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 2007 Toyota 4Runner owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
"I am requesting that dot NHTSA investigate the driver's contribution to unintended acceleration (ua) and Toyota's accelerator/brake pedal designs that make it possible. I was driving my Toyota 4 runner in the neighborhood street of my community. My speed was less than 30mph and it accelerated suddenly. I applied the brake and instead of slowing down the vehicle began to gain speed. I pressed harder on the brake and it accelerated. The harder I tried to stop the car, the faster it went. I took my foot off the brake for a moment and the vehicle stopped accelerating. My foot was on the brake. It accelerated and would not stop so I pulled the car from the street to the curb covered by grass. It slowed down to some extent and then I intentionally to a turn and hit the median curb & tree to stop the car. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Toyota 4runner. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and went to the floorboard. The contact stated that while making a right turn into his neighborhood, the brake pedal was depressed along with parking brake to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was inspected and the contact became aware of a leak coming from the bleeder valve and caliper. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 163,714.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Toyota 4runner. After starting the vehicle, a high pitched audible alarm sounded and the ABS, traction control, and emergency brake sensors remained illuminated. Also, when depressing the brake pedal to stop the vehicle, the brakes malfunctioned and the pedal traveled to the floorboard. The vehicle was towed to jim hudson Toyota (970 columbiana dr, irmo,sc) , but the cause of the failure could not be determined. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 111,000.
Vehicle frame is extremely corroded to the point where replacing necessary items such as shocks/struts/steering components is not possible without irreparable damage. Factory welds at critical points of the frame structure are starting to fail and causing safety concerns. This vehicle is regularly garaged and only has 85,000 miles. This is unacceptable, there have been previous recalls and for other models that share this exact same frame and suspension.
When I am driving on a bumpy unlevel street and stepping on the brake paddle to slow down the brakes give out and then catch again, I find this to be very dangerous and might even cause an accident especially if there is another car to my front, this has happened to me quite a few times. The brake system has to be checked on a bumpy paved road, brakes will catch and release and catch and release. This happens every time I am on a bumpy paved road.
The battery died unexpectedly (about 3 years old) and when we replaced it and tried to drive it, there was a loud continuous beep from the dash and no brakes. We replaced the ABS fuse, which blew again immediately. We had to have it towed to the shop and it was confirmed it was the brake module. This exact issue just happened with our 2013 camry and it was replaced under a manufacturer warranty. I drive my kids in this car. We could have died.
The whole area of exposed steel has been so corroded with rust that I acnnot even remove bolts to service several of the key components in the engine compartment. The frame, cross members, suspension etc. Are also affected in this way.I'm no expert but it is progressively becoming more and more unsafe to drive especially if I lose brakes or some other necessary function. Please help, is this a bad batch of cheap steel?
The braking system vibrates and squeals when driving and braking... Told the ABS/master cylinder system needs to be replaced at the cost of $3082.25. Started noticing problems at about 128000 miles on vehicle. Doesn't seem right that there is a major malfunction/repair needed with such low mileage
The dashboard alarm sounded and the ABS, vsc, brake, and traction control warning lights illuminated. This was followed by complete brake failure. Fully depressing the brake pedal would not stop the vehicle. Dealer diagnosed a failed master cylinder assembly.
Purchased pre-owned 4 runner ?certified? From russel Toyota 12/07 with approx 21K miles. Complained of unusual brake performance immediately but was told the vehicle was ?performing to factory specs? Brake performance issues including aggressive stopping, stiff pedal, loss of pressure, and random ?anti-skid system? Responses nearly caused a few accidents. On 3/14, approx 23K miles, complete brake failure, no pressure, accident avoided and coasted vehicle to a stop, pressure did not return. 4runner towed to dealer, master cylinder was ?internally leaking? And replaced. Symptoms continue and vehicle is completely unsafe. Numerous attempts have failed to re-produce the intermittent problem at the dealer and therefore the dealer keeps saying there is nothing wrong. …
Brake complaints in other 4Runner years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2007 Toyota 4Runner?
NHTSA has 29 complaints about the brakes of the 2007 Toyota 4Runner, 19% of the model year's 154 complaints. The component named most often is pedals and linkages (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2007 Toyota 4Runner brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2007 Toyota 4Runner, though it has 5 recalls for other components. 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 2007 Toyota 4Runner brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles, and 16% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 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.