Brakes
Antilock system (ABS), parking brake, master cylinder, calipers, rotors, pulsation or vibration, squeaking, brake failure or wear.
What Owners Say
"abs computer failure"
George F., PA (2004 Toyota 4Runner Limited 4.0-L V6)"abs ecm failed @ another $1000."
Anonymous, (2004 Toyota 4Runner Limited 4.7-L V8)"I've had two calipers freeze up in the last 12 months"
Frederick G., MI (2004 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4.7-L V8)"Calipers regularly seize up and cause rotors to warp"
Anonymous, MA (2004 Toyota 4Runner Sport 4.0-L V6)"The left rear caliper froze on my 4Runner, causing my wheel and hub assembly to get very, very hot and change color to a shade of light blue due to the heat created by the frozen caliper assembly. I have had a lot of problems with the calipers on the front and rear of my 4 Runner corroding, freezing the pistons in place or not releasing the pads easily, and have had to replace them multiple times during my 14 years of ownership as the original owner of this vehicle"
Anonymous, ME (2004 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4.0-L V6)"rear calipers seized but they had lasted nearly 2 yrs..just past warranty"
Anonymous, ON (2004 Toyota 4Runner Limited 4.7-L V8)"Back passenger side caliper didn't fully release and got hot from driving. Was able to get to a repair facility in my town. I had both rear calipers replaced. Brake pads were ok"
Anonymous, MO (2004 Toyota 4Runner Limited 4.7-L V8)"The calipers seized up causing a squeaking sound once the systems heated up. I noted the squeaking, but dealer did not address problem until I went on a drive with the mgr. The problem caused premature brake wear. Calipers and brakes were replaced"
Anonymous, OR (2004 Toyota 4Runner Sport 4.7-L V8)"Corrosion caused partial locking"
Anonymous, MA (2004 Toyota 4Runner Sport 4.7-L V8)"Seizure of calipers"
Anonymous, ME (2004 Toyota 4Runner Limited 4.0-L V6)"caliper froze causing rotor to warp"
Anonymous, NJ (2004 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4.0-L V6)"One caliper was stuck in the closed position and worn down my brake pad on that side"
Anonymous, NY (2004 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4.7-L V8)"front calipers needed replacement at 110,000 cost $1200.00"
Anonymous, NY (2004 Toyota 4Runner Limited 4.7-L V8)"Replaced both front calipers due to rusted pistons"
Anonymous, PA (2004 Toyota 4Runner Limited 4.0-L V6)"Calipers have seized regularly over the past several years requiring expensive replacement of calipers, pads and rotors"
Anonymous, NJ (2004 Toyota 4Runner Limited 4.7-L V8)"Needed replacement due to low vehicle usage"
Barry C., MD (2004 Toyota 4Runner Limited 4.7-L V8)"freezing up"
Joe W., NJ (2004 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4.0-L V6)"front caliper pistons stuck causing wear to rotors and hard stopping."
Anonymous, PA (2004 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4.0-L V6)"Same as previous questions. Caused vibration when breaking at high speeds. Fixed at brake service about 6 months after the problem started."
Anonymous, CA (2004 Toyota 4Runner Sport 4.7-L V8)"master cylinder failed while driving. Very expensive to replace using factory parts. Found a used one from a junk yard"
Anonymous, NY (2004 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4.0-L V6)"master/booster/abs is motor driven and motor provides all the power brake boost. system wears out and can only be serviced in a full unit priced near $3000 just for parts."
Anonymous, (2004 Toyota 4Runner Limited 4.7-L V8)"The vacuum assist module failed."
Anonymous, (2004 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4.0-L V6)"Needed brakes plus rotors and my third set of tires"
Anonymous, FL (2004 Toyota 4Runner Sport 4.0-L V6)"replaced front brakes left and right"
Anonymous, VA (2004 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4.0-L V6)"Normal brake wear"
Larry D., IL (2004 Toyota 4Runner Limited 4.7-L V8)"Had to have the rotors turned, pads replaced. Not unexpected at 230K miles, but the dealer charged over $1100 to do this"
Anonymous, TX (2004 Toyota 4Runner Sport 4.7-L V8)"I had to replace front and rear brakes - normal brake wear. I did also have to replace the front calipers"
John C., BC (2004 Toyota 4Runner Limited 4.7-L V8)"needed new brake pads"
Anonymous, CO (2004 Toyota 4Runner Limited 4.7-L V8)"It was time to replace the pads and grind the rotors"
Laurence J., CA (2004 Toyota 4Runner Limited 4.0-L V6)"How do I explain normal? I'm not a shrink."
Anonymous, (2004 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4.0-L V6)"Under routine maintenance, found brakes needed replacement, not an extensive repair, though"
Anonymous, (2004 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4.7-L V8)"Parking Brake pedal continues to loosen. Needed to tear apart console to tighten. Parking brake not adjusted during normal rear brake maintenance."
Terry B., OR (2004 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4.7-L V8)"Parking brakes needs to be readjusted frequently"
Sherry B., TN (2004 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4.0-L V6)"Breaks wear very quickly since I've owned the car"
Robin K., NJ (2004 Toyota 4Runner Sport 4.0-L V6)"Brake pistons tend to freeze and cause the brake pads to wear too fast. Replace pads every 6 months (7500 miles) and calipers about every 18 minths"
Anonymous, NY (2004 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4.0-L V6)"brake ware do to defective caliper"
Joe W., NJ (2004 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4.0-L V6)"The brakes were hot and left locked overnight in below zero weather, which warped the rotors. But I still drive it"
Anonymous, ID (2004 Toyota 4Runner Limited 4.7-L V8)"caliper was locked up. Replaced."
Anonymous, (2004 Toyota 4Runner Sport 4.0-L V6)"Pulsation or vibration when braking at high speeds. Happened infrequently for about 6 months before I decided it was time for a brake service. Resolved completely at that service."
Anonymous, CA (2004 Toyota 4Runner Sport 4.7-L V8)"ROTORS WERE WORN THIN, HAD TO BE REPLACED"
Thomas S., UT (2004 Toyota 4Runner Sport 4.0-L V6)"The rear breaks were warned out & had to be replaced"
Anonymous, CA (2004 Toyota 4Runner Sport 4.0-L V6)"Warped rotors was the reason for the vibration during breaking"
Anonymous, CA (2004 Toyota 4Runner Sport 4.7-L V8)"Normal brake wear, just had to vist several different mechanics to resolve a pulsing issue when brake pedal presssed"
Anonymous, CA (2004 Toyota 4Runner Limited 4.0-L V6)"all in all ok vehicle"
Anonymous, CA (2004 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4.0-L V6)"Pulsing while braking"
Michael K., IN (2004 Toyota 4Runner Sport 4.0-L V6)"warped due to seized caliper"
Anonymous, NJ (2004 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4.0-L V6)"Rotors on both my Toyotas have been problematic"
Anonymous, PA (2004 Toyota 4Runner Sport 4.0-L V6)"Had routine replacement of brakes. Afterward the brakes squealed each morning as I backed out of the garage. My neighbors did not need an alarm clock. After 3 visits to the dealer I took the car to a different mechanic and he corrected the problem."
Donald P., ID (2004 Toyota 4Runner Limited 4.7-L V8)"Squeaking is a helpful hint that brakes services are needed"
Anonymous, CA (2004 Toyota 4Runner Sport 4.0-L V6)"Have had car in 3 times and I still have squealing of brakes when backing out of garage"
Donald P., ID (2004 Toyota 4Runner Limited 4.7-L V8)"prior installed ceramic brake pads worn out prematurely"
Anonymous, CA (2004 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4.0-L V6)"Made the mistake of replacing original brakes with non-Toyota replacements"
Anonymous, ON (2004 Toyota 4Runner Limited)"I noted squeaking on several consecutive maintenance visits to the Toyota dealership and their inspections did not turn up any source. The squeaking was due to the calipers seizing up and thus prematurely wearing out the brake pads"
Anonymous, OR (2004 Toyota 4Runner Sport 4.7-L V8)"Just before 1000,000 miles brakes began squealing when backing out of garage in the morning or any time first driven during the day. Had rotors and pads replaced with quality NAPA products. Brakes squealed even worse after a couple of months. Another"
Steve E., SC (2004 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4.7-L V8)
"Fails as a single unit. Replacement cost is > $3200"
Anonymous, CA (2004 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4.0-L V6)