5th gen calipers seizing

I have a 2017 TRD 4Runner. 43,000 miles. All maintenance done at dealer. Never any brake problems. All of a sudden my 2 front calipers seized. Didn’t cover it under my extended warranty. They said it was “neglect”. I’ve been taking my 4Runner to the dealer!!!!!!!!!
I had to replace ALL 4 calipers for almost $2,500!!!!

has anybody gone through this besides me?

 

What exactly does neglect entail? Did they expect you to take them apart and clean them with a tooth brush every week?

unless if it obviously caused by off roading, or even extremely cold temperatures, then I could see them denying a warranty claim. Anything outside of that would’ve resulted in a call to corporate Toyota or trying other dealers first.

 

They wouldn’t give me a straight answer on “neglect”. But I’m trying to fight it. It does snow by me, but I thought you could drive a TRD in snow? It’s basically a family sedan for me. But, I did drive it on a gravel driveway once. ‍♂️

 

$2,500? That sounds like highway robbery to me; yes i would complain big time.

 

Yeah, I’d give some managers a call. If it’s stock, you don’t off road, that’s a failure on Toyota in my eyes. If they couldn’t make components to withstand those elements, especially in their 4runners, they need to step up.

 

Which extended warranty did you buy?

I believe the lowest one doesn't cover brakes at all.

*edit
Nevermind calipers are covered regardless. But some stuff aren't.

 

Neglect would occur if the heat transferred from being metal on metal was so great it seized the calipers.

 

Not sure why you quoted me but I can't disagree.

There has to be more to this story.

 

After the denied the claim, why would you let them replace them? You probably could have had it done at less than half that somewhere else. My dealership wanted $400 just to replace the pads on my wife's rav4. I did it for $60. A shop down the street wanted $150.

 

I was in a tight spot. I needed it fixed quick. Road trip for work.

 

Oh, then that really sucks. Hope you can get an answer.

 

You could of done for about $400 with lifetime warranty from NAPA, Carquest/AdvanceAuto or Autozone and super easy DIY. Just had to have them put old pads back in and put things back together at the dealer so they don't have you and your vehicle a Hostage. Sry for your troubles.

 

I know it could’ve been done cheaper I was in a pinch in a time crunch. I was just curious if it was just my car or other peoples car

 

So did you get it towed to the dealer? How was it determined you had seized calipers? This sounds strange to me.

 

I drove it. They were grinding all of a sudden. I drove it less than 100 minkes since the grinding started. Maybe like 86 miles. The dealership is 40 miles away.

 

Wait, you continued to drive it while the brakes were grinding, for 86 miles? Did you type that correctly?

Man, I really hate to be that guy, but unless there's something else you're not telling us, that does indeed sound like neglectful operation leading to failure. If you typed that correctly, that means you drove it for 46 miles with grinding issues on the most important component of your vehicle, before heading to the dealer for an additional 40 miles. Brakes aren't supposed to grind, and when they do, there's a reason. When brakes start grinding, it goes straight to the closest shop or you stop and use roadside assistance (either the one from Toyota or through insurance) to have it towed in. Had you done that, you might have more of a case to have your repair bill reimbursed.

I'm sorry this happened to you and that you have had such a crazy repair bill on a vehicle that should have otherwise had zero problems.

 

I understand the frustration but I don't think you will get any of your money back. At best they will give you free oil change. Good luck though. While ago I took my 2004 Sports Edition in for Zero Point calibration and was told my Water Pump is going out ($950). I told them to leave it alone and stop telling what I need because if I needed someone's opinion I would ask for it. I still have same "going out" water pump 7 years later.

 

Well see there is always more to the story.

86 miles with the brakes locking up is neglect. Sorry but your bad on this one.

 

In defense of the OP, if they were grinding due to being seized, then the calipers were already toast. I'm not saying one should drive like that, but you can't say that driving on seized calipers is what seized them. That said, driving with seized calipers would destroy otherwise perfectly fine rotors and pads, so if they had to replace your rotors and pads with that $2500, I could see them stating that was due to neglect. Still, the calipers should be covered!

Now, if a brake job was way over due, and your pads and rotors were not within spec, then driving (even without a grind) would be considered neglect, and could certainly lead to seized calipers and some grinding. Not saying that's what happened, though, as I wasn't there.

Either way, that's not a lot of miles for brakes to have any issues at all, so I'll be surely checking on mine every once and a while! Big trucks / weight must really kill these brakes..

Finally, are you on stock tires? Large, heavy tires will absolutely increase brake wear. And without replacing the parts when they need to be (see my sentence above), failure will happen (due to neglect).

 

I can see your point, but I'm going to hold to my original assessment. I'm still curious to know what caused the front calipers to seize in the first place. The amount of information we have is still fairly limited.

 

ya. I called them they said bring it in tomorrow. Which I did. I only drove it to work 1 day. No warning lights on. They didn’t say to have it towed. 3,000 miles earlier brakes were fine by dealership service report. I’m not a mechanic. I’m a working dad.

 

I feel for you and really hope it turns out for you. It's a crappy situation and has to really hurt your confidence in the vehicle. I bought a brand new motorcycle (VStrom 650) on a Friday afternoon in June 2012, rode it all weekend with no problems. In the last mile to my house, I started to feel something a little "loose" in the front end. I thought it was the tar snakes being a little slippery on the road in the summer sun and heat. Monday morning, I get on to ride it to work, get a half mile and heading into a 3 way intersection. Light turns red, I grab front brake and....nothing. Brake lever bottoms out. Start grabbing rear brake and finally get stopped, 15 feet into the intersection. I look down at the front wheel and the caliper was hanging by the brake hose. The caliper bolts had backed out completely, and one was completely lost. I had 300 miles on the bike. To say my confidence in the bike was shaken would be an understatement. My wasn't a part failure, but a failure on the part of the dealerships maintenance department for a subpar setup, that could have killed me. But the dealer made me whole and 6000 completely blissful miles later my youngest was born and I sold the bike.

Don't let this shake be the basis for unloading your 4R. Every company that mass produces anything is bound to have a defective part - it happens. I just really hope Toyota corporate can do something for you. Good luck, and let us know how it turns out for you.

 

I'd be pushing Toyota hard to put this either on Warranty or good-will based upon the dealership. More info is needed. What could cause OK brakes to completely fail in 3,000 miles, under normal conditions? They may not have fully inspected the brakes 3k ago (in which case this is on the service dept).. but if they did, then this certainly sounds like a part failure / warranty issue to me. Good luck and don't back down!

 

I had a caliper seize on an old Honda Accord years ago, it was only slightly seized if you will because it was hard to notice driving. I drove a few miles one day and noticed a burning smell when I got out of car. I only drove it 5 miles though to get it assessed and fixed. I had to replace the rear pads, calipers and a rotor; think that was about $500.

 

For what it’s worth, I had to do the brakes on my 3rd Gen Tacoma about every 45000miles. So, they definitely could’ve been ready.

 

Question, on your service paperwork did they clear any codes? Just curious if one of the "safety" systems connected to the brakes may have contributed to your issue. I would email Toyota customer service and state your case, stressing the point that they said "neglect" when if what you say is true was definitely not the case. I had an issue before with a dealer and contacted toyota customer service, be persistent and they finally resolved my issue. A $2500 bill is not normal for a vehicle with 43,000 miles.

Contact Us | Contact Toyota

 

You are criticizing him about him driving the 86 miles but you aren't questioning why all 4 calipers had to be replaced? I think he got hosed and have never seen all 4 calipers seize at the same time unless something contaminated his brake system. Even then they would have to prove it.

 

Driving through deep mud puddles frequently? Or salt water? - it is very odd still.

 

I just got my wife a 2021 4runner limited on friday and I came across this thread. I have a 2009 Tacoma and my front calipers sized up. First time both seized up, 2nd time, only 1 seized up. They are not made by toyota, they are made my other vendors for toyota to assemble. My mechanic charge $600 for the first time and couple of yrs... $300 for the other one, he replaced the rotors and break pads... he is really nice guy and reasonable price. $2500... I would tell the dealer, this price is a f**king rip off... I'll take my biz somewhere else!

 

After my very first meeting with a Toyota service department this past weekend, to have my first service done on my first new Toyota, I am not surprised one bit that the OP is having difficulties. Wow, are all Toyota dealer service departments complete douche-holes? They were clearly there to churn out "free included services" ONLY, and couldn't have cared less about me as a customer or the various other issues I brought up. Sadly, I suppose that I am no longer their customer these days.. with "free" included service, Toyota is their customer. So Toyota corporate (and the general public) is to whom we will need to complain and raise awareness. Hoover Toyota in the Birmingham, AL area is pathetic.