2020 Toyota Highlander

Sensation of loss of braking, especially at low/crawling speeds, when braking on a downhill, or when braking on bumpy road surfaces. Dealer described it as "INCONSISTENT APPLICATION OF BRAKES WITH CONSISTENT PRESSURE ON PEDAL ON LOW SPEEDS". A very noticeable moment between regenerative braking disengaging and traditional brakes engaging. It was a very unsettling feeling when pulling into a garage or parking space, or making a hard stop at highway speeds. Dealer reprogrammed braking computer per Toyota T-SB-0059-23 ("Hybrid Regenerative Brake Transition Feeling Improvement"). It is improved but not perfect and I still notice this unsettling sensation from time to time.

When coming to a stop the vehicle will often lurch forward. The lurch is powerful and could easily cause a collision. This problem occurs both when stopping in traffic and pulling into parking spaces. We were told by the dealer that the problem is caused by hybrid cars but we've had hybrid cars before that did not exhibit this behavior. It sounds like the dealership is aware of the problem but Toyota is not addressing it. This issue certainly poses a safety issue, especially for vehicles in front of the affected vehicle when attempting to stop.

During the first 20K miles of driving our 2020 Highlander Hybrid; we noticed that while braking; the car would sometimes lung forward as though we had accelerated quickly. It startles you and it causes you to "hit the brakes" quickly. It doesn't happen all the time. It seems to occur more so when we're braking at low speeds in parking lots; while slowing down on a slight decline or simply making a turn left or right while braking. I mentioned this to my Toyota Dealer a few times as to whether or not they had a recall notice for this. I was told "no". I had my oil changed on June 15, 2022 MIL/35,379 and I asked them to check this problem. They checked and advised no problem was duplicated and the invoice stated in part "will wait on any diagnostics at this time". I was never contacted with a "fix". Today (August 16, 2023) I located a Technical Service Bulletin that appeared to address my issue. It is "T-SB-0059-23". This issue is a safety concern to both me and my wife; I'd like to see this problem addressed. This was all mentioned during the warranty period but no notifications were made by Toyota. My current mileage is 89,202. Thank you

This vehicle was purchased new. Early in our ownership we ( my wife and I ) occasionally notice that the brakes momentarily release when they are applied for just a second causing us to increase braking which results in the brakes working again. This usually happens when slowing to make a turn at slow speeds. It doesn’t happen all the time but has persisted throughout the four years we have owned the car. We have continued to document this issue with the dealers service department in hopes a service bulletin would be issued with a fix. They have driven the car and done computer diagnostic checks to no avail. Just wonder if anyone else has had this issue and whether anything can be done to fix it ?

On numerous occasions when applying the brakes on my vehicle there is a very noticeable "surge" when the vehicle slows to a near stop. It feels like there is a momentary loss of braking before the brakes re-engage. I have had the vehicle since new and it seems like the problem has become more noticeable over time. I have lost some confidence in the safety performance of the vehicle due to this dangerous issue.

The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while the vehicle was idling or parked, the engine would suddenly seize. The failure occurred intermittently. The check engine warning light illuminated with a message that the brakes were enabled. The contact restarted the vehicle several times before the vehicle operated as needed. The vehicle had been taken to the dealer 3 times however, the dealer was unable to diagnose the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The approximate failure mileage was 45,600.

On more than 50 occasions while coming to a stop or slowing down I have experienced a surge forward while applying the brakes. It has happened at stop signs, stop lights, going downhill. I cannot duplicate on demand. Several times it has surged me past a stop sign/stop light while I still had my foot on the brake. Also, when the surge happens, I have to push harder on the brake pedal to stop the vehicle. I took it to the dealership on 9/2023 and was told it was not a problem that could be replicated and it has happened several times since then.

Was following a truck that was pulling a utility trailer. We had just stopped and started moving again when when he suddenly stopped. I had just sped up maybe going 10 to 15 mph when I applied my brake, the brakes did not engage until after I hit the trailer in front of me and jammed it into truck it was being pulled by.I had front end damage and radiator damage and the car was not drivable. I had noticed previous to this that at times at low speeds the brakes would not engage and would need to be double tapped to get them to engage. Could go weeks without it happening or could happen multiple times in a day. No consistency to the issue.

On several occasions while coming to a stop or slowing down I have experienced a surge forward while applying the brakes. It has happened at stop signs, stop lights, going downhill. I cannot duplicate on demand. Several times it has surged me past a stop sign while I still had my foot on the brake. Also, when the surge happens, I have to push harder on the brake pedal to stop the vehicle. I have had the hub replaced as well as the wheel censer and I still have the problem. I took it to the dealership on 8/15/22 and it has happened several times since then.