T4R 5th Gen Brakes

[AgDad]

Now that I have the weak horn issue resolved, thanks to the excellent help from this forum, I need some info on the brakes of my wife’s 2010 4R.

I have had the chance to finally put some miles on the vehicle and I find the brake pedal “feel” to be a bit unnerving. She previously had a 3rd and 4th gen 4R's and when you pressed the brake pedal you instantly got a reaction from the brakes—press pedal, brakes applied, truck starts to slow.

With the 2010 it is—press pedal, press pedal some more, then get brakes applied, truck starts to slow. Also, once I’m at a complete stop, it takes what I consider to be a heavy foot on the pedal to keep the 4R at a standstill. If the AC happens to kick in then I need even more pedal to stay at a standstill. I have nearly crept into the back of multiple vehicles due to this.

One thing that will overcome this is to “double pump” the pedal. If I do this then the pedal “feel” firms up and I get—press pedal, brakes applied, truck starts to slow. Same thing at a standstill—a quick partial release and press of the pedal and the mushiness is gone and no more creep.

Dealer says the new electric-over-hydraulic brake system on the 2010 is responsible for this behavior and it is working as designed. BTW, this has been happening since day one.

Since my ’09 Tacoma does not exhibit this same behavior—at least as long as the rear drums are adjusted properly—it is a bit disconcerting to jump into the 4R and have to deal with this.

Any thoughts? Anyone else having this issue? Thanks.

 

[SeattleMike]

Now that I have the weak horn issue resolved, thanks to the excellent help from this forum, I need some info on the brakes of my wife’s 2010 4R.

I have had the chance to finally put some miles on the vehicle and I find the brake pedal “feel” to be a bit unnerving. She previously had a 3rd and 4th gen 4R's and when you pressed the brake pedal you instantly got a reaction from the brakes—press pedal, brakes applied, truck starts to slow.

With the 2010 it is—press pedal, press pedal some more, then get brakes applied, truck starts to slow. Also, once I’m at a complete stop, it takes what I consider to be a heavy foot on the pedal to keep the 4R at a standstill. If the AC happens to kick in then I need even more pedal to stay at a standstill. I have nearly crept into the back of multiple vehicles due to this.

One thing that will overcome this is to “double pump” the pedal. If I do this then the pedal “feel” firms up and I get—press pedal, brakes applied, truck starts to slow. Same thing at a standstill—a quick partial release and press of the pedal and the mushiness is gone and no more creep.

Dealer says the new electric-over-hydraulic brake system on the 2010 is responsible for this behavior and it is working as designed. BTW, this has been happening since day one.

Since my ’09 Tacoma does not exhibit this same behavior—at least as long as the rear drums are adjusted properly—it is a bit disconcerting to jump into the 4R and have to deal with this.

Any thoughts? Anyone else having this issue? Thanks.

Take it to the dealer. That is not normal.

 

[AgDad]

Yeah, my next step was to go directly to the Service Manager and bypass the knuckleheads in the service driveup. I wanted to see if my situation was unique before doing that.

 

[RyanE]

Yeah, my next step was to go directly to the Service Manager and bypass the knuckleheads in the service driveup. I wanted to see if my situation was unique before doing that.

Definitely unique. The brakes on mine are very responsive, and require very little pressure to activate. Based on your description, I would say it's highly unlikely that it's just different than your previous vehicles, which is what the dealership is most likely going to try to convince you of.

 

[westwind77]

Any thoughts? Anyone else having this issue? Thanks.

That sounds scary! Nope, mine are great! As soon as I press I get a reaction.

 

[harper7]

Now that I have the weak horn issue resolved, thanks to the excellent help from this forum, I need some info on the brakes of my wife’s 2010 4R.

I have had the chance to finally put some miles on the vehicle and I find the brake pedal “feel” to be a bit unnerving. She previously had a 3rd and 4th gen 4R's and when you pressed the brake pedal you instantly got a reaction from the brakes—press pedal, brakes applied, truck starts to slow.

With the 2010 it is—press pedal, press pedal some more, then get brakes applied, truck starts to slow. Also, once I’m at a complete stop, it takes what I consider to be a heavy foot on the pedal to keep the 4R at a standstill. If the AC happens to kick in then I need even more pedal to stay at a standstill. I have nearly crept into the back of multiple vehicles due to this.

One thing that will overcome this is to “double pump” the pedal. If I do this then the pedal “feel” firms up and I get—press pedal, brakes applied, truck starts to slow. Same thing at a standstill—a quick partial release and press of the pedal and the mushiness is gone and no more creep.

Dealer says the new electric-over-hydraulic brake system on the 2010 is responsible for this behavior and it is working as designed. BTW, this has been happening since day one.

Since my ’09 Tacoma does not exhibit this same behavior—at least as long as the rear drums are adjusted properly—it is a bit disconcerting to jump into the 4R and have to deal with this.

Any thoughts? Anyone else having this issue? Thanks.

Something is wrong. I had a 4th Gen. before this and the brakes feel almost exactly the same on my 5th. Admitted they are a bit quirky compared to some other vehicles and you have to get used to them.Teaching one of my daughters to drive the runner and she about snapped my neck last week.lol

They should feel the same as her previous 4th Gen.Ask to test drive another 5th on their lot to see and definitley demand the Service Manager involved with any Safety issues like this.

 

[lightning1]

I have noticed a similar crawl when I am "stopped" just figured I wasn't putting enough pressure on the pedal, then started paying a bit more attention to it...This on my SR5..

Sorta spooked me a couple of times as I nearly crawled into a busy intersection before I noticed it...

Think that's the first thing I am going to have them look at on my 5000 mile service, coming up in about 200 miles...

 

[B'klyn_Mike]

It happens in other Toyota's as well! Check out post #5 in this thread: Brake Slippage anyone? - Toyota FJ Cruiser Forum

Mike :artist:

 

[mpaquette]

My brakes seem to be very responsive, but I have noticed the creeping issue while at a stop light. It does seem like I have to keep a pretty heavy foot on the brake to keep the vehicle from slowly rolling forward.

 

[I AM SAM]

I've had the exact same "creeping" motion that AgDad and others have. I drive an hour each way to work right through the heart of Denver. In bumper to bumper traffic with my foot on the break, it will creep forward. I've almost parked in someone's trunk before I noticed I was moving forward....

 

[kingpin748]

I've noticed that creep a few times now. Usually when I'm sitting at a light staring off into space. I just thought I wasn't use to the new truck.

 

[AgDad]

It would appear that there is an issue with the ability of the 2010 4R brake system to maintain sufficient caliper/pad pressure to keep the 4R at a stop. I can't believe that we've all suddenly lost the skill for keeping a vehicle still once we've stopped said vehicle. It would also appear that I might have a unique situation with my 4R and the pedal reaction when first applying the brakes.

Anyway, I'll post back here when I have a talk and test drive with my service manager.