5th Gen Brake Failure - 17 TRDP

[Hadelson]

Have a 17 TRDP and yes experienced a complete brake failure. No alarms, No warning lights.....just a pop from the brake unit and the pedal went to the floor. Fortunately able to stop by pumping the brakes giving me some pedal, using the emergency brake and downshifting transmission. Very Lucky as rolled into center of 4 way stop until I stopped!

Anybody have information or experience on this? As mentioned, was able to pump pedal to get some braking. Would then hold it and it would fade back to floor.

Vehicle is at dealer now. Of course they say all is well.....but they did mention they downloaded codes consistent with a braking event? I told them it was a complete Master Cylinder failure.......anyhow, also told them to find the issue and fix it as I would not get back into the car until they repaired it

 

[Argyle Edison]

Have a 17 TRDP and yes experienced a complete brake failure. No alarms, No warning lights.....just a pop from the brake unit and the pedal went to the floor. Fortunately able to stop by pumping the brakes giving me some pedal, using the emergency brake and downshifting transmission. Very Lucky as rolled into center of 4 way stop until I stopped!

Anybody have information or experience on this? As mentioned, was able to pump pedal to get some braking. Would then hold it and it would fade back to floor.

Vehicle is at dealer now. Of course they say all is well.....but they did mention they downloaded codes consistent with a braking event? I told them it was a complete Master Cylinder failure.......anyhow, also told them to find the issue and fix it as I would not get back into the car until they repaired it

This just happened to someone else. Be prepared for a bunch of people to start calling you a liar


Might be an ABS issue. Good luck

 

[jrandom]

Geesuz that’s scary

Just like the old accelerator/floor mat recall, people were calling bs, come to find out, yep it was a problem. Having no brakes is way more dangerous.

 

[TfourR]

Do us all a favor and post back what the results are. There are a lot of people who start threads, get advice and then we never hear from them again with the results.

 

[Hadelson]

Do us all a favor and post back what the results are. There are a lot of people who start threads, get advice and then we never hear from them again with the results.

Good point and agree. Right now, TRDP is at the dealer waiting to here from area rep and Toyota in California. Of course, now brakes check out-but they are saying they downloaded codes consistent with Brake issue.

 

[Satex]

Anybody have information or experience on this? As mentioned, was able to pump pedal to get some braking. Would then hold it and it would fade back to floor.

This happened to me too on a 2015. Took it to the dealer for a full system checkup and got the usual "can't duplicate the problem" bullshit.

File a complaint ASAP with NHTSA: https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/VehicleComplaint/

 

[C runner]

Looks like at least 4 people here have had that happen


http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/205292-time-brakes-didnt-work.html

 

[wcjeep]

I read some Lexus Gx models had this problem intermittently. Curious to see what they find. When I had a problematic Jeep I had to take cellphone video to prove my point. First couple of times Jeep dealer could not replicate my problem. When I started taking video they had to actually work on the vehicle. Video with your foot on the floor should get their attention. Even if the vehicle is stopped.

I Lemon Law'd the Jeep. Bought the 4runner.

I uploaded the video to YouTube. Kept it private. Sent the link to the service advisor. I wanted the problem fixed. Was not my intention to embaras the dealership or manufacturer.

 

[nvbirdman]

I had a similar problem with my new Harley. First thing in the morning I would squeeze the front brake lever all the way to the grip, and no brake. After pumping it a few times it was good for the rest of the day. I was told by an independent mechanic that it was a known problem, and after the front caliper was replaced under warranty it never happened again.

 

[enapa]

I think the big issue with no one believing anyone when this occurs is simply because it isn't possible to happen without a large amount of evidence. There would be a huge leak of brake fluid which would be everywhere or there would be extremely low brake fluid. Otherwise there is nothing that would cause the brakes to simply not work and then work fine.

 

[Argyle Edison]

I think the big issue with no one believing anyone when this occurs is simply because it isn't possible to happen without a large amount of evidence. There would be a huge leak of brake fluid which would be everywhere or there would be extremely low brake fluid. Otherwise there is nothing that would cause the brakes to simply not work and then work fine.

That’s just not true. I have been working with hydraulics for decades and have seen plenty of instances where fluid is able to pass through valves due to internal failure with not so much as a drop of fluid leaving the system.

You don’t have to “lose” fluid to lose the ability to create pressure. A simple o-ring failure can do it. Expansion, solenoid failure, etc will all cause a system to malfunction.

We’ve all seen instances where someone lost an entire pad or the pad ate through the rotor because people don’t even understand or think things need servicing. This will cause a pedal to go to the floor till the proportioning valve reacts and then the pedal will pump up and work. It happens.

 

[Hadelson]

I think the big issue with no one believing anyone when this occurs is simply because it isn't possible to happen without a large amount of evidence. There would be a huge leak of brake fluid which would be everywhere or there would be extremely low brake fluid. Otherwise there is nothing that would cause the brakes to simply not work and then work fine.

Two things for sure at this point.

1. Complete brake failure

2. No leaks anywhere

 

[enapa]

That’s just not true. I have been working with hydrologics for decades and have seen plenty of instances where fluid is able to pass through valves due to internal failure with not so much as a drop of fluid leaving the system.

You don’t have to “lose” fluid to lose the ability to create pressure. A simple o-ring failure can do it. Expansion, solenoid failure, etc will all cause a system to malfunction.

We’ve all seen instances where someone lost an entire pad or the pad ate through the rotor because people don’t even understand or think things need servicing. This will cause a pedal to go to the floor till the proportioning valve reacts and then the pedal will pump up and work. It happens.

See but you are ignoring part of my post. If it fails one time, it isn't going to work just fine after that with no signs of why it didn't work that one single time. Obviously it can fail internally, but if it fails it fails. And obviously if a pad fell out that would be pretty clear.

 

[Dropzone]

What did the dealership say?
I am curious to hear what they say

 

[jrandom]

See but you are ignoring part of my post. If it fails one time, it isn't going to work just fine after that with no signs of why it didn't work that one single time. Obviously it can fail internally, but if it fails it fails. And obviously if a pad fell out that would be pretty clear.

I think you are talking about a critical failure, meaning a broken part. Any wired connection shorting can easily cause intermittent failures without hardware failure or leaks.

 

[Hadelson]

What did the dealership say?
I am curious to hear what they say

Spoke with them late Friday and they are checking with Regional Manager and California. Still waiting for them to call with more information. Initially, told when dropped it off Thursday no codes. Friday was told they pulled codes consistent with pumping brakes and some type of failure

Here is what I've done to cover myself and start audit trail if needed.

1. Filed a notice of the event with the NHTSA.

2. Filed notice with Toyota Complaint services.

This is a 17 TRDP with 13K mostly road miles with limited off - road. Understand all mechanical items can fail.......just expect them to fix it.

 

[Ryan1975]

Spoke with them late Friday and they are checking with Regional Manager and California. Still waiting for them to call with more information. Initially, told when dropped it off Thursday no codes. Friday was told they pulled codes consistent with pumping brakes and some type of failure

Here is what I've done to cover myself and start audit trail if needed.

1. Filed a notice of the event with the NHTSA.

2. Filed notice with Toyota Complaint services.

This is a 17 TRDP with 13K mostly road miles with limited off - road. Understand all mechanical items can fail.......just expect them to fix it.

The most shocking part of all of this is that it has happened. I've had no issues with either of my 5th Gens (or my 4th Gen for that matter) in over 130k combined driving miles and to hear it happen to anyone is disconcerting.

I hope it gets addressed.

 

[Rob71]

Toyota dealership are arrogant...seems every time you complain to them about a problem they always say its normal. I had to replace my battery twice in 2.5 years...advisor said it was normal )::lasercannon:

 

[enapa]

I think you are talking about a critical failure, meaning a broken part. Any wired connection shorting can easily cause intermittent failures without hardware failure or leaks.

So the 4runner has a wired connection that completely controls the brakes? I'm confused. I thought that only the throttle was completely electronic.

If that is the case then I stand corrected. I just don't believe that the brakes are completely controlled electronically. If they were I imagine they would fail in the applied position, not fail in a way that you have no brakes at all.

 

[nevada]

See but you are ignoring part of my post. If it fails one time, it isn't going to work just fine after that with no signs of why it didn't work that one single time. Obviously it can fail internally, but if it fails it fails. And obviously if a pad fell out that would be pretty clear.

yeah, that's just not true. especially not for a master cylinder. I have experienced a total short term loss, while immediately working properly many, many times.