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Toyota 4RUNNER grinding brakes problems

68 of the 5,877 owner complaints about the Toyota 4RUNNER describe grinding or squealing brakes, most of them for the 2003 model year.

owner complaints
68
worst model year
2003
typical mileage
80,600
Is there a fix? No recall or service bulletin covers this area of the car yet.

By model year

  • 2025
    10
  • 2024
    1
  • 2022
    1
  • 2020
    1
  • 2019
    3
  • 2018
    1
  • 2016
    2
  • 2015
    1
  • 2010
    1
  • 2009
    1
  • 2008
    1
  • 2007
    4
  • 2006
    3
  • 2005
    4
  • 2004
    2
  • 2003
    11
  • 2002
    4
  • 2001
    1
  • 2000
    1
  • 1999
    6
  • 1998
    3
  • 1996
    4
  • 1995
    1
  • 1991
    1

What owners say

Filed Oct 2, 2026 · Brakes · WA

The brakes make a loud squealing noise especially in reverse. This is concerning and not what I expect from a brand new car!

Filed Sep 29, 2026 · Brakes · MD

There is a known issue, under recall T-SB-0006-26. My brakes squeal VERY loudly when I move in reverse. Toyota acknowledges that 2025 4Runners are affected, but claim my specific VIN is not covered.

Filed Mar 18, 2026 · Brakes · TX

Brakes squeak/squeal very loudly and often, no matter if it’s cold, rainy, hot or humid. It was only squeaking/squealing when applying the brakes while backing up but now starting to squeak/squeal when applying the brakes while moving forward. Seems to be getting worse. Spoke to the dealer and they say there’s nothing they can do until Toyota comes up with a fix.

Filed Feb 21, 2026 · Brakes · FL

My 2025 Toyota 4Runners brakes have a very high pitched squeal. This is most noticeable when backing up but sometimes when applying the brakes going forward, especially in wet conditions. I feel the brakes may fail at some point causing an accident. Twice I’ve had other vehicles slam their brakes on or attempt evasive action thinking I was going to hit them because the noise was so loud they heard it inside their vehicle. This did happen in a parking lot and not on the road. It is my understanding Toyota had a service bulletin to fix the issue under T-SB-0046-25 which was issued in July 2025, however to date, Toyota has not repaired my vehicle. It is my understanding that some vehicles were repaired under the bulletin but the fix did not correct the problem. I was told by my local Toyota dealer this week that Toyota told them to stop all repairs because the TSB was not correcting the issue and they were waiting for Toyota engineers to find a new solution. Request your assistance in getting Toyota to repair all the vehicles affected by this problem before a serious accident occurs because of brake failure or another driver taking evasive action when they hear this noise.

Filed Jan 18, 2026 · Brakes · FL

This vehicle’s brakes loudly squeal when in reverse and when just stopping at a stop sign. After a few weeks of purchase I brought it to the Toyota service team in St. Peter’s to fix since it’s under warranty. They said they do not have a fix for the issue! Driving this vehicle scares me and I don’t feel safe. Please help. This is a major safety hazard. Supposedly, these vehicle was brought in and “fixed” for the same brake issue. It clearly has not been fixed. I have video evidence but your platform won’t allow me to upload a video.

Filed Nov 5, 2025 · Brakes · 400 miles · AL

The contact owns a 2025 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal squealing coming from the rear brakes. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the driver’s and passenger’s side rear brake pads. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 400.

Filed Oct 6, 2025 · Brakes, Electrical · TX

Brakes- when reversing the brakes make loud grinding / squealing noise. I'm worried at times it will give out by not braking. Electrical- my display panel with the reverse camera turns off which at times can cause an accident.

Filed Sep 2, 2025 · Brakes · GA

The brakes in the new 2025 4runner howl and squeal extremely loudly. I avoid braking slowly to try to avoid the noise. The TSB was completed last month: TSB-0046-25. It did not work. The noise is back, and worse. I am worried I am going to get into an accident because the brakes are so egregiously bad. Please help make Toyota fix this. It's crazy!!!

Filed Aug 6, 2025 · Brakes · TX

When operating in reverse and applying the brakes they make a very loud squeal sound. This is a brand new car, purchased a week ago, with less than 700 miles on it. I spoke with the dealership and they are aware of the issue but have no resolution.

Filed Jun 10, 2025 · Brakes · GA

The 6gen 2025 4Runner brakes squeal VERY badly, to the point where it has changed my driving habits. I am concerned there is something wrong. There needs to be a TSB or a recall, it's really bad. Apparently a lot of people are also reporting that the brakes squeak really badly especially in reverse. I have found that if I slam on the brakes, the noise does not occur as much. In other words, if I drive and brake normally, the brakes scream. If I slam on the brakes, not as much noise. So now I drive differently in order to avoid the obnoxiously loud noise. Thanks Toyota!!!!

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Questions about the Toyota 4RUNNER grinding brakes

Which Toyota 4RUNNER years have grinding or squealing brakes problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2003 (11 complaints), 2025 (10 complaints) and 1999 (6 complaints).

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