2020 4runner brake squeal on cold starts.

The brakes on my 2020 4runner TRD Off road have started to squeal after sitting overnite. The squeal goes away after a few brake depressions. The vehicle has less than 3000 miles (5000 kilometers) on it. Does anyone have any insight on this?

 

Factory Toyota morning warning. Lets you know the car is moving. Kind of like the light on the dash that tells you the headlights are on.

 

But for some amazing reason I still see people driving to work in the dark with no headlights.

I wonder sometimes how can you not tell you lights are on when its pitch dark around you.

 

I think it is mainly because the the Runners oem lights do not make much difference on, or off.

 

Mine does the same thing. It's super embarrassing when I'm leaving work and brake going up to the stop sign (usually a lot of people around). Its not a minor squeal.

 

Probably built up rust on the rotors. If it goes away, then that is the most likely cause.

 

My 12' does it with power stop rotors and pads. Mostly on damp humid mornings. Has never affected braking ability. Minor nuisance imho.

 

my 2019 does this anytime the temps get below about 60 deg. first few stops sound horrible then it's fine. no real issues noted with equipment or performance. I just figured it was a quirk of the platform

 

Always, when people are around.

 

More to do with the metal used in the rotors and the brake pads. Slight build up of rust on the unprotected surface that takes a couple of stops to clean off.

 

Update for 2021 Toyota. It still happens for this year as well .
Toyota does not have TSB released for 2021 model so owners should wait.
TSB for 1994 - 2020 4Runners: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2020/MC-10186195-9999.pdf
Attached my dealer visit conclusion. Take a look at highlighted part:

 

Dropping mine off at the dealer tomorrow. 2021 TRD Off Road. 13000 KM (CDN here). 3rd time dropping off for same issue. First two times the fix worked for about a month. First time they cleaned and lubed, 2nd time resurfaced the rotors, let’s see what’s in store this time.

 

That's one of my biggest pet peeves!

IMHO, it's a big safety issue. I wish law enforcement would take it more seriously.

I think some people have become so reliant on automation, that they don't know how to turn on the headlights.

 

My 16 had the same issue on the original brakes. When I had the replaced as a part of normal maint. no such issue. Wonder when these brakes get older of they will do the same thing?

 

Had this issue on my 2021 since taking ownership. Finally got tired and brought to the dealership who replicated the noise after leaving it overnight. They resurfaced the rotors and changed the pads. Supposedly there at two levels of OEM pads. I don’t have the receipt with the part number but they supposedly put the “better” pads. It’s been almost 3 weeks without noise. Crossing my fingers it stays that way. They covered it as a “warranty” items so no cost to me.

 

I have the same problem on my Limited on winter days. Purchased new. Only comes in winter days. Toyota couldn't fix it. No other 4Runner has it. Only on the Limited (driven by my wify)..

 

Do you park in a garage or outside? I had to park my 2021 on the street for a month in January-February and it did this most cold mornings. It stopped once I starting garaging it.

 

2021 SR5P.. same issues.. I hate when it happens but does go away after a couple brakes in..

 

The backing plate of the pads has burrs on it and the pads can stick... I did some new pads because the stamp on the backing plate is sloppy.. so I filed off the burrs on some new pads. I also put anti seize a paint like coating on the backing plate pads does not bind and makes no noise .. pads on my 4 runner look all the same wear front / rear///...........
another issue bleed the brakes rotors are worn has air in the brake fluid.. my rotors look like new ...

 

Most of my camping is in dry places, never a problem with brake squeal. Then last week I camped in a damp forest. Next morning I had the squeal. Same elevations, same temperatures but different humidity.

 

inspect your brake pads .. see if the brakes are sticking when you lift up the wheel the tires will spin easy ..