2018 Toyota Highlander brakes problems

Related recalls

• Recall 18V211000Apr 3, 20186,046 vehicles
  SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM

  Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018 Toyota Camry and Highlander vehicles, 2017 Toyota Sienna and Tacoma vehicles and 2017 Lexus RX350 vehicles. During the manufacturing process, the oil galley in the rotor for the brake booster vacuum pump assembly may have been improperly machined possibly resulting in a sudden loss of brake assist.

  Risk: A sudden loss of braking assist can increase the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake booster vacuum pump, free of charge. The recall began on May 9, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371, or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are J0K/JLD.

What owners say

1. Filed May 9, 2025LABrakes

   The brakes are very soft and unreliable. There is a recall #18V-211 dated April 2,2018. This recall did not include this specific car but the car was manufactured within a few days of the recall. After Toyota failed to repair the problem I took the car to a a private auto repair shop who replaced the Vacuum Pump. The brakes now work as they should. I beleve the recall should be extended to include more vehicle made about this time.

   NHTSA complaint #11660006 · source
2. Filed Jan 19, 2025CABrakes

   Car will not start due to message that says "Braking Power Low. Stop in a Safe Place" There have been recalls on 2018 Highlanders for the brake vacuum pump but it is not listed for my particular vehicle

   NHTSA complaint #11636909 · source
3. Filed Dec 15, 2024CABrakesFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionOther / Unknown

   I own a Toyota Highlander 2018 LE. I have been servicing it regularly at authorized Toyota delaership service centers. I have around 28000 miles on it. While trying to start the car this morning, the car wouldn't start, the brake feels hard and won't depress, and the dashboard displays the message" Braking Power Low STOP in a Safe Place See Owner's Manual"

   NHTSA complaint #11630837 · source
4. Filed Nov 24, 2024MSBrakesEngine

   My husband took my car from the carport and parked it in the driveway near the water hose to wash the car. When he finished, it would not start. The message “Braking Power Low” , “STOP in a Safe Place”, “ See Owner’s Manual”showed up. Of course, we could not find anything in the large owner’s manual concerning that! I checked with my VIN to see if mine was included in the recall regarding this same matter, but it was NOT, just as all other Toyota Highlander 2018 owners who…

   NHTSA complaint #11627121 · source
5. Filed Nov 14, 2024SCBrakes

   Around 29,000 miles, I noticed a severe brake vibration while slowing down or stopping from speeds above 55 mph. The vehicle is driven very carefully and not harshly. As of today (11/14/2024), the vehicle is 77 months old and only has 49,000 miles on it. I had been told by Toyota that the rotors are not warped, so it must be a defective part in the braking system.

   NHTSA complaint #11625129 · source
6. Filed Sep 2, 2024MOBrakes

   Out of nowhere, I couldn’t get the car to start. It keeps saying “Low Braking Power”. I had someone checked with Code Scanner and nothing shows up, and it’s not battery issue neither. The car guy said there’s a very high chance the issue is from the brake booster vacuum pump.

   NHTSA complaint #11612135 · source
7. Filed Aug 29, 2024KSBrakes

   Brake Booster did not work. We were almost in 2 wrecks due to it taking longer to stop the vehicle. The dealer finally fixed it after I paid over $1500. They didn't care about how this was a known defect in 2018 Toyota Highlanders and took forever to identify and fix. No one has looked at it since just got it back today. Once the brake light went on the dash board I brought it in. I did wait one day when it went off, but once it came back on again I was going to, but then…

   NHTSA complaint #11611682 · source
8. Filed Aug 15, 2024ORBrakes

   My vehicle has codes C1253 and C1256. These codes are associated with faulty brake actuators, a well documented issue in Highlanders. Faulty brake actuators can cause problems with braking, which can put my safety and the safety of others at risk.

   NHTSA complaint #11608758 · source
9. Filed Jul 31, 2024CABrakesEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   As I was returning to my house and about to pull into our garage I was driving very slowly, riding the brake in fact. I was going less than 1 mph but as I first entered the garage my car engine suddenly roared very loudly and sped inside. I pressed as hard as I could on the brakes and the car skidded towards the left and slammed into the garage wall. I firmly believe that the only thing that kept my car from traveling farther was the garage door frame. Between my braking and…

   NHTSA complaint #11605653 · source
10. Filed Jan 17, 202477,000 miLABrakes

    The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the Brake warning light illuminated, the contact observed a beeping noise coming from the instrument panel. Additionally, the messages "Braking Power Low - Stop in a safe place - See Owner's Manual” were displayed. The contact steered to the side of the vehicle where the vehicle was placed in Park (P) and the beeping ceased. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to check the brake…

    NHTSA complaint #11565989 · source
11. Filed Dec 29, 2023CACrashAirbagsBody & StructureBrakes

    10/10 Tapped pedal into Drive: Toyota Highlander 2018 Car sped off at 50mph with my foot on brake for 3 minutes Holding brake down and down-shifting did nothing Vehicle stopped when it hit a pole destroying passenger-side fender and bumper Airbag did not deploy Unintended acceleration/sticky pedal as reported early this century when Toyota recalled 80,000 vehicles. On 11/17/2023 an ER or Black Box four hour test/investigation was performed and I was told I would have results…

    NHTSA complaint #11562600 · source
12. Filed Dec 29, 2023TXBrakes

    Driving down the street when an alarm went off stating "braking power low" and to "stop immediately". Vehicle to be towed and taken to local car dealership. Over the phone, the dealership claims no braking element has been recalled for my particular vehicle, however other highlanders from the same year model were recalled for braking issues (vacuum pump.) have been having issues with the "start/stop system malfunction" alarm going off as well for several months, but…

    NHTSA complaint #11562550 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology