2003 Toyota Highlander Service Brakes, Hydraulic Problems

15
Owner complaint records in our dataset

Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.

Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.

Among these 15 stored complaint records:

4 indicate a crash
3 indicate injury
0 indicate fire

Mileage in stored records

Band	Records
60–100k mi	6
30–60k mi	2
1–30k mi	1

Complaint records

Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.

January 16, 2012 · 100,000 miles
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Abs engages intermittently when accelerating from a complete stop. *tr
ODI 10450678
February 22, 2011 · 100,000 miles
Electrical System · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
BRAKE LIGHT BULB BURNS OUT PERIODICALLY
ODI 10416132
September 1, 2010 · 93,500 miles
Electronic Stability Control · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
This car has been dealer maintained from day one. Last year, we began noticing an odd, loud drumming sound occurring along with resistance to acceleration in slow speed situations. This included parking lots, stopping for a left turn within an intersection, and every other situation where we needed to maneuver at low speed. The vehicle would vibrate, the engine would not accelerate, and sometimes the car would lurch…
ODI 10386017
May 26, 2010 · 97,000 miles
Electrical · Electronic Stability Control · Engine And Engine Cooling · Mechanical · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Suspension
Vsc (vehicle stability control, including abs) & check engine lights have been turning on intermittently almost from the start of our ownership of this 2003 toyota highlander v6 awd limited and after costly repairs at the dealer they are still on continuously. Last time (may-june 2010) dealer replaced front brake pads & rotors; rear axles and speed sensors and now wants to replace additional components that do not…
ODI 10355107
January 11, 2010 · 10,000 miles
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
I routinely have difficulty with my brakes on my 2003 toyota highlander. I brought the car to the dealer several times and they were never able to reproduce the problem. Just recently i discovered that the problem is cuased by my "big feet" - i am a size 14. If my foot is straight up and down the top of my shoe or boot rests against the metal bracket and i lose all the leverage on the brake. In essence - i have to…
ODI 10305040
March 10, 2009 · 60,000 miles
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Car was being driven slowly in traffic. When other cars stopped, the brakes were applied. Instead of stopping, the car continued forward, hitting another car. It seemed as though the brakes did not work. The car was taken to the dealer the next day to have the brakes evaluated. We were told that the repairman saw those kind of accidents all the time with anti-lock brakes. " you cannot hit them hard or they will…
Crash reported · 1 injury
ODI 10315949
January 27, 2009 · 95,310 miles
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
I have replaced the brakes in my 2003 highlander in feb and aug 2008 complaining of squealing and occasional grinding. I returned in oct, nov and dec only to be told they hear no noise. I e-mailed the service mgr in jan 2009 and they picked up serviced & delivered the car to me. Within 24 hours i had grinding again. I was wondering if these are the same brakes they used on the 2004 lexus. My husband was unable to…
Crash reported
ODI 10257165
April 4, 2006
Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Wheels
2003 toyota highlander 4.0 have had serious problems with the brakes on this vehicle since i purchased it due to toyota originally installing brakes that are too small for the size of this vehicle. Trying to get it to a stop is a problem and the brakes fail alot as well as the fact that they destroy the oem rotors and pads and i have replaced the pads several times as well as had the rotors turned twice and now need…
ODI 10369766
November 27, 2005 · 67,000 miles
Air Bags · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Dt*: the consumer hit a patch of black ice traveling at 45 mph when approaching a stop sign; the vehicle proceeded through a stop sign striking another vehicle in the passenger side. The airbags did not deploy. The pre-braking was minimal due to the icy road conditions. Both occupants of the vehicle were wearing seat belts and sustained minor injuries. Police were on the scene and a report was taken. The vehicle…
Crash reported · 2 injuries
ODI 10148134
March 1, 2005 · 36,232 miles
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
I have an '03 toyota highlander. Brakes failed while parking causing me to crash into cement retaining wall. The brake pedal went all the way to the floor and the brakes failed to slow and stop. There is body damage and leaking fluids as a result. The car has been towed to a toyota dealer. Brakes have yet to be evaluated. This has not happened before. Although the car was moving slowly i was injured upon impact. *jb
Crash reported · 1 injury
ODI 10112368
April 3, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2003 toyota highlander's braking system seems to be defective.*mr the consumer is requesting a lease termination for the 2003 toyota highlander in accordance to the georgia lemon law. *cb *jb
ODI 10033665
March 24, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2003 toyota highlander brakes malfunctioning. Nar 07/09/2003.*mr the consumer requested that the dealership reimburse them all expenses due to a faulty vehicle. *cb
ODI 10029362
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2003 toyota highlander. Consumer states problem with brakes *tgw the consumer stated after he picked his vehicle up from the dealer after having the 60,000 mile service done, he heard a clicking noise coming from the front wheels when driving over uneven pavement or speed bumps at low speeds. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer within days. The vehicle was returned to the dealer and the clicking noise from the…
ODI 10340110
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Ltr fm william lorber (ca) concerned about the brake problem on his 2003 toyota highlander and request toyota to replace them.*mr consumer stated the brakes felt as if the master cylinder was faulty. He notified the dealer several times and they stated the brakes were "functioning as designed." even the dealers service personnel said the same thing after he almost rear-ended a vehicle at 35 mph while test driving…
ODI 10037932
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Problems with vehicle brakes, master cylinder was faulty. *mr the brakes faded while the consumer attempted to stop the vehicle. The consumer was told by the technician that the brakes were functioning as designed. The consumer requested reimbursement if the brakes were design this way. *scc *nlm
ODI 10026733