Toyota 4Runner Brakes problems
48 of the 326 complaints about the Toyota 4Runner (14.7%) concern Brakes, making it the model's largest problem area. That share is 2.4× the Brakes share across all tracked vehicles.
Analysis
By model year, Brakes complaints peak with the 2025 model (20, 34% of that year's complaints) and are lowest for the 2023 model (2). 11 Brakes complaints were filed in the last 12 months versus 15 in the 12 months before — a steady pace.
Owners most often describe: “brakes”, “squeal”, “floor”, “brake pedal” and “loud”. 4 of these reports (8.3%) describe a crash or fire, with 3 injuries and 0 deaths mentioned.
No recall campaign addresses Brakes for the tracked model years.
By model year
When complaints were filed
Last 12 months: 11 · Previous 12 months: 15
Common terms in reports
- brakes35
- squeal8
- floor11
- brake pedal13
- loud11
- reverse10
What owners report
On [XXX] I was driving on [XXX] and was approaching my exit ramp and applied my brakes to slow down for the exit. My car began shaking and the brakes were vibrating very badly and not slowing down.
While pulling this vehicle in to my garage about halfway in the brake pedal went to the floor and the vehicle hit a bench on the opposite side of the entrance. After pumping the brakes after waiting about 10 minutes they seemed to work normally.
New, strange noise started in Dec'25 (41K miles; 2yrs 9 months). No warning lights. Diagnosed as failed brake accumulator (first at an independent shop, later at the dealer).
Brakes squeak/squeal very loudly and often, no matter if it’s cold, rainy, hot or humid. It was only squeaking/squealing when applying the brakes while backing up but now starting to squeak/squeal when applying the brakes while moving forward.
Today while I was driving home from work, in a snow storm, suddenly a low braking power notification and ABS malfunction popped up on my console with loud beeping and my brakes completely stopped working.
The brake system emits a high-pitched noise, which seems to be worn down to the discs when used in drive mode and reverse mode. At any moment, they could stop working or cause an accident.
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Related recalls
No recall campaign addresses Brakes for the tracked model years.
Problem areas · Toyota 4Runner
Toyota 4Runner problems, complaints & recalls by model year ›
Frequently asked questions
How common are Brakes problems on the Toyota 4Runner?
48 of the 326 complaints about the Toyota 4Runner (14.7%) concern Brakes, making it the model's largest problem area. That share is 2.4× the Brakes share across all tracked vehicles.
Which Toyota 4Runner model years have the most Brakes complaints?
By model year, Brakes complaints peak with the 2025 model (20, 34% of that year's complaints) and are lowest for the 2023 model (2).
Is there a recall for Toyota 4Runner Brakes problems?
No recall campaign addresses Brakes for the tracked model years.