Table 1 shows two common parking brake related problems of the 1998 Toyota 4Runner.
| Problem Category | Number of Problems |
|---|---|
| Parking Brake problems | |
| Conventional Parking Brake problems |
I love my 1998 Toyota 4-runner sr5 - but I hate the expense of the braking system. In the 5 years that I have owned my vehicle I have had to completely replace the entire braking system pads, rotors, drums, cables etc four times. It is never just the pads. Every single time I've taken it in for a brake inspection - they always need to machine the rotors. And, no it is not my driving ability. Each time I have had to pay for this very expensive repair (400-600) the mechanics always say the same thing - "we see this all the time on these 4wd 4-runners - they just don't design the braking systems properly for this type of truck". Twice I have run off the road in order to avoid hitting someone in front of me because of complete failure, once while only going 20 mph. Toyota tacoma's appear to not have this type of problem - I think after thousands of dollars in brake system repairs and two very near accidents - someone at Toyota should evaluate this braking system and either offer an alternative or offer a warning to potential buyers.
Brakes become soft and parking brake has increased number of clicks to tighten-this has occurred at approx 11,000 and again at approx 18,000 miles; took to dealer at approx 11,800 initially with this complaint and they only inspected brakes (no adjustment)and said brakes look almost brand new. I had to return to dealer and have shop foreman drive the truck who then told mechanic to adjust brakes. Once again I am noticing brakes are soft and parking brake takes more clicks to tighten (approx 18,000). I contacted another dealer who told me that this is expected with Toyota 4 runners because they do not have self adjusting brakes. He said that I need to have the brakes checked and adjusted if necessary every 5000 miles (at an extra charge of 30. 00 dollars). I explained that they go out of adjustment very quickly and not at exactly every 5000 miles, therefore the dealer would not adjust them until I have a problem again which means I am spending time and money (besides the expected 5000 mile oil change/rotate tires) with a problem I feel may not be normal for a $32,000 dollar truck and should be covered under warantee or at least described as a common necessity to customers before purchase( nowhere in the owners manual does it state that brakes will need adjustment frequently due to not self adjusting).