2004 Toyota Tacoma Brakes Problems

2011- check engine light was illuminated. Toyota dealership attempted repairs 11 times but could not find a cause. They replaced 7 different sensors, replaced gas cap, charcoal filter.. still could not get light to go off. refused to continue servicing same issue with no fault. Since 2011, I have had to run diagnostics on a regular basis to ensure there are no other mechanical issues. 2022- gas tank fell off of truck while driving. The straps snapped off due to rust and tank fell to the ground. This issue could have caused GREAT bodily injury or DEATH. 2023-lost brakes while driving. TOTAL brake failure. local mechanic stated it was a proportioning valve failure. The housing for it was rusted through and cannot be removed safely. After multiple days of research, a replacement could not be located. Even contacting Toyota, part is unavailable so vehicle CANNOT be fixed. Total brake failure could have led to GREAT bodily injury or DEATH. ONGOING-- vehicle frame is extremely rusted. bumper has fallen off, spare tire fell off, brush guard rusted and fell off. The frame under cab near bed of truck is rusted through. gas tank straps rusted through and tank fell off. You can literally push fingers/hand through the flaking metal. ALL previous recalls were completed including undercoating but the rust has gotten so bad the vehicle is not safe to drive.

NHTSA ID

11527190

Incident

May 30, 2023

PURCHASED 2004 TACOMA IN 2016. DEALERSHIP OF PURCHASE SAID VEHICLE WAS NOT AFFECTED BY FRAME RECALL AND DID NOT INFORM ME THAT IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY FOR FRAME RELATED ISSUES. SINCE PURCHASING VEHICLE I'VE ENCOUNTERED COUNTLESS FRAME RELATED ISSUES AND HAVE PUT THOUSANDS INTO FRAME RELATED REPAIRS. I CONTACTED TOYOTA IN 2018 ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS TO ASK ABOUT FRAME WARRANTY. TOYOTA SAID VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED. DID NOT LOOK UP VIN OR ANY OTHER INFORMATION RELATED TO VEHICLE. I CONTACTED TOYOTA AGAIN THIS YEAR TO SEE IF THERE'S ANYTHING THAT CAN BE DONE AS FRAME ISSUES WERE BECOMING SIGNIFICANT AND BEYOND MY FINANCIAL MEANS TO KEEP FIXING. TOYOTA NOTIFIED ME AT THIS TIME THAT THE VEHICLE HAD IN FACT BEEN UNDER WARRANTY BUT THAT NOW THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED 6 MONTHS PRIOR (WHICH WAS WITHIN THE TIMEFRAME THAT I HAD INITIALLY CONTACTED TOYOTA). TOYOTA TOLD ME THAT FRAME HAD BEEN UNDERCOATED WITH CORROSION RESISTANCE TREATMENT IN 2010 AND WARRANTY WAS GOOD FOR 10 YEARS (UNTIL 2020). BECAUSE DEALERSHIP OF PURCHASE FAILED TO COMPLY WITH A WARRANTY LETTER AND TOYOTA ALSO FAILED TO NOTIFY ME AS I WAS NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER, I WAS NOT AWARE THAT I COULD HAVE HAD THE FRAME FIXED. WHICH I WOULD HAVE IF I HAD KNOWN. NOW BECAUSE OF NO FAULT OF MY OWN, THE WARRANTY WINDOW HAS CLOSED AND TOYOTA IS NOT WILLING TO RECTIFY THE SITUATION. I STILL OWE OVER $3K ON A VEHICLE I PAID OVER $11K FOR AND HAVE PUT $4K-$8K INTO FOR REPAIRS. FRAME IS ROTTING FASTER THAN I CAN FIX IT AND IS NOW UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND INELIGIBLE FOR TRADE-IN OR SALE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IS ESSENTIALLY WORTHLESS AT THIS POINT. FRAME BOLTS ARE NOW ROTTED, TAILPIPE AND EXHAUST FELL OFF JUST THIS MORNING DUE TO CORROSION, SUSPENSION IS CORRODED, BRACKETS ARE ROTTING OFF FRAME, FLAKES OF CORRODED METAL ARE IN PILES BENEATH VEHICLE- AND THESE ARE JUST THE MOST RECENT ISSUES.

NHTSA ID

11365078

Incident

Mar 3, 2017

Mileage

119,000 mi

TAKATA RECALL, I AM WRITING THIS COMPLAINT BECAUSE I OWN A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA . ON NOVEMBER 2ND I WAS DRIVING HOME , WAS AT A 4WAY STOP, ONCE IT WAS MY TURN TO GO I ACCELERATED AS USUAL AND HAD MY TIRE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE DETACH COMPLETELY FROM THE BALL JOINT CAUSING ME TO NEARLY WRECK MY TRUCK, IF I HAD BEEN GOING FASTER I WOULD HAVE, THIS WAS ONE OF THE MOST SCARIEST EXPERIENCES I HAVE EVER HAD DRIVING! IT COST ME NEARLY 1000.00 DOLLARS TO FIX AND NOW I AM HAVING TO HAVE THE OTHER PASSENGER SIDE FIXED BECAUSE THE MECHANIC SAYS IT'S HAMMERED...I NOTICED THAT OVER 150,000 TACOMA'S WERE RECALLED DUE TO THIS EXACT PROBLEM, WHEN I ENTERED MY VIN IT SAYS I HAVE NO I REPAIRED RECALLS ON MY VEHICLE! WHICH OBVIOUSLY IS NOT TRUE, OR MY BALK JOINTS WOULD BE GOOD TO GO, I HAVE NEVER TAKEN MY TRUCK OFF ROAD OR EVEN HAD IT IN 4 WHEEL DRIVE, I HAVE NOT BEAT ON MY TRUCK I TAKE EXCELLENT CARE OF MY VEHICLE, I FEEL THIS BALL JOINT PROBLEM SHOULD OF BEEN PART OF YOUR RECALL , I COULD OF BEEN SEVERELY HURT OR EVEN DIED AS WELL AS MY SON WHO WAS RIDING WITH ME, THANK GOD WE WEREN'T...I AM PREPARED TO TURN YOU INTO THE BBB IF I DONT GET A REASONABLE RESPONSE

NHTSA ID

11244235

Incident

Nov 2, 2018

Mileage

269,000 mi

LETTER FROM CONGRESSMAN TONKO ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT RE 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE INSPECTED DUE TO FRAME RUST. THE CONSUMER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF ALL RECALLS. THE LAST RECALL EXPIRED; THEREFORE, THE CONSUMER WAS INELIGIBLE FOR ASSISTANCE.

NHTSA ID

10990428

Incident

Feb 24, 2017

BOTH REAR AXEL SEALS LEAK GEAR OIL ONTO AND INTO THE REAR BRAKE DRUMS WHICH SUBSTANTIALLY REDUCE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE REAR BRAKES. THIS CONDITION BEGAN AROUND THE 60,000 MILE MARK AND WILL CONTINUE INDEFINITELY UNTIL THE GEAR LUBE IS ALL DRAINED OFF, WHICH THEN WILL MOST CERTAINLY CAUSE SEVERE POWER TRAIN DAMAGE.

NHTSA ID

10855629

Incident

Jan 1, 2013

Mileage

60,000 mi

GOING 35 MILES AN HOUR THE VEHICLE WILL START TO PULL TO THE SIDE AND THE BALL JOINT WILL COME OUT ALSO THE ABS SENSOR CABLE WILL BRAKE AND YOU WILL HAVE TO REPLACE IT A $2500 DOLLAR SPENCE FOR A TOYOTA MALFUNCTION IN THE SUSPENSION I HAVE A FRIEND IN CALIFORNIA THAT HAS ONE A YEAR EARLY MODEL THAN MINE A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA AND HE TOLD ME ABOUT THIS PROBLEM HAD HAPPEN TO HIM IN THE FREEWAY ABOUT 60 MPH TO HIM A HAD TO LEARN THE HARD WAY IF YOU HAVE A TOYOTA TACOMA PLEASE I AM WARNING YOU TO HAVE THE BALL JOINT REPLACE BEFORE ITS TO LATE THE NEW BALL JOINTS ARE WARRANTY FOR LIFE BUT I WILL CHECK IN TO THAT IF I STILL HAVE THE PICK UP IN FOUR YEARS

NHTSA ID

10732846

Incident

Feb 12, 2015

Mileage

220 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE IDLING AT A STOP, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED THE VEHICLE INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 131,200. UPDATED 12/30/14*LJ UPDATED 05/26/2015 *JS

NHTSA ID

10654452

Incident

Nov 11, 2014

Mileage

131,200 mi

ABS ACTUATOR ASSY FELL OFF THE VEHICLE, IT WAS MOUNTED ON RIGHT REAR AXLE HOUSING, AND BANGED AROUND VEHICLE AND GROUND. VEHICLE APPEARS TO BE OK AND ASSY IS HELD IN PLACE BY WIRE. IS IT SAFE TO DRIVE? *TR

NHTSA ID

10652776

Incident

Nov 4, 2014

Mileage

67,960 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED HE WAS DRIVING 20 MPH AND COMPLETING A RIGHT TURN WHEN HE APPLIED THE BRAKES, BUT THE BRAKE PEDAL ABNORMALLY WENT DOWN TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT TWO BRAKES LINES WERE FRACTURED AND WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE MECHANIC THEN ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL FOR FRAME CORROSION, AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO CONFIRM FRAME CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000. UPDATED 12/4/13*CN

NHTSA ID

10546132

Incident

Jul 9, 2013

Mileage

80,000 mi

PARKING BRAKE SEIZED AT WHEEL HUB. *TR

NHTSA ID

10525489

Incident

Jul 1, 2009

Mileage

100,000 mi

LEVER ASSEMBLY AND BRAKE DRUM FOR REAL WHEEL EMERGENCY BRAKES RUSTED TO THE POINT THAT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IS INOPERABLE (SEIZED). CONDITION HAS CAUSED REAR BRAKE TO BE PARTIALLY ENGAGED WHETHER PARKING BRAKE IS PULLED OR NOT. THIS WEARS OUT THE REAR BRAKE PADS VERY FAST, AND MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE TO APPLY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON AN INCLINE. WILL NOT PREVENT THE VEHICLE FROM ROLLING DOWN HILL, NOR WILL IT STOP THE VEHICLE DURING AN EMERGENCY APPLICATION OF THE BRAKE. IT IS NO LONGER FUNCTIONING AS AN EMERGENCY BRAKE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10523525

Incident

Jul 3, 2013

Mileage

77,220 mi

2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO BRAKE LINE RUPTURE. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER WOULD NOT REPLACE THE BRAKE LINE UNDER WARRANTY, BECAUSE THE FRAME CAUSED THE BRAKE LINE TO RUPTURE. TOYOTA INFORMED THE CONSUMER, A RECALL WAS ISSUED IN 2010, WHERE THE FRAME WAS SUPPOSED TO BE SPRAYED AND TREATED. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. *JB

NHTSA ID

10488261

Incident

Dec 3, 2012

AFTER DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MILES IN A HEAVY, WET SNOW, SHIFTER ON AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION COULD NOT BE MOVED PAST REVERSE INTO PARK. PARKING BRAKE COULD NOT BE PULLED. BLOCKAGE OF BOTH COMPONENTS FELT QUITE SOLID. BECAUSE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE PUT INTO PARK, IGNITION COULD NOT BE TURNED OFF AND KEY REMOVED. VEHICLE COULD NOT HAVE BEEN LEFT ON A SLOPE WITHOUT A CHOCK BLOCK. AFTER SNOW FELL OUT/MELTED ALL SYSTEMS RETURNED TO NORMAL OPERATION. *TR

NHTSA ID

10433581

Incident

Oct 29, 2011

Mileage

65,275 mi

2004 TRD TACOMA TRUCK BRAKES NOT GOOD I HAVE PROBLEM WITH BRAKES SINCE I PURCHASE TRUCK. *TR

NHTSA ID

10286026

Incident

Sep 29, 2009

Mileage

53,566 mi

PARKING BRAKE LIGHT STAYS ON. VEHICLE IS SLUGGISH. BRAKES ARE SQUEALING. *TR

NHTSA ID

10220835

Incident

Jan 28, 2008

Mileage

38,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN SHAKING AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FELT ROUGH AND WAS VIBRATING. THE CONTACT HEARD METAL RUBBING AGAINST METAL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND A BRAKE INSPECTION WAS PERFORMED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ROTORS WERE WARPED AND THE REAR BRAKES FAILED BECAUSE THEY WERE IMPROPERLY ADJUSTED. THE CONTACT LATER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO TOYOTA AND THEY COULD NOT MAKE ANY REPAIRS BECAUSE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. THE CONTACT INFORMED TOYOTA THAT THE REPAIR WAS PREVIOUSLY PERFORMED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE HAS RECURRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45,500 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,500. UPDATED 01-11-08. *KB UPDATED 12/12/07

NHTSA ID

10209927

Incident

Nov 12, 2007

Mileage

44,500 mi

DECEMBER 16, 2006 - CLEAR SUNNY DAY, GREAT ROAD CONDITIONS. I WAS 40 FEET BEHIND A VEHICLE GOING 35 MPH WHEN A SUV SLAMMED ON BRAKES. MY 2004 TOYOTA PRERUNNER BRAKES WENT TO THE FLOOR AND MY TRUCK WOULD NOT STOP. AFTER HITTING THE SUV AND COMING TO A STOP, I RELEASED MY FOOT FROM THE BRAKE AND THE PEDAL WENT BACK TO IT'S NORMAL POSITION. *NM

NHTSA ID

10176787

Incident

Dec 16, 2006

Mileage

29,000 mi

DURING A 23000 MILE SERVICING, CAMELBACK TOYOTA INFORMED ME I WOULD NEED TO HAVE THE BRAKES SERVICED, BECAUSE 95% OF THE PADS HAVE WORN DOWN. I AM AWARE OF A RECALL ON THESE TRUCKS LOWER BALL JOINT, BUT THE SERVICE AGENT DID NOT TELL ME THAT AT THE TIME I BROUGHT IT IN. I WAS NEVER INFORMED BY THE DEALER OF THIS RECALL. NOW, I AM BEING CHARGED FOR REPAIRS, WHILE THE VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, FOR BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE (EXCESSIVE/PREMATURE PAD WEAR), AND I BELIEVE THIS DAMAGE IS BECAUSE OF THE RECALL SUSPENSION ISSUE. *JB

NHTSA ID

10172997

Incident

Nov 7, 2006

#1. 2004 TACOMA DBL CAB TRD: I'M ON MY 3RD SET OF ROTORS AND DRUMS AT JUST 40,000 MILES. EACH SET OF ROTORS WARPED AT JUST OVER 10,000 MILES CAUSING THE EXPECTED PULSING AND BOUNCING. I'M EXPECTING THE 3RD SET TO DO THE SAME. #2. SINCE ABOUT 10,000 MILES, I HAVE EXPERIENCED A "THUMPING" WITH A CORRESPONDING JOLT OF THE GEAR SHIFT UPON FINISHING A BREAKING CYCLE. THIS ALSO HAPPENS OCCASIONALLY WHEN RELEASING THE FOOT BRAKE. SOMETIMES IT IS QUITE LOUD AND VIOLENT. I AM AWARE THAT ALL THE LATE MODEL AUTOMATICS DO THIS. THE FACTORY HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM BECAUSE THEIR "FIX" WAS TO DRILL A HOLE IN THE TWO-PIECE DRIVE SHAFT TO "VENT" THE TRAPPED AIR. THIS VERY TEMPORARILY SOLVED THE PROBLEM. AGAIN TODAY, THE DEALER ACKNOWLEDGED THE "THUMP" AND TOLD ME THAT THIS IS "THE WAY THE TRUCK IS SUPPOSED TO OPERATE" AND THAT I SHOULD "CHANGE MY BRAKING HABITS". ON A 15 MINUTE TEST DRIVE IT PROBABLY DOESN'T SEEM TOO BAD. BUT I HAVE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE ALL THE TIME AND IT IS VERY ANNOYING (AND THIS WAS NOT HAPPENING WHEN I TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE BEFORE I PURCHASED IT). PERHAPS THIS IS NOT A "SAFETY" ISSUE, BUT IT IS INSULTING TO BE TOLD THAT THIS IS "NORMAL". THEY MUST THINK I'M AN IDIOT OR SOMETHING. JUST BECAUSE ALL THE LATE MODEL TACOMAS DO IT, DOES NOT MAKE IT RIGHT! IT'S SO ARROGANT FOR THEM TO EXPECT US TO LIVE WITH THIS DEFECT IN DESIGN. I ALSO BELIEVE THAT THIS SAME PROBLEM IS RELATED TO THE SOMETIMES VIOLENT SHIFTS ESPECIALLY FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR. #3. THERE IS ALSO A VIBRATION THAT COMES UP THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL AT ABOUT 40 MILES PER HOUR. IT IS THE FREQUENCY OF THE DRIVE SHAFT, NOT THE TIRES. I CAN ALWAYS TELL WHEN I'M AT 40 MPH WITHOUT EVEN LOOKING AT THE SPEEDOMETER. *JB

NHTSA ID

10145814

Incident

Dec 2, 2005

Mileage

10,000 mi

PURCHASED NEW 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA ON 1/24/05. AT 1,577.8 MILES, RIGHT REAR BRAKE DRUM AND WHEEL COVERED WITH GEAR OIL. REPAIRED AT TOYOTA OF GREENFIELD, MA. 01302, PHONE 413-772-0231 2/17/05. BEGAN LEAKING AGAIN ON 2/21/05, AT 1844.6 MILES. RETURNED TO GREENFIELD ON 2/28/05 AT 2284 MILES. CONTACTED DEALER AGAIN ON 4/8/05 AT 67345.9 MILES BRAKE DRUM AND TIRE STILL COVERED WITH OIL. DEALER SAID KEEP DRIVING IT AND THE LEAK WILL GO AWAY. CONTACTED TOYOTA CONSUMER SERVICE ON 4/14/05 CASE #[XXX]. RECEIVED NO FOLLOW UP CORRESPONDENCE FORM FABIOLA. VEHICLE CONTINUED TO LEAK GEAR OIL AND HANDLE POORLY WHEN BRAKING. CONTACTED NEW DEALER(TOYOTA OF COLCHESTER, CT.) ON 5/27/05. VEHICLE REPAIRED ON 6/2/05 AT 8,188 MILES. CONTACTED DEALER AGAIN ON 6/29/05 AT 9085.1 MILES. VEHICLES WAS PICKED UP ON 7/11/05. TRIES ROTATED ON VEHICLE ON 9/26/05 AT 17,266.4 MILES. FOUND OIL ON BRAKE SHOES AND INSIDE OF BRAKE DRUM SEVERELY GLAZED. NEW CASE FILED ON 7/28/05 CASE # [XXX] WITH SALVADORE. I AM STILL DRIVING A VEHICLE WITH THE INTEGRITY OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM IS COMPROMISED. AND HAVE NOT RECEIVED A REASONABLE RESOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM FROM TOYOTA MOTOR COMPANY. IS IT A COMMON PRACTICE FOR AN AUTO MAKER TO LET A CONSUMER KNOWINGLY DRIVE AN UNSAFE VEHICLE. UNFORTUNATELY I AM STILL PAYING ON A BRAND NEW VEHICLE THAT I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING. THE REGIONAL FIELD SERVICE TECHNICIAN, JOE LACEFIELD FROM TOYOTA MOTOR COMPANY HAS BEEN UNAVAILABLE BY PHONE FOR THE LAST WEEK 1-973-464-0938. I WOULD LIKE MY MONEY RETURNED FOR THIS VEHICLE IN FULL. I FEEL THAT I HAVE BEEN MORE THAN PATIENT IN TRYING TO RESOLVE THIS MATTER WITH TOYOTA MOTOR COMPANY. V.I.N. # [XXX]. *JB UPDATED 07/18/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

10139377

Incident

Feb 17, 2005

Mileage

1,798 mi

MY 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA DOUBLE CAB PRERUNNER V6 SR5 HAS 18,000MILES AND HAS HAD THE FOLLOWING PROBLEM FOR A WHILE. I DID NOT NOTICE IT UNTIL ABOUT 2 MONTHS AFTER I HAD PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. WHICH TELLS ME THAT THE PROBLEM COULD BE A PROGRESSIVE ISSUE. THE TRUCK CONTINUES TO SHOW AN INCREASE IN THE PROBLEM. PROBLEM DESCRIPTION: WHEN DRIVING THE TACOMA DOWN THE ROAD THE TACOMA DRIVES FINE. BUT WHEN APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION WHERE THE VEHICLE IS BROUGHT TO A COMPLETE STOP IS WHEN THE FOLLOWING OCCURS. THE VEHICLE WILL SHIFT TO THE REAR AND A JERK SOUND IS HEARD AND FELT. WHEN RELEASING THE BRAKE ON THE VEHICLE YOU WILL FEEL AND HEAR ANOTHER MORE INTENSE JERK. WHEN YOU PRESS ON THE THROTTLE PEDAL TO MOVE FORWARD FROM AN INTERSECTION THE VEHICLE DISPLAYS YET ANOTHER JERK. ALL OF THESE FEELS AS IF IT IS COMING FROM THE REAR. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR IT'S REGULAR MAINTENCE AND QUESTIONED THE SERVICE ADVISOR ABOUT THIS ISSUE. I WAS TOLD IN A VERY "I DON'T HAVE TIME FOR YOU MANNER" IT'S A TACOMA IT WILL ALWAYS DO THAT. I CAN'T NOR WILL I ACCEPT THAT ANSWER.

NHTSA ID

10130343

Incident

Jul 27, 2005

Mileage

1,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, IN INCLEMENT WEATHER THE BRAKES FAILED. THE DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP COMPLETELY. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. THIS INFORMATION WAS PROVIDED BY THE CONSUMERS DAUGHTER. *JB *ER

NHTSA ID

10108770

Incident

Nov 3, 2003

Mileage

35,000 mi

CONSUMER EXPERIENCED HESITATION WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. CONSUMER WAS DRIVING IN A PARKING LOT AND WHEN COMING TO A STOP THE BRAKE PEDAL SUNK TO THE FLOOR. SHE THEN HAD VEHICLE SERVICED, AND WAS TOLD THAT WHAT SHE WAS EXPERIENCING WAS NORMAL.*AK

NHTSA ID

10103551

Incident

Dec 3, 2004

IT'S THE 5TH TACOMA I'VE OWNED. THE PARKING BRAKE LEVER IN EACH OF THE OTHER TRUCKS ALWAYS CAME OUT 4 INCHES FROM THE DASH. THE "ON" LIGHT CAME ON WHEN AT THE 3" MARK. THIS NEW TRUCK COMES OUT 11.5 INCHES, HITS ME IN THE KNEE, MAKING IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO GET IN AND OUT, ALMOST COLLIDES WITH THE STICK SHIFT WHEN ITS IN 1ST GEAR. THE "ON" LIGHT COMES ON BEFORE ITS PULLED A QUARTER OF AN INCH. THE MANUAL DIRECTS THE OPERATOR, WHEN IN STOPPED ON AN INCLINE, NOT TO USE THE CLUTCH TO HOLD THE CAR BUT RATHER PLACE THE CAR IN NUETRAL AND USE THE PARKING BRAKE. AFTER 26 HOURS OWNING THE CAR, IT ROLLED DOWN MY DRIVEWAY. AT THE TIME, THE CAR WAS IN NUETRAL WITH THE BRAKE ON TO THE EXTENT ALL MY OTHER ( 4) TACOMAS WOULD HAVE BEEN. THE "ON" LIGHT WAS ON. I JUMPED OUT OF THE CAR FOR JUST A SECOND AND IT ROLLED AWAY. THE INSURANCE MAN RENACTED THE INCIDENT .HE AGREED SOMETHING WASN'T RIGHT. AS THE CAR BEGAN TO ROLL DOWN THE DRIVEWAY, HE GOT BEHIND IT AND BEGAN TRYING TO STOP IT. I WAS ABLE TO JUMP IN AND STOP IT. FORTUNATELY NO ONE WAS HURT. BEFORE I APPROACH TOYOTA, I WANTED HIS REPORT DETAILING HOW THE BRAKE FAILED. I'VE YET TO SEE IT. I 'M NOT COMFORTABLE APPROACHING THE DEALER, NOR TOYOTA, WITHOUT SOME AUTHORITATIVE BACKING. THE BRAKE NEEDS TO BE FIXED. THE BUMPER AND SLIGHT BODY DAMAGE NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED . I WAS NEVER "WALKED THROUGH" IT AT THE DEALER. NOR DO I HAVE ANYTHING THAT SAYS THE PRE-DELIVERY INSPECTION WAS PERFORMED. I DON'T KNOW IF THE DEALER IS MANDATED TO WALK ONE THROUGH THE CAR OR WHAT IF ANY, INSPECTION IS SUPPOSED TO BE PERFORMED AND DOCUMENTED FOR THE CUSTOMER. WHAT IS IN PLACE TO ENSURE A NEW CAR IS NOT UNSAFE? I WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE ANY RESPONSE YOU MAY DEEM APPROPRIATE. I HAVE E-MAILED THE TOYOTA WEB SITE TWICE IN AN ATTEMPT TO GATHER SOME INFORMATIONABOUT THE VERY QUESTIONS I RAISE HERE. THEY DO NOT APPEAR TO BE RESPONDING. THANKS AGAIN, I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU. *AK

NHTSA ID

10081212

Incident

Jul 2, 2004