2001 Toyota Tacoma Brakes Problems

OUR 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA 4WD DOUBLE CAB (WITH 143,000 MILES AND EXCELLENT CONDITION) ABS CONTROL UNIT FAILED SOMETIMES IN EARLY JAN 2020. AFTER WE SEARCHED FOR REPLACEMENT PART ON TOYOTA DEALERS' WEBSITES, THEY SHOWED "THIS PRODUCT IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE." OUR SHOP SEARCHED AND WAS TOLD BY TOYOTA DEALERS THE SAME THING. I CONTACTED DEALERS AND THEY SAID NOTHING THEY COULD DO BUT TO CONTACT TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA IN PLANO, TEXAS. WE ALONG WITH OUR SHOP SEARCHED FOR USED/RECYCLED PART ACROSS AMERICA. WE FOUND ONE FROM OREGON BUT IT DID NOT WORK AFTER INSTALLATION. MARCH 17, 2020, WE CONTACTED TOYOTA IN PLANO, TEXAS, WITH A LETTER TO CHRIS NIELSEN, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT OF PRODUCTS SUPPORT & CHIEF QUALITY OFFICER, ABOUT THIS ABS CONTROL UNIT WITH A "SAFETY ISSUE" AS MY FAMILY AND 10 OF THOUSANDS OF OTHER TOYOTA OWNERS WHO HAD STUCK OR HAVE BEEN STUCK WITH THIS "SAFETY ISSUE." TOYOTA RESPONDED MARCH 27, 30, 31, APRIL 6, 8, BUT REFUSED TO ADDRESS THE "SAFETY ISSUE." FINALLY, ON APRIL 9, TOYOTA SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. WHEN I ASKED IF WE, ALONG WITH THOUSAND OF OTHER TOYOTA OWNERS ARE STUCK WITH THIS "SAFETY ISSUE"? TOYOTA RESPONDED BY SAYING WE GOT THERE PHONE NUMBER AND ADDRESS IF WE HAVE OTHER QUESTIONS. MEANWHILE, ON APRIL 3, 2020, WE FOUND A SECOND UNIT, BUT IT AGAIN FAILED AFTER 2 MONTHS. THESE ARE EXPENSIVE UNITS EVEN A USED ONE AND IT WAS VERY EXPENSIVE TO INSTALL AND TO UNINSTALL. MOST IMPORTANTLY, WE AND THOUSAND OF OTHER TOYOTA OWNERS ACROSS AMERICA ARE STUCK WITH THIS "SAFETY ISSUE" BECAUSE NO PART WAS AVAILABLE ANYWHERE WITHIN US. IT IS NOT JUST 2001 AS OTHER YEARS USED THE SAME PART. TOYOTA KNEW LONG AGO AND DECIDED NOT TO PRODUCE THEM ANYMORE AND THAT IS WHY PEOPLE ACROSS AMERICA ARE STUCK WITH THIS, KNOWN OR UNKNOWN. I WOULD NOT BE SURPRISED IF THERE HAVE BEEN FATALITIES INVOLVED THIS ABS CONTROL UNIT BUT NO ONE KNEW ABOUT IT.

NHTSA ID

11338446

Incident

Jan 10, 2020

Mileage

143,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BECAUSE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE CABLE WAS DAMAGED. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS MOUNTED ONTO THE LIFT, THE FRAME FRACTURED IN BETWEEN THE CABIN AND THE BED OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TOO OLD AND ALL RECALLS HAD EXPIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300,000.

NHTSA ID

11083259

Incident

Jan 20, 2018

Mileage

300,000 mi

RUST SEEMS TO BE COMING OFF BY THE HANDFULS AND PIECES THICK ENOUGH THAT I AM CONCERNED. I LOOKED UNDER MY TRUCK AND AMONG OTHER THINGS, METAL LINES (BRAKE, STEERING, NOT SURE), THE GAS TANK, AND STEERING LINKAGE BECAME MY BIGGEST CONCERN. BY THE THICKNESS OF RUST I HAVE GOTTEN FROM MY VEHICLE I AM CERTAIN IT IS NOT SURFACE RUST. HOW MUCH WILL SOMETHING RUST BEFORE IT BECOMES A FAILURE, ESPECIALLY WITH A LINE UNDER PRESSURE SUCH AS BRAKE LINES? THE LAST TIME I FILLED UP I NOTICED GAS LEAKING ON THE CONCRETE. I AM NOT SURE IF IT IS COMING FROM THE TANK ITSELF OR NOT.

NHTSA ID

10850594

Incident

Mar 19, 2016

Mileage

169,970 mi

WHILE DRIVING HEARD A SKIDDING SOUND, LOOK UNDER TRUCK LOST TRD PLATES, ROTTED BECAME LOSE AND FELL. UNDER CARRIAGE CORRODED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10543319

Incident

Sep 6, 2013

Mileage

148,330 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE BRAKES WOULD NOT RESPOND CAUSING HIM TO CRASH INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE PASSENGER IN THE SECOND VEHICLE SUSTAINED NECK AND BACK INJURIES ALTHOUGH THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE BRAKES HAD FAILED BECAUSE THE STRUT AND SHOCK HAD DISMOUNTED FROM THE VEHICLE DUE TO SEVERE RUST ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE UNDER CARRIAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL WHERE THE UNDER CARRIAGE WAS TREATED WITH A ANTI-CORROSION COATING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THE RECALL HAD EXPIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000. *TR

NHTSA ID

10536464

Incident

Jun 2, 2013

Mileage

61,000 mi

THE BRAKES FAILED DUE TO LOSS OF HYDRAULIC FLUID. THIS OCCURRED SUDDENLY. THE STEEL HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINE HAS CORRODED AND RUPTURED WITHIN AN INCH OF WHERE IT CONNECTS TO THE BRAKE BIAS VALVE NEAR THE LEFT REAR WHEEL. UPON INSPECTION OF THE AREA AROUND THE BRAKE BIAS VALVE, THE BIAS VALVE ITSELF, THE BOLTS SECURING THE BIAS VALVE, AND THE BRAKE LINES SEVERE CORROSION WAS OBSERVED. THE INSPECTOR WHO HAS 35 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE WORKING ON TOYOTAS REGARDS THIS CORROSION AS ABNORMAL FOR ANY VEHICLE OF THIS AGE. THE VEHICLE'S FRAME WAS COATED WITH A SUBSTANCE THAT IS SUPPOSED TO PREVENT CORROSION UNDER A TOYOTA RECALL IN OCT. 2010. THIS SUBSTANCE WAS SPRAYED ON THE BRAKE LINE WHICH RUPTURED AS WELL. THE INSPECTOR FEELS THAT THE COATING IS ACTUALLY ACCELERATING THE CORROSION. THE INSPECTOR OBSERVED THE COATING PEALING OFF OF THE TRUCK'S FRAME IN LARGE SHEETS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10504267

Incident

Mar 20, 2013

Mileage

96,000 mi

I HAD MADE A LEFT TURN ONTO FREEWAY ENTRANCE RAMP, STARTED ACCELERATING TO GET UP TO SPEED. AT APPROXIMATELY 30MPH THERE WAS A LOUD BANG/POP NOISE AND THE VEHICLE FRONT LEFT DROPPED DOWN. I HUNG ON TO TRY AND KEEP VEHICLE UNDER CONTROL AS IT TOOK AN SHARP LEFT HAND TURN TOWARDS A POLE. EVEN THOUGH THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR I WAS ABLE TO SOME HOW GET THE VEHICLE STOPPED BEFORE THE PASSENGER SIDE HIT THE POLE WHERE MY 1 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS RIDING. I HAD THE TRUCK CHECKED FOR RECALLS IN LATE 2008 WHEN I PURCHASED IT. THE REPORT SAID BALL JOINT RECALL WAS VIN # SPECIFIC AND THAT THIS TRUCK WAS NOT IN THE VIN RANGE. AFTER THE INCIDENT HAPPENED, I CALLED TOYOTA HOTLINE FOR ASSISTANCE AND EVEN THOUGH THIS IS THE SAME CONDITION, AND PART THAT IS FAILING ON THE VEHICLES IN RANGE THEY SAID, "THAT SENSE THE RECALL IS VIN SPECIFIC, THERE'S NOTHING WE CAN DO, AND WE CAN'T JUST ADD A VEHICLE TO THE RECALL". SO, NOW I'M STUCK WITH A WRECKED VEHICLE, BUT VERY THANKFUL THAT I DIDN'T HIT THE POLE WHERE MY DAUGHTER WAS SITTING. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AND ALL TACOMA'S THAT CONTAIN THIS STYLE BALL JOINT BE FIXED BEFORE SOME ONE DOES GET KILLED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10497587

Incident

Feb 9, 2013

Mileage

223,079 mi

AT SPEED ABOVE 60 MPH ,WHILE THE CRUISE CONTROL IS ON BRAKE PEDAL IS VERY HARD AND NO RESPONSE,AND ALL THE TIME BRAKE IS WEEK AT SPEED ABOVE 30MPH.VERY DANGEROUS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10493173

Incident

Jan 3, 2013

Mileage

11,900 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA SR 5 EXTENDED CAB. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 3-4 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE DROVE OVER A ROAD BUMP AND THE LOWER BALL JOINT PROCEEDED TO DETACHED FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRE. THE VEHICLE THEN UNEXPECTEDLY DRIFTED FORWARD THREE FEET. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINT DETACHED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, ALONG WITH THE BRAKE LINE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY CONFIRMED THE VIN FAILED TO QUALIFY FOR REPAIRS UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER:05V225000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT). THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 129,660.

NHTSA ID

10458582

Incident

May 13, 2012

Mileage

129,660 mi

EMERGENCY BRAKE FAILURE, THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON MY 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA HAS SEIZED FOR A SECOND TIME. WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE SEIZED IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO OPERATE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE DESIGN OF THE EMERGENCY BRAKING SYSTEM ALLOWS THE SYSTEM TO SEIZE DUE TO CORROSION AT THE LOCATION WHERE THE ACTUATING LEVER MEETS THE MOUNTING BLOCK. I HAVE PREVIOUSLY HAD THIS REPAIRED BY THE TOYOTA DEALER AT A COST OF $350 (2 MOUNTING BLOCKS@ $90.00 EACH AND 1 HOUR LABOR PER SIDE TO REMOVE AND REPLACE MOUNTING BLOCKS AND ACTUATING LEVER(S). THE PROTECTIVE RUBBER BOOT WHICH SHOULD PROTECT THE JOINT BETWEEN THE LEVER AND MOUNTING BLOCK IS LOCATED APPROX 1/8" FROM THE JOINT, WHICH PROVIDES NO MEANINGFUL PROTECTION FROM WATER AND SALT I.E. CORROSION. ONCE A SMALL AMOUNT OF CORROSION OCCURS THE JOINT SEIZES AND RENDERS THE EMERGENCY BRAKE UNUSABLE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10342067

Incident

Jun 15, 2010

Mileage

150,000 mi

MY 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA HAS DEALER VERIFIED FRAME RUST PERFORATION. WHEN THE FIRST LETTER FROM TOYOTA CAME TO MY DOOR IN EARLY 2009 I WENT DIRECTLY TO MY LOCAL DEALER WHO DID NOT KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND STATED TO ME THAT THEY WOULD GET BACK TO ME WITH MORE INFORMATION AS IT BECAME AVAILABLE TO THEM. SEVERAL MONTHS LATER, I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT WISCONSIN WAS ASKING TOYOTA TO PROVIDE MORE DATA ON THE PROPOSE SOLUTIONS TO THIS ISSUE AND HAD NOT APPROVED TOYOTA TO MAKE ANY REPAIRS. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THEY WOULD CONTACT ME WHEN I COULD GET MY TRUCK INSPECTED. MANY MORE MONTHS PASSED AND FINALLY I HAD ENOUGH AND CALLED TOYOTA DIRECT. I WAS ASSIGNED A CASE MANAGER AND SHE SAID SHE WOULD HELP ME GET MY TRUCK INSPECTED. THIS FINALLY HAPPENED ON APRIL 27, 2010. NOW THEY TELL MY ONLY OPTION IS A REPLACEMENT FRAME, WHICH TO ME IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. THEN LUCKY 2001 OWNERS WHO WERE ABLE TO GET QUICK INSPECTIONS WERE OFFERED THE BUY BACK OPTION. IN VARIOUS FORUMS THE ONES WITH THE REPLACEMENT FRAMES ARE SEEING ISSUES WITH LEAKING GAS TANKS, AND UP CHARGES FOR INCIDENTAL ITEMS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10329075

Incident

Jul 10, 2009

Mileage

112,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE EMERGENCY/PARKING BRAKE WOULD NOT ENGAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED CORROSION ON THE FRAME AND THE BRAKE LINKAGE. HE THEN ADDED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NON-REPAIRABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 159000.

NHTSA ID

10293551

Incident

Nov 25, 2008

Mileage

159,000 mi

THERE HAS BEEN NO INCIDENT AS OF YET. THE TRUCK WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AFTER WE WENT TO HAVE THE BRAKES FIXED AND WERE TOLD THAT THE FRAME OF THE TRUCK WAS RUSTING THROUGH. THE DEALER INFORMED US THAT THE RECALL ON OUR TRUCK WOULD NOT BE PUT THROUGH FOR ANOTHER 30 DAYS. AND THAT OUR TRUCK WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. HOW EVER I FEEL THAT IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE SINCE YOU CAN PUT YOUR HAND THROUGH THE FRAME WHERE IT HAS RUSTED. THIS IS OUR ONLY VEHICLE AND WE CANNOT AFFORD TO PURCHASE ANOTHER AT THIS TIME. THE TRUCK IS A 2001 AND THIS IS 2008, THIS TRUCK IS USED FOR DAILY NEEDS AND GENERAL RIDING. *TR

NHTSA ID

10244417

Incident

Sep 30, 2008

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A TOYOTA RECALL ON 2004-2004 TOYOTA TACOMAS REGARDING THE FRONTAL BALL JOINTS. THE CONSUMER HAS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA WHICH DID NOT FALL UNDER THE RECALL CAMPAIGN, BUT THE CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE BOTH FRONT BALL JOINTS ON JUNE 8, 2004. THERE WAS A VIBRATION AND A RUBBING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF VEHICLE. THIS WAS THE SAME PROBLEM THAT WAS STATED IN THE RECALL. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER; THEY OPENED A CASE AND DID PROVIDE THE CONSUMER WITH CASE NUMBER 200508100951. *AK THE ROTORS AND PADS WERE REPLACED.

NHTSA ID

10132410

Incident

Jun 8, 2004

Mileage

51,880 mi

WHILE BRAKING AT NY SPEED CONSUMER HEARD A GRINDING NOISE, AND THE PEDAL PULSATED. DEALERSHIP REPAIRED THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS. *AK

NHTSA ID

10110962

Incident

Dec 17, 2004

Mileage

63,000 mi

THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE BRAKES PADS ON HIS VEHICLE WAS WEARING OUT TOO FAST. HE STATED HE IS CONSTANTLY REPLACING THEM EVERY 3 MONTHS. *JB

NHTSA ID

10096656

Incident

Oct 12, 2004

THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DESIGNED TOO CLOSE TOGETHER, CONSUMER STATED WHEN HE WENT TO PRESS THE BRAKE HE ALSO PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. PH *JB

NHTSA ID

8023455

THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES TO CORRECT A DEFECT IN THE TRANSMISSION WHEN CONSUMER WOULD MAKE AN ATTEMPT TO STOP, THE DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THE CONDITION WAS DUE TO A SLIP JOINT IN THE DRIVE SHAFT WHICH NEEDED TO BE LUBRICATED AND WAS A NORMAL MAINTENANCE ISSUE, BUT ALSO STATED THE CONDITION WAS DUE TO THE DRIVE SHAFT SEIZING UP, THE SHOCKS AND REAR BRAKES WAS REPLACED.*JB

NHTSA ID

8018737

Incident

Mar 2, 2002

FRONT BRAKES MAKES LOUD CLICKING NOISE WHEN BACKING UP, AND I'VE BEEN TOLD TOLD THAT THE NOISE IS NORMAL FROM THE SHIFTING BRAKES PADS. PLEASE ADVISE

NHTSA ID

756556

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 55MPH ON HIGHWAY AND THERE WAS A NOISE LOCATED IN REAR END. DEALERSHIP REPLACED REAR END. CONSUMER'S SON WAS TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY, A DEER RAN IN FRONT OF HIM, HE APPLIED BRAKES AND LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE/ RAN INTO A TREE. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM. DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED AFTER HE WAS CLIMBING OUT OF VEHICLE.*AK

NHTSA ID

897901

Incident

Oct 12, 2001

CONSUMER COULD HEAR A GRINDING NOISE WHEN MAKING A SLOW RIGHT TURN OR PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, DEALER FOUND CONTAMINATED BRAKE PADS AND REPLACED THEM, HOEWVER NOISE CONTINUED, CONSUMER ALSO NOTICED NOW THAT VEHICLE WOULD NOT COME TO A COMPLETE STOP, DEALER FOUND THAT ABS SENSOR WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY AND MADE REPAIRS. *SLC

NHTSA ID

563269

Incident

Oct 28, 2000

WHILE DESCENDING A MODERATELY STEEP DIRT ROAD WE EXPERIENCED A TOTAL FAILURE OF THE HYDRAULIC AND EMERGENCY BRAKING SYSTEMS. VEHICLE WAS COASTED TO A STOP ON A FLAT AREA OF ROAD. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 45 MINUTES BRAKE SYSTEM SLOWLY RETURNED TO NORMAL OPERATION. LOCAL DEALER INSPECTION REVEALED NO APPARENT CAUSE FOR THE MALFUNCTION AND NO SUGGESTION AS TO WHAT POSSIBLY COULD HAVE CAUSED BOTH BRAKE SYSTEMS TO FAIL. NO EVIDENCE OF BRAKE OVERHEATING OR FATIGUE, NO FLUID LEAKS OR STORED COMPUTER FAULT CODES. DEALER SUGGESTION, "DRIVE IT TILL IT FAILS AGAIN AND BRING IT BACK".*AK

NHTSA ID

748811

Incident

Jul 14, 2001