7 Best Brake Pads For Toyota Highlander Review In 2023 & Buying Guide 

best brake pads for toyota highlander

Are you suffering from brake issues like immense noise & screeching in your Toyota Highlander? If yes, it is an indication for you to look into the best brake pads for Toyota Highlander.

Brake pads are a crucial component of your vehicle. It ensures your safety while driving. OEM brake pads are sure high grade, but they will wear down with time.

Worn-out brake pads do more harm than good. Thus, replace them as soon as the issues arise.

Brake pads come in different orientations. Some are vehicle specific, while some are universal. Quality, price, brand, & more are some other things you need to look at.

In this blog, you will explore the top 9 Toyota Highlander brake pads & rotors and a buying guide that will tell you all the Dos and don’ts.

So, let us get started and help you find the most suited product for your high-end SUV.

7 Best Toyota Highlander Brake Pads And Rotors Cost

SUVs are among the most loved vehicles in the United States. They are not only spacious but possess style & elegance.

Gone are the days when they were just some corny family rides. Today you can find SUVs that are more luxurious & prime than sedans. 

Toyota Highlander is among such SUVs that are not only reliable but offer a long list of high-end features.

Below we have listed the top seven brake pads of 2023 ideal for the Toyota Highlander. Check out the list to know more:

ImageProductFeaturesPrice
Our Pick1
best brake pads for toyota highlander
Bosch BC1324 Quiet & Dust-Free Brake Pads With Advanced Ceramic Friction Formula
  • Complaint with 2025 Copper Free legislation
  • Protective transfer layer
  • Advanced ceramic friction formula
  • Comes with installation hardware
  • Quiet operation with low dust
  • Advanced aerospace alloy
2
best brake pads for toyota highlander
Wagner QuickStop Zero-Copper Formulation Ceramic Disc Brake Pad Set
  • Consistent braking performance
  • Premium stainless steel hardware included
  • Provide even friction performance
  • Zero copper formulation
  • Asbestos-free material
  • Available for all vehicle types
3
toyota highlander brake pads and rotors
Detroit Axle Front & Rear Ceramic Brake Pads With Mounting Hardware
  • Dimension- ‎12 x 4 x 3 inches
  • For both front & rear
  • Come with mounting
  • Handle higher temperatures with less fade
  • Easy to install

Buying Guide On Toyota Highlander Brake Pad Replacement

Brake pads are one of the most crucial components of a vehicle’s braking system. They play a major role in the safety of you & your ride.

Thus, you must find a product that is suitable for your car. You can do your research both online & offline. 

People familiar with the technical composition of a vehicle can perform this task much better compared to people who don’t.

So, whether you have the technical knowledge or not, our following buying guide will help you how to finalize a product for your SUV.

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It doesn’t matter if you have your own 2023 Highlander or any previous versions; this guide is for all.

– Compatibility

The first thing you need to look out for is the compatibility of a product with your ride. The product should be designed for your vehicle’s make, model & year.

Read the description carefully to know the status.

– Material

Brake pads generally come made of either semi-metallic or ceramic materials.

The semi-metallic brake pads are major metal composition with added organic or mineral components. These are ideal for heavy braking & last for a long time. However, you will see your rotors wearing out at a much faster rate.

The ceramic pads are made of ceramic material fired in kin. These are ideal for light braking & have a poor life. However, they are light on rotors & deliver a quiet ride.

– Quality

Brake pads play a huge role in your safety while driving. So, you can not cheap out. Ensure the product you are buying is of high quality, has a longer life, and has better-stopping power.

– Front Or Rear

It is a question you need to ask yourself. Decide whether you want pads for the front wheels, rear wheels, or both.

It might not seem significant to a few readers but let us remind you that each pad (front or rear) has its strength & weakness.

You can not place the front ones in the rear & vice-versa. Thus, examine your ride carefully & then decide.

– Type Of Pads

There are two types of car brake pads, namely, drums & discs.

Drums are generally placed on the rear wheels and discs on the front wheels.

Drums heat up quickly and can lead to break fade. In contrast, discs expand when hot & contract when cold, making their contact with the rotor lose.

– Rotors Condition

There are chances that the last set of your brake pads has left your rotors damaged. In that case, you need to look for a product that offers both brake pads & rotors.

So, check if you require rotors or not. Buying a product in combination is always cheaper than buying separately.

– Cost

You should always buy items you can afford. But it does not mean cheap out. Your safety is worth every penny. So, if you need to go a little overboard for good quality, do not hesitate.

– Installation

Always look for a product that comes with installation instructions. It is necessary to have the manufacturer’s instructions on how to use their product.

Always refrain from buying a product without usage instructions.

Furthermore, to ensure better fitting opt for professional installation. It may take a few extra bucks, but the work will be error-free.

5 Indicators Signaling To Change Your Brake Pads

So far, we have discussed the crucial things that you need to look out for when buying brake pads for your Toyota Highlander.

However, it is also crucial to know when is the right time to buy one. The foremost thing to know is: how to identify that your brake pads are giving up.

It might be an easy task for a professional, but let’s be honest, no one has that kind of time & money for a regular professional assessment.

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How do you feel when we tell you that you can examine your brake pads all by yourself and can deduce if they need replacement or not?

There are only a few things you need to look for & you have the answer in your hands.

1. Noise

The first sign of a brake pads issue is the persistent squealing sound coming from your ride every time you apply brakes.

A squeaky sound is normal during rain or snow. However, if it happens regularly, it is a clear sign of damaged goods.

2. Turned On The Indicator Light

Most modern vehicles now come with special integration for brake pads in their display gauge.

There is an indicator light on the digital clutter that turns on whenever the sensor placed on the brake pads sees any sign of wear out.

3. Grinding Metal Sound

If you come across a deep grinding metal sound, it is another indication to examine those brake pads.

It is better to have a professional consultation if you encounter this sign on your ride.

4. Vibration

If you feel your vehicle shaking or vibrating whenever you press down on the brakes, it is a sign that something is not right with the braking pads.

Vibration in the brake pedal is not normal and should not be overlooked at any cost.

5. Reduced Thickness

Examine the brake pads placed on the rotor of the tires. If you think their thickness has decreased to a great extent, or, they appear less than 1/4″ in thickness, it means they will break soon. Thus, replace them ASAP.

Check Out The 7 Best Toyota Highlander Brake Pads And Rotors In 2023

An automobile is just as good as its working parts. If the mechanical parts of your vehicle begin to wear out, it can be dangerous for you & other people on the road.

Brake pads are one such crucial wearing-out part of a vehicle. You can not avoid the signs indicating their replacement. In this section, we have reviewed the seven best brake pads for Toyota Highlander.

Each reviewed product is from a top brand, offers high quality & durability, and comes with the best deals. So, let us go through each pick and help you find the most suitable product for your Toyota Highlander.

1. Bosch BC1324 Quiet & Dust-Free Brake Pads With Advanced Ceramic Friction Formula

best brake pads for toyota highlander
  • Brand- BOSCH
  • Material- Ceramic
  • Position- Front
  • Weight- 4.49 pounds
  • Dimension- ‎8.5 x 5.3 x 3.3 inches
  • Ceramic & semi-mettalic
  • OE style multi-layer rubber core shim
  • Come with synthetic lubricant in the kit
  • Complaint with 2025 Copper Free legislation
  • Protective transfer layer
  • Advanced ceramic friction formula
  • Comes with installation hardware
  • Quiet operation with low dust
  • Advanced aerospace alloy

Bosch is a big name in the automotive industry for making automotive parts. The first product on our list is its BC1324 premium ceramic disc pads.

You get quiet operation as it comes with a rubber core multi-layer high-quality shim providing increased strength and insulation against the noise.

It features the same aluminum-based alloy used in aerospace engineering. In addition, the chemical formula forms a protective layer on the pad surface & rotor to extend their life.

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These aftermarket brake pads are all you need. The kit contains all the items you might need, like installation hardware, lubrication, & more.

Lastly, this product is highly durable, offers long life, and holds one of the highest customer satisfaction rates, online.

Pros

  • Copper-free
  • Made of advanced aerospace alloy
  • Designed for severe and medium-duty applications
  • Longest friction pad life
  • Come with hardware & lubricant

Cons

  • A few customers had issues with noise & dusting

2. Wagner QuickStop Zero-Copper Formulation Ceramic Disc Brake Pad Set

best brake pads for toyota highlander
  • Brand- Wagner
  • Material- Ceramic
  • Position- Front
  • Weight- 4.3 pounds
  • Dimension- ‎8.5 x 5.25 x 2.5 inches
  • OE fit and form design
  • Application-specific design reduces noise-causing vibration
  • Consistent braking performance
  • Premium stainless steel hardware included
  • Provide even friction performance
  • Zero copper formulation
  • Asbestos-free material
  • Available for all vehicle types

Wagner QS brake pads are all you need if you want your braking performance restored like the new one. 

The OE fit and form design delivers consistent & even braking throughout the product’s life. It also features the Wagner OE25 zero-copper friction formulation.

The application-specific design helps in reducing noise-causing vibration. The product is specially formulated to meet the unique needs of each vehicle application.

It also comes with premium stainless-steel hardware and OE-style lubricant. 

Lastly, the OE post-curing process ensures even friction performance throughout the life of the brake pads.

Pros

  • Delivers consistent & even braking
  • Reduces noise-causing vibration
  • Come with installation hardware

Cons

  • It is better to pair Wagner QS brake pads with Wagner E-Shield rotors

3. Detroit Axle Front & Rear Ceramic Brake Pads With Mounting Hardware

toyota highlander brake pads and rotors
  • Brand- Detriot Axle
  • Material- Ceramic
  • Position- Front & Rear
  • Weight- 7.34 pounds
  • Dimension- ‎12 x 4 x 3 inches
  • For both front & rear
  • Come with mounting
  • Handle higher temperatures with less fade
  • Easy to install

If you are looking for both front & rear brake pads for Toyota Highlander, then Detroit Axle is for you.

All the brake pads are made of ceramic, offering premium quality. The ceramic compounds & copper fibers allow the pads to handle higher brake temperatures with less heat fade.

These brake pads provide faster recovery after every brake application and generate less dust. Also, this product is quieter than the semi-metallic pads.

Furthermore, all the brake pads come with mounting hardware for installation. Lastly, you get 10 years manufacturer’s warranty on your purchase.

Pros

  • Made of ceramic
  • Handle higher temperatures easily
  • Come with a 10-year warranty
  • Easy installation

Cons

  • Only for the 2014 – 2018 Toyota Highlander

4. Hart Brakes Heat-Resistant Noise Cancelling Ceramic

toyota highlander brake pads and rotors
  • Brand- Hart Brakes
  • Material- Ceramic
  • Position- Front & Rear
  • Weight- 45 pounds
  • Dimension- ‎12 x 12 x 13 inches
  • Black zinc plated
  • Low dust
  • Longest wearing 
  • Most advance material
  • Easy to install
  • Do not create noise and vibration
  • Stable friction performance
  • Reduce stopping distance
  • Increased braking performance

The brake pads and rotors by Hart Brakes are engineered from high-temperature-resistant materials that can withstand high operating temperatures of up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit.

These are manufactured with highly conductive electrodes to monitor pad wear levels accurately. This allows your brakes to stay cooler under extreme conditions.

The drilled rotor will vent the hot gasses from the pad surface, reducing heat transfer between the pad & rotor.

The slots create a stronger pad bite, reducing your stopping distance and offering best-in-class braking power.

Furthermore, these brake pads are designed to reduce noise and absorb vibration, giving you a smoother and quieter ride.

Lastly, this kit comes with all the necessary hardware for hassle-free installation.

Pros

  • Heat resistant
  • Easy to install
  • Quiet braking
  • Noise-free

Cons

  • A few buyers had quality issues

5. Power Stop Z17 Dust-Free Silent-Braking Rear Ceramic Brake Pads with Hardware

best brake pads for toyota highlander
  • Brand- Power Stop
  • Material- Ceramic
  • Weight- 1.76 pounds
  • Dimension- ‎7.9 x 5 x 2.8 inches
  • The low dust formula ensures clean wheels
  • Dual-layer high-temperature rubberized shims that insulate noise
  • Chamfered and slotted design
  • Premium stainless steel hardware & bushing kit
  • Hassle-free installation
  • Excellent stopping power

The Z17 brake pads by Power Stop are for buyers looking for one for their rear wheels. The brake pads meet all OE specifications & made of ceramic.

The pads are designed with a low dust formula, ensuring keep your wheels clean. The surfaces are thermal scorched, allowing a fast break-in.

These pads are chamfered and slotted like an OE pad to ensure noise-free braking. In addition, the shorter break-in makes them even better than OE.

Lastly, you get the premium hardware kit for easy installation, making you tension free.

Pros

  • Silent-braking
  • Great for daily driving or commuting
  • Dust-free
  • Excellent stopping power

Cons

  • Only for rear

6. StopTech High Max Operating Sport Brake Pads with Shims & Hardware

best brake pads for toyota highlander
  • Brand- StopTech
  • Material- Ceramic
  • Position- Front
  • Weight- 1 pound
  • Dimension- ‎10 x 5 x 3 inches
  • High max operating temperature
  • Excellent control
  • Ideal for light driving
  • Improve braking performance
  • Come with rotors & installation hardware

If you want brake pads for the front wheels of your Toyota Highlander, then the sport brake pads by StopTech are among the best.

The pads are made of ceramic and hold a high max operating temperature to eliminate fade. 

You will see significant improvements in brake performance using the factory calipers & pre-matched, direct replacement-sized components.

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There are Para-Aramid composites for linear response, and it is ideal for autocross and light track day use.

Lastly, this pack includes the cross-drilled StopTech Sport Rotors, Sport Pads, and stainless steel lines.

Pros

  • Available for a wide range of automobiles
  • Excellent stopping power
  • Quick warm-up process
  • Come with shims & wear indicators

Cons

  • Produce more brake dust than the regular pads
  • The extra stopping power is unveiled only during vigorous driving

7. TRW Automotive Brake Pad With Bonded Nitrle Rubber-Coated Steel Shims

toyota highlander brake pads and rotors
  • Brand- TRW Automotive
  • Material- Ceramic
  • Position- Front
  • Weight- 6.75 pounds
  • Dimension- ‎10.2 x 6.6 x 2.8 inches
  • High quality
  • Offer good performance
  • Bonded Nitrile rubber-coated steel shims
  • Designed using vehicle-optimized friction formulations
  • Eliminate noise, vibration & other harshness
  • Reduce wheel dust
  • Smooth braking action
  • Come with all the necessary accessories like hardware, grease, instructions

If you are under a strict budget but do not want to go for a no-name product that can not ensure quality, the disc brake pad set from TRW Automotive is for you.

The brake pads are for the front wheels and hold optimum application-specific friction material & formulation.

The TRW brake pads are slotted and chamfered for superior braking performance and ensure you have a smooth ride.

The package comes with all the applicable hardware accessories for a professional & safe installation.

Pros

  • Affordable
  • Good quality
  • Suitable for a wider range of vehicles

Cons

  • There are various variants of the model, making it hard to order the right one

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to change the brake pads on Toyota Highlander?

In 2023 average Toyota highlander brake pads and rotors cost begin at around $100 for premium quality. This is the only cost you will have to pay if you know how to install them.

However, if you are oblivious to how to install brake pads, then professional installation might cost you another $100 at least.

Is it safe to use new brake pads with old rotors?

Each part of a vehicle has its wearing-out rate. In the Toyota highlander, brake pads give up early than the rotors.

So, it is safe to say you can use your new one with your old rotors. However, experts advise you to keep a close eye on your rotors because if you do not replace your degraded brake pads in time, they can harm the rotors & vice-versa.

Thus, keep a regular check on both parts to ensure the safety of your ride.

How to ensure if my braking pads need replacement?

Numerous signs will redirect you to get rid of your old brake pads. You will encounter vibration/pulsation in your steering wheel, a brake warning light on, grinding noise, or screeching when braking.

These all are a sign of damaged brake pads.

How long do brake pads last on an SUV like Highlander?

Generally, a brand-new brake pad will last between 30,000 and 70,000 miles. But it mostly depends on your driving style and habits.

Rash driving or rough driving will wear them out much quicker than the slow day-to-day commute.

What are the best brake pads for the Toyota highlander?

If your braking system is creating problems & you don’t know how to find the most suited aftermarket product, then our list of the seven best brake pads will surely cheer you up.

  • Bosch BC1324 Quiet & Dust-Free Brake Pads With Advanced Ceramic Friction Formula
  • Wagner QuickStop Zero-Copper Formulation Ceramic Disc Brake Pad Set
  • Detroit Axle Front & Rear Ceramic Brake Pads With Mounting Hardware
  • Hart Brakes Heat-Resistant Noise Cancelling Ceramic Brake Pads & Rotors
  • Power Stop Z17 Dust-Free Silent-Braking Rear Ceramic Brake Pads with Hardware
  • StopTech High Max Operating Sport Brake Pads with Shims & Hardware

TRW Automotive Brake Pad With Bonded Nitrle Rubber-Coated Steel Shims

Conclusion

The only way to ensure the safety of you & people around you is to have a vehicle with fully functional mechanical parts. A car’s braking system is the most chaotic one, so if you are having trouble with it, our list of the 7 best brake pads for Toyota highlander is all you need.

The list contains all premium quality, durable, yet affordable brake pads of 2023. We hope we were able to help you find a suitable product for your SUV.

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Henry William

Henry William is an automotive enthusiast and experienced blogger with a passion for all things related to automobiles. With a deep knowledge of the industry and a keen eye for detail, Henry provides insightful and engaging content for automotive enthusiasts and casual readers alike. From car reviews and industry news to practical tips and advice, his articles cover a wide range of topics to cater to every reader's interest. With years of experience in the automotive field, Henry brings a unique perspective and a wealth of information to his writing. Whether you're a car aficionado or simply looking for reliable information, Henry's expertise and engaging writing style will keep you coming back for more.

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