Toyota Highlander Hybrid Brakes
Created August 30, 2005, at 6:22 pm by Anonymous
We just purchased a Toyota Highlander Hybrid. My husband seem to think there is a problem with the brakes because every time you step on them they grind. We brought it in for service and we were told that all hybrid make that noise and it is normal. I would like to know if anyone is experiencing this with their brakes, in particular those who own a Toyota Highlander Hybrid.
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I was wondering if anybody has experienced similar high pitch braking noise on the Prius? I don't know about highlander although I've heard of this on the highlander before but I'm experiencing something kind of similar on the Prius. Its a very high pitch noise that happens during brake and sometimes it appears to happen when I first accerlate in the morning.
Hello - We have just over 5000 miles including the first 5000 mile service, on the Toy High Hy and experience the brakes as VERY sensitive but we don't have any noise!
Has anyone else had a problem with the brakes not stopping the car? We only have a few hundred miles on ours. My wife says she noticed that she tended to get too close to other cars and had to apply heavy pressure to stop the car. She didn't think much of it until she could not stop the car and rear ended someone on Saturday. Thinking back on the few times I drove it, I did notice inconsistent brake effort when the brakes were applied lightly.
Hi Ted,
I have owned a very same car and experienced the exact same problem. I came close to 1 inch of hitting the person driectly in front of me !
It seems to me that there is a servere braking problem with the Hybrids. The question is, what is Toyota doing about a silent diaster waiting to happen ? This braking problem in the Hybrids deserves immediate attention.
PS, I just bought a new 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid in 09/2005 and the braking problem is getting worse.
As a 2005 Prius owner I know the hybrid braking system is a combination of electric and conventional hydraulic braking action. Light braking uses the electric motor as a generator to slow the car until it is slowed to around 5 mph, it then transfers over to the hydraulic system and there is a slight "coasting" effect as this happens. As an engineer I find it is nothing that bothers me now that I understand it and expect it in light braking situations, although I was caught off guard the first few times it happened.
In situations where the brakes are applied harder the hydraulic system is called to suppliment the electric braking immediately and the coasting effect is not as noticable as you reach the last few feet of your stop.
It is a new type of car and has new responses, and overall I find it quite advanced and outstanding.
I drive hard (turnpike) and each tank of gas ends up averaging 42+ mpg.
I've had my 06 Highlander Hybrid for about a month and I am noticing an increased incidence of this braking problem. It's very clear from the dash power gauge that the regenerative braking mode suddenly stops adding braking force (gauge snaps up to zero), which puts me back into "normal" disk brake mode. Of course normal disk brakes require a lot more pedal pressure to get stopped.
Not good. Approaching dangerous. I'll see what the dealer says.
Elliott Benson, a Sacramento based marketing research firm, is currently conducting interviews with Northern California residents who own hybrid vehicles. Specifically looking for those who own Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Ford Escape, Toyota Highlander or Lexus 400h Hybrid vehicles. Call us at 916.325.1670
Hi, I had a Toyota Highlander 2002, I had a big problem with the hydraulic brake too, a week ago I feel have no brake at all, I was complete brake check late year and change the rear brake dish too, I haven't drive that SUV much and two day ago when I braking the steering have very stronge viabration like it pumping left and right.
Today I went to shop change all four brake and complete cleaning, but the problem still there. I think there had very serious defect of the braking system!
WE HAVE THE HIGHLANDER, NOT THE HYBRID BUT HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING THE SAME CONDITIONS REPORTED HERE, AS WELL AS AS THE BRAKES FREEZING UP WHEN WET. THE DOT DOES NOT REPORT A RECALL FOR THESE CONDITIONS, SO THEY MAY BE ISOLATED INCIDENTS, BUT SHOULD BE REPORTED TO TOYOTA. THE LOCAL DEALER IS NO HELP. SIGNED -- THE CHIPS
My wife and I bought a 2006 HyBred Limited Highlander July 17,2006. We have 9,000 miles and have had no brake trouble or even a hint of one. I think if you are hearing noise or experiencing trouble and your dealer says it is normal, go to another dealer. Gordon
http://www.hybridcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1001
I am so happy I came to this blog because I have been thinking about buying a hybrid car mylsef, to be more specific a hilander, and after all you wrote I guess I am going to wait for them to improve the brake system. Thank you all.
I visited this forum for the first time today after abandoning my highlander hybrid at a local coffee shop due to severe problems rendering the car undrivable (will look for the appropriate thread to post on that--look out!). I have had the exact problems with the brakes grabbing, then letting go for a (terrifying) second, then grabbing again. I thought it was just me. Luckily I have not rear-ended anyone. I don't care if it is a predictable consequence of the dual braking system or not--this is totally unacceptable, and I would think Toyota would want to fix it before they get sued!
Bought my HyHi July 31st '06(avg. 26mpg) and noticed the brakes felt alittle mushy compared to the '99 4-Runner(avg. mpg=17) I traded in. It took two traffic lights on the way home to get used to having to brake farther in advance than with the previous vehicle. 10,000 miles later no problems.
The Highlander (I have an 06) is a *really* heavy car. Remember, its really an SUV. When the regen braking is active, this hides a lot of the braking force needed. On downhill drives, I've been able to max out the battery (combo of "B" mode and regn braking downhill). Once the battery is full, the regen system stops, and you can really feel the weight of the car. It is MUCH harder to stop. I often use "B" mode for long downhill to at least add some engine braking to keep speeds down. Arguably this charges the battery even faster. Though I would bet the brakes are "properly designed" to stop without the regen system, they are certainly much weaker that the combined system, and different enough to require significant adjustment to how you brake (and more space).
I went poop one day and it was pure black!!!!!!!
Dear Hi-Hy owner,
I've had the exact same problem. I got my 2006 in 10/05, and have had numerous close calls, and have rear-ended others (very lightly) three times now. All three times it seemed like no matter how hard I brake, the car won't stop. I have now ruined my 21-year perfect driving record. What's wrong with this car?!
My 2006 hybrid toyota highlander did not stop a few weeks ago when I applied the brakes on a high way. The lack of brakes forced me into the next lane. My son drove the car a week later. He was cut off. He applied the brakes, again the car did not stop. He hit the cement guard rail incurring $4,000 in damages. We are truly thankful he is ok. I don't know what to do with this car now. I do not want to drive it again.
I am experiencing buckling with my 2006 brakes when going downhill in the Portland Oregon area. I have noticed this for about a year in my 2006 Highlander Hybrid. I asked the dealer about it 6 months ago and he said he searched the Toyota database and did not find anything about this.
Maybe I should post at the Toyota site?
Hi,
This is an issue with 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid braking, the braking system doesn't work properly and and vehicle moves forward and this is intermittent. It been recurring for some time and the dealership(Toyota of Hackensack) won't acknowledge the issue. when you brake st times the vehicle continues forward like the brakes are not holding or no brakes being applied. AS you can see from the links below its not an isolated issue.
http://www.hybridcars.com/forums/toyota-highlander-hybrid-t404.html
http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.f0d8058/3
http://www.hybridcars.com/forums/brake-failure-2007-t1013.html
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2007/09/prius_accelerate.html
Has anyone resolved this issue?
Thanks
Manoj Das
The problem we are experiencing with the hybrid braking system is more common than Toyota is admitting - and the dealers are aware of it. I rear ended a car as I was slowing to a stop when the brakes suddenly reduced their stopping friction ("let go") and before I could react on the rain-soaked road I hit the cars bumper at about 10 mph. I thought I had slipped off of the brake. Wrong. What I discovered is that the braking system is sensitive to bumps while stopping. If you hit a slight bump apparently the hybrid transferance of energy ceases and you're on your regular power brakes. The service supervisor at Toyota is the one who tipped me off to the "bump" problem. Later, going over the same stretch of road, I braked and the bump caused exactly the same "release" of friction. It's like hitting a patch of ice! Toyota needs to warn current owners and fix the problem.
I have a 2006 Highlander non-hybrid that we've had some braking issues with over this winter. I have Yokahama Geolanders that are rated excellent by Tire Rack and still have 3/4 tread but the SUV doesn't want to stop on snow covered roads, When braking you get the antilock brake noise when you stomp on the brakes which is normal but the cars just keeps moving forward until you pull the emergency brake. I did't believe it until i experienced it myself. Sounds like the highlander has a antilock brakie system issue if you ask me.
I had a big problem with my hylander hyb 2009 on 10/8/2009 The vehicle in front of me stop and I Put the brake but the brake didn t respond and I hit heavy the vehicle in front . Now i have to spend a lot of money
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