2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid vehicle speed control problems

“My vehicle about a year ago started to display the dash lights for the VSC, ABS, and Emergency Brake however there was no indication from the feel of the brakes as they were applied, or any indication that something was wrong with the vehicle. I had my brakes replaced on my rear tires, and for a time the lights went off. In April of 2025, the lights came back on however this time there was a distinct feeling that the brakes weren't working. I had the calipers, pads, rotors, and a tube replaced, however the lights are still on, and the vehicle now violently shakes after reaching speeds of 45 mph (mirroring the complaints from the following site: [XXX] ). Toyota has refused to acknowledge this and put consumers out thousands of dollars. This is clearly something toyota needs to honor.”

“FIRST NOTICED ON DATE ABOVE, BUT OCCURS AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK. WHEN SLOWING DOWN, AND BRAKES ARE APPLIED, IF A BUMP, POTHOLE, AND TRACTION IS LOST FOR A SPLIT SECOND THE BRAKES STOP WORKING AND THE CAR SURGES,COASTS, DISENGAGE. FIRM PRESSURE ON BRAKES IS USED TO COMPENSATE FOR THE LOSS OF BRAKING POWER. AS A RESULT STOPPING DISTANCE IS INCREASED. THIS LOSS OF BREAKING POWER LASTS FOR 1/2 TO 1 SECOND. PERHAPS ITS RELATED TO THE HYBRID REGENERATING SYSTEM. NEVER THE LESS IT IS VERY DISCONCERTING TO LOSE BRAKES, EVEN FOR A SPLIT SECOND”

“AFTER GETTING OFF THE HIGHWAY (NOT IN MY TOWN) LIGHTS CAME ON MY DASHBOARD FOR THE ABS BRAKING AND VSC SYSTEM. THERE WERE ALSO ADDITIONAL CHARACTERS LIKE (!) IN A CIRCLE. THE MANUAL SAID FOR ALL OF THESE CONTACT DEALER IMMEDIATELY, WHICH I DID. I WAS TOLD THE ABS ACCUMULATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND IT WAS APPROXIMATELY A $3,000 JOB. I HAD THE REPAIR COMPLETED AND PAID $2,700.00. (THE DEALER DISCOUNTED THE JOB). I AM AWARE THAT TOYOTA IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND HAS EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON THAT SAME PART IN THE CAMRY HYBRID. FURTHER THE INTERNET IS REPLETE WITH INSTANCES OF THIS HAPPENING IN 2006 AND 2007 HIGHLANDER HYBRID MODELS. TOYOTA HAS NO CREDIT, EXTENDED WARRANTY, OR OTHER BENEFIT TO HIGHLANDER HYBRID OWNERS. I CALLED TOYOTA AND HAVE A CASE NUMBER WITH THEM (#1412081681). I FEEL THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL OR EXTENSION OF WARRANTY ON THIS KNOWN DEFECTIVE PART. IS THERE ANY INVESTIGATION INTO THIS ISSUE? *TR”

“WHILE ENTERING INTO A DRIVEWAY AT A VERY SLOW SPEED, I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN FURTHER. BUT INSTEAD OF BRAKING, THE CAR LUNGED FORWARD. I FELT I WAS NOT IN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. I CONTINUED TO HIT THE BRAKES, BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO GO FORWARD. IT SLAMMED INTO THE CAR THAT WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY AND CAUSED MAJOR DAMAGE. IT ALSO SHOVED THE CAR INTO THEIR GARAGE, SPLIT THE FRAME IN HALF AND RIPPED OFF BRICK FROM THEIR HOME. THE SURFACE WAS SLIPPERY WITH WET LEAVES AND THERE WAS A SLIGHT INCLINE GOING UP THE DRIVEWAY, BUT I JUST HAD BRAND NEW TOP OF THE LINE WINTER TIRES PUT ON AND I WAS PROBABLY ONLY GOING 5 MPH. IT DID NOT MAKE ANY SENSE. FROM READING THE FORUMS ON LINE, I BELIEVE THIS IS A MAJOR DEFECT WITH THE HYBRID AND TOYOTA IS NOT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THEY NEED TO DO A RECALL. LIVES ARE AT STAKE. THANK GOD NO ONE WAS HURT, BUT IT COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL. *TR”

“I BOUGHT NEW A 2007 HIGHLANDER HYBRID . THE BRAKES HAVE CONTINUALLY PERFORMED SPONGY AND THE ACCELERATOR WOULD STICK . I HAVE HAD TO DRIVE WITH EXAGGERARTED BRAKING SPACE TO COMPENSATE . MY WIFE HAS HAD THREE SMALL ACCIDENTS ( REAR END DUE SUDDEN STOPS IN URBAN TRAFFIC SETTING . OVER THE YEARS WE HAVE PRESSED DARCARS TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN ROCKVILLE MD FOR ASSISTANCE BUT THEY CLAIMED NO PROBLEM . CALLS TO TOYOTA USA WERE GREETED WITH NO HELP. OUR INSURANCE HAS BEEN DRASTICALLY INCREASED WE HAVE TRIED TO GET THE INSURER, GEICO . TO ASSIST US IN THE DEFECTIVE BRAKING PROBLEM AND STICKY ACCELERATOR. WE ARE NEARING THE 5 YEAR WRITE OFF OF THOSE ACCIDENTS . WE HAVE SIDELINE THE SUV AND HAD TO PERCHASE A ANOTHER TOYOTA ( PRIUS )FOR MY WIFE , A NURSE . WE HAVE NOT HAD PROBLEMS WITH ACCIDENTS AND BRAKING EVER BEFORE . WE SEE THE LEGAL WRANGLING WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND TOYOTA BUT SEE NO RELIEF. WE ARE TWO COMBAT VETERANS OF THE GULF WAR AND IRAQ WAR . WE FEELS ABANDONED . A FRIEND SAID TO FILE THE CLAIM WITH YOUR AGENCY . WE ARE NOT HOPEFUL. SINCERELY LIEUTENANT COLONEL [XXX], US ARMY RETIRED. AND MAJOR[XXX], US ARMY RESERVES. *JS”

“I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND LOST POWER OF MY VEHICLE. TOYOTA DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS MY #6 COIL BUT I HAVE A FEELING IT WAS THE INVERTER WITH EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENED TO IT. I GOOGLED IT AND EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENED WAS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED WHEN THE INVERTER GOES ON THE VEHICLE. I DON'T REALLY TRUST THEM. *TR”