How about poor braking . . . ?

[Sad4RunnerOwner]

How about poor breaking . . . ?

Hi!

So, my 4Runner is a 2003, SR5, V6, 4X4, Dorado Gold, pretty well loaded, bad seat rails and all.

So, have any of you noted a difficult time breaking when the weather is cold?

Not that Sonoma California is that "Cold" but, at weather conditons of 45 or BELOW, my break peddle will go WAY down. This is the condition that I have noted. (On board tem system.) I am a bit worried when I go to the snow.

Upon asking Toyota, prior to me noting the weather condition issue, the local dealer, who I had to see after having the selling dealer agree to fix my rails, stated that there have been other customers complaining that the breaks felt occasionally soft.

So far, according to the shop head mechanic, my brake release is loose, and needs to be tightened. But, the peddle is soft some days and at normal levels others.

My 1997 was very difficult to stop. That's why when I bought this one, I noted the ease in stopping.

 

[Guest]

Thai,
shouldn't this thread be moved into "problems and warranty" section?

 

[toyogirl]

How about a vote section for none of the above???

 

[Iman74]

I with Toyogirl on this. Negativity about one of the greatest vehicles ever made: is that really needed?

 

[Guest]

Look at his name. I have a feeling he is a "glass is half empty" kind of person.

 

[Sad4RunnerOwner]

OK Look . . . Not trying to be a drag ...

Hey all -

I do not mean to be a downer . . . I have been - up until this vehicle - a very proud Toyota owner. This is my fourth Toyota. I honestly should have known better buying the first year model. However, I was SO excited about the new change, I had to have one.

The Toytoa dealers - With the exception of the selling dealer - have not stood behind this vehicle.

I just want to see if anyone else has seen these problems. The only way I even found this site was off of the NHTSA website. I am just looking for others with the same problems.

I'm not apologizing. I do love the Toyota products. But, if no one else has this issues, then great. But what is the point of freedom of speech, if there are not negitives as well.

By the way, this has nothing to do with having a half full glass, I was handed a bunch of lemons. I'm making lemonade.

 

[Thai]

Sadowner, maybe you need to add an additional option: "Nothing wrong with my 4runner" for a fair & balance vote (aka Fox news).

I will be moving this to PROBLEMS subforum.

 

[Guest]

A loose seat and smelly exhaust make a lemon?
Then you better not buy a Honda Accord, Infinity G35, or about 20 other new cars out there.

Brakes are "soft"? Is that a characteristic of the truck or does that automatically make it qualify as a lemon because you don't like the brake feel?

Loose weatherstripping? Well not every vehicle is perfect as so that's why there is a 3yr bumper to bumper so very minor stuff like this can be addressed. Don't you think every make and model has some loose trim piece?

Everything you are complaining about is, imo, so minor that it sounds fanatical to say you own a lemon.
I absolutely think the issues you have should be corrected for free but all the sudden it is a POS? Is every new car you buy a POS?

You can certainly search through the many threads addressing all the issues you have. Certainly the smelly exhaust isn't a simple solution it seems (although I don't have an issue-maybe because it's a regional gas issue) but the 4Runner is far from the only car with smelly exhaust!

 

[GatorGreg]

Re: OK Look . . . Not trying to be a drag ...

The only way I even found this site was off of the NHTSA website.

There's a link to us on the NHTSA?? Cool!

 

[dancojgl]

Where's the option for "I haven't had any problems at all"?

Without this option, your poll results will be skewed, since *only* people with a problem will show up in the results...

 

[GatorGreg]

Where's the option for "I haven't had any problems at all"?

I just edited the poll to include "none of the above"

 

[Oscarz]

Brakes: I've also noticed in the colder weather my braking power has diminished. Also, one day they're strong, the next I have to push pretty hard. They have a mind of their own. Maybe it's the computer. I thought I heard something about the technology in these things is such that it monitors all inputs and makes adjustments over time. Maybe it's still in the learning mode or maybe I'm on glue.

 

[doubletwins]

Crappy brakes. Don't get me started. I've taken my truck in 5 times for squeaking brakes. They've tried everything. Replacing the brakes in the front and rear, cleaning them, resurfacing them. Still, they still squeak. Loudly. The service manager can't belive how loud and annoying it is. I guess I got a lemon too. Hopefully, I can get the dealer to buy it back. It's been a real PITA.

BTW: This is my 4th Toyota too. I don't think I'll be back after this one.

 

[momo.75]

Crappy brakes. Don't get me started. I've taken my truck in 5 times for squeaking brakes. They've tried everything. Replacing the brakes in the front and rear, cleaning them, resurfacing them. Still, they still squeak. Loudly. The service manager can't belive how loud and annoying it is. I guess I got a lemon too. Hopefully, I can get the dealer to buy it back. It's been a real PITA.

BTW: This is my 4th Toyota too. I don't think I'll be back after this one.

:rant: Go buy a Civic......:jump:

 

[bool]

I think all exhausts emit fumes. You won't find me sniffing anyone's tailpipe! My 4Runner lets off gas, but I notice other new cars are doing it too. A Forester passed me the other day and I got a whiff of Sulfur. So, it might become more commonplace in the near future. I really have not noticed the sulfur smell now after 1500 miles, but that may be due to the Borla exhaust I installed and that it is cold out now. I know people have also mentioned that the quality of gas makes a difference. IL is switching over to low sulfur content gas next year according to the local paper. I am interested in seeing if the stink disappears.

 

[Thai]

Just for new members, here's a thread on the sulfur smell:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=393

Thanks.