2020 Toyota Highlander brakes problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

1. Filed Oct 4, 2026KYCrashTowedBrakes

   We were behind a vehicle that had come to a rolling stop because the vehicle in front of him had hit the person in front of him , we were going about 25 miles per hour and about 2 car lengths from him . I applied the brakes but the vehicle failed to stop . It was as if I did not press the brakes at all. We rearended the person in front of us . The person behind us hit us as well . It was like we were on ice but we were not .

   NHTSA complaint #11768834 · source
2. Filed Aug 27, 2026CACrash5 injuredTowedBrakesDriver Assistance & Safety Tech

   Incident: [XXX] Conditions: Clear daylight, dry pavement, normal highway conditions Crash/Injuries: Allstate Claim #[XXX]; several people injured At approximately [XXX], I was driving my 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid at about 55 mph in the slow/right lane. The vehicle ahead suddenly made a hard stop. I immediately and forcefully applied the brakes for an emergency stop. My front-seat passenger, [XXX], also saw the danger and yelled for me to stop at the same time. Based on…

   NHTSA complaint #11759973 · source
3. Filed Aug 17, 2026IABrakes

   Coming to a stop or slowing down the vehicle has a spot where it feels like the brakes fail then come back on. Especially if going down a grade. This happens around 15 to 20 mph. Started off a slight moment when you are sure the brakes quit working for just a second. As the vehicle gets older it has brown to be more noticeable.

   NHTSA complaint #11757477 · source
4. Filed Aug 17, 202615,000 miCABrakes

   The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop as intended. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to stop, and the vehicle jerked abnormally. No warning lights were illuminated. The failure was a persistent failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The contact was informed of a software update. The contact was informed that an unknown…

   NHTSA complaint #11757410 · source
5. Filed Aug 10, 2026KYCrash1 injuredTowedBrakesElectrical SystemOther / Unknown

   I was told by oxmoor dealership I had to talk to toyota corporate before I could get my car touched and that I did not need to talk to a lawyer. I called. Prior to the accident, the vehicle had been exhibiting multiple symptoms: an intermittent airbag warning light had illuminated briefly on the dashboard on a few occasions, and the vehicle had begun requiring noticeably longer physical distances to come to a complete stop at traffic signs and lights when not using cruise…

   NHTSA complaint #11756049 · source
6. Filed Jul 26, 2026MIBrakes

   I am submitting this complaint regarding a serious braking safety issue with my 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited, which currently has approximately 70,000 miles. I brought my vehicle to Victory Toyota of Canton (46352 Michigan Ave, Canton, MI 48188) and reported to Service Manager John Maddison that, at low speeds, the vehicle briefly surges or feels as though it accelerates when I press the brake pedal before it actually begins to slow down. This behavior is alarming…

   NHTSA complaint #11752951 · source
7. Filed May 12, 2026FLBrakes

   My 2020 Toyota Highlander hybrid sometimes has a brake slipping or surging sensation when I apply my brakes while stopping. It happens periodically and not every time. I have not taken it to a Toyota service station for this specific reason but I mentioned it while in for a recent oil change. They checked for a recall but didn't find any. I have somewhat gotten accustomed to the issue and have been able to adjust. As I have stated, it doesn't happen every time I apply my…

   NHTSA complaint #11737274 · source
8. Filed Apr 29, 2026CACrashBrakesDriver Assistance & Safety Tech

   The Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection is a good thing, but there's a problem. It stops the car too abruptly on the highway, leading to rear-end collisions. When you release the brake pedal, the car remains stationary. To get it moving, you need to press the accelerator pedal. There have been four instances of the Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection being activated in the last 12 months. Two of them ended in rear-end collisions. In the other two cases,…

   NHTSA complaint #11734587 · source
9. Filed Dec 31, 2025OHBrakes

   My 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid has a braking issue identified in Toyota Service Bulletin T-SB-0059-23, Hybrid Regenerative Brake Transition Feeling Improvement. When going downhill and applying the brake, the vehicle lurches forward temporarily as the braking system transitions from regenerative to hydraulic braking. The first time my vehicle did this, it was very alarming and I had to take additional measures to slow my vehicle as I was driving downhill. My vehicle…

   NHTSA complaint #11708018 · source
10. Filed Nov 13, 2025CABrakes

    When braking, and decelerating through 25 to 20 MPH, the brakes temporarily stop functioning. There is a noticeable change in deceleration that can be felt by the driver AND passengers. This almost feels like an acceleration, but we believe it's the brakes briefly stop functioning. The same problem occurs with different drivers so we are confident the problem is mechanical and not operator dependent. We believe this is a brake actuator issue and there may have been a similar…

    NHTSA complaint #11699177 · source
11. Filed Aug 4, 2025CABrakesEngine

    Just went back for secondary break malfunction and was told fuel 🤷🏻‍♀️ i just filled it. Still no remedy for recall since my Last maintenance visit

    NHTSA complaint #11678369 · source
12. Filed Feb 3, 2025WIBrakes

    Sensation of loss of braking, especially at low/crawling speeds, when braking on a downhill, or when braking on bumpy road surfaces. Dealer described it as "INCONSISTENT APPLICATION OF BRAKES WITH CONSISTENT PRESSURE ON PEDAL ON LOW SPEEDS". A very noticeable moment between regenerative braking disengaging and traditional brakes engaging. It was a very unsettling feeling when pulling into a garage or parking space, or making a hard stop at highway speeds. Dealer reprogrammed…

    NHTSA complaint #11640492 · 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