Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2000 Toyota 4Runner owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
On February of 2004 I just bought my Toyota 4runner. On the way home the brakes were vibrating when I would press on the brakes. So I turned around and brought it right back to the dealer. (family Toyota) they in turn fixed the problem. About a month later the same thing happened they vibrated. I took it to b&d auto friends of mine and they told me I needed to get my rotor replaced so I did. $310 in repairs. Now after being totally in love with this 4runner it is doing it again. Dec. 2005 I took it back to b&d auto and same problem needed rotors and the brakes or wearing at different angles. So I had it replaced. ($310) again. This past weekend 1/13/2007 I was out with my friends camping and I had to do some dirt driving up and down steep hills. The bakes under heavy pressure didn't do so well. …
When pulling my 2000 limited 4wd 4 runner back onto the highway over a 1inch piece of asphalt my entire wheel came off, causing my vehcle to flip. In addition, that 4runner and the replacement 2000 4wd 4runner's antiskid/anti lock brakes failed and locked when depressing the brakes while hitting a small bump in the road. The vehicle doesn't stop and has almost caused a number of accidents both with other vehicles and with people in the crosswalk.
My 2000 Toyota 4runner shakes at speeds above 60mph. It also does this while braking. It is visibly noticeable in the steering wheel, but all passengers in the car can feel the shaking and vibration. It becomes almost violent and alarming around 70mph. I have taken it to several repair shops and no one can find a solution. I have read hundreds of posts about this problem that ranges from 96-08 models.
I have less than 50,000 miles and I am on my 3rd set of rotors. The last set lasted less than a year. I don't understand why this is happening. The rotors sure look small for the size of the truck and the size of the tires. I can tell you that I have never had to replace rotors before on any of my vehicles. The dealer said it could be my wife's fault. I don't know what that means.. Please help me.
Experience heavy vibration when brakes are applied especially when going down hills. I have been through 2 sets of rotors in 2 years. Dealer is of no help. I am a single mom and drive my children around in this SUV daily. This seems to be a safety issue, just wanted it out there in case anything ever happens.
Frame rust exceeds normal wear and tear. Frame rusted right through. Bolts rusted. The frame absolutely disintegrating. Entire frame needs to be replaced. Brakes the ABS initiates at nearly every stop. Whole system needs to be replaced.
Consumer noticed that while at a complete stop and without any indication gas pedal traveled to floorboard, forcing consumer into another vehicle while brakes were still depressing. Manufacturer and dealer had been notified.
I was driving around a curve at about 25 to 30 miles per hour speed on a slightly wet road. When I applied brakes, the vehicle skidded out of control and hit the divider wall on the passanger side and rolled over.
I have 49,000 miles on Toyota 4 runner and am on my 4th set of rotors. Dealer claims it is our driving habits and not the fault of the design. They are 16" brakes on 16" tires; tires are OEM from Goodyear.
My dealer told me that under normal driving contions, that my rotorswill get out of true. They say this is do to heat, aka long braking, down hill. I talked with my service manager at fremont Toyota about this and his 4runner does it, but is a few years older than my truck. If the rotters heat and get out of true and while braking downhill the front end of the 4runner has a magjor vibration and the truck feels like its you could lose control. I have talked with other people about and they(old Toyota works, etc.) say that the 4runner braking system is not designed right. If the rotters get out of true under normal driving condition the rotters get out of true, caused by heat; it seems that the heat disapation for the fron brakes needs to be better and or a bigger/harder rotter to handle the wight of the truck and it brakes and the rotters heat up.
Brake complaints in other 4Runner years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2000 Toyota 4Runner?
NHTSA has 33 complaints about the brakes of the 2000 Toyota 4Runner, 7% of the model year's 483 complaints. The component named most often is foundation components › disc › rotor (13 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Toyota 4Runner brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2000 Toyota 4Runner. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2000 Toyota 4Runner brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 35,000 miles, and 29% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 0 fires and 3 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.