Diagsheet

2020 Toyota Highlander · symptom sheet

Brakes grind, pulse or wear early

  • 39owner reports
  • 21,000median miles
  • 6involved a crash

Newest report Aug 27, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026

39 of the 311 complaints on this car describe brake wear. Only transmission failure is reported more often on this car.

Tick what matches of 39 reports

1
3
17
5

What got replaced

Few of these reports name the part that was replaced.

Recalls and investigations

No recall on the brakes covers the 2020 model year as of Sep 9, 2026.

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 15,000 and 45,600 miles, from the 10 reports that gave a mileage.

220
321
622
923
724
425
826

What owners wrote

“I pushed the brake and swerved and the car kept going and a greater speed and surged into a house.”

Filed Jul 16, 2026

“Just went back for secondary break malfunction and was told fuel 🤷🏻‍♀️ i just filled it. Still no remedy for recall since my Last maintenance visit”

Filed Aug 4, 2025

“While steering to the right to exit a parallel parking spot, the ABS sensor cable came into contact with a suspension bolt, snapping the sensor wire. This triggered the Check Engine Light and caused a malfunction in the braking systems.”

Filed Sep 14, 2024

“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.”

Filed Apr 22, 2024

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 6 of 39 reports involved a crash and 8 people were hurt. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.

File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation.

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