ABS problem disables brakes function. While driving the dash alerts lights (vsc track, ABS and brakes ) went on. Thanks god this happened while driving at a very low speed and in a flat terrain. A Toyota ex-employee told us that the company became aware of this problem almost 10 years ago. No security alert was issued. However, a company bulletin described the ABS malfunction and offered replacement to those who requested it. This offer is no longer offered. I went to a Toyota dealer and the cost to fix the problem is $3622.41 for service and parts. At present the unit is out of service. I am the original owner and bought this unit in March 1, 2003. It has 58,239 miles. I have taken the unit for service whenever a recall has been made for this vehicle. Toyota company has never alerted me about the possibility of brake malfunction and the security risk that this problem involves.

- Guayama, PR, USA

Continuous brake caliper issues with then locking up causing them to prematurely wear out rotors and pads. Now with the cause of this issue, lost brake pressure all together almost causing me the driver create an accident in an intersection that could have been a devastating outcome. The vehicle only has 155000 miles, this should never have happened, I've already paid it off pocket alot of money for the brake caliper issue that I could have bought a newer vehicle. This needs to be investigated closely.

- Fredericksburg, VA, USA

Front brake caliper pistons seized up causing me to go through a stop light. See enclosed video. Please review all the complaints regarding Toyota 4runner caliper pistons seizing up. This is a serious design defect that requires your immediate attention.

- Medford, OR, USA

Recently bought my 4runner, took it to the dealer to be inspected, only for them to tell me that the frame was compromised due to rust damage. Toyota has agreed to replace frames on Tacoma's, Tundra's and sequoia's, but not 4runners, even though they are all the same frames.

- Vancouver, WA, USA

The vehicle feels like it's bottoming out going over the slightest little bump when in motion and the rotors were making a horrible sound going down the highway even after the brakes had been checked. Spent $400+ on new brakes & rotors only to find out that the frame is completely rusted out and the mechanic advised us not to drive it at all. It was too dangerous and would cause a bad wreck when it finally did drop out.

- David, KY, USA

Catastrophic brake loss without warning. Vsc, tac and E-brake lights with loud audible alarm with loss of ability to brake. Only with strongest pressure on brake was able to slow vehicle. Fortunately, no collision or injuries occurred. Report this to Toyota - no advisory or recall notice has been issued. Representative told me that no one would contact me and the case would be close. This flies in the face of a manufactures liability to notify of potential product failure as long a product is in use. This is a 2003 Toyota R runner with 166830 miles. Toyota work order list this as a baker booster motor assy internal part failure. Cost to replace this necessary safety equipment was 3,817 dollars.

- Valencia, CA, USA

While pulling into a grocery store parking lot, aloud cabin alarm sound and ABS, vsc and trac and brake warning lights on the dash came on. My vehicle seemed to stop ok so we did our shopping, when we started the car it still had the lights lit up and braked ok. We were close to home so I drove slowly trying to get there about half way home I applied the brakes and the pedal was hard as a rock and would not slow down the car applying emergency break and using shifter in order to stop and avoid crashing we got it home accident free. Today a talked to a Toyota specialty shop and explained the problem and his first response was the ABS pump and master cylinder failure. Vehicle has 105000 miles and this is a safety issue I have never had a vehicle brakes fail without a back up system for safety.I have read 1000S of posts and threads in blogs from Toyota owners with similar issue, and some that caused accidents. I had just come off the highway, so this could have caused a serious accident just minutes earlier. This seems to be a very common occurrence and Toyota is very aware of the situation but no recall. This situation merits an investigation by Toyota and a recall should be awarded before human life is lost in an accident.

- Redwood City, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2003 Toyota 4runner. While driving at 65 mph, the brake pedal was depressed and felt stiff, which caused a longer braking time. When the failure first occurred, all the warning indicators were illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, but the failure could not be duplicated and there were no warning indicators illuminated. An independent mechanic diagnosed that the vehicle was losing brake power while being operated at higher speeds. The mechanic recommended that the master brake cylinder assembly be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

- Chino Hills, CA, USA

I am deeply disturbed by the thought itself that my son and I could have died or severely injured while the brakes didn't work last weekend. All of a sudden, bunch of lights on the dashboard came on and continued loud sound started coming from the dashboard when I was reaching my son's school to drop him off for a tennis match. While I feel very fortunate that I was driving very slow and I was able to apply the emergency brake to stop the car before it hit any other vehicle or a tree, I am very concerned for the safety of the other drivers who may face the same issue while driving at a higher speed and/or on a busy road. I would like your immediate attention to this issue and request you to investigate the issue with Toyota. There are few others who have reported the same issue. Toyota dismisses the case by saying its 'wear and tear'. how can wear and tear can be a justification when it is a safety hazard and people can lose lives? please don't wait to warn and investigate until someone loses a loved one's life.

- Stewartsville, NJ, USA

While driving at approximately 30 mph on a city street, with my little girl in the vehicle, breaks failed and loud cabin alarm sound and ABS, vsc and trac dash lights came on. We were close to home so we got it there into the garage applying emergency break and using shifter in order to stop and avoid crashing. Had vehicle towed to dealership twice as they said the fixed it after only having it 30 minutes and said the accumulator pump was blocked up. Came home, drove it twice and the one week later all the bells and whistles go off again. Had it towed once again and now being told that it will cost us $4000 to fix. Very odd Toyota goes from a thirty-minute charge and fix to a three-day process because they have to order part and cost us $4000. Supposedly the ABS pump break master cylinder is bad and has to be replaced. I have read 1000S of posts and threads in blogs from Toyota owners with similar issue, and some that caused accidents. I had just come off the highway, so this could have caused a serious accident just minutes earlier. This seems to be a very common occurrence and Toyota is very aware of the situation but no recall. This situation merits an investigation by Toyota and a recall should be awarded before human life is lost in an accident. They should also find a better less expensive fix. Generations of my family have put our faith into Toyota vehicles and to be screwed like this is just not fair. The economy bailed car dealerships out when they were going under and they can't do the right thing taking ownership of this known issue. Will analysis my options when buying another Toyota.

- Fishers, IN, USA

The contact owns a 2003 Toyota 4runner. While driving 65 mph, the vsc and traction control warning indicators illuminated. The anti-lock braking system engaged and locked the front brakes. The vehicle violently pulled to the left lane and the steering and brakes failed. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failure and repair the vehicle. The manufacturer stated that they were unaware of the failure previously occurring. The failure mileage was approximately 167,000.

- East Hartford, CT, USA

I've been doing research online for the non stop vcs trac, vcs off, ABS and brake warning lights and buzzers going off. It has been described as a common issue with Toyota and can lead to complete loss of brakes, but no recall. The dealership wants $3200 for the part and $600 to install. I guess Toyota needs fatalities to back their product. Shame on Toyota.

- Princeville, HI, USA

The contact owns a 2003 Toyota 4runner. When the vehicle was started, the ABS, emergency brake, and vsc trac lights remained illuminated. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, but the failure recurred. The contact placed the vehicle in drive and then depressed the brake pedal, but the vehicle did not stop. The contact quickly placed the gear in park and called a tow truck. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the hydraulic ABS and the tc motor failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was at the shop for repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was 260,000.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

Owner was driving vehicle in a city at 10 mph when ABS, vsc, trac and ebrake light came on along with an alarm sound. Brakes completely failed and would not respond on several attempts. Managed to slow car to side of the road without hitting anything by pressing ebrake and pumping brake pedal. Towed to auto repair shop and was told that the hydraulic brake booster completely failed and brakes would not work without replacing the entire brake booster assembly. Quoted $3100 for repair. Based on some internet searching, this appears to be a fairly common issue on this model/year. Disappointed that Toyota has not provided some fix for this issue which could prove incredibly dangerous.

- Arlington, VA, USA

My front brake calipers continue to freeze or seize and causes the brake pads to stick to the rotors. This is the third time this has occurred since I owned the truck. Recently, upon replacing the both front calipers, brake pads, and rotors, after bleeding the brakes the brake system now only worked in the front brakes and not the rear brakes.

- Rockville, MD, USA

The contact owns a 2003 Toyota 4runner. While the vehicle was idling, the ABS, parking brake, vsc and traction control lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact lost all braking control immediately. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the master cylinder that controls the ABS and booster was defective and would need to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but declined to provide any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 100,000.

- Winter Spring , FL, USA

Exact same issue identified in: Date complaint filed: 01/07/2015 component(s): Service brakes date of incident: 01/05/2015 NHTSA id number: 10670783 drove car to shop without losing brake power. Quoted $3,000 and told the ABS actuator requires replacement. I've replaced transmissions and engine parts over car lifetimes, but never run into this part failing before, not even in a Ford. Would like to know if this is a design defect.

- Dover, MA, USA

I was driving normally with no issues on local streets. Suddenly the vsc, trac, and E-brake lights came on the dashboard with a very loud audible alarm. No prior issues with this system. I was able to drive slowly home on side roads (1.5 miles away). I made it to my driveway, pulled in on my upsloping driveway and then I had no brakes. Pedal went all the way to the floor. I was able to get the car into the street and had it towed to the shop. I feel lucky to have had this happen at low speed and in town. There was little to no warning for a critical system failure. Diagnosis by mechanic is brake master cylinder/traction control module, at approximately $3000 to replace. I have found multiple incidents of this failure across multiple vehicle types. The lack of responsiveness upon failure (including the emergency brake) and the short window to react makes me feel lucky that I did not hit or harm myself or anyone else with this failure.

- Torrance, CA, USA

We were driving along normally, the vsc, trac, ABS and E-brake lights came on the dashboard, along with an audible alarm. Then we had no brakes. I had to push with all my strength just to slow down at all. We were lucky we did not crash, we could have been killed. I am finding out it is a common problem on this year and model, as well as other Toyota models that use the same brake master cylinder/traction control module.

- Fort Collins, CO, USA

The contact owns a 2003 Toyota 4runner. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for inspection when they detected that the rear differential, rear lower control arm and frame were severely corroded. One of the two rear lower control arms had become slightly detached from the vehicle. In addition, the emergency brake also exhibited corrosion. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Waymart, PA, USA