07 4Runner Limited - Brakes/ABS issue?

[spc337]

With all the unfortunate press Toyota has had regarding problems, I figure maybe my issue should be discussed to see if other have had the same. I can't pinpoint what the root cause is but the symptoms are pretty obvious.

This has only happen 3-4 times in the 3 years I've owned my SUV (from new) so it is rare but quite scary when it happens. Typically, my brakes are very smooth, as I depress the brake it progressively applies power to the braking system. However, on 3-4 occasions it was not smooth or progressive, instead the slightest pressure on the brake seemed to engage the brakes to the full power causing rapid stopping and lurching of the SUV. Depressing the brake again would do the same. This seems to last for a short while (under a minute) and usually clears if I just coast for a minute without braking or accelerating. Then it is all normal again.

Given the infrequency of this happening it is hard to put specifics around each occasion but I feel it has happen after a rapid deceleration and/or braking while on a bumpy surface. This leads me to suspect something in the ABS system isn't working quite right.

Has anyone else had a similar situation?

 

[Uneek]

You're experiencing Brake Assist kicking in and applying maximum braking power. Brake Assist kicks in based on how quickly you remove your foot off the gas and apply the brakes. Some members have said Brake Assist kicks in too frequently (overly sensitive) when they're in stop and go traffic on the freeway. Do you recall how quickly you lifted your foot off the accelerator and over to apply the brake?

In the four years that I've had my 4Runner, Brake Assist has only kicked in on me once. I was going about 30-35mph and was still accelerating (45mph zone). The car in front of me was going to stop for a pedestrian on the otherside of the thorough fare (it has a center island for foot traffic). I took my foot off the the gas and applied the brakes, probably the same pressure as when the light turns yellow and I'm not planning on running it. I wouldn't have classified it as a panic stop, but the 4Runner for whatever reason decided it needed Brake Assist and drop a boat anchor out the back. If I were to exaggerate, the bottom of my front bumper probably came within a few inches from kissing the ground. It nosed dived further than it ever did before and I stopped at least a good eight to ten feet, if not more, from where the car in front was.