2021 Toyota Highlander Brakes Problems
NHTSA lists 67 brake complaints for the 2021 Toyota Highlander, 13% of its 517 total complaints, with 4 crashes and 5 injuries reported. Median mileage at failure is 27,109 miles. No related recalls are listed for this issue.
- Brakes complaints
- 67
- 13% of 517
- Crashes reported
- 4
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 5
- Median mileage
- 27,109 mi
- Related recalls
- 0
Typical brake symptoms owners report
- Owners describe a brief loss of braking power at low speed during the transition between regenerative and hydraulic braking, causing the vehicle to surge or lurch forward instead of slowing.
- Several drivers report that light or soft brake pedal pressure causes the brakes to momentarily cut out, requiring a hard second press to actually stop the car.
- Some owners say the issue happens more often going downhill or over bumpy roads, with unpredictable stopping distance during the momentary brake loss.
- A few reports describe the brakes failing to engage at all in the moment needed, leading to crashes, including one where the vehicle continued accelerating after the brakes reportedly did not respond.
- One owner reported that a dealer-performed update tied to a Toyota service bulletin for hybrid regenerative brake feel did not fix the lurching behavior.
When 2021 Toyota Highlander brake complaints were filed
First complaint Apr 6, 2021, latest Sep 17, 2026.
Brakes recalls for the 2021 Toyota Highlander
No safety recalls on record for this model year.
Brakes complaints by Highlander model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many brake complaints does the 2021 Toyota Highlander have?
- NHTSA lists 67 brake complaints for the 2021 Toyota Highlander, which is 13% of all 517 complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a recall for the 2021 Toyota Highlander brakes?
- No related recalls are listed in NHTSA data for this brake complaint area on the 2021 Highlander.
- At what mileage do 2021 Highlander brake problems usually appear?
- The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for this brake issue is 27,109 miles.
- Have the 2021 Highlander brake complaints led to crashes or injuries?
- NHTSA data tied to these brake complaints shows 4 crashes and 5 injuries, with no fires reported.
- What do 2021 Highlander owners say happens when the brakes fail?
- Owners describe a momentary loss of braking, often during the switch between regenerative and hydraulic braking, that causes the car to surge forward before the brakes re-engage.