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CarComplaints.com Notes: Although it has a stellar record in terms of vehicle problems, initially the 4th generation (2003 - 2009) 4Runner didn't earn our top "Seal of Awesome" rating because it received poor crash test ratings for rear impacts. However it's proven to have one of the lowest driver death rates out of all vehicles (not just SUVs), so we've bumped it back up to our top award.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
32,010 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2006 Toyota 4Runner brakes problems

brakes problem

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2006 Toyota 4Runner Owner Comments

problem #10

Mar 162012

4Runner

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2006 Toyota 4runner. The contact stated that the vehicle would become wobbly when driving at speeds over 60 mph. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was told hat the hydro-booster pump needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the check engine light was also illuminated. The dealer stated that the catalytic converter and manifold also needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was unknown, but the current mileage was 61,000.

- Annaheim, CA, USA

problem #9

Jan 202012

4Runner

  • 80,600 miles
Left front brake caliper extremely rusted and noticed squeaking from same. Also extremely dirty rims from brake dust, replaced with non ceramic pads, but no other rims showed same amount of grit. Took in for service and informed that all other pads had 20% life and left front caliper outside lower piston was seized as well as unserviceable bleeder valve leaving no other option than to replace with caliper. Now, not one week after replacing caliper, new one is already rusting while all others look fine.

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #8

Mar 092010

4Runner

  • 52,000 miles
The 4runner pulls to one side and does not stop as quickly as it should. The pistons in both front calipers have frozen up to some extent. I have checked many forums on the 4th gen 4runners and many people have had the same problem. I went to the dealer why my car was under warranty and they said that it wan not a problem and it would not be covered. I purchased remanufactured calipers and had them installed and they are freezing up again. This seems to be a factory defect that is very dangerous.

- Santa Clara, CA, USA

problem #7

Jun 172010

4Runner

  • 88,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Brake pedal goes to floor. At stoplight pedal goes to floor and will not hold vehicle. Told it was a master cylinder. This is a $1500+ job. Dealer told me this never fails but out of warranty so their defect is my loss.

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #6

May 042009

4Runner

  • 42,000 miles
I had a 2006 Toyota 4 runner, limited. The brake system never was right and that is why we got rid of the car. At a light, car would continue to inch forward. I complained to the dealer several times and when it lurched forward when stopped in a school zone this past spring, we immediately got rid of it, since the dealer kept telling me nothing was wrong.

- Mechanicsville, VA, USA

problem #5

Jan 012006

4Runner

  • 10,000 miles
Starting at this date: Its happened 4 times since while driving when needing to apply my brakes suddenly. I apply the brakes, medium hard tension, opposed to jamming on the brakes, then momentarily let off brakes and then taped brakes to more gently ease off the situation. The car then bucks violently as if hitting something. Extremely shocking. One time I had a passenger and as she was shocked too, asked me what I was doing? I replied, "nothing, the car did it! I read online that others have experienced the same issue I describe.

- Portland, OR, USA

problem #4

Dec 192009

4Runner 6-cyl

  • 35,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My 2006 Toyota 4runner brakes have failed when hitting an uneven surface- ie- pole. When the brake pedal was depressed, the pedal went all the way to the floor and released. The wheel spun freely without control. The brake did not activate.

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #3

Feb 182009

4Runner

  • miles
ABS system failure: 2006 Toyota 4-runner limited. In Feb. 2009, I was driving on slippery road conditions, the ABS system failed, my brakes locked, and the car sped up instead of slowing. I couldn't get the car to stop. Instead of hitting the line of cars in front of me I veered off the road through a snow bank. The car eventually stopped after traveling another ~100ft through 8" of snow. There were no injuries and no damage to the vehicle (car was drivable afterwards). The police did respond and a tow truck was needed to tow my car back onto the road. My original travel speed was ~ 40mph (before braking). I sped up after braking, but I am not certain of the speed when I hit the bank. Toyota ran a diagnostic and received several errors. The ABS was not working properly. They said the problem may have related to a low battery I had 6-12 months earlier. The low battery somehow deactivated components of the ABS. I had no idea this was even possible. If I would have known that a low or dead battery could result in ABS failure I would have had the system checked immediately after the low battery incident. Toyota fixed the ABS; however, I still continue to have occasional problems. For example, when the car is at rest, but not in park, it will sometimes lunge forward (nothing like you hear about on tv, but there is definitely some type of power surge), there is also an occasional buzzing noise from the master cylinder area when the brakes are depressed (even in park). Finally, I have driven several SUVS and small trucks. I have never had a vehicle that will loose traction as easily as this vehicle looses traction. Something is definitely wrong. I plan to contact Toyota to have them look at the ABS once again. I didn't realize that I was supposed to report these issues to the NHTSA or I would have reported the problem a year ago. Thanks for your time.

- Winchendon, MA, USA

problem #2

Aug 102006

4Runner

  • 12,000 miles
We own a 2006 Toyota 4runner - during the first year we took it in three times and told them that when we are at a stop the SUV would shift fwd while still applying the brake. We took it back again the 2nd year, still with the same complaint. Each time they had no answer as to what the problem was cause they could never get the problem to repeat. To date the SUV still does it and would say at least once every two days so much so we have just become used to the problem.

- South San Francisco, CA, USA

problem #1

May 012009

4Runner

  • 500 miles
Anti-lock brakes too sensitive. Under certain conditions, especially if I hit a bump while braking or if the road is wet, the ABS kicks in and the vehicle loses braking power (while brake calipers oscillate violently) thereby drastically increasing the stopping distance. I've recently experienced the vehicle stopping from 35 mph in over 200 feet. I wound up in the middle of the intersection. This problem has become progressively worse and more recurring. Local dealership was unconcerned about the danger and cited that this is normal. Certainly, dangerous engineering cannot be accepted as normal in this day and age. Incidentally, this does not occur on other make vehicles with 4-wheel anti-lock brake systems. This symptom has occurred over 100 times, but the dealership always maintained this to be normal and there is nothing wrong.

- Doylestown, PA, USA

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