I own a 2000 Tundra and at 54,000 miles began having the braking problem. I applied the brakes at 50 MPH and the whole truck shook like an earthquake. I have been battling Toyota for 2 weeks on the repair. Their first try was $700 for new rotors, pads and adjusters. After questioning the service manager, they wouldn't guarantee that would fix it, turns out $2400 would fix it for good. We went as high up in Toyota as we could and their final offer is $300. I am debating to have it done or just trade it in for fear of future problems. Any suggestions???
It is obvious that the combination of the small brake pad surface and the non-vented nature of the rotors is causing a serious problem on these trucks. The soft pedal feel is not at all normal and is usually also a sign of slightly warped rotors. I will be curious if Toyota does come out with an engineered solution to this problem of if lip service will be their only course of action.
In the meantime I will be happy to buy a truck from anyone looking to sell their V8 4x4 Tundra to me... high miles not an issue!
Thanks to this website, other searches on Toyota brakes, and talks with Toyota
service people, I found that the 2000 Tundra and the Land Cruiser brakes were
undersized causing too much friction. I too went 50,000 miles and started to
experience the rotors becoming a vibrating nightmare. After several machinings
on the rotors and new pads, Tempe Toyota in Arizona quoted me a $1600 TSB
upgrade (ie, larger rotors, larger calipers, and larger pads to reduce the friction).
Since the calipers were floating, I decided to replace the rotors myself with
Toyota's own (1 year guaranteed) original replacement rotors (a fairly easy job). Total cost $250 plus tax.
I plan on visiting them every 11 months for new rotors. Other than the brakes,
the truck is extremely nice. I just hope that the engineer who designed these
brakes gets this notice and the previous comments on what it's costing people
to keep the vehicle safe. He or she needs to be severely reprimanded.
I too have a 2000 tundra with 60k miles now and wouldn't trade for any other brand, but the brake vibration does bother me. I have also noticed a few other problems, the brake/ bed light has two melt marks from the bed being lit for too long or too powerful of bulbs used and the gas cover/ door broke off and now I find myself in need of all new locks and blending paint to match the new door. I can say that even though the brakes vibrate they do work. Was pulling a 26' race car trailer down a hill when the trailer plug lost contact so only the truck brakes were stopping me.
For all you out there you could own a GMC or Chevy. I was driving a friends 1 ton (2001 with 8k miles) when a car slowed in front of me. When I applied the brakes the antilocks kicked on too soon and the brake pedal went to the floor. I have read lots of things similar happing to other folks with GM products. Of course we didn't stop and the whole thing has gone to court. GM clams that the pedal is meant to go tot he floor, can't wait until a jury hears that story.
Tundra, real good truck, but hopefully newer models have better brake systems.
I too have that braking vibration problem. I have a 2000 Tundra Limited 4x4 TRD, and @ 25K, the rotors were warped and the pads were worn. The previous owne had them replaced because it was still under warranty. Now @ 51K miles, it is no longer under warranty. I went to the Toyota dealership here in Huntington Beach, Toyota of HB, and they told me it's not under warranty anymore, that I would have to fork out the money to have this fixed. I love my truck, but to drive the truck to Mammoth, about a 5 hour drive, with my family, makes me hesitant. I am glad that I did a little research and saw this website. I would like more info if anyone has any, regarding Toyota and recalling this. Thanks so much!
Ladycrex@yahoo.com.
I have a 2003 Tundra with a bad vibration when the brakes are applied. I went 32000 miles on the original brakes with no problem. I had the front brakes done at a national tire and auto repair franchise and the vibration started after 100 miles. I took the truck back and they turned the rotors again, after another 100 miles the problem returned. I called Toyota and they said they have a service bulletin on the problem. Calipers are to small and they heat up and warp the rotors. The fix is to replace the rotors with larger ones. Toyota will do this only if truck still under warranty. I just want to know why the problem didn't surface the first 32000 miles.
I own a 2002 Tundra that has the brake vibration problem now at 50,000 miles. The truck had 20,000 miles when the problem first surfaced and then took it to the dealer and got fixed, but the problem off course started again around 40,000 miles and when I contacted the dealer they told me that Toyota will only cover the problem till 36,000 miles. So now I am hoping that Toyota (or someone will force Toyota) for a recall for this problem. If anyone has new info on this problem or contact then please post it.
Thanks,
I just purchased a 2001 Tundra Limited and the brakes vibrate too. I am surely going to have to replace the rotors and pads with something better. Toyota should have a fix for this.
Tim Olson
sailandcan@centurytel.net
I am having the same shaking problem on my 2000 Tundra, and now have become very much frustrated as to see all these complaints from others facing the same issues! I just love this truck and its performance, except for this vibrating factor! Now, I just wanted to know if this could be fixed permanently or not, and what steps should I take in this regard? I live in Orange County, is there any recommended place? I would greatly appreciate any sort of help.
OK for you guys out there that think this is a Toyota engineering problem, you're kinda wrong. I'm a Toyota Master Tech and I drive an 02 Tundra. I have 60k on the clock and just replaced my brakes for the first time, never had a vibration, and probably never will.
16:55.
How does that prove that there isn't an engineering problem? An engineering problem doesn't necessarily show up on EVERY vehicle. It can just show up on vehicles that are operated in certain warmer climates or ones that are routinely driven in hilly, mountainous terrain. Those were just examples... but the point is that engineers design systems that are supposed to work within a reasonable range of conditions. So when there is an error (in what "reasonable" includes), the problems will only show up in those systems that are operated in the fashion that the engineers should have, but didn't, include in their calculations.
I owned a 2000 Tundra until it had 109,000 miles on it. It suffered from an intermittent shudder in the braking. My dad has a 2001 Tundra with approx 90,000 miles on it. His has never had any brake problems.
So engineering problems are identified by the PERCENTAGE of vehicles with a given problem. Even 5% is way too high if the system in question is fundamental to the safety of the operator.
Vehicles have 3 main dynamic traits... They go. They stop. They turn. If there is a serious fault in any of these systems, a buyer should be careful about their purchase.
To Mr Toyota Master Tech guy. By your logic, because your ball joints have not failed either, then there must not be a problem with them. Yet there is a recall out there...
"I have 60k on the clock and just replaced my brakes for the first time, never had a vibration, and probably never will."
60,000 miles isn't even out of warranty for a GM or Dodge truck, and barely for an F-150. If I EVER had to replace the brakes, or for that matter ANYTHING other than tires and batteries, on my Fords or Chevys by 60,000 miles I'd regard it as an obvious (rare) lemon. I routinely do brake jobs at 100,000 miles and have NEVER had an alignment, shocks replaced or any other repairs done to my domestics before then, if ever. My imports required far more frequent repairs because they are, purely and simply, under-engineered.
I have a 2004 double cab Tundra 4x4 4.7l truck that's having vibration problems when braking. The only fix is to buy an upgrade kit (larger rotor, larger caliper and pads) to correct this problem. Hope not to find other design shortcoming with my truck. Good luck folks!
We've given our friend who owns a 2002 Tundra several rides to pick up his truck because of numerous brake and front end issues. The truck has averaged being in the shop at least twice a year for something since it was new. I don't mind giving our friend rides, and I try to restrain myself from rubbing it in that our GMC has not seen the inside of a repair shop since it was purchased in early 2003.