2017 Toyota RAV4: soft or spongy brake pedal

Filed Apr 8, 2025 · Brakes · NY

I have put 45,000 miles on the vehicle and have had complete brakes and rotors replaced 3 times. The caliper hangs up every time. As it gets closer to replacement time, I have experienced times when I did not think my car was going to stop. Brakes are spongy and I feel like pushing the pedal down is not enough to stop the car. I have experienced this three times, and thankfully it has stopped in time to avoid collision.

Filed Feb 5, 2021 · Brakes · 60,251 miles · NJ

Last spring had $700.00 brake job on my daughters car at toyota dealer we have delt with for years.I happen to drive it one day and found brakes spongy and went within one inch of floor to stop. Just drove again and same problem !. Is this a design problem with master cylinder !

Filed Sep 11, 2017 · Brakes · 13,000 miles · NC · crash

Purchased my new rav4 on 12/2017. On 8/13/2017 I was at a drive through and stopped at the end of the line and the service brake when I pressed the peddle the brake was firm and stopped correctly. The line moved and I lifted my foot off of the service brake and the line stopped and I applied the service brake peddle and had to press the peddle further than I pressed the peddle the first time I stopped in the line. While stopped in the line the second time the rav4 started to roll forward and I had to press the service brake even further to get the rav4 stop. The line moved forward and I lifted my foot off of the service brake peddle and the line stopped and when I pressed the service brake peddle the service brake peddle went to the floor and did not slow until I struck the vehicle in front of me. After the accident my service brake peddle was very spongy and slow to respond when pressing the service brake peddle. I took my rav4 on 8/14/2017 to local dealership to have my service brakes checked. When I took the rav4 in I did not have any paper work to sign. The afternoon the service advisor said my rav4 was ready. When I went to get my rav4 the service advisor said no codes and did not give me any paper work and I did not sign any paper work. When I got in to drive the rav4 away my service brake peddle was firm not spongy and responded quickly as very little movement to press the service brake peddle to stop the rav4. My service on the toyota web site service has never reported the service even today. I called the toyota and told them of this situation and the toyota representative told me to bring my rav4 back to the dealership on 8/24/2017 and he would download the event recorder and did on 8/31/2017. No issues was reported on the event recorder. Letter showed no reference that I had my service brakes checked on 8/14/2017. Service brake is spongy while stopped now.

Filed Aug 5, 2017 · Acceleration, Brakes · 4,712 miles · NY · crash

As I was approaching the mail box area in my apartment complex at approximately 15 MPH, I put my foot on the brake to turn into the parking area in front of the four metal mailboxes and put the vehicle in "park" when the vehicle suddenly lurched forward and jumped the six-inch, brick-paver curb. I crashed into the mailbox structure, completely uplifting the base that was bolted into the concrete and hit a wood trash container holder. I depressed the brake pedal harder but my vehicle would not slow down or stop and I also could not control the steering. I continued up a hill (at 45-50 MPH) consisting of tall grass, wildflowers, rocks, etc., across a walking path of woodchips and mulch, then down the hill (still with my foot on the brake) grazing the branches and leaves of a small tree before coming off the six-inch curb and back onto the street, where I hit a light post. I managed to lift the parking brake, slam on the brake again and the vehicle rolled to a stop. It should be noted that none of the airbags deployed.

Filed Jul 6, 2017 · Brakes, Engine · IL

Purchased car from st. Charles toyota il on july4, 2017 VIN [xxx]. Purchased and picked up 2017 rav4 le from them on july4th (between 11am - 3pm). Drove car from st. Charles to peoria il. Today on july6 rav4 has 194 miles. Later came to know that their service dept. Was actually closed on july 4th. Identified three problems. While driving, engine temperature gauge swayed little right from middle position. Was curious and checked dipstick today on july6 and found engine oil dip stick at abnormal low level. Picture attached. Brake pedal felt spongy, felt a drag in braking when I apply brakes. Found water dripping down on ground while A/C was running in parked position. Water dripped on ground little off from front axle. Recorded water dripping. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).