2018 4Runner - Rear brake pads worn out at only 15K..twice!

Albeit this is our first Toyota, but at 15K and now at 30K the rear brake pads are worn out on our 2018 TRD Off-Road Premium. I can't find any posts to indicate this is normal and the dealership claims to have gone through the entire braking system to ensure everything is correct. Frankly, they seem baffled as well. I've owned quite a few vehicles over the years, and have never experienced such terrible brake pad life. Prior to the covid shutdown the 4Runner was daily driven, mix of city and highway, and not driven "hard" by any means.

Any help is appreciated!

 

Did you verify the worn brake pads yourself or just take the dealers word?

Dealers are notorious for the up sale.

 

Do ya double foot drive? Parking brake on?

That's not a known issue. I'm at 60k and still original pads. Many with similar mileage.

 

The 2 footed driver.

I'm always amazed at how people can be on their brakes but speed up going up hill.

 

Not normal

 

I regularly yell at my steering wheel at people in front of me driving like that. Those people need to be beaten severely, and have their drivers licenses run through a shredder and then run up their heiney hole.

 

We are not two footed drivers. Also, the brakes were down to the wear sensors and squeaking, although I did not see the pads personally. The dealer paid for the pads, and I paid for labor so I don't believe it was an up-sell situation.

 

Something is keeping those rear brakes engaged when they are not supposed to be. Offhand I can only think of the parking brake or master cylinder. Maybe get it to a different shop for diagnosis.

 

So why did the dealer pay for the pads but you the labor?

Sounds like they are already admitting something is wrong by covering a normal wear and tear part that normally isn't.

 

That was my feeling as well. I was thinking maybe a stuck caliper from the factory, they didn't recognize the issue last time, and just threw on new pads and then of course it just got worse and wore out the new pads.

 

If the rear pads are sticking, you should have way worse gas mileage and even worse acceleration. I would cut all the guessing games and do the brakes yourself.

 

Parking brakes work off brake shoes inside the drum on the rotor. They have nothing to do with the brake pads on the caliper that stop the vehicle.

 

Yes I could do them myself but they are already done and the 4Runner is still under warranty. We won't be going back to this dealer regardless, I'm pretty unimpressed with them over all.

Interesting note, when I went to back out the driveway this morning, I felt a clunk from the passenger side rear which felt like a stuck caliper releasing. It was fine after that but I'm guessing the problem remains and I will have to get in there myself to see what's going on.

 

Well if ya know so much dafuq you asking us for??? LOL

 

Ha! I wouldn't call it "so much" , drum inside rear rotors for parking brakes is a pretty standard setup for disc brakes regardless of the brand. I came here thinking I was asking the 4Runner experts!

 

I actually had no idea exactly how the parking brake interfaced with the rear brakes. I did some looking after your post and learned a little something.

But I've never purported myself to be a 4Runner expert... just an aggressive user, and general smartass!

 

I read something about that recently. I'm real happy with the way they brakes work on my 4Runner. Couple weeks ago I had some idiot chick run a stop sign into my lane where I was going 55mph. I slammed on the brakes (and the horn) and swear I wore a flat spot on my tires. The 4Runner nose dived and stopped before hitting this idiot. She looked totally confused.

 

Haha! I've got no issue with either and I've been accused of generally smartassery myself!

 

There's no question that they are there when you need them. I would have to agree with the other thread you reference, the modulation does leave something to be desired. I can live with that issue and even the crazy nose dive no problem, but I'm not replacing pads every 15,000 miles, that's just ridiculous and a waste of $$$.