Conventional Parking Brake Problems of Toyota 4Runner

The seals on the rear axle blew out, saturating the rear brakes with differential, rendering them useless. The emergency brakes would not hold either.

See all problems of the 1997 Toyota 4Runner 🔎.

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).

See all problems of the 1998 Toyota 4Runner 🔎.