2003 Toyota 4Runner Service Brakes, Hydraulic Problems
- 19
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
Among these 19 stored complaint records:
- 1 indicate a crash
- 0 indicate injury
- 0 indicate fire
What owners report
- front brake · 8 records
- brake caliper · 5 records
- brake pads · 5 records
- front brakes · 4 records
- brake pedal · 4 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 60–100k mi | 7 |
| 1–30k mi | 5 |
| 100–150k mi | 3 |
| 30–60k mi | 2 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
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…
ODI 10453339
Equipment · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
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…
ODI 10451800
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
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,…
ODI 10436417
Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Vehicle Speed Control
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
ODI 10429016
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
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
ODI 10419260
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
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
ODI 10430903
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
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…
ODI 10430913
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
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…
ODI 10365855
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
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…
ODI 10365153
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
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…
ODI 10353595
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
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…
ODI 10328273
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
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
ODI 10328038
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
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…
Crash reported
ODI 10312211
Fuel System, Other · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Erratic throttle response and erratic/unpredictable/difficult to predict brake application . *tr
ODI 10311750
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
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…
ODI 10377388
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
I had issues with the brake pedals ever since 2-3 years into driving the vehicle. I have a 2003 toyota 4runner and the brake pedal is not very responsive. I had the brakes, rotors and brake system checked and there are no issues. My biggest issue is with the brake pedal itself. I feel when i hit the brake, a gentle tap doesn't produce a response. Only a mild to hard step on the brakes would cause the vehicle to…
ODI 10311360
Electrical System · Power Train · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Vehicle Speed Control
The vehicle would rev itself up to a high rpm, from a stopped position when i stepped on the gas the vehicle would go in reverse. The dealership eventually replaced the transmission only after the manager borrowed it overnight and experienced it himself, but i have noticed the problem beginning again. Another problem is the radiator leaking and needed to be replaced (i was told it had the wrong kind of antifreeze;…
ODI 10387248
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
The brakes are inoperative. As a result, vehicle is hard to stop. *ak
ODI 10048780
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Brakes failed at 10000 miles. Dealer stated that this was normal. *ak
ODI 10046303
Catalog parts for this system
Catalog year/make/model rows for 2003 Toyota 4Runner.
Catalog fitment does not by itself prove OEM-equivalent compatibility.