2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER Service Brakes Problems

The VSC system in the vehicle becomes disabled due to a firmware 'glitch' identified by Toyota when an emission system issue is detected by the onboard diagnostic system. The VSC system is listed as an 'essential safety feature,' so I'm curious why a recall was never ordered to patch defective firmware that can cause VSC to become disabled due to a completely unrelated emissions issue.

Due to severe rust underneath the vehicle, there have been a few issues that have made the vehicle very unsafe to drive. Last week, both of my rear brake lines were completely done and leaking brake fluid leaving me with no brakes. This was due to rust and corrosion that had eaten the metal lines away. The radiator mounts are corroding, as well as the skid plate for my fuel tank and a few spots on my frame near the rear. I was not aware of the rust as I just got the vehicle a few weeks ago. I was driving in traffic when my brake light came on and I noticed my brakes didn't seem to be very effective and they eventually got the point where they were not working or slowing the vehicle at all. Once I took it to the shop and they put it on the lift, the mechanics pointed out just how bad the rust was.

No Accident - Items need to be investigated for Safety Defects on Toyota's. 1> Front Brake Calipers (constant freezing of the front brake calipers). 2> Dash Cover (excessive cracking on the dash covers especially areas that contain airbags). 3> Fuel Pump Connection (on top of fuel tank, connection to fuel pump appears to create a short, which in turn causes vehicle to stall also could cause a fire). 4> Excessive Frame Rust (frame has excessive rust outside and inside which is causing frame to fail. this is a manufacturing issue). These are ongoing issues with Toyota that have been reported and nothing is being done about it. Multiple 4runners are having big time Excessive Frame Rust, which are causing the frame coming apart during highway driving. These photo's show the rust on the outside and inside, all metal is having rust issues. Paint has been applied to cover said rust but it still reappears with-in a few months. Best way to contact me is via e-mail.

Frame is rotted out and brake lines attached to the frame as well as every suspension component. Car failed inspection deemed unsafe to drive. This problem has been addressed for Tacoma, tundra and sequoia but not 4runner. These frames have the same issue as those and needs to be repaired by Toyota due to lack of rust and corrosion protection. There’s no reason 4runner should be overlooked for the same issue as the other full frame trucks.

THE WHOLE UNDER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE IS RUSTED. IT CAN'T EVEN BE DRIVEN. MY BRAKE LINE BUSTED THE OTHER DAY (WITH MY KIDS IN THE CAR) AND CAUSED ME TO LOSE THE USE OF MY BRAKES. WE ARE OKAY, AND THE MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO REPAIR THE BRAKE LINE. BUT MY MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO STICK A PEN THROUGH THE FRAME. HE SAID WITH THIS EXCESSIVE RUST, I SHOULD FILE A CLAIM. AFTER SEARCHING ONLINE, IT SEEMS THAT THERE HAVE BEEN RECALLS ON OTHER MODELS OF TOYOTA BECAUSE OF RUST. HOPING YOU CAN INVESTIGATE AND MAKE THIS RIGHT. THANK YOU!

Mileage: 126,000

THE REAR TIRE ASSEMBLY RIPPED LOOSE FROM ITS MOUNTS UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS..A LOUD CLUNK NOISE....THEN .BRAKES WERE LOST AND THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHOWED WARNING LIGHTS ON DASH BOARD...CAR IS NOT DRIVABLE...MASSIVE RUST AT FAILURE POINTS

Mileage: 200,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HAVING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE PERFORMED, SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS EXCESSIVE RUST AND HOLES ON THE SUBFRAME. ADDITIONALLY, THE CALIPERS WERE STICKING AND THE OIL PAN WAS RUSTED. THE CONTACT COMPLETED THE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RAMEY TOYOTA (135 FRAZIER DR, PRINCETON, WV 24740, (877) 825-2186) AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUBFRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE SUBFRAME WAS NOT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE 55,000.

Mileage: 55,000

DRIVING ON A 3 LANE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY, STOPPED TRAFFIC, AVS/ABS/BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON WITH A PIERCING NOISE. TRAFFIC BEGAN MOVING APPROX. 10 MPH, BEHIND SEMI, BRAKES WENT TO THE FLOOR. NO BRAKES!!!! FROM CENTER LANE WAS ABLE TO GO THE THE LEFT LANE INTO THE THE SHOULDER. STOPPED NEXT TO CEMENT BARRIER BETWEEN NORTH BOUND AND SOUTH BOUND TRAFFIC (BOTH 3 LANES). SAT THERE SHAKING FOR TOW TRUCK DRIVER FOR AN HOUR AND A HALF WITH SEMI TRUCKS FLYING BY! GOT IT TO A MECHANIC. THEY CALLED BACK THE NEXT DAY TO SAY "WE ARE SORRY BUT THE COMPONENT THAT RUNS THE BRAKE PUMP IS MALFUNCTIONING." "WE RESET IT AND THE BRAKES ARE WORKING NOW, BUT IT WILL ONLY FAIL AGAIN." IT WILL COST A TOTAL OF $5,000 TO REPAIR!!!! THE VEHICLE IS ONLY WORTH $4,500-$7,000 (AT BEST)!!!! LIKE OTHERS ON HERE, THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY, MANY TIMES!!! NO RECALLS!!! THIS COULD HAVE BEEN DEADLY!!! WHAT HAPPENED TO PREVENTION OF HEALTH AND SAFETY?! ARE THEY WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO DIE BEFORE THEY DO SOMETHING?!!! THIS VEHICLE WAS GOING TO MY 16 YEAR OLD NIECE FOR HER FIRST VEHICLE. THANK GOD THAT IT WAS NOT HER DRIVING!!! NOW SHE WILL NOT HAVE A VEHICLE BECAUSE WE DO NOT HAVE $5,000 TO FIX IT AND A GOOD OVERALL VEHICLE SITTING IN OUR DRIVEWAY THAT CAN'T BE USED. I HAVE HAD TOYOTA'S MOST OF MY LIFE, CURRENTLY DRIVE A TUNDRA AS WELL, THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT I CAN TRULY SAY.....SHAME ON YOU TOYOTA/MANUFACTURERS!!!!

Mileage: 188,000

WHILE DRIVING MY ABS, BREAK, VSC TRAC AND VSC OFF LIGHT CAME ON SOLID. IT WAS ALL ACCOMPANIED BY AN ALARM. I WAS IN HEADING DOWN A HILL IN THE SNOW. RIGHT AFTER THE ALERTS CAME ON I HAD A HARD BREAK PEDAL WITH NO MOVEMENT AND NO BREAKS. I WAS NOT ABLE TO USE THE EMERGENCY BREAK AS IN SNOW THAT WOULD NOT HAVE HELPED. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MULTIPLE PEOPLE ONLINE AND ITS CONCERNING THAT IF ABS STOPS/FAULTS YOU LOSE ALL ABILITY TO BREAK AT ALL.

Mileage: 173,000

ONLY A FEW MONTHS AFTER COMPLETE FRONT BRAKE REPLACEMENT:ROTORS, CALIPERS, PADS,WHEN BRAKING AT HIGH SPEED DOWNHILL ON GOOD HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE BEGAN VIBRATING STRONGLY. STOPPED AT MECHANICS TO HAVE IT CHECKED. I HAD THE TIRES BALANCED AND ROTATED. LEFT FRONT BRAKE ROTOR WAS EXTREMELY HOT, DIAGNOSED AS WARPED ROTOR. REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY,CALIPER AND ROTOR AGAIN. NOW ONLY A FEW THOUSAND MILES LATER THE VIBRATION IS BACK AGAIN. THIS SHOULD NOT BE. THIS HAS ALL HAPPENED WITHIN THE PAST 15000 MILES. SOMETHING MORE IS WRONG THAT IS CAUSING THE BRAKES TO MALFUNCTION BUT I DON'T SEE WHAT IT IS.

Mileage: 230,660

MY DAUGHTER RETURNED FROM WORK TWO DAYS AGO AND PARKED THE VEHICLE, SHE DID NOT NOTICE ANYTHING WRONG WITH ITS DRIVABILITY. THE NEXT MORNING SHE STARTED THE VEHICLE AND A LOUD WARNING TONE WAS BEING EMITTED FROM THE DASH. SHE ASKED ME TO LOOK AT IT AND I NOTICED THE BRAKE AND ABS WARNING LIGHTS WERE ON. I TRIED DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL AND IT WENT COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR INSTANTLY. I TRIED BACKING UP THE VEHICLE TO SEE IF REPEATED BRAKING IN REVERSE WOULD PUMP UP THE BRAKES AS IT DOES ON SOME VEHICLES I HAVE OWNED. THAT DID NOTHING AND ALSO UNLIKE OTHER VEHICLES I HAVE DRIVEN, THE BRAKE FAILURE WAS TOTAL. THERE WAS LITTLE TO NO MANUAL BRAKING. TRAVELING IN REVERSE AT MAYBE 3 MPH TOOK FOUR TO FIVE SECONDS TO COME TO A STOP. HAD THIS OCCURRED AT 60 MPH ON THE RURAL ROADS WE LIVE ON, I DON'T THINK WE WOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SAFELY STOP THE VEHICLE. I CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHY ANY CAR WOULD BE DESIGNED WHERE SOME KIND OF ELECTRICAL/COMPUTER FAILURE WOULD RENDER THE VEHICLE UNDRIVABLE INSTANTLY. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A FATAL EVENT HAD IT OCCURRED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. IN SEARCHING THE INTERNET AND YOUR 7 PAGES OF BRAKE RELATED COMPLAINTS ON SPECIFICALLY 2003 4RUNNERS, THERE WERE OVERWHELMING ACCOUNTS OF THE BRAKES TOTALLY FAILING WHILE DRIVING, AND MANY ACCIDENTS REPORTED DUE TO THIS. THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM THE ROAD IMMEDIATELY BEFORE FURTHER INCIDENT AND TOYOTA SHOULD MAKE OWNERS WHOLE DUE TO THIS SERIOUS DESIGN DEFECT.

Mileage: 220,000

WHEN IN MOTION OR STOPPING, ON CITY STREETS OR THE HIGHWAY, TURNING INCLUDED, THE ABS SYSTEM MAKES EXCESSIVE NOSIES SUCH AS CHIRPING, SQUEAKING, AND GRINDING. CURRENTLY, THERE HAS NOT BEEN A CRASH OR INJURY AS A RESULT; HOWEVER, THERE IS DOCUMENTATION WITHIN TOYOTA SERVICE AND ONLINE FORUMS OF THIS ISSUE AND CONCERN AMONG 2003 MODELS.

Mileage: 120,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING IN A PARKING LOT, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN THE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO PRIORITY TOYOTA CHESAPEAKE (1800 GREENBRIER PKWY, CHESAPEAKE, VA 23320, (757) 213-5000) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKES WERE NOT WORKING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE SAME DEALER WHERE A STATE SAFETY INSPECTION HAD BEEN PERFORMED TWO MONTHS EARLIER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE BRAKE REPAIR WOULD COST $5,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 153,596.

Mileage: 153,596

EXTREME FRAME RUST. CAR IS LOW MILEAGE, WELL-KEPT, AND OUTWARDLY IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. RECENTLY SUFFERED NEAR-TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE. TOWED IT TO SHOP FOR REPAIR. SHOP REFUSED TO REPAIR BRAKES. THEY SAID FRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED. THE RUST HAD EATEN AWAY THE POINT WHERE THE BRAKE LINES ATTACHED TO THE FRAME, AND BRAKE FUID WAS LEAKING FROM THAT JUNCTURE. THEY SAID IF THEY REMOVED THE BRAKE LINES TO REPLACE THEM, THEY WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO REATTACH THEM BECAUSE THERE WASN'T ENOUGH GOOD FRAME METAL TO WORK WITH. THEY SAID THE FRAME RUST WAS SO SEVERE THAT THEY FEARED IT COULD BREAK CLEAN THROUGH, OR STEERING OR SUSPENSION PARTS COULD BREAK LOOSE. THEY DID NOT WANT TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR PUTTING WHAT THEY BELIEVED TO BE AN UNSAFE VEHICLE BACK ON THE ROAD. THEY ONLY REASON I DISCOVERED THIS WAS THAT THE RUST CAUSED MY BRAKES TO NEARLY FAIL. TOYOTA HAS HAD RECALLS AND LAWSUITS ON IDENTICAL ISSUES INVOLVING TACOMAS AND OTHER TRUCK-FRAMED VEHICLES. THE 4-RUNNER IS A TRUCK-FRAMED VEHICLE AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. I HAVE PHOTOS THAT THE REPAIR SHOP SENT ME, BUT I CAN'T SEND THEM FFROM THIS COMPUTER.

Mileage: 117,766

THE CONTROL ARM SEPARATED FROM THE ROTTED RUSTED FRAME WHILE DRIVING. ALMOST DIED!

Mileage: 88,000

MOVING VEHICLE AT SCHOOL PARKING LOT - 17 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER DRIVING ABOUT 3 MONTHS AFTER GETTING HER LICENSE. VSC TRAC ABS LIGHTS ALL CAME ON, A LOW TONE NOISE AND THE BRAKE PEDDLE WAS HARD AS A ROCK WHEN DEPRESSING.

Mileage: 160,000

CAR WAS RUNNING PERFECTLY. BRAKES WERE SERVICES 6 MONTHS AGO. TRAVELED FROM NC TO FL FOR HOLIDAY. STARTED CAR MAINTENANCE LIGHT WENT ON SHOWED AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT WITH EAR PIERCING BUZZER. WENT TO DRIVE CAR TO TOYOTA SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND HAD NO BRAKES. THEY WOULD WORK SLIGHTLY BUT TO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. DID NOT HAVE BRAKES

Mileage: 100,000

TAKATA RECALL MY SON AND I BOTH HAVE A TOYOTA 4-RUNNER AND THE ABS HYDRO BUSTER / BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER WENT OUT ON THE 2004 AND IS ABOUT TO GO OUT ON THE 2003. I RECENTLY BOUGHT THE 2003 AND THE PROBLEM RECENTLY STARTED. I'M TRYING TO FIND OUT IF THERE IS A RECALL ON EITHER OF THESE VEHICLES. 2003 4-RUNNER TOYOTA VERY RECENTLY 2004 4-RUNNER TOYOTA I NEED TO VERIFY THE DATE OF PROBLEM THANKS

Mileage: 17,000

THE FRAME ON MY SUV IS VERY RUSTED AND CAUSING CONTINUOUS PROBLEMS. I'VE HAD TO REPLACE NUMEROUS PARTS UNDERNEATH MY CAR (SWAY BARS, TIE RODS). JUST THE OTHER NIGHT WHILE DRIVING HOME IN A SNOW STORM, I COMPLETELY LOST MY BRAKES. TWO OF THE MAIN BRAKE LINES WERE COMPLETELY CORRODED. A NEW FRAME WOULD SOLVE A LOT OF MY PROBLEMS. THEY'VE RECALLED TACOMAS AND SEQUOIAS, WONDERING WHAT THE HOLD UP IS ON THE 4RUNNER RECALL?

Mileage: 245,000

TAMARA RECALL : THE MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER HAS WENT OUT AND EVERYONE WHO I HAVE SPOKE WITH HAS TOLD ME THESE PARTICULAR VEHICLES ARE BAD ABOUT. MY BRAKES GO ALL WAY TO THE FLOOR NO PRESSURE AT ALL AND WILL NOT STOP. I WAS ON AL HWY 278 IN PIEDMONT AND WENT STRAIGHT THROUGH RED LIGHT ALMOST GETTING IT FROM FROM AND REAR OF TRUCK.

ABS PROBLEM DISABLES BRAKES FUNCTION. WHILE DRIVING THE DASH ALERTS LIGHTS (VSC TRACK, ABS AND BRAKES ) WENT ON. THANKS GOD THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING AT A VERY LOW SPEED AND IN A FLAT TERRAIN. A TOYOTA EX-EMPLOYEE TOLD US THAT THE COMPANY BECAME AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM ALMOST 10 YEARS AGO. NO SECURITY ALERT WAS ISSUED. HOWEVER, A COMPANY BULLETIN DESCRIBED THE ABS MALFUNCTION AND OFFERED REPLACEMENT TO THOSE WHO REQUESTED IT. THIS OFFER IS NO LONGER OFFERED. I WENT TO A TOYOTA DEALER AND THE COST TO FIX THE PROBLEM IS 3622.41 FOR SERVICE AND PARTS. AT PRESENT THE UNIT IS OUT OF SERVICE. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND BOUGHT THIS UNIT IN MARCH 1, 2003. IT HAS 58,239 MILES. I HAVE TAKEN THE UNIT FOR SERVICE WHENEVER A RECALL HAS BEEN MADE FOR THIS VEHICLE. TOYOTA COMPANY HAS NEVER ALERTED ME ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF BRAKE MALFUNCTION AND THE SECURITY RISK THAT THIS PROBLEM INVOLVES.

Mileage: 58,230

CONTINUOUS BRAKE CALIPER ISSUES WITH THEN LOCKING UP CAUSING THEM TO PREMATURELY WEAR OUT ROTORS AND PADS. NOW WITH THE CAUSE OF THIS ISSUE, LOST BRAKE PRESSURE ALL TOGETHER ALMOST CAUSING ME THE DRIVER CREATE AN ACCIDENT IN AN INTERSECTION THAT COULD HAVE BEEN A DEVASTATING OUTCOME. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 155000 MILES, THIS SHOULD NEVER HAVE HAPPENED, I'VE ALREADY PAID IT OFF POCKET ALOT OF MONEY FOR THE BRAKE CALIPER ISSUE THAT I COULD HAVE BOUGHT A NEWER VEHICLE. THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED CLOSELY.

Mileage: 155,000

FRONT BRAKE CALIPER PISTONS SEIZED UP CAUSING ME TO GO THROUGH A STOP LIGHT. SEE ENCLOSED VIDEO. PLEASE REVIEW ALL THE COMPLAINTS REGARDING TOYOTA 4RUNNER CALIPER PISTONS SEIZING UP. THIS IS A SERIOUS DESIGN DEFECT THAT REQUIRES YOUR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION.

Mileage: 100,000

RECENTLY BOUGHT MY 4RUNNER, TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TO BE INSPECTED, ONLY FOR THEM TO TELL ME THAT THE FRAME WAS COMPROMISED DUE TO RUST DAMAGE. TOYOTA HAS AGREED TO REPLACE FRAMES ON TACOMA'S, TUNDRA'S AND SEQUOIA'S, BUT NOT 4RUNNERS, EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE ALL THE SAME FRAMES.

Mileage: 87,300

THE VEHICLE FEELS LIKE IT'S BOTTOMING OUT GOING OVER THE SLIGHTEST LITTLE BUMP WHEN IN MOTION AND THE ROTORS WERE MAKING A HORRIBLE SOUND GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY EVEN AFTER THE BRAKES HAD BEEN CHECKED. SPENT $400+ ON NEW BRAKES & ROTORS ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT THE FRAME IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT AND THE MECHANIC ADVISED US NOT TO DRIVE IT AT ALL. IT WAS TOO DANGEROUS AND WOULD CAUSE A BAD WRECK WHEN IT FINALLY DID DROP OUT.

Mileage: 123,112

CATASTROPHIC BRAKE LOSS WITHOUT WARNING. VSC, TAC AND E-BRAKE LIGHTS WITH LOUD AUDIBLE ALARM WITH LOSS OF ABILITY TO BRAKE. ONLY WITH STRONGEST PRESSURE ON BRAKE WAS ABLE TO SLOW VEHICLE. FORTUNATELY, NO COLLISION OR INJURIES OCCURRED. REPORT THIS TO TOYOTA - NO ADVISORY OR RECALL NOTICE HAS BEEN ISSUED. REPRESENTATIVE TOLD ME THAT NO ONE WOULD CONTACT ME AND THE CASE WOULD BE CLOSE. THIS FLIES IN THE FACE OF A MANUFACTURES LIABILITY TO NOTIFY OF POTENTIAL PRODUCT FAILURE AS LONG A PRODUCT IS IN USE. THIS IS A 2003 TOYOTA R RUNNER WITH 166830 MILES. TOYOTA WORK ORDER LIST THIS AS A BAKER BOOSTER MOTOR ASSY INTERNAL PART FAILURE. COST TO REPLACE THIS NECESSARY SAFETY EQUIPMENT WAS 3,817 DOLLARS.

Mileage: 166,385

WHILE PULLING INTO A GROCERY STORE PARKING LOT, ALOUD CABIN ALARM SOUND AND ABS, VSC AND TRAC AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASH CAME ON. MY VEHICLE SEEMED TO STOP OK SO WE DID OUR SHOPPING, WHEN WE STARTED THE CAR IT STILL HAD THE LIGHTS LIT UP AND BRAKED OK. WE WERE CLOSE TO HOME SO I DROVE SLOWLY TRYING TO GET THERE ABOUT HALF WAY HOME I APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WAS HARD AS A ROCK AND WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN THE CAR APPLYING EMERGENCY BREAK AND USING SHIFTER IN ORDER TO STOP AND AVOID CRASHING WE GOT IT HOME ACCIDENT FREE. TODAY A TALKED TO A TOYOTA SPECIALTY SHOP AND EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM AND HIS FIRST RESPONSE WAS THE ABS PUMP AND MASTER CYLINDER FAILURE. VEHICLE HAS 105000 MILES AND THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE I HAVE NEVER HAD A VEHICLE BRAKES FAIL WITHOUT A BACK UP SYSTEM FOR SAFETY.I HAVE READ 1000S OF POSTS AND THREADS 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. THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON OCCURRENCE AND TOYOTA IS VERY AWARE OF THE SITUATION BUT NO RECALL. THIS SITUATION MERITS AN INVESTIGATION BY TOYOTA AND A RECALL SHOULD BE AWARDED BEFORE HUMAN LIFE IS LOST IN AN ACCIDENT.

Mileage: 2

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND FELT STIFF, WHICH CAUSED A LONGER BRAKING TIME. WHEN THE FAILURE FIRST OCCURRED, ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS WERE ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED AND THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LOSING BRAKE POWER WHILE BEING OPERATED AT HIGHER SPEEDS. THE MECHANIC RECOMMENDED THAT THE MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER ASSEMBLY BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000.

Mileage: 90,000

I AM DEEPLY DISTURBED BY THE THOUGHT ITSELF THAT MY SON AND I COULD HAVE DIED OR SEVERELY INJURED WHILE THE BRAKES DIDN'T WORK LAST WEEKEND. ALL OF A SUDDEN, BUNCH OF LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD CAME ON AND CONTINUED LOUD SOUND STARTED COMING FROM THE DASHBOARD WHEN I WAS REACHING MY SON'S SCHOOL TO DROP HIM OFF FOR A TENNIS MATCH. WHILE I FEEL VERY FORTUNATE THAT I WAS DRIVING VERY SLOW AND I WAS ABLE TO APPLY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE CAR BEFORE IT HIT ANY OTHER VEHICLE OR A TREE, I AM VERY CONCERNED FOR THE SAFETY OF THE OTHER DRIVERS WHO MAY FACE THE SAME ISSUE WHILE DRIVING AT A HIGHER SPEED AND/OR ON A BUSY ROAD. I WOULD LIKE YOUR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION TO THIS ISSUE AND REQUEST YOU TO INVESTIGATE THE ISSUE WITH TOYOTA. THERE ARE FEW OTHERS WHO HAVE REPORTED THE SAME ISSUE. TOYOTA DISMISSES THE CASE BY SAYING ITS 'WEAR AND TEAR'. HOW CAN WEAR AND TEAR CAN BE A JUSTIFICATION WHEN IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND PEOPLE CAN LOSE LIVES? PLEASE DON'T WAIT TO WARN AND INVESTIGATE UNTIL SOMEONE LOSES A LOVED ONE'S LIFE.

Mileage: 162,000

WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH ON A CITY STREET, WITH MY LITTLE GIRL IN THE VEHICLE, BREAKS FAILED AND LOUD CABIN ALARM SOUND AND ABS, VSC AND TRAC DASH LIGHTS CAME ON. WE WERE CLOSE TO HOME SO WE GOT IT THERE INTO THE GARAGE APPLYING EMERGENCY BREAK AND USING SHIFTER IN ORDER TO STOP AND AVOID CRASHING. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP TWICE AS THEY SAID THE FIXED IT AFTER ONLY HAVING IT 30 MINUTES AND SAID THE ACCUMULATOR PUMP WAS BLOCKED UP. CAME HOME, DROVE IT TWICE AND THE ONE WEEK LATER ALL THE BELLS AND WHISTLES GO OFF AGAIN. HAD IT TOWED ONCE AGAIN AND NOW BEING TOLD THAT IT WILL COST US $4000 TO FIX. VERY ODD TOYOTA GOES FROM A THIRTY-MINUTE CHARGE AND FIX TO A THREE-DAY PROCESS BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO ORDER PART AND COST US $4000. SUPPOSEDLY THE ABS PUMP BREAK MASTER CYLINDER IS BAD AND HAS TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE READ 1000S OF POSTS AND THREADS 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. THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON OCCURRENCE AND TOYOTA IS VERY AWARE OF THE SITUATION BUT NO RECALL. THIS SITUATION MERITS AN INVESTIGATION BY TOYOTA AND A RECALL SHOULD BE AWARDED BEFORE HUMAN LIFE IS LOST IN AN ACCIDENT. THEY SHOULD ALSO FIND A BETTER LESS EXPENSIVE FIX. GENERATIONS OF MY FAMILY HAVE PUT OUR FAITH INTO TOYOTA VEHICLES AND TO BE SCREWED LIKE THIS IS JUST NOT FAIR. THE ECONOMY BAILED CAR DEALERSHIPS OUT WHEN THEY WERE GOING UNDER AND THEY CAN'T DO THE RIGHT THING TAKING OWNERSHIP OF THIS KNOWN ISSUE. WILL ANALYSIS MY OPTIONS WHEN BUYING ANOTHER TOYOTA.

Mileage: 135,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VSC AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM ENGAGED AND LOCKED THE FRONT BRAKES. THE VEHICLE VIOLENTLY PULLED TO THE LEFT LANE AND THE STEERING AND BRAKES FAILED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE AND REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WERE UNAWARE OF THE FAILURE PREVIOUSLY OCCURRING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 167,000.

Mileage: 167,000

I'VE BEEN DOING RESEARCH ONLINE FOR THE NON STOP VCS TRAC, VCS OFF, ABS AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS AND BUZZERS GOING OFF. IT HAS BEEN DESCRIBED AS A COMMON ISSUE WITH TOYOTA AND CAN LEAD TO COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKES, BUT NO RECALL. THE DEALERSHIP WANTS $3200 FOR THE PART AND $600 TO INSTALL. I GUESS TOYOTA NEEDS FATALITIES TO BACK THEIR PRODUCT. SHAME ON TOYOTA.

Mileage: 54,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE ABS, EMERGENCY BRAKE, AND VSC TRAC LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT PLACED THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE AND THEN DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. THE CONTACT QUICKLY PLACED THE GEAR IN PARK AND CALLED A TOW TRUCK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE HYDRAULIC ABS AND THE TC MOTOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE SHOP FOR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 260,000.

Mileage: 260,000

OWNER WAS DRIVING VEHICLE IN A CITY AT 10 MPH WHEN ABS, VSC, TRAC AND EBRAKE LIGHT CAME ON ALONG WITH AN ALARM SOUND. BRAKES COMPLETELY FAILED AND WOULD NOT RESPOND ON SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. MANAGED TO SLOW CAR TO SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT HITTING ANYTHING BY PRESSING EBRAKE AND PUMPING BRAKE PEDAL. TOWED TO AUTO REPAIR SHOP AND WAS TOLD THAT THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER COMPLETELY FAILED AND BRAKES WOULD NOT WORK WITHOUT REPLACING THE ENTIRE BRAKE BOOSTER ASSEMBLY. QUOTED $3100 FOR REPAIR. BASED ON SOME INTERNET SEARCHING, THIS APPEARS TO BE A FAIRLY COMMON ISSUE ON THIS MODEL/YEAR. DISAPPOINTED THAT TOYOTA HAS NOT PROVIDED SOME FIX FOR THIS ISSUE WHICH COULD PROVE INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS.

Mileage: 65,000

MY FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS CONTINUE TO FREEZE OR SEIZE AND CAUSES THE BRAKE PADS TO STICK TO THE ROTORS. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THIS HAS OCCURRED SINCE I OWNED THE TRUCK. RECENTLY, UPON REPLACING THE BOTH FRONT CALIPERS, BRAKE PADS, AND ROTORS, AFTER BLEEDING THE BRAKES THE BRAKE SYSTEM NOW ONLY WORKED IN THE FRONT BRAKES AND NOT THE REAR BRAKES. *TR

Mileage: 169,251

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING, THE ABS, PARKING BRAKE, VSC AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT LOST ALL BRAKING CONTROL IMMEDIATELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER THAT CONTROLS THE ABS AND BOOSTER WAS DEFECTIVE AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DECLINED TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

Mileage: 100,000

EXACT SAME ISSUE IDENTIFIED IN: DATE COMPLAINT FILED: 01/07/2015 COMPONENT(S): SERVICE BRAKES DATE OF INCIDENT: 01/05/2015 NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10670783 DROVE CAR TO SHOP WITHOUT LOSING BRAKE POWER. QUOTED $3,000 AND TOLD THE ABS ACTUATOR REQUIRES REPLACEMENT. I'VE REPLACED TRANSMISSIONS AND ENGINE PARTS OVER CAR LIFETIMES, BUT NEVER RUN INTO THIS PART FAILING BEFORE, NOT EVEN IN A FORD. WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THIS IS A DESIGN DEFECT. *TR

Mileage: 165,588

I WAS DRIVING NORMALLY WITH NO ISSUES ON LOCAL STREETS. SUDDENLY THE VSC,TRAC, AND E-BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON THE DASHBOARD WITH A VERY LOUD AUDIBLE ALARM. NO PRIOR ISSUES WITH THIS SYSTEM. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE SLOWLY HOME ON SIDE ROADS (1.5 MILES AWAY). I MADE IT TO MY DRIVEWAY, PULLED IN ON MY UPSLOPING DRIVEWAY AND THEN I HAD NO BRAKES. PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR INTO THE STREET AND HAD IT TOWED TO THE SHOP. I FEEL LUCKY TO HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN AT LOW SPEED AND IN TOWN. THERE WAS LITTLE TO NO WARNING FOR A CRITICAL SYSTEM FAILURE. DIAGNOSIS BY MECHANIC IS BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER/TRACTION CONTROL MODULE, AT APPROXIMATELY $3000 TO REPLACE. I HAVE FOUND MULTIPLE INCIDENTS OF THIS FAILURE ACROSS MULTIPLE VEHICLE TYPES. THE LACK OF RESPONSIVENESS UPON FAILURE (INCLUDING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE) AND THE SHORT WINDOW TO REACT MAKES ME FEEL LUCKY THAT I DID NOT HIT OR HARM MYSELF OR ANYONE ELSE WITH THIS FAILURE. *TR

Mileage: 102,000

WE WERE DRIVING ALONG NORMALLY, THE VSC, TRAC, ABS AND E-BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON THE DASHBOARD, ALONG WITH AN AUDIBLE ALARM. THEN WE HAD NO BRAKES. I HAD TO PUSH WITH ALL MY STRENGTH JUST TO SLOW DOWN AT ALL. WE WERE LUCKY WE DID NOT CRASH, WE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. I AM FINDING OUT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THIS YEAR AND MODEL, AS WELL AS OTHER TOYOTA MODELS THAT USE THE SAME BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER/TRACTION CONTROL MODULE. *TR

Mileage: 160,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION WHEN THEY DETECTED THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL, REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM AND FRAME WERE SEVERELY CORRODED. ONE OF THE TWO REAR LOWER CONTROL ARMS HAD BECOME SLIGHTLY DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ALSO EXHIBITED CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Mileage: 90,000

I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE IN FEBRUARY OF 2010. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE BOTH FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS THREE TIMES EACH. I HAD TO HAVE BOTH REAR BRAKE CALIPERS REPLACED TWICE EACH. CURRENTLY MY RIGHT REAR BRAKE CALIPER IS MALFUNCTIONING. ALL OF MY BRAKE CALIPERS HAVE BEEN SEIZING UP AND THE COST TO HAVE THEM REPAIRED IS EXPENSIVE. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE ALONG WITH AN EXPENSIVE ONE. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS INTERNET COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE EDITION HAVING BRAKE PROBLEMS AND THE COMPANY WILL NOT ADDRESS IT. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE SUCH AS REDESIGNING THE BRAKE CALIPERS FOR THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE. THANK YOU. *TR

Mileage: 72,000

MY 4RUNNER WAS MAKING A FUNNY NOISE, AND THE BRAKES FELT WEIRD. I WAS DUE FOR AN OIL CHANGE, AND THAT'S WHEN I HAD THE MECHANIC AT THE NEWARK TOYOTA WORLD IN NEWARK, DELAWARE, WHICH I ALWAYS USE, CHECK THE BRAKES, AND THAT'S WHEN I WAS TOLD IT WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $1,200.00. WHICH IS VERY DIFFICULT FOR ME AT THIS TIME TO COME UP WITH SINCE MY HUSBAND HAS BEEN UNEMPLOYED SINCE OCTOBER OF 2012. BUT, I NEED A CAR FOR MY JOB, SO I HAD NO OTHER CHOICE, I CAN'T DRIVE IT WITHOUT BRAKES. *TR

Mileage: 125,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND TO DECELERATION ATTEMPTS AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS AWAITING DIAGNOSIS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 93,000.

Mileage: 93,000

ON APPROXIMATELY FEBRUARY 28, 2012, THE ABS/TRAC CONTROL/VSC LIGHTS CAME ON AND REMAINED LIT ON MY 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID TO BRING IT IN RIGHT AWAY. THEY DIAGNOSED THE CAR AND CAME UP WITH "NO SENSOR READING?. IT COST ME $150 FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST. I PICKED UP THE CAR AND A FEW WEEKS LATER I BROUGHT IT BACK FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THE COMPUTER THEN INDICATED THAT THERE WAS A FAULTY O2 SENSOR WHICH THEY REPLACED MY COST WAS OVER $650. THE NEXT WEEK THE LIGHTS CAME ON AGAIN. THE DEALERSHIP KEPT THE CAR FOR A FEW DAYS BUT LATER REPORTED THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THEY TOLD ME THAT I SHOULD WAIT UNTIL IT GOT WORSE AND BRING IT BACK. I SUFFERED WITH THIS PROBLEM FOR MONTHS. I SAY SUFFERED BECAUSE WHEN I WAS IN PARK AND THESE LIGHTS CAME ON, I COULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK. THE LIGHTS WOULD EVENTUALLY GO AWAY AND ALLOW ME TO DRIVE. ON 8/24 THE PROBLEM BECAME WORSE. I COULD NOT SHIFT MY CAR OUT OF PARK FOR MORE THAN 15 MINUTES ON OVER 10 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE WARNING LIGHTS REMAINED LIT ALMOST CONSTANTLY OVER 3 DAYS. WHEN I CALLED TO RETURN THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP ON 8/27, THE SERVICE PERSON SAID THAT SHE THOUGHT THERE WAS A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH THAT ISSUE, BUT THEN TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS NOT. LATER THAT DAY, THEY CALLED AND SAID THAT THEY AGAIN COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. AFTER A QUICK INTERNET SEARCH, IT SEEMS THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME EXPERIENCE THAT I HAVE HAD ON VARIOUS TOYOTA VEHICLES. I FEEL AN INVESTIGATION IS APPROPRIATE IN THIS INSTANCE. *TR

Mileage: 50,000