Brake complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 26 | 43% | 0 miles |
| 2024 | 2 | 22% | — |
| 2023 | 2 | 6% | 9,000 miles |
| 2022 | 5 | 13% | — |
| 2021 | 6 | 17% | — |
| 2020 | 5 | 15% | 6,000 miles |
| 2019 | 5 | 8% | 2,000 miles |
| 2018 | 6 | 10% | 26,000 miles |
| 2017 | 9 | 25% | 13,000 miles |
| 2016 | 5 | 6% | 25,000 miles |
| 2015 | 4 | 5% | 47,000 miles |
| 2014 | 5 | 6% | 71,000 miles |
| 2013 | 5 | 14% | 28,000 miles |
| 2012 | 7 | 7% | 4,000 miles |
| 2011 | 8 | 5% | 15,000 miles |
| 2010 | 11 | 7% | 17,000 miles |
| 2008 | 15 | 16% | 41,000 miles |
| 2007 | 29 | 19% | 80,000 miles |
| 2006 | 34 | 9% | 81,000 miles |
| 2005 | 32 | 8% | 76,000 miles |
| 2004 | 82 | 12% | 99,000 miles |
| 2003 | 74 | 11% | 100,000 miles |
| 2002 | 21 | 9% | 145,000 miles |
| 2001 | 9 | 5% | 90,000 miles |
| 2000 | 33 | 7% | 35,000 miles |
| 1999 | 26 | 8% | 97,000 miles |
| 1998 | 13 | 5% | 143,000 miles |
| 1997 | 29 | 11% | 128,000 miles |
| 1996 | 18 | 11% | 150,000 miles |
| 1995 | 6 | 3% | 86,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
On August 29, 2026, I was stopped at a red light with my foot on the brake when I noticed the vehicle moving forward even though I was pressing the brake pedal. I immediately entered a nearby parking lot at very low speed. I had significant difficulty stopping and used the electronic parking brake to help keep the vehicle stopped. While still inside, I noticed a strong burning smell and smoke. After exiting, I saw smoke coming from the passenger side. I walked to that side and saw flames coming from the area near the passenger-side tire. I attempted to extinguish the fire with a small amount of water. I then opened the hood and observed fire in the same general passenger-side area, including near the tire and around the battery area. The heat/fire was severe enough to crack and damage the windshield. I called 911, and the fire department responded and extinguished the fire. …
The contact owns a 2025 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated while reversing at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound while the brake pedal was depressed, and the vehicle shuddered. No warning lights were illuminated. The failure had occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed; however, the cause of the failure was not yet determined. The dealer made the contact aware that the failure was a known issue. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken to another dealer, Servco Toyota Honolulu (2850 Pukoloa St #200, Honolulu, HI 96819); to be diagnosed; however, the cause of the failure was not yet determined. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 5.
On numerous occasions, while driving in a straight line with our adaptive cruise control on, our 2022 Toyota 4Runner will automatically actuate the vehicle's brakes when approaching a slower or stationary vehicle that is either to the left or right, but not directly in front of our vehicle. This sudden speed reduction has almost caused any following vehicles to almost collide with the back of our 4Runner. It has happened to us at speeds between 30 MPH and 65 MPH. When it happens, one has to quickly tap the brakes to deactivate the adaptive cruise control then get on the accelerator pedal to avoid a collision with any following vehicle. We have taken our 4Runner into two separate Toyota dealerships on three separate occasions to have this problem diagnosed and repaired. The first dealership told us repeatedly that there is no issue. …
Suddenly had difficult time stopping the vehicle without "pumping" the brakes. Brake pedal went to the floor, and car would not hold stopped. There were no warning lamps during the 400 miles of driving from western NY to Michigan for a Holiday with family. Had this happened as I was waiting in line on the downhill side of the Blue Water Bridge in Michigan, it would have been quite difficult to keep in line, not touching the car in front of us. We felt lucky to have discovered the problem while going to run an errand later. We saw no external leaks to the brake system (no fluid leaking) while trying to investigate what could be happening. The problem was reported to me as a leak in the brake master cylinder which was replaced under warranty at a Toyota dealer in Grand Blanc MI. …
was going to work on rt 80 east had cruise control on and was getting off exit 45 in new jersey to get bus into manhattan at approx 430 amwhile getting off highway stepped on brakes pedal went to floor tried pumping nothing happened nor did criuise control disengage or collision warning come on a total collapse of system had this car for approx 1 month purchased used at paramus mercedes benz took this vehicle to my mechanic for a full inpection everything was good vehicle had approx 22000 miles on it at purchase lost all control and crashed going off roadway and sliding down bridge abuttment car is a total loss rushed to hospital car was hauled off abutment by wrecker company police fire and ambulance showed up had to break sunroof to get me out no one could belive i survived this happened yesterday feb 3 2023 called toyota corporate and they issued me a claim number as well as my …
While pulling this vehicle in to my garage about halfway in the brake pedal went to the floor and the vehicle hit a bench on the opposite side of the entrance. After pumping the brakes after waiting about 10 minutes they seemed to work normally. I backed the vehicle out of the garage and saw NO fluid under the vehicle. The next morning the vehicle was towed the the dealer collision shop and then taken to the service department at the dealer. This problem; ,after almost 2 months was never solved....corporate offices checked the data recorder...no conclusions.....and implied this problem did not occur. The body is now being repaired yet no brake problem has been ever repaired. ( under warranty....31,967 miles ). I understand a similar problem occured in New Jersey although on the road and the driver had to be removed through the sunroof and the vehicle was totaled.
Break problem after letting car sit overnight and coming up to a stop sign or anything slowly pedal goes to the floor If you pump tge pedal the brakes will come back and seem to work fine except when sitting In a drive-through line with your foot on the brake pedal it'll slowly lose brake pressure and you'll start creeping forward until the pedal starts going lower and lower And requires excessive pressure to hold vehicle stopped. It doesn't happen all the time but it is fairly consistent. Especially through the drive thru line is when you notice it Took to dealership dealership said there was nothing wrong with it
UNKNOWN but not really a "Safety Issue" in the true sense of the meaning. Front Brakes. Loud squeal from brakes under cold climate conditions. Dealership has inspected but nothing found. Mentioned NHTSA # 10190453 & TSB #T-TT-0636-20 REV to the service manager but they stated that there is/was no official "TSB" for brake squeal issue on my vehicle. I believe they were referring to a Toyota "T-SB-#######", rather than the "T-TT-0636-20 REV". I did not get any info from dealership since no official "TSB" is published?
NHTSA investigations
Corroded brake lines
Toyota is conducting a safety recall in Canada 98-253. Corroded brake lines could fail resulting in a partial brak system loss and increased stopping distances
Frequently asked questions
Which Toyota 4Runner years have brake problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2004 (82), 2003 (74), 2006 (34), 2000 (33) and 2005 (32) model years. Brake complaints make up 12% of all complaints for the 2004.
Is there a recall for Toyota 4Runner brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for any Toyota 4Runner model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Toyota 4Runner brake problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 81,000 miles; 37% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (68 mentions), followed by the foundation components › disc › rotor (27).
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.