While operating a 2007 Toyota fj (59,956 miles) all the instrument panel indicator lights came on and the brake pedal felt as if it went to the floor. You would practically have to stand on the brake pedal to get the brakes to function. For some drivers, it would be easy to assume that the brakes went out completely. This loss of brakes could have led to an accident. Fortunately, it did not. Taking the vehicle to the Toyota dealer for service, it was determined that the 'ABS hydraulic booster', part number 4705035052, had malfunctioned. Obviously, this is a critical component. It is also a costly part at $2,145.99, plus labor.

- Erwin, TN, USA

Vehicle: 2007 Toyota Fj cruiser, 4WD automatic. 1. events: ABS system failure caused by uneven road surface (pothole, step down, bumpy road) causing a single wheel to momentarily lose traction during braking. 2. the ABS system engages (brake pedal cannot be further depressed, pulsating / clicking noise heard) to stabilize the errant wheel, but does not proceed with stopping the vehicle afterwards, no matter how hard the driver continues to press the brake pedal. The only workaround is for the driver to know to release the brake pedal and re-apply it. 3. Toyota insists that this is normal for the ABS system design and that there is no fix for the problem apart from applying the workaround. I believe otherwise since I have contacted one other Fj cruiser owner who had the same problem, and had his master cylinder / actuator replaced by Toyota under warranty, and this corrected the problem, although at an expense of about $2,000 to the dealership. I faxed a description of this complaint to right Toyota in scottsdale on June 11, 2009, visited the dealership as my odometer rolled over to 36,000 miles an hour after sending the fax, and registered a case number with Toyota customer assistance center on June 12, 2009 describing the issue and how the dealer explained that the problem could not be fixed. I have experienced this issue four times in the last two years. The most recent occurrence was on June 6, 2009, where I was braking for a red light, the vehicle rolled over a 3 inch step down in the pavement, and suddenly I had no brakes, which caused me to roll 20 feet beyond my intended stopping point, into the intersection. Luckily there was nothing in front of me. Releasing and re-applying the brake finally stopped the vehicle, but not until it was potentially too late.

- Cave Creek, AZ, USA

The contact owns a 2007 Toyota Fj cruiser. The contact stated that whenever he is driving in reverse downhill, the brakes release. Both the dealer and the manufacturer stated that the braking system was within the necessary parameter regulations. The failure has not been diagnosed. The VIN and speed were unknown. The current mileage was 9,090 and failure mileage was 1,000. Updated 05/05/08 updated 05/05/08

- Cumming, GA, USA