2010 Toyota FJ Cruiser: ABS light or ABS activating

Filed Jul 26, 2017 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 60,000 miles · IL

The vehicle was parked in my drive way. Squirrels chewed the wiring harness causing loss of ABS braking, stability control and loss of windshield wipers (during a rain). I understand toyota uses food based insulation in the 2010 fj cruiser. A nice source of squirrel food. From the bare wires and squirrel nesting, it is a wonder my engine compartment didn't catch fire. I believe the squirrel nest building was due to the close food source.

Filed Jan 5, 2015 · Brakes · 50,500 miles · CT

I would like to note that this was the third incident in over a two year period. The first two incidents I dismissed as driver error but now I am certain that this was not the case. This is certainly a vehicle defect, and a dangerous one at that. Here is what happened: I was at a full stop at a red light. On green, I accelerated very slowly as I was taking a 90 degree left turn. At the exit of the turn there was a metal plate (maybe a manhole cover or other utility type cover) which was part of the road. I passed over this object, like all other traffic does, about the same time as I started applying my brakes to slow down (I think I braked immediately after...not sure). I had a sudden feeling that the ABS brake system was on and the truck was not slowing nearly as fast as required. The brakes clearly felt as they failed. Another light lay right in front of me. Had there been traffic, I would have rear ended the person and been at fault. On the previous occasion, I felt the same experience. At that time I reacted by lifting my foot off the brake, and it restored braking power. Again, fortunately, no one was in front so I did not collide. However, both times my stopping distance increased dramatically and unsafely. Weather conditions at both of these times was daytime, clear, dry, and temperatures say in the 30-40s. There was absolutely no ice, rain, sand, or snow. Brake issue comes on, it seems, with a sudden wheel hop or loss of traction, almost in tandem. This is a very serious issue and I am extremely concerned, as I feel my life is literally at stake. I love my fj cruiser and it is maintained by toyota and taken care of extremely well. It is clearly a vehicle defect. I have read of similar instances on user forums but I have seen no action taken. I need some guidance or advice please. Thank you, [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Feb 19, 2012 · Brakes · MD

While approaching a stoplight with light braking, for approximately a half block, the ABS started to pulsate the front brakes thus causing them to lose effectiveness. I tried to push harder but had no effect on the condition. I then let clear off the brake pedal in order for the brakes to "reset" if you will, then I was able stop prior to running through the red light. Had there been a vehicle or pedestrian in front of me the outcome would have not been a good one. I believe toyota has a problem with this issue.

Filed Feb 26, 2011 · Brakes · 4,800 miles · TX

As I approached a red light in my 2010 fj cruiser the brakes seemed to have a mind of their own in that when I depressed the brake the vehicle would lunge forward and stop repeatedly I narrowly avoided rear ending the vehicle in front of me. I have read about this being a problem for other fj owners on an internet forum and it appears to be a problem with the ABS.

Filed Nov 29, 2010 · Brakes · 600 miles · OR

Driving a new 2010 toyota fj cruiser with approximately 600 miles on the odometer. Moderate rain. When turning off a paved roadway onto a flat, wet, and muddy surface I had the experience of total momentary brake failure. This occurred as my left front tire left the road surface and hit the slick mud. My speed was under 20 MPH and I was able to regain braking power by releasing the brake and then re-applying it. My assumption at the time was it was the result of some kind of weird ABS behavior. I was applying the brakes very lightly to gradually slow my vehicle. The brakes behaved normally until the first tire hit the slick muddy surface. Somehow the system caused all 4 wheels to lose all braking power.

Filed Jul 5, 2010 · Brakes · 7,000 miles · WA

My car is a 2010 toyota fj cruiser which I purchased in october 2009. The brakes didn't stop the car as expected in two occasions, at about 7000 miles the first time, and then a month later again. In the first occurrence, I was driving at around 25 MPH on wet asphalt coming to a traffic light. I pushed the brakes to stop but the car continued to roll and I went into the intersection. The second time I was driving at around 40mph, again on wet asphalt. I drove over a grate on a bridge and pushed the brakes, and the car did the same thing, it didn't slow down as I expected, instead it kept going. If the car in front of me had been closer I would have hit it. There's no vibration characteristic of the ABS, instead it simply feels as if the brakes stop braking. In both cases I pulled the handbrake because of my instinctive reaction to try to stop the car. I've been driving several cars over 15 years and this has never happened to me before. I took the car to toyota the first time and they had it for a whole weekend and told me they couldn't find anything wrong with it. Further, this problem seems to be happening to many other fj owners, see http://tiny.cc/eabja.

Filed Jun 1, 2010 · Brakes · 580 miles · 00

Just bought the new fj cruiser 2010 and got ABS brake problem. Everytime I hit a bump the ABS get active and the vehicle doesn't slow down . I get very close to hit someone at the back because of that. Now I am getting nervous everytime I see a bump, can't imagine what I will do on slippery surface.

Filed Feb 11, 2010 · Brakes · 2,000 miles · CO

Abs brakes release if one wheel locks. Went into the intersection without brakes 2x.