Problems with 2003 Toyota 4Runner SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. the contact stated that the vehicle stability control system and the traction control system were not functioning. the vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop and the yaw sensor was re-calibrated. the contact was also informed that the failure could have led to a brake failure in which the brakes would seize. the failure recurred approximately three days later. the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. the failure mileage was 133,500.

2003 toyota 4runner has 3 faulty calipers 2 on front and one on the rear. the caliper uses a dual piston and the interior lower piston is the one that failed on both front calipers. this issue is know to thousands of toyota owners who inquire (its common knowledge among those who own them.) the fact that both failed at the same time was incredibly dangerous i live in the mountains and losing both front brakes simultaneously is cause for great concern my safety is at risk as well as the safety of my passengers and everyone else. i am not sure why it has taken soo much effort from us (the owners of said vehicles and therefore caliper) to get this looked into. the calipers are of a faulty design and will fail prematurely putting human lives at risk. what more do you need? a person to die before this becomes credited information? just check out t4r.org to find any number of identical claims. *tr

Took vehicle in for front brake replacement at 121,679 miles. first set of front brakes were replaced at 70,452 miles. tech called to inform me that front calipers were frozen and would require replacement. seems to be a relatively common occurrence for high mileage 4 runners. same time had right axle boot replaced as well. $1,118.00 for the whole job! of course i almost keeled over but had to have the work done, and wanted dealer to perform the work so i wouldn't have issues later if anything went wrong. have had all work done at this dealer and they've stood behind all their work, but was still a bit disappointed that the front calipers were shot. car has always been garage kept, and kept clean, inside and out. in fact, still looks like a new car. *tr

Brakes failed causing me to run off the road almost rear ending another vehicle. the vsc, abs and brake lights came up on the dash along with an audible alarm. repair shop said brakes are fine and that is a computer related problem. *tr

Lower inboard front brake caliper pistons on both sides of the vehicle corroded to the point of being frozen and non-functional leading to excessive braking distance and wear of brake components. calipers are non-rebuildable and had to be replaced with remanufactured calipers by raybestos. brake pads and rotors damaged to point of needing to be replaced also. *tr

While driving front abs does not seem to be activating. braking distances worsened as my 03 4runner was driven. it turns out a piston in the brake calipers had frozen costing over $650 in repairs to replace the calipers. this is a constant problem. more info can be found at www.t4r.org. *tr

While driving i noticed that my front abs would not activate in an emergency situation. braking distances became a lot longer. when i went to check my front brakes, i discovered that the front lower brake piston had frozen. it was the same for both sides. took it into the shop, and they said the same thing. they wanted to replace the caliper on both sides for a total of $750. i did it myself. this is the same thing that has happened to many other owners, which can be found on www.t4r.org. *tr

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. *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. while driving approximately 25-30 mph, the contact applied the brakes and heard a squeaking noise. the contact stopped the vehicle and inspected it; he could find nothing wrong. the vehicle was taken to a local repair shop where the contact was informed that the bottom two floating caliper pistons were locked. the vehicle had not been repaired. the contact called the manufacturer and filed a complaint. the current and failure mileages were approximately 41,000. updated 1/21/11 *cn updated 02/07/11

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. *tr

We have a 2003 toyota 4 runner limited with the all wheel drive v8 engine. i noticed that toyota was going to recall the 2003 sequoia for braking, slowing issues. we have had similar issues with our vehicle with seemingly automatic braking. the vehicle does have a down hill assist button for what i understand to be used in low gear on the transfer. the vehicle being all wheel drive does have a high and low transfer with a center locking differential. the vehicle with slow almost which small lunges, as if the transmission was downshifting with the rpm's being too high for the gear. that is the best i can explain. it is not a sudden stop, no brake lights appear, but the vehicle does slow, as if its dragging, perhaps that is some automatic pulsing of the brakes. should i take the vehicle to toyota. *tr

When stopped and holding down the brake pedal my 2003 toyota 4runner lurches forward. it feels like the vehicle is going to loose the brakes but then catches. the dealer calls this a known 4runner problem. they say there is no fix from toyota. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota 4-runner. the contact stated the master cylinder was leaking. when applying the brakes, the brake warning light would illuminate followed by a warning chime. the dealer advised replacing the master cylinder but the part was not available. the dealer advised the part would be available within twenty-four hours. the contact stated the part was still not available after five weeks. the failure persisted and became progressively worse. the vehicle was not repaired. the vin was not available. the failure mileage was approximately 120,000 and the current mileage was approximately 140,000.

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. the contact stated that he was involved in a front end crash while driving approximately 50 mph. there were no injuries. a police report was not filed. the vehicle began pulling to the left when the left tire locked or to the right when the right tire locked. both tires never locked at the same time. the anti-skid light and traction control warning lights illuminated on the dashboard. the failure occurred 5 times in a 4 mile trip. the front end damage was repaired at a body shop. he took the vehicle to the dealer who stated that the yaw rate sensor (in the brake system) needed to be replaced. the contact called the manufacturer but was offered no assistance. the vehicle had not been repaired at the time of the complaint. the current mileage was approximately 124,000. the failure mileage was approximately 122,000.

Erratic throttle response and erratic/unpredictable/difficult to predict brake application . *tr