Oh No! My brakes! - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

Highlander V6 · 03-22-2010, 10:43 PM

I purchase a 09 Highlander in August 2009. Even since than, I notice my brakes weren't very great at stopping. And today, when there was a "oh sh*t" brake, the brakes were delay(i can feel my brakes not biting on the rotors). And I was soo close in hitting the car in front of me. There is only 2000 miles(yeah i know, its a little) on the car and it is mainly highway miles. I know i do not ride the brakes. IMO, i think they brakes are glazed. My break paddle isnt spongy but i wish it is a lot stiffer. Does anyone else have this problem? If i take it in to Toyota, do you guys think I will get charged for anything(since it felt like this from the beginning)? I believe its the rotors. I think it would feel better if i replaced them and beaded in myself.

***TrailDust*** · 03-22-2010, 11:22 PM

If I recall we had a thread about your issue a while back. You might try doing a few searches of the Highlander forum to see if you can dig it up, or perhaps one of our savvier members might be able to provide it. My mechanic adjusts my brakes every time I go in for an oil change or tire rotation, so mine are actually always a bit on the "grabby" side.

Highlander V6 · 03-23-2010, 12:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrailDust

If I recall we had a thread about your issue a while back. You might try doing a few searches of the Highlander forum to see if you can dig it up, or perhaps one of our savvier members might be able to provide it. My mechanic adjusts my brakes every time I go in for an oil change or tire rotation, so mine are actually always a bit on the "grabby" side.

yep, i read about that thread before but "brake fad." its more like glazed brakes. Sorry if this is a double, but i would like this thread to be different. The question is still unclear. did anyone even fixed it? I am hoping if anyone has actually fix this problem. as for konde.koma. I also purchased my highlander at longo. sad, probably need to bring it in to them too. I've asked a friend about this problem and he said that 'they are not responsible for your actions" which I truly believe because they dont want to waste money on you. But since the unintending acceleration situation has appeared. I might take advantage of the "quality car" method since they hold it so very dearly.

btw, I do all brake service myself. it pretty easy DIY job (flush/bleed/pads/rotors/you name it). I do not want to replace it because its only been 2000 miles.

***TrailDust*** · 03-23-2010, 12:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Highlander V6

yep, i read about that threat before but "brake fad." its more like glazed brakes. Sorry if this is a double, but i would like this thread to be different. The question is still unclear. did anyone even fixed it? I am hoping if anyone has actually fix this problem.

No problem, man!

JohnBT · 03-23-2010, 07:33 AM

You've had this problem since August, 2009 and you haven't had it checked?

What are you waiting for, an accident?

Get them checked out.

John

jimmiejo · 03-23-2010, 08:11 AM

2000 miles and brake problems, I don't know of any adjustmemts on disc brakes..........and glazed ?
You must have an ABS fault, so get it checked out ASAP. I had same problem on another brand (Dodge) and it was the ABS and it was covered by the warranty.
When the ABS failed on the Dodge Ram, I had no brakes, had to use the emergency brakes and down shift to low, to get it to the dealer.

Highlander V6 · 03-23-2010, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnBT

You've had this problem since August, 2009 and you haven't had it checked?

What are you waiting for, an accident?

Get them checked out.

John

I know. shame on me. I thought the car was like this and believed I probably need more miles to break it in before I make a conclusion

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimmiejo

2000 miles and brake problems, I don't know of any adjustmemts on disc brakes..........and glazed ?
You must have an ABS fault, so get it checked out ASAP. I had same problem on another brand (Dodge) and it was the ABS and it was covered by the warranty.

Thanks for the info. Just out of curiosity, isn't the ABS have an interlocking mechanic system where it clamps on the disc for periods of time? And the car does not let you lean but keep you straight. when I had my "oh sh*t" brake yesterday, I felt my ABS kicking in(my calipers were catching and releasing numerous times before i came to a complete stop, hence anti-lock brakes system) and saw the skid icon on the dashboard. How would there be a ABS fault? I do not see the connection. Can someone please elaborate to me?

ChrisAttebery · 03-23-2010, 11:20 AM

I just bought a 2010 Sport and it's got very sensitive brakes. I barely have to touch them to get it to stop. I'd take yours in and have it looked at.

ABS usually sounds like a GROAN when it kicks in, at least on the cars I've managed to activate it on. It shouldn't come on at all unless you are on a slippery surface.

Good luck,

Chris

rupert08 · 03-23-2010, 01:34 PM

The brakes are one of the Highlander’s strengths IMO. They stop the vehicle very quickly, smoothly and confidently. Like other have already said, maybe a little too grabby at lower speeds.

Just one suggestion, which I’m sure you have already checked. Check the air pressure on your tires. I had an oil change place put way too much air pressure in my tires. This significantly decreased the stopping ability and caused my antilock brakes to activate easily. I had a similar thing happen to co-worker recently.

sqa4life · 03-23-2010, 02:13 PM

I just bought a 2010 highlander SE AWD and under 1k miles and the brakes don't work too well. I have to put more pressure on the brakes and allow more distance. We never had to do that on our RX300.

ziya20 · 03-23-2010, 03:47 PM

2009 4cyl fwd with 8000miles on it, I am not happy with the brakes in low speed either. took it to dealership last week( Meadoville in Missisauga) they only test drove it and said that is normal.

Reading these threads, I might take it to a local garage
and ask them to adjust the brakes, specially for parking brake pedal which have to be pushed too low to work.

Best brakes performance ever is on my other car, 2004 honda accord.

Highlander V6 · 03-23-2010, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisAttebery

I just bought a 2010 Sport and it's got very sensitive brakes. I barely have to touch them to get it to stop. I'd take yours in and have it looked at.

ABS usually sounds like a GROAN when it kicks in, at least on the cars I've managed to activate it on. It shouldn't come on at all unless you are on a slippery surface.

Good luck,

Chris

damn, i wish my brakes were like yours. just a light tap and hold will stop a car immediately. unless my car where at high speeds i have to press it all the way to stop

Quote:

Originally Posted by rupert08

The brakes are one of the Highlander’s strengths IMO. They stop the vehicle very quickly, smoothly and confidently. Like other have already said, maybe a little too grabby at lower speeds.

Just one suggestion, which I’m sure you have already checked. Check the air pressure on your tires. I had an oil change place put way too much air pressure in my tires. This significantly decreased the stopping ability and caused my antilock brakes to activate easily. I had a similar thing happen to co-worker recently.

what is your tires pressure?

Quote:

Originally Posted by sqa4life

I just bought a 2010 highlander SE AWD and under 1k miles and the brakes don't work too well. I have to put more pressure on the brakes and allow more distance. We never had to do that on our RX300.

take it in to toyota.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ziya20

2009 4cyl fwd with 8000miles on it, I am not happy with the brakes in low speed either. took it to dealership last week( Meadoville in Missisauga) they only test drove it and said that is normal.

Reading these threads, I might take it to a local garage
and ask them to adjust the brakes, specially for parking brake pedal which have to be pushed too low to work.

Best brakes performance ever is on my other car, 2004 honda accord.

I hope I do not get the same answer when I go in.

Okay everyone, I am going to the dealership tomorrow to get this problem resolve. Wish me luck.

***TrailDust*** · 03-24-2010, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sqa4life

I just bought a 2010 highlander SE AWD and under 1k miles and the brakes don't work too well. I have to put more pressure on the brakes and allow more distance. We never had to do that on our RX300.

Definitely have them adjusted. I have my oil changed and tires rotated every 4,000 miles and my mechanic adjusts the brakes as a matter of course, no charge. By the time I drive in at 4,000 miles they do seem to be a little weak in stopping power, but after he tweaks the brakes they're sensitive to the touch and I have to "relearn" my brakes. I don't get this in my Avalon, but I have encountered the same brake thing in other cars I've owned.

lucky777 · 03-24-2010, 05:11 PM

Did you ever find out what mechanic adjusted on your disk brakes to make them "sensitive"? I don't believe there is such adjustment or any adjustment in fact needed. Did you ever compare your car with other HLs at the dealer? If yours doesn't brake that good it needs to be fixed because this is not normal.

JimT · 03-24-2010, 07:34 PM

From my experience, hydraulic disc brakes don't require adjustment. As the pads wear, the brake fluid makes up the difference. That's why the brake fluid level changes in the reservoir.

That's said, I've been wrong before!