2005 Toyota Highlander Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 24about this part
- Share
- 11%of 224 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 56,800miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 24 complaints about the brakes of the 2005 Toyota Highlander, 11% of the 224 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 56,800 miles. 7 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My 2005 Toyota Highlander master brake cylinder looks to be leaking near the brake booster. I know that it was replaced by Toyota dealer under NHTSA campaign number: 10v499000. However I do not remember the year. I was driving on local streets, when I stepped on the brake pedal and it went all the way to the floor. The next time I tried to step on the pedal it was working ok. But then the 3rd time I stepped on the brake pedal it was going all the way to the floor again. This was a shocked since it got me to work 9 hours earlier with no issue. …”
NHTSA complaint #11378322, filed 2020-12, 185,000 miles“While coming to a red light I applied the brakes but the pedal went all the way to the floor and the car did not stop. Took my foot off the brake pedal and applied the brakes again and the second time the brakes woked. This has happened once to my wife and once to me.”
NHTSA complaint #10320983, filed 2010-03, 28,000 miles“When I was trying to park my Toyota Highlander 2005 in front of the building where I work, backing up, the engine iddle went extremely high and I tried to stop, but I could not do it because the steering wheel and the brakes locked. I tried to put the gear in neutral, but instead, it went straigh to drive, so it causes major damages to 2 vehicles behind mine, and other 3 in front of mine too. Also my vehicle destroyed a mail box and a tree, but I could not stop until my Highlander stopped by itself totally destroyed. I ended up in the hospital with some trauma.”
NHTSA complaint #10895208, filed 2016-08, 50 miles“My 2005 limited edition Toyota Highlander has multiple issues. The right caliber is sticking, which has caused heat and warping in the hub system and affected the ABS sensor. These will both need to be replaced at a cost of over $1000. The front struts are leaking. The largest problem is with the transmission which has some type of interior problem. It is suggested that I replace the transmission. The cost to repair this, based on what the Toyota shop said was $3400-$4600. My car has about 94,000 miles on it. …”
NHTSA complaint #10421658, filed 2011-08, 94,000 miles“2005 Toyota Highlander hybrid. Driving to work in a blizzard on 12/11/09 all dash board lights went on. Dealership found that the sunroof housing failed causing $3,977.16 worth of damage. Being out of warranty the dealer agreed to pay 2,000.00. Toyota customer service another 1,500 and we paid 477.16. We picked up the car on 12/24/09. On 2/2/10 we returned it after noticing a burn spot on each of the plastic head light covers. The dealer found both highbeam bulbs melted,and suggested I had overused them causing the intense heat that did the damage. …”
NHTSA complaint #10312516, filed 2010-02, 52,991 milesRelated recalls
- 10V499000Oct 21, 2010Toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2006 avalon, model year 2004-2006 highlander, model year 2004-2006 lexus rx, and model year 2006 lexus gs and is…Covers: Toyota Highlander 2004–2006, Lexus RX 2004–2006, Toyota Avalon 2005–2006 +2 more
Related service bulletins
- 10214323Mar 17, 2022TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions
- 10210375Mar 9, 2022TSB: This Service Bulletin includes procedures to replace damaged or loose front carpet floor retainer(s) without replacing the carpet assembly. Follow the Repair Procedure in…
- 10190453Mar 12, 2021TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions.
- 10187241Dec 14, 2020TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions.
- 10186195Dec 14, 2020TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions.
- 10131928Feb 5, 2014A key part to maintain the proper function and safe operation of the vehicle's braking system is to perform a visual inspection when installing brake pads, calipers, and discs…
- 10131984Sep 9, 2013A new Special Service Tool (SST 09709-00002) has been introduced to aid in the inspection procedure for certain vehicles equipped with a floor pedal-type parking brake system…
- 10061620Sep 9, 2013Summary to be provided on a future date.
- 10018854Dec 4, 2006Tire pressure warning system light on.
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 20% |
| 2024 | 8 | 19% |
| 2023 | 20 | 11% |
| 2022 | 40 | 15% |
| 2021 | 68 | 13% |
| 2020 | 41 | 13% |
| 2019 | 20 | 4% |
| 2018 | 58 | 21% |
| 2017 | 29 | 11% |
| 2016 | 19 | 17% |
| 2015 | 15 | 8% |
| 2014 | 3 | 2% |
| 2013 | 17 | 8% |
| 2012 | 14 | 8% |
| 2011 | 17 | 9% |
| 2010 | 30 | 14% |
| 2009 | 26 | 19% |
| 2008 | 81 | 20% |
| 2007 | 36 | 29% |
| 2006 | 102 | 37% |
| 2005 | 24 | 11% |
| 2004 | 24 | 8% |
| 2003 | 33 | 13% |
| 2002 | 12 | 4% |
| 2001 | 19 | 14% |
Other parts of the 2005 Toyota Highlander
51 complaintsVehicle speed control
39 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
28 complaintsSteering
26 complaintsElectrical system
25 complaintsAir bags
9 complaintsExterior lighting
9 complaintsEngine cooling
8 complaintsEquipment
8 complaintsOther or unknown
8 complaintsBody and structure
8 complaintsTires
8 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2005 Toyota Highlander
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology