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Toyota Tundra brake failure problems

95 of the 6,967 owner complaints about the Toyota Tundra describe brake failure, most of them for the 2000 model year.

owner complaints
95
worst model year
2000
typical mileage
79,962
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall for this area of the car. See below

By model year

What owners say

Filed Aug 17, 2026 · Brakes · NY

The brake vacuum pump failed at 46k causing a loss of brake power. Low brake power park in a safe place and call the dealer.

Filed Feb 3, 2026 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 60,000 miles · AK

The contact called on behalf of the owner of a 2022 Toyota Tundra. The owner received notifications of the federal safety agency Campaign Numbers: 22V501000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, BACK OVER PREVENTION), 22V661000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC), 23V142000 (STRUCTURE), 23V566000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE), 24V125000 (POWER TRAIN), 24V381000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), 25V657000 (BACK OVER PREVENTION), and 25V322000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). However, the part to do the exterior lighting recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the electronic parking brake failed to function as intended. The contact stated that there are no local dealers on the island in Alaska where the owner resides. The nearest Toyota dealer was 750 miles away and was in Washington State. The manufacturer was contacted and refused to cover the cost to transport the vehicle to Washington State. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

Filed Oct 7, 2025 · Brakes · MA

The brackets supporting the right rear brake line were severely rusted and failed. The brake line cracked at the juncture of the wheel cylinder attachment nut. Subsequently,there was a total loss of braking action on all wheels. The dual cylinder master cylinder failed to actuate the front brakes.THERE WAS NO BRAKING ACTION. The emergency brake had to be deployed in order to stop the vehicle.

Filed May 12, 2025 · Brakes, Electrical · SC · fire

On February 25, 2025, I took my 2023 Toyota Tundra VIN# [XXX] to Stokes Toyota Beaufort, SC, for its 45,000-mile service. Just 300 meters after leaving the dealership, my truck caught fire, causing significant damage and putting my safety at risk. I am sharing pictures of the incident and the warning messages I received on the dashboard. I was on my way back to the dealership when this happened. At first, the truck was shaking and losing power. I managed to make a U-turn to return to the dealership, but then the engine stalled. At that moment, I started seeing warning messages on the dashboard. I immediately called the dealership to inform them that I was experiencing issues with my truck. While still on the phone with the dealership, I noticed smoke coming from the passenger side of the hood. Moments later, flames started emerging from the hood. I quickly hung up and called 911. 1- What component or system failed or malfunctioned? I believe the engine and possibly the brakes failed (based on the dashboard warning messages). 2- How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Within minutes, my truck burned completely. I am grateful I didn't have my children with me at the time. 3- Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? I received formal letters from Toyota Manufacturer, Toyota Distributor, and the dealership, stating that they are sorry for what happened but cannot offer any assistance with my claim. 4- Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, or others? Yes, the insurance company, fire marshal, dealership, Toyota, and Engineering Analysis Associates (EAA) have all inspected the vehicle. 5- Were there any warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure? Yes, the truck was shaking, losing power, and eventually stopped completely, displaying warning messages on the dashboard. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C

Filed Sep 13, 2024 · Brakes · CA

Toyota Case Number: TAS 242430544. Vehicles brake pedal went to the floor. No power brakes. Check engine light turned on. Could not drive the vehicle.

Filed Jul 26, 2024 · Body, Brakes · WI · crash

On April 6, 2024 I was driving my 2006 Toyota Tundra when the brakes gave out and the vehicle went through the back wall of my garage. The brake fluid spilled onto the street and onto my driveway. There are 3 witnesses to this including a police officer. I am lucky that I was not a highway when this happened. I had the Tundra towed to a repair garage and they put it on a hoist. Two mechanics showed me the underside which is completely rusted , including some holes. They told me I would have continuous problems because of the rust. They also said that Toyota may have had a recall for my vehicle. I did the research and found that to be accurate. The recall includes millions Toyotas, including my Toyota Tundra, built between 2004 and 2008. So mine is eligible. However, Toyota did not contact me about the recall. Toyota did contact me about another recall involving the air bags. Toyota sent me a letter about the air bags. I still have the letter and I can send a copy if you wish. So, they have my name, address, and they know that I own the Tundra. But they did not contact me about the frame rust. Had they done so, I would have acted immediately. I purchased the vehicle in 2012, so it was a used vehicle. So, Toyota, obviously has had plenty of time to notify me, but they did not. I called Toyota and gave the person I talked to the VIN. She looked it up and told me there is " no service history of rust frame repair" for my Tundra" on their system. Toyota needs to rectify this. I expect that Toyota will pay for the rust frame damage, as they have for millions of other Toyotas, and for other damage to my vehicle, and other costs including towing costs, taxi service, the insurance deductible that I must pay for damage to my garage, two new front tires and other costs as they become known. This is only fair.

Filed Jul 12, 2024 · Acceleration, Engine · LA

On 07/10 while accelerating from red to green light, at around 50mph truck shook and alerted my attention to dash/odometer because of immediate slowing of truck. Noticed alert for “Engine Power Loss” and “Brake Failure” and instructed to see dealer. Could not go above 30mph at 2500rpm, thankfully I was 5 minutes from home. Had Tundra towed to dealer. They got Toyota involved and started a case. As of 07/12, dealer was instructed to reset engine valve settings, cleared alerts, and did normal schedule maintenance. I was instructed to drive directly to dealer or pull over where I was and have a technician drive to my location so they could further assess this issue. As if they work 24/7 and would drive outside of city limits…I put 100+ miles a day on my truck for my work commute.

Filed Jun 26, 2023 · Acceleration, Brakes · CA · crash · 1 injury

Sudden maximum acceleration accompanied by brake failure, without warnings, occurred on my 2002 Toyota Tundra 4.7L V8 causing loss of control of the vehicle, which ended in a rollover crash, resulting in total loss of the vehicle and injury to me. While departing a 25 mph zone (sign read "END 25 SPEED LIMIT") on a relatively straight section of the road, I very gently accelerated from 20 mph to 30 mph. As soon as the vehicle reached 30 mph, sudden maximum acceleration occurred. Taking my foot off of the gas pedal, first I verified that the gas pedal was not stuck or blocked, but the gas pedal was in the fully up position. I then pressed the brake pedal very hard, but it was locked in the fully up position and the brakes would not engage. I then verified that nothing was blocking the brake pedal underneath it. At that point, around 3 to 4 seconds after the sudden acceleration began, I had entered the first turn of a 30 mph "S" turn at a high rate of speed, while acceleration continued at the vehicle's maximum acceleration rate beyond my control with the brakes not engaging. In order to avoid collision with a camper motor home and a small car following it, I went into the oncoming traffic lane at the second turn of the "S" turn. My truck fish tailed and struck a reflector marker on the left side of the road. To avoid going down a 50+ foot, nearly straight down drop on the left side of the road, I turned right. To avoid striking the motor home, I turned left, then right again to try to gain control. My truck rolled on its left side and landed upright on the right side of the road. It had been accelerating at its maximum acceleration rate with the brakes failing to engage and fish tailing the entire time. The problem appeared to be a catastrophic failure of the electronic throttle control and/or related electronic systems.

Filed Dec 5, 2022 · Acceleration, Brakes · CA

The brakes failed while traveling 72 miles per hour on cruise control, and controlled distance. I was traveling behind a semi truck in the third lane from the right on Interstate 5 near Stockton, calif. coming upon the truck the Tundra started to accelerate, I hit the brakes numerous times yet tundra continued to accelerate, so i hit cancel on speed control, thru into park, and navigated three lanes left in heavy traffic into the median, still hitting my breaks, Finally stopped the Tundra with emergency break, but took the right rear tire off the rim in my violent exit to the median, Inspection has been complete from Toyota mfg. saying i have a normal truck, Dealer can not confirm problem, there were no warning signs. I am a very experience large animal veterinarian driving over 3 million miles in my career with no accidents, or moving violations. I own a 2007 Tundra with 200,000 miles, no incidents, I know where the brakes are on a tundra.

Filed Aug 25, 2022 · Body, Brakes · VA

Purchased new Toyota Tundra in 2004. Performed rust recall at dealer on 07/22/15. October 2016, brakes failed. Brake line completely rusted. July 26, 2021, Toyota Tundra rejected at state inspection for badly rusted frame. Inspectors were unable to get wheel off to inspect brakes because of rust damage. Took to Toyota dealer on March 9, 2022. They performed airbag recall. Unable to do front suspension lower ball joints recall. Dealer said frame could break when they put it on lift. Dealer said Timeframe to repair frame had expired. Estimate to fix frame over $15,000; Plus would need a lot more parts to go with replacement. Vehicle has approximately 68,500 miles on it.

Related recalls

Service brakes, hydraulicReported September 1, 2022 · 83,725 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022 Lexus NX250, NX350, and Toyota Tundra vehicles. The Skid Control ECU within the Brake Actuator Assembly may falsely detect an overcurrent condition of the Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) Actuator and enter a failsafe mode which prevents the EPB from being engaged. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
Risk
An electronic parking brake that cannot be engaged while in "park," may result in a vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will reprogram the Skid Control ECU, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 1, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1‑800‑331‑4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 22TA11 and 22LA04.

Recall number 22V661000 · Recall details

Questions about the Toyota Tundra brake failure

Which Toyota Tundra years have brake failure problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2000 (23 complaints), 2005 (10 complaints) and 2006 (10 complaints).

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