2004 Toyota 4Runner Brakes Problems

The contact owns a 2004 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the ABS and the brake warning lights illuminated. Additionally, there was an abnormal humming sound coming from the dash. The contact stated while approaching another vehicle, he depressed the brake pedal, but the vehicle failed to respond, nearly causing a crash into another vehicle. The contact immediately shifted into neutral(N) and veered to the side of the road while continuously depressing the brake pedal, and the vehicle stopped. The contact was able to continue driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the ABS pump had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 350,325.

Seized front right brake caliper caused vehicle to slide off road during sudden stop to avoid debris in roadway. Took vehicle to a brake shop and they found that right front wheel was locked. This is the third time I have had the EXACT same problem with the brake system. The previous times, the problem occurred during nice weather and with windows open I smelled the burning brake pads and was able to get the problem fixed before it became a hazard. On the first previous incident, the repair required replacement of both front brake caliper, rotors, and pads. On the second previous occasion less than 20,000 miles ago BOTH front and rear calipers, rotors and pads were replaced. This is apparently a known defect in the 2004 Toyota 4Runner, yet Toyota has not conducted a recall to fix an extremely dangerous and ongoing problem. NOTE: I originally purchased the vehicle in New Jersey in 2004 and a Virginia Toyota dealer (Koons Toyota) worked on the brake system multiple times (2005-2006) and finally replaced the entire system.

BRAKE CALIPERS KEEP SEIZING & NEED TO BE REPLACED. 09/10/2018 07/24/2014 04/17/2013 04/13/2013 06/18/2012

WHILE DRIVING, AN ALARM BEGAN SOUNDING AND THE BRAKE LIGHT, ASB LIGHT AND VSC LIGHTS ALL CAME ON, WE STOPPED AND CHECKED THE BRAKE FLUID AND FOUND IT WAS FULL. WE THEN CONTINUED TO DRIVE HOME. WITHIN 2 MILES THE BRAKES WENT OUT. THERE HAD BEEN ABSOLUTELY NO INDICATION OF ANYTHING WRONG UP TO THAT POINT. IT IS A MIRACLE THAT WE WERE NOT IN AN ACCIDENT.

WHILE DRIVING ON RESIDENTIAL STREET AT 30 MPH, VSC, ABS AND TRAC DASH LIGHTS CAME ON AND CABIN ALARM SOUNDED. THE BRAKES WERE NOT FUNCTIONING. I HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND EVASIVE DRIVING TO AVOID REAR ENDING A SCHOOL BUS. AFTER BRINGING TO MY MECHANIC I LEARNED THAT THE MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER HAD FAILED. THE PART IS $3,100 FROM TOYOTA. SPENDING MONEY ON CAR PARTS AND REPAIR IS ALL A PART OF OWNING A VEHICLE, BUT NO CAR SHOULD BE DESIGNED WHERE THE BRAKES COMPLETELY STOP OPERATING BECAUSE OF AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. IT IS INSANELY DANGEROUS AND THIS WILL CAUSE DEATHS FOR SURE, HOW CAN IT NOT? I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS AND IT IS A VERY COMMON AND WELL KNOWN ISSUE. A LOT OF DRIVERS HAVE BEEN VERY FRIGHTENED BY THIS ISSUE, INCLUDING MYSELF.

AFTER TRAVELING AT SPEEDS CLOSE TO 75 MILES AN HOUR. I EXITED HIGHWAY TO PARKING LOT. BACKED OUT AND WAS UNABLE TO STOP CAR FROM ROLLING. MOVED CAR TO NEW PARKING AREA AND HAD TO USE PARKING BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN. SHUT DOWN CAR CHECK FUILDS. RESTARTED CAR TO LOUD BUZZER AND ABS LIGHTS. VERY CONCERNED IF HAPPENED ON HIGHWAY COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL TO MYSELF AND OTHERS AROUND.

BRAKES FAILED WHILE DRIVING WITH 3 YEAR OLD IN BACK SEAT. HAD TO HAVE VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER TO REPLACE FAULTY ABS ACTUATOR PUMP. LUCKILY NOT ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN BRAKES WENT OUT. OVER $2,000 TO REPLACE PART. *TR

DRIVING (SLOWLY), EVERY LIGHT ON THE CONSOLE LIT UP DEALING WITH, ABS, TRACTION ETC...ACCOMPANIED WITH A HIGH PITCH WARNING TONE, DEPRESSED ON THE BRAKES TO STOP...ONLY NO BRAKES, USED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO SUCCESSFULLY STOP, NO INCIDENT. CALLED A TOW TRUCK TO TAKE TO DEALERSHIP.TOYOTA DEALER SAID CODES C1223 (ABS CONTROL MALFUNCTION), C1252 (HYDRO-BOOSTER PUMP MOTOR) AND C1256 (ACCUMULATOR LOW PRESSURE) APPEARED. WHEN HE CHECKING THE CODES, THERE WAS ALREADY A SERVICE BULLETIN SHOWING PREVIOUS (KNOWN) ISSUES WITH THIS. I CALL THIS A SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW, NO COMPONENT SHOULD RENDER THE BRAKING SYSTEM USELESS AND NOT BE A RECALL. RESEARCHED ONLINE AND MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME THING HAPPENING ON AUTOMOTIVE FORUMS AND SUCH. WE WERE QUOTED $3000.00(ISH) TO REPAIR. WE WERE VERY LUCKY TO NOT BE TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEEDS IN TRAFFIC. REPORTED THIS TO TOYOTA CORPORATE/REGIONAL SUPPORT.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AND REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BIG ISLAND TOYOTA KAILUA-KONA (808-329-8517, LOCATED AT 74-5504 KAIWI ST, KAILUA, HI 96740) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE BRAKE FLUID LEVEL WAS ABOVE NORMAL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000. *BF*JB

THE BRAKE GET HARD AND ABS, BRAKE VSC AND TRAC SIGN CAME ON WITH ALERT WHISTLE WHILE I WAS DRIVING IN THE NEIGHBOTHOOD LUCKILY.. MECHANIC SAID IT IS RARE TO GO BAD BUT IT IS BRAKE BOOSTER ASSEMBLY GOES BAD. IS THIS THE SAME ISSUE AS PRIUS?

WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH ON A CITY STREET, WITH CHILDREN IN VEHICLE, BREAKS FAILED AND LOUD CABIN ALARM SOUND AND ABS, VSC AND TRAC DASH LIGHTS CAME ON. I HAD TO PULL INTO A GRASSY SWALE, APPLY EMERGENCY BREAK AND DOWN SHIFT IN ORDER TO STOP AND AVOID CRASHING INTO TRAFFIC. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. ABS PUMP BREAK MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED AT A COST OF $3,300. I HAVE READ MANY POSTS IN BLOGS FROM TOYOTA OWNERS WITH SIMILAR ISSUE, AND SOME THAT CAUSED ACCIDENTS. I HAD JUST COME OFF THE HIGHWAY, SO THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT JUST MINUTES EARLIER. MERITS AN INVESTIGATION.

WHEN I RETURNED TO MY HOME AND PULLED INTO MY GARAGE, AN ALARM SOUND WENT OFF IN THE DASHBOARD AND ALL OF THE DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. THE CAR WAS DRIVING FINE JUST PRIOR. THE NEXT MORNING I WENT TO TRY TO DRIVE IT TO DRIVE IT TO THE DEALER AND NOTICED THAT MY BRAKE PEDAL WAS VERY HARD TO PUSH AND HAD VIRTUALLY NO BRAKING ABILITY. AFTER GETTING THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY SAID IT NEEDED A NEW ABS ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY (AKA AN ABS MODULE). THE BRAKES THEMSELVES WERE REPLACED WITHIN 2 YEARS PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. ON THE DAY THAT THE INCIDENT HAPPENED, I DID SOME RESEARCH ONLINE TO SEE WHAT THE ALARM AND WARNING LIGHTS WERE INDICATIVE OF. I SAW THAT THIS HAD HAPPENED TO OTHER PEOPLE MOST OF WHICH HAD IT HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING AND WERE THEREFORE LEFT WITH THE INABILITY TO BRAKE. I FEEL FORTUNATE THAT THIS DID NOT HAPPEN WHILE I WAS DRIVING, POSSIBLY LEADING TO A SERIOUS, IF NOT FATAL, ACCIDENT.

REAR BREAKS - LEFT AND RIGHT (BOTH) SIDES CEASED UP.

DRIVING HOME AND MY BRAKES STOPPED WORKING. I HAD MY MECHANIC LOOK AT IT AND HE SAID THE ABS MODULE HAD FAILED. HE SAID THAT ONLY MY FRONT BRAKES ARE WORKING. I FEEL VERY UNSAFE DRIVING MY CAR. *TR

I HAVE HAD TWO INCIDENTS OF BRAKE CALIPERS FAILURE. UNDER 50K I HAD A FRONT DRIVER SIDE CALIPER FAIL. THEN AGAIN AT 99K THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE CALIPER FAILURE. TOYOTA HAS A MAJOR ISSUE WITH THEIR BRAKE CALIPER DESIGN ON 4-RUNNERS. TOYOTA SHOULD EXTEND THEIR WARRANTY, I ALWAYS BOUGHT TOYOTA'S, BUT NEVER AGAIN AFTER THIS LAST INCIDENT. TOYOTA DOES NOT BUILD CARS LIKE THEY USE TO. *TR

THIS COMPLAINT IS NOT ABOUT THE VEHICLE BUT RATHER ABOUT A REPLACEMENT PARTS MADE/SOLD BY THE FOLLOWING OUTFIT: PH: (954) 970-8820 FAX: (954) 970-8819 BRIAN@FEBESTPANAMERICA.COM WWW.FINESTAUTOPARTS.COM THE CALIPER (NEW) I PURCHASED FROM THEM WAS NOT ONLY IMPORTED FROM CHINA CONTRARY TO THE COMPANY DESCRIPTION "GERMAN EFFICIENCY FOR JAPANESE CARS" AS IT APPEARS ON THEIR SITE WHICH MAY NOT CONSTITUTE A CRIME THESE DAYS BUT A MANUFACTURING DEFECT (MISSING BRAKE FLUID SUPPLY CHANNEL IN THE CASTING) IS A CLEAR HAZARD AND AN OBVIOUS INDICATION OF TOTAL ABSENCE OF QUALITY CONTROL. SAFETY-RELATED ITEMS MUST BE CERTIFIED FOR FOR IMPORT INTO THE US, AND IF THEY ARE NOT, THE PUBLIC IS NOT PROTECTED. *JS

MY WIFE WAS AT THE SCHOOL ZONE TAKING OUR CHILDREN TO SCHOOL, WHEN SHE HEARD A NOISE AND AN ALARM START TO SOUND, THE ABS AND TRACK OFF LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, SHE WAS NOT ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE, FORTUNATELY SHE WAS ON SCHOOL SPEED ZONE AND NOTHING WAS IN FRONT OF HER AND THE VEHICLE STOP BY IT SELF BECAUSE THE LOW SPEED, SHE WAS ABOUT TO ENTER ON THE FREEWAY TO TAKE OUR SON TO OTHER SCHOOL AND I CAN'T IMAGINE WHAT COULD HAD HAPPEN IF THE BRAKES WOULD FAILED WHILE SHE WAS AT HIGH SPEED ON THE FREEWAY. WE BEEN SEARCHING ONLINE ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND WE FOUND OUT THAT THIS BEEN HAPPENING TO OTHER 4 RUNNERS OWNERS AND OUR BIGGEST CONCERNS IS THAT THIS CAN END UP TAKING OTHERS PEOPLES LIVES, BECAUSE A MALFUNCTIONS IN THIS VEHICLE, WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND CERTAINLY EXIST AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM AND SINCE THEN OUR VEHICLE HAS BEEN USELESS IN STORAGE. *TR

I STARTED MY VEHICLE @ 3PM WHEN I GOT OFF WORK AS SOON AS IT STARTED THE VSC, ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AS WELL AS A ALARM IN THE DASH. I ALSO NOTICED THE CLOCK IN THE DASH SAID 1:00 INSTEAD OF 3:00. WHEN I DEPRESSED THE BRAKE I HAD VIRTUALLY NO BRAKES. I HAVE READ UP ON THIS AND FOUND THAT A BAD GROUND CABLE ON THE BATTERY CAN SEND A LOW VOLTAGE SIGNAL TO THE CARS COMPUTER AND SHUT DOWN THE BRAKE SYSTEM. I THINK THIS NEEDS RECALL! *TR

ON 8/22/2011, PHIL BACHMAN TOYOTA IN JOHNSON CITY, TN REPLACED A LEAKING LEFT FRONT CALIPER ON MY TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE LEAK WAS SO BAD THAT THE FRONT BRAKE PADS WERE SATURATED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. BRAKE FLUID COVERED MY TIRE AND WHEEL, AND THE WHEEL HAD SEVERAL KNICKS FROM SOMETHING THAT OCCURRED RELATED TO THE BRAKES AND THIS ISSUE. ON 3/16/12, THE VERY SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN WITH THE LEFT FRONT CALIPER; THE BRAKE PADS AGAIN HAD TO BE REPLACED BUT PHIL BACHMAN DID THIS WORK UNDER WARRANTY. ON 1/31/13, THE VERY SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED BUT THIS TIME IT WAS WITH THE RIGHT FRONT CALIPER, AND IT WILL COST ME SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS TO HAVE THIS FIXED. I DID A GOOGLE SEARCH AND FOUND THAT MANY 2003 AND 2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNERS HAVE THIS PROBLEM. WHY WAS THERE NOT A RECALL BY TOYOTA FOR THIS PROBLEM? IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE--BY THE TIME I REALIZED WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS EACH TIME, MY LIFE WAS AT RISK IN DRIVING THIS VEHICLE WITH THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM. *TR

WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH AND PRESSING THE BRAKES FOR A SUDDEN STOP, THE 4-RUNNER LURCHES TO THE LEFT, AND THEN, WHEN THE BRAKE IS RELEASED, BACK TO THE RIGHT. I WAS ON A TRIP AND WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO GET IN TO A TOYOTA DEALER ON SATURDAY. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TOLD ME I HAD TWO FROZEN PISTONS IN THE BRAKE CALIPERS, AND THE REAR SLIDES WERE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. I HAD TO REPLACE THE CALIPERS, PADS AND ROTORS ON ALL FOUR WHEELS 2 YEARS AGO FOR FROZEN CALIPERS. THE WARRANTY FOR THAT REPAIR WAS 1 YEAR, SO I HAVE TO PAY ANOTHER $1200 TO MAKE THE CAR SAFE TO DRIVE ONCE AGAIN, AFTER HAVING SPENT $2000 2 YEARS AGO FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THE HISTORY OF THIS PROBLEM IS WIDELY KNOWN AND TOYOTA SHOULD EITHER EXTEND THE WARRANTY ON THESE PARTS, OR FIX THE PROBLEM PERMANENTLY AND ISSUE A RECALL. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, AS THE CAR LURCHES FROM SIDE TO SIDE, AND ESPECIALLY IN THE RAIN OR WHEN TOWING A TRAILER, IS QUITE DANGEROUS. *TR