Hi,

My wife drives an '04 Limited V8 and the brakes drive me crazy. There is an electronic pulse / vibration in the brake pedal every time you press on the pedal which is not normal contrary to what the dealer told me the first time I complained about it. It certainly isn't warped rotors and according to this post here new master cylinder someone had the same problem.

My question is has anyone seen a Toyota TSB for this issue or have other members had success having Toyota fix this annoying problem?

I have to take it in anyway to fix the sunroof with a mind of its own, the power window button that fell inside the door for no reason at all and the sunglass console that is falling out for no particular reason.

I like this truck but it has not been without issue.

Thanks in advance.

 

Ok...spoke with the dealer and they want us to bring it in so they can have it for the day and possibly over night. I'll post what the resolution is but I really am leaning towards the master cylinder.

 

I read in the manual that the pulse is supposed to be there. Is it excessive or occasional?

 

The vibration / pulse is on each and every application of the brake pedal. It certainly isn't a mechanical vibration caused by warped rotors as you feel it from the time the brakes are first applied until pressure is constant enough to stop or slow the vehicle. It is most bizarre and certainly not normal in my opinion.

Also we've had more then a few incidents where we back out of our driveway (which is flat) to turn around....when the brakes are applied to stop the truck it starts buzzing like crazy and every light on the dash (anti lock, traction control, etc) is illuminated...shift into drive and let the brakes off and it clears.

Something is just not right with this truck's braking system.

 

there is a TSB out for the master cylinder.

but sounds like your ABS module is confused. from what i understand its NOT a cheep part which could be why toyota is stalling

 

High frequency vibration is supposed to be there. Not all the time, but you can feel it at a light with the brakes applied... A fine vibration for a short time (10~12 sec). It is my understanding that it's due to electonic proportioning of the brake system.

If the dash lights are on, then you might have other problems.

 

Hey I had this same concern with my 2006 Limited V8.
It's not that it is unbearable... but that little buzz on the pedal just is hard to ignore.

So I went on a mission to have Toyota fix it. North Hollywood Toyota told me it was normal - so I went to Longo Toyota for a second go. They also told me it was normal - so I demanded to test drive a new one for a real world comparison.
It didn't happen nearly as much on the new one - but it was there every once in a while. So I went back and told them the brand new one was definately different than mine (which arguably could have been because it was undriven) but they stuck by their guns that the vibration was normal ABS function.

I decided to stop worrying about it, but part of me still wonders if I have something going on that Toyota just refuses to fix.

-Mike

 

The vibration in the brake pedal is normal and has been mentioned by several owners. I have not felt this on my 05 Limited. If you take a look the master cylinder you will see many systems tied into it. The replacement master cylinder is like $1200. I did have a piece of trim pop off my sunroof. As soon as I can get to the Stealer, I'll get it looked at.

Koz

 

Update: the truck is back at the deal for regular service and I can say with total certainty that the vibration we have in our truck is certainly not normal...in fact it is barely tolerable. It feels like the ABS is kicking in slightly when you press then depress the pedal. However when constant pressure is on the pedal there is no vibration. I went on a road test with a tech and he finally agreed with me that it is not normal. He thinks it is an issue with the 4 piston caliper in that all pistons do not apply equal pressure on the brake pad hence throwing the ABS system into fit.

The current solution is to inspect and replace the calipers. I personally still believe this is more related to the master cylinder but at least I am now making some sort of head way.

I don't normally drive this car but mine was taken in on trade for a new M Coupe...unfortunately the production thereof has been delayed so I am driving the 4runner a lot more.

Even further, my wife is now complaining about the brake vibration. Our truck must be much worse then others because she is at the point of trading it in for something else which is unfortunate becase we like our truck even though it has quirks.

I will post again if the caliper repair fixes our issue. I sure hope it does because I don't feel like buying another vehicle at this time.

 

Ok...so when I brought the truck in last week the foreman drove it with me and said for sure, he felt the same thing we did. Then when we picked it they said they couldn't duplicate....I'm frustrated to the point where they now have the truck again. I know what all the normal brake sounds, buzzes etc feel like and a vibrating pedal is not normal. Further, I have a 2006 4runner as a loaner and the pedal is 100% smooth without the fluttery vibrations ours has. To their credit they are doing what they can to fix this issue....I'm certain this is master cylinder related though.

 

Follow up: I picked up the truck afterhours so I haven't seen the invoice yet however the vibration is GONE! From what I've been told this was caused by slightly warped rear rotors (pad deposits)....they did a skim and all is smooth now. Very odd, I've never heard of rear rotors being warped...wife must be driving with the emergency brake on again