By Core Brake Parts Tech Team — Circleville, OH warehouse
Short answer: Toyota Highlander (2008-2025) uses 5x114.3mm 5-lug hubs, ~328mm vented front rotors, and ~281mm solid rears. 2008-2019 have a drum-in-hat cable parking brake; 2020+ use an electronic parking brake. Brakes shared with Sienna and Lexus RX. This guide walks through the exact diagnostic steps, replacement thresholds, product comparisons, and cost breakdown so you can decide with confidence whether to DIY or take it to a shop.
Direct experience note: we ship these parts daily from our Circleville, OH warehouse to customers across the country. The picks in this guide reflect what fits, what lasts, and what our repeat-buyer mechanics come back for.
The parts that fix this — verified to fit your Toyota Highlander
- 2008-2019 Toyota Highlander Lexus RX350 RX450h Front and Rear Z17 Ceramic Complete Brake Kit - Power Stop — $439.99
- 2008-2013 Toyota Highlander Front & Rear Brake Kit - Detroit Axle — $308.99
- 2008-2013 Toyota Highlander Front & Rear Brake Kit - Detroit Axle — $286.99
Ships from our Circleville, OH warehouse. Free shipping over $75.
What to Know About Toyota Highlander Brake Replacement
Understanding Toyota Highlander brake replacement matters because it directly affects stopping distance, brake pedal feel, and how often you replace consumables. Getting it right the first time saves both money and follow-up shop visits.
- Three generations covered: XU40 (2008-2013), XU50 (2014-2019), and XU70 (2020-2025).
- All years use a 5x114.3mm, 5-lug bolt pattern with M12x1.5 studs and a 60.1mm hub bore.
- Front rotors are ventilated, roughly 328mm, on V6 and most trims across every generation.
- Rear rotors are solid, roughly 281mm, using a drum-in-hat parking-brake hub through 2019.
- 2020+ XU70 models replaced the cable parking brake with a motor-on-caliper electronic parking brake.
- Front and rear brakes are shared with the Toyota Sienna and the Lexus RX 350/450h.
Spec Chart by Vehicle Class
| Vehicle class | Pad thickness | Rotor thickness |
|---|---|---|
| Bolt pattern | 5x114.3mm, 5 lug | M12x1.5, 60.1mm hub bore |
| Front rotor | ~328mm vented | V6 and most trims, all years |
| Rear rotor | ~281mm solid | Drum-in-hat hub, 2008-2019 |
| Parking brake | Cable or electronic | Drum-in-hat to 2019; EPB 2020+ |
| Platform mates | Sienna, Lexus RX | Shared K / TNGA-K chassis |
How to Diagnose or Replace
- Loosen the lug nuts, lift the Highlander safely on jack stands, and remove the road wheels.
- Unbolt the two caliper slide bolts, then lift the caliper off and hang it aside.
- Slide out the old pads, then unbolt the caliper bracket to free the rotor.
- Remove the rotor, clean the hub face, and mount the new vented or solid rotor.
- Compress the caliper piston; on 2020+ models enter electronic parking-brake Service Mode first.
- Fit new pads with fresh hardware, reinstall the caliper, and torque all bolts to spec.
- Torque lug nuts to about 76 ft-lb, then pump the pedal firmly before driving.
Once diagnosis is complete, order the exact replacement parts for your vehicle - fitment matters. Related Toyota Highlander brake replacement products are listed in the next section.
Recommended Parts and Where to Buy
Every product below is in stock at our Circleville, OH warehouse and ships same-day when ordered before 2 PM Eastern. Free shipping on orders over $75.
If your exact vehicle is not listed, use the site search or filter the full brake parts collection by year and make.
Cost Breakdown - DIY vs Shop
| Job | DIY parts only | Shop parts and labor |
|---|---|---|
| Front pads (parts) | $30-$80 | Ceramic set, per axle |
| Front rotors (pair) | $90-$220 | Vented ~328mm, OE grade |
| Rear pads + rotors | $110-$260 | Solid ~281mm rotors |
| Four-wheel job, shop | $500-$900 | Parts plus installed labor |
DIY savings scale with vehicle size and job complexity. A full-size truck brake job saves $450-700 in labor. For most passenger cars, plan on 90-120 minutes per axle for pads only, 2-3 hours for pads plus rotors.
Install Tips - Where Most DIYers Go Wrong
- Always replace pads as an axle set and resurface or replace rotors in matched pairs.
- On 2020+ Highlanders, use a scan tool or Service Mode to retract the EPB pistons.
- Grease slide pins and shims, and never let a caliper hang by its brake hose.
Key Takeaways
- Toyota Highlander (2008-2025) uses 5x114.3mm 5-lug hubs, ~328mm vented front rotors, and ~281mm solid rears. 2008-2019 have a drum-in-hat cable parking brake; 2020+ use an electronic parking brake. Brakes shared with Sienna and Lexus RX.
- Measure friction material and rotor thickness at every tire rotation - catches wear before it becomes damage.
- Replace pads at 3 mm; below 2 mm is unsafe.
- Loaded calipers (with brackets, pads, and hoses) save 1-1.5 hours of labor per side over bare calipers.
- Bed new pads properly with 8-10 medium stops from 40 to 10 mph.
- Free shipping on orders over $75; same-day shipping on in-stock orders before 2 PM Eastern.
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