2010 Toyota Highlander Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 30about this part
- Share
- 14%of 216 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 43,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 30 complaints about the brakes of the 2010 Toyota Highlander, 14% of the 216 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 43,000 miles. 5 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My issue is not that I got a brake warning light (see attached image). My issue is that Toyota knows that this is an issue and will only fix it if you experience the issue before 12/30/2020 or at less than 150,000 miles. It is irresponsible of Toyota to know this is an issue, especially regarding the vehicle brakes (see screenshots of the letter from Toyota).”
NHTSA complaint #11517440, filed 2023-04, 175,000 miles“My 2010 Highlander hybrid is presenting a code c1391 for an issue with the brake actuator assembly and brake booster pump assembly. Currently my ABS, traction control, and check brake system lights are on with a message not to drive the vehicle. Toyota has recognized this issue and offered free repairs, extending coverage until dec 31, 2020. The customer support program bulletin to support this is pol19-06. This issue raised a big enough issue for Toyota to extend coverage. …”
NHTSA complaint #11397940, filed 2021-02, 166,000 miles“Vehicle was on city street coming to a stop brake pedal went al the way to the floor and skid icon came on lucily I stopped just in time to avoid a wreck. Toyota said was brake actuator going bad .same problem as other toyotas that were recalled,as my vehicle was not on recall list Toyota wont fix it under recall and want me to pay $3000 to fix it .maybe that will fix it? Why cant a recall fix a proclem with all brake actuators as there is obviously a defect in actuators. Thanks larry”
NHTSA complaint #11166082, filed 2019-01, 79,500 miles“This morning at 7:45 am est my car self broke while in drive and traveling at 45mph. I was lucky the driver behind me was able to avoid hitting me. Is this a know problem? I am fearful to drive me car again”
NHTSA complaint #10905677, filed 2016-09, 181,000 miles“I was driving on a straight and level road, at approximately 30 MPH. Traffic came to a sudden stop and I applied the brakes in a hard and sudden manner, but the vehicle failed to stop in time, though I believe it should have. No airbags deployed. My vehicle struck the vehicle in front of me, also pushing that vehicle into the one in front of it. During repairs, it was discovered the brake pedal mechanism had failed at some point, requiring replacement.”
NHTSA complaint #10371600, filed 2010-12, 17,019 milesRelated 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.
- 10161541May 24, 2019TSB: Some 2008 ? 2010 model year Highlander Hybrid vehicles may exhibit a condition where the brake, ABS, and/or TRAC warning light(s) are on and/or a Check VSC message displays…
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 2010 Toyota Highlander
53 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
42 complaintsVehicle speed control
22 complaintsSteering
21 complaintsOther or unknown
16 complaintsAir bags
14 complaintsBody and structure
14 complaintsEngine
12 complaintsExterior lighting
12 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
6 complaintsElectronic stability control
5 complaintsEquipment
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2010 Toyota Highlander
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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