNOW PROBLEM? I AM FEARFUL TO DRIVE ME CAR AGAIN

ON JULY 16, 2014 I TURNED MY CAR ON, READY TO RETURN HOME TO NEW JERSEY FROM BROOKLYN, AT THIS POINT THE BRAKE LIGHT SIGNAL, ABS, AND WARNING ICON ALL TURNED ON. THE CAMERA DISPLAYED A TEXT STATING BRAKE MALFUNCTION AND GIVING INSTRUCTIONS TO PARK THE CAR IMMEDIATELY. I CALLED THE TOYOTA 800 NUMBER AND FOLLOWED THEIR RECOMMENDATIONS, L HAD THE CAR TOW TO THE NEAREST TOYOTA DEALER, BAY RIDGE TOYOTA OF BROOKLYN. I PICKED UP THE CAR ON THE 18 TH, I WAS TOLD THEY RAN ALL TESTS AN THEY FOUND EVERYTHING PROPERLY INSTALLED. THEY SCAN TEST CLEAN ALL DTC PERFORMED INITIALIZATION AND CALIBRATION OF THE LINEAR SOLENOID VALVE. THEY ROAD TESTED THE VEHICLE AND CONFIRMED REPAIR, NO LIGHTS ON, AT A COST OF $227 PLUS TAX. TODAY THE 28 OF OCTOBER AS I TURNED MY CAR ON I FACE THE SAME PROBLEM ALL THE BRAKE LIGHTS, ABS, WARNING, AND DISPLAY TEXT INDICATING MALFUNCTION, TO STOP THE CAR. I AGAIN CALLED FOR TOW WENT TO TOYOTA OF HILLSIDE IN NJ, EXPLAINED WHAT HAPPENED. WAS ASK WHY I HAD THE CAR TOW AFTER TELLING THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE ABOUT THE BRAKES. HOW CAN ANYONE DRIVE A VEHICLE THAT IS WARNING YOU NOT TO DO SO. I ALSO SPOKE TO THE SERVICE MANAGER STATING THAT I DON'T THINK I SHOULD PAY FOR THIS SERVICE AGAIN SINCE ITS BEEN ONLY 1500 MILES OR A LITTLE OVER 90 DAYS SINCE THE SAME PROBLEM. AM SURE THERE'S MORE TO THIS. THANK YOU *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE BRAKES FAILED AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, WHO STATED THIS WAS NORMAL FOR VEHICLE WITH ABS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000.

WHEN I DEPRESS THE BRAKE TO MAKE A CONSISTENT SMOOTH STOP IF THE VEHICLE HITS BUMPS THE CAR SEEMS TO LOOSE ITS BRAKING POWER AND ALMOST FEELS LIKE IT SLIPS OUT FROM UNDER ME AS IT LURCHES AHEAD. THIS PROBLEM IS CONSISTENT IN THAT IT HAPPENS IN THE SAME SPOTS UNDER THE SAME CONDITIONS. IT SEEMS AS THOUGH IT COULD BE HAZARDOUS IN CERTAIN CONDITIONS. *JS

MY TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID HAS EXTREMELY POOR BRAKING IN SNOW / ICY CONDITIONS. EVEN AT EXTREMELY LOW SPEEDS (10 TO 15 MPH), THE CAR SKIDS FOR TENS OF FEET BEFORE COMING TO A HALT. THREE TIMES SO FAR, IT CAUSED DANGEROUS SITUATIONS BECAUSE THE CAR KEPT GOING DESPITE FULL ENGAGEMENT OF THE BRAKES. ONCE, I NARROWLY MISSED BEING HIT BY A 53' TRUCK BECAUSE MY CAR ROLLED INTO A MAJOR STREET, JUST BARELY GETTING BY BEFORE THE TRUCK CAME THROUGH. I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO TALK WITH THE DEALER - THE RESPONSE IS THAT HYBRID CARS BRAKE DIFFERENTLY. I HAVE DRIVEN CARS FOR OVER 30 YEARS, AND I KNOW THERE IS A DEFECT IN HOW THE CAR'S HYBRID SYSTEM IS ENGAGING THE BRAKING FUNCTIONALITY. ITS A SHAME THAT A CAR THAT COST 50K ON THE ROAD HAS SUCH A SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT THE MANUFACTURER AND ITS DEALERS REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE. *TR

AS I WAS DRIVING TRAFFIC CAME TO A SUDDEN STOP. I APPLIED THE BRAKES HARD, HOWEVER WAS NOT ABLE TO STOP BEFORE HITTING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. AS PART OF THE NECESSARY VEHICLE REPAIRS AFTER THE ACCIDENT, TO GET THE BRAKES TO OPERATE AGAIN PROPERLY, THE BRAKE LOAD SENSOR - AN ELECTRIC SENSOR ON THE BRAKE PEDAL THAT FEEDS BACK TO THE BRAKING COMPUTER SYSTEM HOW HARD BRAKES ARE BEING APPLIED WAS FOUND TO HAVE FAILED, PRESUMABLY AT THE TIME AS A RESULT OF THE IMPACT. THIS MALFUNCTION TRIPS A WARNING IN THE BRAKE SYSTEM, AND AFFECTS OPERABILITY OF THE BRAKES. RECENTLY ON JUNE 18, 2012 WHILE DRIVING ON A LOCAL STREET AT 25 MPH, A VEHICLE PASSED A STOP SIGN CROSSING IN FRONT OF ME NECESSITATING I BRAKE HARD TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. WHILE AN ACCIDENT WAS AVOIDED, IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THIS A BRAKE MALFUNCTION WARNING CAME ON, AND THE BRAKE SYSTEM STOPPED OPERATING NORMALLY. THE DEALER FOUND THAT DUE TO THE HARD BRAKING, THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAME MISALIGNED, AND THE BRAKE LOAD SENSOR FAILED AGAIN. THIS PATTERN LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT IN INSTANCES OF HARD BRAKING, DAMAGE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL AND/OR LOAD SENSOR CAN OCCUR, CAUSING A LOSS OF BRAKE POWER POSSIBLY RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH THE CONTACT APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE BRAKES DID NOT RESPOND. A WARNING BRAKE FAILURE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURN THE VEHICLE OFF. AFTER TURNING THE VEHICLE BACK ON THE WARNING LIGHT DID NOT ILLUMINATE NOR DID THE FAILURE RECUR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS BEING DIAGNOSED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,400.

I WAS DRIVING ON A STRAIGHT AND LEVEL ROAD, AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. TRAFFIC CAME TO A SUDDEN STOP AND I APPLIED THE BRAKES IN A HARD AND SUDDEN MANNER, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP IN TIME, THOUGH I BELIEVE IT SHOULD HAVE. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. MY VEHICLE STRUCK THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME, ALSO PUSHING THAT VEHICLE INTO THE ONE IN FRONT OF IT. DURING REPAIRS, IT WAS DISCOVERED THE BRAKE PEDAL MECHANISM HAD FAILED AT SOME POINT, REQUIRING REPLACEMENT.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, DURING BRAKING THERE WAS A DELAY IN THE RESPONSE TIME. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE IN OPERATION. ADDITIONALLY, WHEN IN AN IDLING POSITION THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE CAUSING A JERKING MOTION TO OCCUR. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE MALFUNCTIONS WHICH THERE WERE NO RESOLUTIONS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000.

ON DECEMBER 2, 2009, I TOOK DELIVERY OF A NEW 2010 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER SPORT MODEL, WITH A V-6 ENGINE AND 2 WHEEL DRIVE. THIS VEHICLE SUBSEQUENTLY WAS IDENTIFIED IN THE JANUARY & FEBRUARY, 2010 RECALL NOTICES AS BEING ONE OF THE VEHICLES AFFECTED BY THE STICKING GAS PEDAL PROBLEM. HOWEVER, PRECEDING THE RECALL NOTICES, ON JANUARY 15, 2010, I EXPERIENCED A BRAKE PEDAL FADE WHILE STOPPED ON LEVEL FLAT GROUND AT A RED TRAFFIC SIGNAL. I PRESSED DOWN ON THE BRAKE PEDAL HARDER TO ENSURE THAT I DID NOT DRIFT INTO THE REAR END OF THE CAR STOPPED IN FRONT OF ME. UPON PRESSING DOWN HARDER ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE "HILL ASSIST" WARNING BUZZER SOUNDED EVEN THOUGH MY WHEELS WERE NOT SPINNING OR IN DANGER OF SPINNING. WHEN THE TRAFFIC SIGNAL CHANGED TO GREEN A MINUTE OR SO LATER, I REMOVED MY FOOT FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL AND LIGHTLY DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR TO START MOVING FORWARD. I FOUND THAT I HAD TO APPLY SUBSTANTIAL ( GREATER THAN NORMAL) PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO MAKE THE CAR MOVE FORWARD. THIS CAUSED GREAT CONCERN BECAUSE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF MOVING FORWARD TOO QUICKLY FROM A DEAD STOP AND HITTING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MY SELLING DEALER THE FOLLOWING DAY TO HAVE THE VEHICLE CHECKED OUT. I WAS ADVISED THAT THE CAR'S COMPUTER DID NOT SHOW ANY DEFAULTS AND THAT ALL SYMPTOMS WERE NORMAL. I WAS FURTHER ADVISED TO STOP PRESSING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL SO HARD. HOWEVER, MY CONCERN IS THAT WHENEVER THE "HILL ASSIST" SYSTEM IS ENGAGED (I CAN ENGAGE IT AT ANY TIME AT WILL), THERE IS A DISTINCT POSSIBILITY THAT THE EXTRA PRESSURE NEEDED TO START THE CAR MOVING FORWARD WILL CAUSE ME TO ACCELERATE INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. I HAVE REASON TO BELIEVE THAT THIS CONDITION IS COMPUTER RELATED AND PRESENTS AN IMMINENT DANGER TO BOTH MYSELF AND OTHER MOTORISTS DRIVING A SIMILAR EQUIPPED TOYOTA HIGHLANDER THEREFORE, I AM REQUESTING THAT AN INVESTIGATION BE COMMENCED IMMEDIATELY IN LIGHT OF TOYOTA'S MASSIVE RECALL PROBLEMS. THANK YOU.*TR

MY WIFE AND I HAVE NOTICED THAT OUR NEW 2010 HIGHLANDER HYBRID LIMITED HAS A DELAY FROM THE TIME YOU PUSH THE BRAKES TO THE TIME THE BRAKES RESPOND. THIS OCCURS CONSISTENTLY, ESPECIALLY AT LOW SPEEDS LIKE WHEN PARKING OR STOPPING AT A STOP SIGN. I WOULD GUESS THAT THIS IS THE SAME ISSUE THAT THE PRIUS HAS. THIS COULD BE A REAL SAFETY ISSUE--ESPECIALLY FOR PEDESTRIANS SINCE THE CAR TAKES MORE DISTANCE TO STOP DUE TO THIS GAP. MY WIFE ACTUALLY EXPERIENCES A SMALL SURGE PRIOR TO THE GAP IN BRAKING. I JUST DID A QUICK WEB SEARCH AND SAW DOZENS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER HIGHLANDER HYBRID OWNERS. THANKS. *TR

2010 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER LIMITED HYBRID--BRAKING PROBLEMS. WHEN THE BRAKES ARE FIRST APPLIED, THEY ARE SOFT AND MUSHY. IF YOU SLAM ON THE BRAKES IN AN EMERGENCY, THEY STOP, BUT IN EVERYDAY STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES DOWN BUT DOESN'T SEEM TO ENGAGE UNTIL YOU REALLY PUT SOME WEIGHT ON IT. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR 2 MONTHS AGO. *TR