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.
Bought a used 2016 Tundra, unaware of the massive problem they have with their intergrated brake controller, i feel they need to do something about this or reimburse the buyer for buying a aftermarket one to replace the factory unit. Its a very unsafe problem when pulling a trailer, I love the truck otherwise but this issue needs fixed.
Integrated trailer brake controller intermitent failure. Trailer brakes work for a few braking cycles then fail completely with an error message on the truck of "trailer wiring type, or connection fault". turning the vehicle off and on resets the controller and "fixes" the problem until another few braking cycles, then repeats.
The factory supplied oem brake controller does not function properly, and is a significant safety issue. The current design or software is too conservative, and does not provide sufficient power to trailers with electric brakes. I have towed my new trailer with new brakes several times, and the result is consistent. With the brake controller set at full power, the actual trailer braking is minimal, therefore forcing the vehicle to provide some of the braking force. This works in controlled situations on level ground. But, in the mountains or emergency stopping, this represents a safety issue where I do not feel that the vehicle and trailer will be safely stopped without incident. A friend of mine has the exact same vehicle with the exact same issue. A simple internet search will reveal hundreds of similar complaints. This issue started with the 2015 model year. I'm concerned that Toyota is continuing to ignore this issue due to legal liability regarding accidents that already occurred due to this engineering flaw. It is going on 3 years now without a fix. Toyota did issue a software upgrade last year which should have fixed this issue. I had the upgrade done, and it was almost imperceptible as to the difference. It was too conservative and still does not provide enough power, as compared to any brake controller on the market. Most owners have given up and installed aftermarket brake controllers like the tekonsha prodigy P3 model. I believe that the programming should be fixed so that the factory controller can be used safely.
- Irwin, PA, USA
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I purchased a new trailer to pick up my new tractor. I tested the trailer brakes knowing I was pulling a large load and didn't want an accident. The brakes appeared to apply but due to it not being loaded when testing I had it set to 5(out of 10). While pulling it back home on the interstate towing my tractor behind me there was traffic stopping ahead. I always drive in the right lane to not slow others...thank god I did. I had to drive off the road onto the shoulder to miss hitting or driving over cars ahead of me! the brakes turned up to 10 did nothing to even slow me down. I was towing 4 tons and 3 tons for the truck totaling 7 tons, someone would've been killed! Toyota needs to fix these trailer brakes! I can't tow my tractor anywhere for work due to the brakes being unsafe!
Have had braking issues with integrated brake controller, no matter what power level I use there seems to be very little if no effect on the trailer braking. I can switch the integrated brake controller to electric over hydraulic and they apply the brakes and they grab immediately, it seems that the integrated brake controller in electric brake mode does not produce enough electrical power to activate the trailer brakes.
Cpsc:I purchased a 2016 Toyota Tundra pickup truck. The truck comes with an integrated brake controller for towing trailers, boats, etc. The ibc has two modes of braking, for trailers with electric brakes or for trailers with hydraulic brakes. The consumer stated the automatic braking did not work for the electrics brakes mode. Updated 04/21/2017
The contact owns a 2016 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that the brake controller on the vehicle failed to activate the brake on the trailer. The contact stated that an error message illuminated, referring the driver to the owner's manual. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who was unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and sent two engineers to investigate the failure. The engineers diagnosed that the part was working as designed. The failure was not remedied. The failure mileage was approximately 5,000.
The integrated break controller does not function correctly. Dealer stated it is a known problem and Toyota does not have a repair for the factory defect.
Integrated trailer brake controller not functioning correctly. In electric mode, no power setting (1-10) is able to get the trailer brakes to lock up when the truck brakes are applied. This is a crucial test to calibrate the trailer brakes before going on the road, and demonstrates that the output signal from the brake controller isn't sufficient to stop the truck/trailer combo in an emergency situation. The trailer brakes are able to lock up with certain settings if you manually activate the trigger, demonstrating that the controller not only has the ability to lock up the brakes, but that the trailer itself isnt the problem. The programming of the controller is suspect.
The integrated elecric brake controller included in my platinum edition options for towing a trailer does not work. According to dealer, there is no fix from Toyota although they are aware of the issue.
Integrated brake controller (ibc) on a 2016 Toyota Tundra fails to adequately stop a trailer fitted with electronic drum brakes. When the brake controller is in the electric brake mode, I get very little braking with the ibc maxed at level 10 on the gain control. I can manually stop the trailer using the manual squeeze levers and the brakes stop the trailer and truck, but provides very little braking when using the brake pedal. The trailer pushes the truck creating a very dangerous situation. If I put the brake controller in the electric over hydraulic brake mode, the brakes work by the brake pedal but grab instantly at only a gain level of (1.5). The trailer brakes have been tested and work as expected with an aftermarket brake controller. Toyota's ibc, as noted by several other owners, on many websites are not performing as expected when towing a trailer. If road surfaces are wet or icy the truck breaks would have little chance to stop a loaded trailer at max capacity.
The contact owns a 2016 Toyota Tundra. While towing a trailer, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the trailer brake lights failed to illuminate. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the integrated brake controller failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 500. The VIN was not available.
I recently purchased a 2016 Tundra to pull my small travel trailer. On a recent trip I had to stop quickly and realized that the trailer brakes were not activating. I then did some tests to see what it would take to get it to activate and was surprised to discover that it was not braking the trailer at all. I brought it to my local Toyota dealer and they told me that there was a ton of complaints about this issue but they have no fix for it.
I recently bought a travel trailer and, after reading the manual, was setting up the integrated brake controller (heretofore referred to as the ibs). I was following the user manual supplied with my truck when I purchased it new step-by-step. I eventually had the gain set to "10" and was still not getting proper braking pressure from the trailer. I got out, checked all connections, restarted the truck and tried again; same issue. I connected a friends tekonsha P3 through my trucks ibc cable (using his cable adapter) and tried again without a problem. This confirms it's not a trailer or wiring issue. I reconnect the ibc and restarted the truck, trying again; same issue. I took it to the dealer and they shrugged their shoulders, said they saw before with no resolve, and suggested I buy an aftermarket brake controller, too. I then looked online and found several hundred others experiencing the same problem, requiring that they buy an aftermarket brake controller to compensate for this one (two links are at the bottom of this complaint). The dealers and Toyota are unable/unwilling to do anything. This needs to be addressed. Https://www.Tundra.com/threads/factory-brake-controller-issues.5103/www.tundratalk.net/forums/Tundra-problems-maintenance-repair-dealer-warranty-issues/562250-2016-brake-controller-problems-9.html
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Mathias, WV, USA