Brake complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 5 | 5% | 18,000 miles |
| 2024 | 33 | 21% | 18,000 miles |
| 2023 | 6 | 11% | 43,000 miles |
| 2022 | 6 | 10% | 0 miles |
| 2021 | 12 | 15% | 9,000 miles |
| 2020 | 13 | 14% | 4,000 miles |
| 2019 | 56 | 26% | 4,000 miles |
| 2018 | 48 | 23% | 14,000 miles |
| 2017 | 32 | 13% | 18,000 miles |
| 2016 | 19 | 6% | 5,000 miles |
| 2015 | 12 | 12% | 9,000 miles |
| 2014 | 17 | 18% | 11,000 miles |
| 2013 | 18 | 14% | 30,000 miles |
| 2012 | 22 | 7% | 55,000 miles |
| 2011 | 13 | 7% | 40,000 miles |
| 2010 | 21 | 7% | 20,000 miles |
| 2009 | 35 | 7% | 19,000 miles |
| 2008 | 30 | 7% | 28,000 miles |
| 2007 | 43 | 8% | 26,000 miles |
| 2006 | 49 | 6% | 51,000 miles |
| 2005 | 26 | 4% | 35,000 miles |
| 2004 | 24 | 6% | 60,000 miles |
| 2003 | 19 | 5% | 89,000 miles |
| 2002 | 17 | 5% | 38,000 miles |
| 2001 | 22 | 6% | 143,000 miles |
| 2000 | 10 | 5% | 66,000 miles |
| 1999 | 5 | 2% | — |
| 1998 | 21 | 7% | 134,000 miles |
| 1997 | 6 | 5% | — |
| 1996 | 12 | 5% | 111,000 miles |
| 1995 | 4 | 2% | 163,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2025 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 10 MPH, the rear driver's and passenger's side rotors and brake pads suddenly detached. No warning lights were illuminated. Upon further inspection, the contact became aware of metal debris on the ground by the rear wheels. The vehicle was scheduled to be towed to a local dealer for further investigation. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. In addition, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign: 25V058000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 18,000.
My father and I both purchased a 2025 Toyota Tacoma SR5 2WD double cab last year brand new from different dealerships, both were in FL. My father was driving his new Tacoma with adaptive cruise control engaged, this was on an interstate, and the vehicle in front of him moved to the left lane next to him and started braking and this caused his vehicle to start braking extremely hard with no vehicles in front of him (he was driving about 55mph when this happened). He said this has happened to him before. I was in the vehicle with him when this happened. When I was driving from his home in GA a few days later, back to my home in FL, I was on the interstate ([redacted]) with the adaptive cruise control engaged and the exact same thing happened with my truck. A semi truck in front of me moved into the lane to the right and started braking. …
The contact owns a 2024 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the local dealer for recall service related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V058000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). While driving at 15-30 MPH, the vehicle lost braking function and crashed into a tree. After the failure, the low brake and the low brake power message were displayed. The driver had not sustained any injuries. The occupant in the passenger seat sustained spinal injuries and neck irritation; medical attention and surgery were provided. There was no reported fire, police report filed, or air bag deployment. The towing company was contacted, who informed him there was brake fluid on the driver-side rear brake line. The vehicle was towed to his residence. The next day, it was towed to a body shop. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. …
The contact owns a 2024 Toyota Tacoma. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V058000(Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while reversing at 5-7 MPH and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to respond, accelerated unintendedly, and crashed into an unoccupied parked vehicle. The other vehicle sustained damage. There was no injury sustained. The contact was able to drive away from the scene. A police report was filed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 13,652.
My vehicle was T-boned while driving through an intersection. After being hit, my vehicle continued moving forward, but the brakes would not engage or work. I pressed them several times and as firmly as possible, but the vehicle would not stop or slow down. As I approached a nearby curb, I pulled the emergency brake, which slowed down my vehicle slightly before colliding head-on with a fire hydrant and utility pole. The impact completely totaled the vehicle, yet the airbags did not deploy. Bottom line, in period of a few seconds, the brakes completely failed and the airbags did not deploy. The end result could have been devastating, but fortunately was not. The vehicle is set to be released to the insurance representative soon, but no analysis has been completed. A police report was filed. …
The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V152000 (POWER TRAIN). The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, the steering wheel was firm, the brake pedal was firm, and the vehicle was violently vibrating. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The message "Pull Over - Do Not Drive" was displayed before the vehicle lost automotive power. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road and was towed back to the dealer. The vehicle was inspected; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was informed that the battery and alternator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 43,000.
The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that both the front driver's seat and front passenger's seat were vibrating while depressing the brake pedal. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the rear brake drums were grooved. The dealer turned the rear brake drums; however, the failure persisted. Additionally, the contact stated while driving at various speeds, the Pre-Collision malfunction warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure also occurred upon starting the vehicle. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the failure was caused by rainy and snowy weather; however, the contact stated that the failure had been occurring in good weather conditions as well. …
Truck has 3900 miles on it. From day 1, the brakes almost go down to the floor when sitting at a stop. If you press the brakes normally during driving, they seem to be okay, but if you sit at a stop, you can practically push the pedal to the floor. The only time I have ever experienced this is when you have a leak in the system or one of the brake components, such as the master cylinder, has failed. I spoke to one Toyota dealer and they said that there is a seal in the master cylinder that goes bad. I took my truck to my local Toyota dealer yesterday and they said that this was normal and that they have had other customers report the same issue. While I believe the dealer is going off the information that they have, I believe there is something truly wrong with these Tacoma brakes. I am a little terrified to drive this truck because of what could happen if I have to suddenly brake hard. …
Related recalls (4)
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Tacoma 4-wheel drive vehicles. The rear brake hoses can be damaged if mud and dirt builds up inside the rear wheels. This can result in a brake fluid leak.
Remedy: Dealers will replace both rear brake hoses, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed August 1, 2025. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Master cylinder
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Toyota Tacoma vehicles. Improper machining of the brake master cylinder may result in internal damage of one of the seals, affecting brake performance.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake master cylinder, free of charge. The recall began January 28, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist › Vacuum
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018 Toyota Camry and Highlander vehicles, 2017 Toyota Sienna and Tacoma vehicles and 2017 Lexus RX350 vehicles.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake booster vacuum pump, free of charge. The recall began on May 9, 2018.
Parking brake
On certain pickup trucks equipped with an automatic transmission, there is a possibility that the parking brake pedal cable lock nut May not have been tightened to the proper torque specification. In this condition, the lock nut May loosen and come off, which will reduce the effectiveness of the parking brake.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and tighten the parking brake pedal cable lock nut to the proper torque specification free of charge. The recall began on March 3, 2005. Owners May contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Frequently asked questions
Which Toyota Tacoma years have brake problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2019 (56), 2006 (49), 2018 (48), 2007 (43) and 2009 (35) model years. Brake complaints make up 26% of all complaints for the 2019.
Is there a recall for Toyota Tacoma brake problems?
Yes — 4 recalls, including 25V-058 (hoses, lines/piping, and fittings, Feb 6, 2025); 18V-888 (master cylinder, Dec 13, 2018); 18V-211 (vacuum, Apr 3, 2018). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Toyota Tacoma brake problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 35,000 miles; 68% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (30 mentions), followed by the foundation components (15).
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.