What do you think of the HL brakes?

[Solorange]

I think the braking in my Highlander sucks. It just seems like I have to put more force on the brake pedal compared to other vehicles I drive to slow it down or stop it. I don't think there are any problems with it because its been like that from day 1. At first I thought I'm not use to it because I've only owned cars and I'm use to my Solara which stops very well on the stock pads and rotors. I know comparing my Solara to a SUV that weights much more isn't a good comparison but even my parents 95 GMC Jimmy stops way better than the HL and that has rear drum brakes.

Whats your opinions on your HL braking? I'm wondering if Toyota changed to a different type of brake pad which isn't as good. I almost can't wait until my brake pads wear out so I can try some good aftermarket pads to see if there is a hugh improvement.

In addition just for another comparison I just bought an 05 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon and again I don't think Im use to the braking in that which I also don't think the braking is all that great in that either. It has disc brakes all around. I think it stops slightly better than the HL and the pads are completely worn down and the rotors need replacing. Im going to be replacing the pads and rotors next week on it and Ill see how much the braking improves on that. I bought Centric rotors and Wagner ceramic pads for it.

[05Moose]

Maybe your stock pads were defective or they're glazed? From the previous '05 HL and my Tacoma (and all past Toyotas we've owned...including other makes), the brakes on our '10 HL are actually very sensitive and stop with very little effort. With the Tacoma, you better have some good leg strength to stop it quickly. When we got the HL, I felt like it was just way too sensitive to foot pressure. But as I've gotten used to it, I really like how sensitive they are and wish the Tacoma was the same.

[nickhl]

Looks like your brake pads are worn or your braking system needs some adjustments. One thing I really like about my 2010 HL SE is the brake - they're strong (check braking figure vs other 7 passenger SUV) and has aggressive initial bite, which is very similar to my previous Mini Cooper S (all BMW made cars for that matter). Once you get used to brake like this you never want the other way.

[summerwind]

As I have stated many times here you are driving a computer on wheels.

The HL has computer controlled brake assist.

The Brake Assist in combination with ABS helps improve the vehicle’s brake performance.
The Brake Assist interprets a quick push of the brake pedal as emergency braking and supplements the brake power applied if the driver has not stepped hard enough on the brake pedal. In emergencies, drivers, especially inexperienced ones, often panic and do not apply sufficient pressure to the brake pedal.
A key feature of the Brake Assist is that the timing and the degree of braking assistance are designed to help ensure that the driver does not discern anything unusual about the braking operation. When the driver intentionally eases up on the brake pedal, the system reduces the amount of assistance it provides.
Based on the signals from the master cylinder pressure sensor, the Skid Control ECU calculates the speed and the amount of the brake pedal application and then determines the intention of the driver to make an emergency braking. If the Skid Control ECU determines that the driver intends the emergency braking, the system activates the brake actuator to increase the brake fluid pressure, which increases the braking force.

Best thing to do is go to your dealer and drive another HL if the brakes behave differently than your HL then you might have a problem.
If they behave the same the computer is doing the thinking for you when you brake.

[Solorange]

I don't think they are glazed because when I apply more pressure on the brake pedal the HL does come to a stop pretty quick. Its just when I lightly press the pedal to come to a more slower controlled stop it doesn't have enough bite compared to other vehicles I drive. Its probably just my expectations and it may not be an issue, but I don't find it as sensitive as the Solara or Jimmy. When I get some time I guess Ill have to go to the dealer and drive a different HL to compare.

[matt0420]

I find the brakes on my HL to be very good...for the first few months of having the truck I always felt like an idiot driving around at low speeds in parkings lots and such, because I'd barely touch them and the truck would come to a complete stop as if in a panic situation...when my mom first drove the truck she said she was always afraid of getting rear-ended because it stopped so quickly haha.
So yeah, seems like something might be off on yours.

[TrailDust]

Originally Posted by matt0420

I find the brakes on my HL to be very good...for the first few months of having the truck I always felt like an idiot driving around at low speeds in parkings lots and such, because I'd barely touch them and the truck would come to a complete stop as if in a panic situation...when my mom first drove the truck she said she was always afraid of getting rear-ended because it stopped so quickly haha.
So yeah, seems like something might be off on yours.

Ditto for me. No complaints, and if anything they're on the touchy side.

[ziya20]

Solorange, I had the same problem but it got a lot bettre after I had the dealership adjust the parking brake. My brakes have been grabby since then.
By the way I totally agree with the statements about EBD affecting braking performance. It does respond to your foot pressure diffrently than cars without EBD.

[Solorange]

Thanks Ill have to check that out