Toyota 4Runner owners have reported 57 problems related to brake disc caliper (under the service brakes category). The most recently reported issues are listed below. Also please check out the statistics and reliability analysis of Toyota 4Runner based on all problems reported for the 4Runner.
2003 Toyota 4runner awd v8 with ~99,990 mileage. Front brake caliper inner pistons seized and inner front brake pads failed to apply for indeterminate time period (approximately 3 years and 30,000 miles). Heavy corrosion of caliper contact surfaces also prevented normal travel of oem replacement inner brake pads. Resulted in reduced braking force and intermittent brake pedal pulsation due to thermal imbalance of the rotors. Passenger side inner rotor surface corroded because no brake pad contact was occurring. Probably contributed to front wheel bearing premature failure due to unbalanced braking force on the brake rotors and inordinate torque on the bearing assembly. This vehicle has the original factory brake fluid (I. E. , the hydraulic brake system has never been flushed. )
this is a permanent failure of the braking system in this vehicle. Replacement of calipers is anticipated. Failed calipers could be made available for inspection but will ultimately be returned for core charge.
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2003 Toyota 4runner (v6-4wd) had 2 frozen front brake calipers. Had the brakes checked bc intermittent squealing noise and increased braking distances. On each side: outer brake pad barely had anything left (literally less than paper thin) + inner brake pad looked great bc never really used since calipers frozen. Needed both front brake pads and rotors replaced, along with 2 calipers (1 each side). So I basically had no front brakes for months and no way to tell unless someone notices the outer pads are worn and goes to replace them. Poor design leading to safety issue.
2004 Toyota 4runner
brake calipers seem to seize at 10k miles. The boots on the pistons hold water, and during winter gather significant corrosion from road salt. Toyota replaces with the same part, but these fail in the same manner.
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all problems of the 2004 Toyota 4Runner
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Tl * the contact owns a 2004 Toyota 4runner. She took the vehicle in for inspection on her brakes and the dealer found that the front calipers were rusted. The dealer replaced both front calipers, which cost the contact $1116. The manufacturer was contacted but they did not offer any assistance. The failure mileage was 42,364.
The pistons in both front calipers have frozen up and had to be replaced twice. The first time at 90,000 miles and again at 160,000. Many forums on the 4th gen 4runners document many people others having had the same problem. I asked the dealer and they said that it was not a problem they were aware of. This seems to be a design/factory defect. It is very dangerous.
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The contact owns a 2004 Toyota 4runner. While driving approximately 40 mph, the contact heard a loud rumbling noise. The vehicle was pulled over and the contact noticed the caliper on the front driver side was locked and extremely hot. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop where the caliper and brake pad on the front driver side were replaced. The failure mileage was 29,000 and the current mileage was 33,000.
2004 Toyota 4runner sr5, with just under 74k miles on it, has a frame with severe corrosion, and more importantly the front calipers had to be replaced due a ceased lower piston. I've talked to the dealer about all of these issues, but they can't do anything for me. I got the same story from the Toyota customer service hot line. They blame the salt, but can't explain why its worse on the 4runner than other vehicles. I should mention that the people at the dealer and on the hot line were very friendly. They said they noted the issue and would monitor the calls for trends. I felt unsatisfied with this, so I am filing a complaint with the NHTSA. I'm a little annoyed by their unwillingness to address safety issues without a major accident or consumer report rating.
Frozen pistons on inside front brake calipers.
I have a 2004 Toyota 4runner sr5 v6. I have a constant issue with pistons on the front brake caliper seizing. This lowers the effectiveness of the brake system, and causes uneven wear on the brake pads. I have been able to dislodge the piston using a c-clamp and find that I have to replace the brake pads about every 6 months rather than the 2,3 to 4 year intervals on all other cars I have driven (including an older generation 4runner) this has been happening ever since I bought the car brand new in January of 2004. I found this website while searching for answers to my issues which I also found out that countless other Toyota 4runner owners are experiencing. I have been diligent with my constant brake pad replacements as to not cause further damage or safety issues. I believe that Toyota should step up and resolve this problem with these vehicles as they have with all of the vehicles in their new mass recall problems. They know it is an issue and even came up with a replacement caliper but it is not covered and is a $1500 job.
My 2005 Toyota 4runner has had issues with front brake calipers seizing up. With roughly 60k miles on it, I had to replace both front calipers because the lower inner pistons were seized. I replaced the calipers with re-manufactured calipers. At 100k miles, I had to replace the front calipers again for the same reason. After searching on the Toyota 4runner forums, it appears that this is a common problem. The local Toyota dealership was unable to offer anything other than replacing the calipers at my cost. I called the Toyota customer service line and reported the problem twice, but they were also unable to do anything. They blame road salt for the issue. My other vehicles, as well as those of my neighbors/friends/coworkers, have operated in the same conditions, but haven't had this issue. Thus far, I haven't had a complete braking failure or incident from the issue. I've noticed the issue when the rotors warp from the constant heat and replaced the calipers. I'm concerned over the issue and Toyota's unwillingness to address the safety concern.
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all problems of the 2005 Toyota 4Runner
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The 4runner pulls to one side and does not stop as quickly as it should. The pistons in both front calipers have frozen up to some extent. I have checked many forums on the 4th gen 4runners and many people have had the same problem. I went to the dealer why my car was under warranty and they said that it wan not a problem and it would not be covered. I purchased remanufactured calipers and had them installed and they are freezing up again. This seems to be a factory defect that is very dangerous.
Since I bought this Toyota 4runner I've had nothing but problems with brakes not working right the front end shimmeys at certain speeds. . I took it back to the dealer called tri county Toyota in limerick PA. They told me it's road cararistics. . Brought it back3or 4 times. . Never fixed this annoying problem. . They even got a so called expert tech from Toyota to see what the problem was . . Never fixed. . I had bought new custom wheels and tires. . The guy who put my new wheels on said there is something wrong. . Showed me the brakes 1 pad was good the other was very thin. . I brought it back to the dealer explained about the brakes. . Waiting in the show room. . Craig johnson brings me in to show me my brakes. . And he sad there is no problem. . I told him I saw these same pads 1 was thick the other was very thin. . When he showed me they were replaced with new ones. . But said the same thing nothing wrong with the. . This time I was very irritated and told him are you trying to insult my intelligence. . Like I said the guy who put my new wheels on said I'm pretty sure your calipers are bad . . . . In the mean time I had gotten very physically sick. . For a year. . So I gave up I was so sick. . Now my guarantee was up. . Brought it back to the dealer again. . They put new rotors and brakes. . And still,my 4runner. . Shakes when I hit the brakes suddenly. And still shimmeys at certain speeds. . . . As of today November 15th 2017 this problem still exists. . I really need help with this vechicle. . Because all I got was the run around. . . . Bought 7 cars and trucks over the years. . . . This problem is bad from day 1. . I have 61,600 miles on this vehicle. . Nothing has changed. . . Please help me with this issue. . Because they won't at tri county Toyota. . Hope I hear back from someone. . Thank you sincerely anthony I bought this vehicle on 3-1-2010. . Thanks.
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all problems of the 2010 Toyota 4Runner
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Frozen front brake caliper resulting in brake part failure and brake pedal pulsating. Occured again may 2010. This problem occurs with many Toyota trucks.
-the contact owns a 2005 Toyota 4runner. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for routine maintenance. The technician detected the left and right front pistons were frozen due to excessive corrosion. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for diagnostic testing. The front brake calipers required a replacement. The estimated cost for repair was $835. 00. The contact was displeased to know the manufacturer refused to be financially responsible for the total cost of the repair. The manufacturer offered to cover fifty percent towards the service repair cost. The vehicle had not been repaired at the time of the complaint. The failure mileage was 50,000. The current mileage was 56,000.
Front brake caliper "frozen", both. Brought vehicle to several independent brake shops and all said that it is a "common problem". Toyota dealer would not repair at no charge and in fact wanted about twice what the independent shop charge.
I was driving at about 35mph and had to start braking for a vehicle that was signaling a left turn. I notice the brakes did not feel normal and that the pads were not catching on the rotors. So I jammed on the brakes as hard and as far as they could go and avoided hitting the other vehicle by inches. I came home and decided to investigate and found that the front calipers inner 4 pistons were seized. I just changed the brakes last year and they were fine. But noticed a surge or slippage forward when stopped at a red light or stop sign after a complete stop waiting for right of way. I am now leaving the vehicle in the driveway for now until I can replace the calipers. Many other people have complained about the same problem on forums just look up 03-09 4runner caliper seize. This is very dangerous and could cause serious harm in an avoidance situation at highway speeds.
Anti-lock brakes too sensitive. Under certain conditions, especially if I hit a bump while braking or if the road is wet, the abs kicks in and the vehicle loses braking power (while brake calipers oscillate violently) thereby drastically increasing the stopping distance. I've recently experienced the vehicle stopping from 35 mph in over 200 feet. I wound up in the middle of the intersection. This problem has become progressively worse and more recurring. Local dealership was unconcerned about the danger and cited that this is normal. Certainly, dangerous engineering cannot be accepted as normal in this day and age. Incidentally, this does not occur on other make vehicles with 4-wheel anti-lock brake systems. This symptom has occurred over 100 times, but the dealership always maintained this to be normal and there is nothing wrong.
Tl-the contact owns a 2006 Toyota 4runner. The contact stated that while having routine maintenance performed, the technician stated that the pistons were frozen and the front brake calipers needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the front brake caliper was replaced once every year from the date of purchase. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 45,000. Pam.
1. Right front brake caliper froze. Toyota replaced free of charge. 2. Left rear brake caliper froze on 05/05/2010 at 95, 988 miles. My cost $490. 73. Left front brake caliper froze on 11/22/10 at 102,712 miles. My cost $470. 40. Toyota claimed no responsibility as there was no required recall on that part. They treat brake calipers like tires and brake pads. I know that calipers should not fail. A frozen caliper can reduce braking efficiency by 25 % plus cause instability during braking. I believe the average owner does not know that calipers should not freeze up, so they are buying Toyota's denial as appropriate. Updated 01/20/11.
Front brakes pistons seized to rotors and will not release. Vehicle would barely slow down. Called Toyota hotline and they said there's nothing they will do to help fix the problem. Called dealer and they are well aware of the problem. They said they have replaced many front calipers and this is a common problem for 2004 and 2005 4runners. I almost lost control and crashed car when the brake went out and Toyota can't even help fix there faulty products. Vehicle has 85k miles. I counted over a dozen similar complaint on NHTSA website regarding 04 and 05 brake calipers seizing. Calipers should be recalled, this is just as dangerous as the sticking gas pedals they put in the new cars.
I bought a 2002 4runner sport from jim barkley Toyota in asheville nc. Shortly after purchasing the vehicle I noticed a vibration in the brakes. I had them checked and was told the rotors were warped and had them turned. A few months later it happened again ,and I had to put a new set on. Then once again I had to replace them, when we did we also replaced the pads and the entire system was not working and we brought the vehicle to the dealership to have it looked at, and they worked on it and stated that it would be $3000 to fix it because the calipers and actuator would need replacing. I am sure when I pay for this the problem will come back and they will try to get even more money from me.
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all problems of the 2002 Toyota 4Runner
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The brakes on this vehicle is inadequate for the weight plus the anti lock system doesnt help either it only causes more lost of braking power especially on down hill stops. Toyota made these vehicles with two different size front brake calipers. Unfortunatly I have the smallest one which just does do a good job stopping such a load. ( dot number: ).
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