2022 Toyota Highlander brakes problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

1. Filed Sep 15, 2026LABrakes

   I would like to file a complaint regarding Toyota’s known brake surge issue addressed in Technical Service Bulletin T-SB-0059-23. I believe this is a serious safety issue because the unexpected braking or brake surge when stopping can potentially cause a driver to lose control of the vehicle or contribute to an accident. I contacted a Toyota dealership near me about the issue, but they were unwilling to provide any assistance. I then contacted another Toyota dealership,…

   NHTSA complaint #11764432 · source
2. Filed Sep 10, 2026WIBrakes

   When I’m driving with the A/C on when I start to decelerate to a stop at a stop sign or light, my car lurches forward. It feels like I’m going to crash into the car in front of me, but I’m not sure how far it actually moves. It happens more in the summer months (more than once per week) when the A/C is on. In the winter it does happen less often. I purchased the car in 2021 and it has done this for at least the last 3 years if not longer.

   NHTSA complaint #11763515 · source
3. Filed Sep 2, 2026WIBrakes

   The cars brakes will release and car will lurch forward forcing you to hit the brakes again to avoid colliding with car in front of you. This is a KNOWN problem called "HYBRID REGENERATIVE BRAKE TRANSITION FEELING IMPROVEMENT" PER Toyota's TSB-0059-23. They know of the problem, but do not tell people about it upon bringing car in. My car is starting to do it more now, and they will not cover because it is "beyond 36,000 miles or 3 year manufacturer warranty" This is NOT a…

   NHTSA complaint #11761642 · source
4. Filed Feb 18, 2026MABrakesAcceleration & Cruise Control

   Component or system that malfunctioned: The braking system on my 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, specifically the transition between regenerative braking and hydraulic friction braking, appears to malfunction intermittently. During braking, the vehicle sometimes lurches or surges forward instead of slowing smoothly, especially at low speeds or when braking downhill. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. How safety was put at risk: The unexpected forward surge…

   NHTSA complaint #11718753 · source
5. Filed Oct 28, 2025PABrakes

   When I am slowing down and coming to a stop, my car will surge forward. It feels like my brakes stop working for a second and that I pressed the accelerator. It has happened on flat road, hills and turns.

   NHTSA complaint #11696000 · source
6. Filed Oct 15, 2025CABrakesDriver Assistance & Safety Tech

   I reported twice to Tustin Toyota that my car seemed to have a strange braking issue. It felt like the car lurched/lunged forward as I was braking. Every time I brought it into service, I verbally mentioned it to the technician checking my vehicle in. I was repeatedly told there was no issue. Turns out there is an active bulletin (T-SB-0059-23) that came out but now my vehicle is out of warranty and they won't fix it unless I pay out of pocket. Why was the dealership not…

   NHTSA complaint #11693589 · source
7. Filed Aug 8, 2025CABrakesElectrical SystemTransmission & Drivetrain

   While driving my 2022 Toyota Highlander (VIN: [XXX] , 29,427 miles), I have experienced multiple recurring safety defects that Toyota has been unable or unwilling to repair under warranty. •Front collision sensors frequently trigger without any object present, creating a risk of unexpected emergency braking at freeway speeds. •Transmission hesitates and surges unpredictably, sometimes propelling the vehicle into traffic. •In heavy rain, my windshield wipers activated on…

   NHTSA complaint #11679297 · source
8. Filed May 21, 2025GABrakes

   When applying the brakes at speeds less than 40 miles per hour, the car will surge forward at a point during braking process. This happens regularly but not every time brakes are applied. This is an issue as the car surges forward during braking.

   NHTSA complaint #11662460 · source
9. Filed May 3, 2025KSBrakes

   Car lunges forward while constant braking. Problem is not consistently repeatable and occurs at various speeds, road conditions, and weather conditions. It seems to be in the transition between regenerative braking and mechanical braking from the hybrid system. The car will coast for a brief moment while braking increasing the stopping distance and time required to come to a complete stop. We've noticed this issue since we bought the car

   NHTSA complaint #11658668 · source
10. Filed Oct 19, 2024MOBrakes

    We have noticed that when we brake the vehicle, it intermittently LURCHES FORWARD very fast while you are breaking and trying to stop! This is extremely unsafe! We need to stop and brake and not go forward. It does this unexpectedly with no notice and does not always do it consistently but we have noticed it is getting worse and worse and we are worried we will hit another car in front or even a person because the car will not stop on time. When I looked online, this is a…

    NHTSA complaint #11620788 · source
11. Filed Sep 28, 2024TXBrakes

    When braking the brakes will occasionally “quit”, causing unexpected acceleration. They kick back on if I stomp hard on the brake, causing the occupants to jolt forward. It could easily cause a collision if an unexpected vehicle or pedestrian were in the way, and could cause a rear end collision were I to have someone following close behind and hard brake unexpectedly. This has been reported to the dealership but they have been unable to replicate it. It happens…

    NHTSA complaint #11617056 · source
12. Filed Aug 31, 2024TNBrakes

    Degenerative breaking. When breaking sometimes it jolts- seems to lose braking power. This is a safety hazard. It could cause a crash.

    NHTSA complaint #11611935 · 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