2011 Sienna brakes engage after Stop Lamp Switch Bracket recall replacement.

[Redsea71]

I read a few posts about a malfunction that occurred after a recall repair of the Stop lamp Switch bracket so I decided to join this chat and post my experience to share with others.

I brought my 2011 Sienna in for it's 1st service after purchase (3500 miles) and at the same time the did the recall replacement of the stop lamp switch bracket. Prior to this my car was running great - no issues at all. As I left the dealership, I noticed the brake pedal felt hard, like a rock with no give or squishiness – like stepping on a rock – and when I did press down on the brake pedal, it was very sensitive and stopped abruptly. This is an issue I never had before, prior to bringing it in for service. At the time, I didn't think it was an issue that maybe it was part of the recall work that had just been done, that they replaced the brake pedal. After about 1 mile, lots of warning lights (including the ABS light) went on and it was very hard to drive & control the car. At that point, I turned around and headed back to the dealership; it was very hard to drive & control the car safely – when I pressed the gas pedal, it was like driving with brakes on, there was lots of resistance & there was a burning rubber smell, when I took my foot off the gas pedal – my car would not glide, but came to an abrupt stop. It was hard to pick up speed & stopping the car became unpredictable. Brake pedal was still hard, with no give. So scary, with my baby in the car! I was so lucky that I didn't get in an accident - I was trying to navigate through a busy intersection during rush hour traffic!!!!

The dealership still has my car after 3 days, they told me it was a faulty recall part & put a new part in (the switch bracket). They are waiting for a Toyota rep to check out my car. Not sure if this will fix the issue - if not, next time I may not be so lucky. It seems this is a serious problem that's been happenning to lots of people - I wonder how many others there are that haven't spoken up? I decided to join this chat forum just to get the word out there to other people. I hope others do the same! It's only a matter of time until a real tragedy happens...after all, these are family cars.

[Biggoldfish]

Sounds to me someone at the shop overfilled your brake fluid or maladjusted the brake pressure. You should not have felt the brake pressure to be "rock hard". That says it all. someone messed up your brake system. I;m glad you decided to bring it back. It would have been very very bad if anything happened. Keep at the dealership to keep you updated on your car. Speak to your salesperson as well.

[imtan8]

Redsea71

When did you purchase your Sienna and model?
I asked because I didn't received any information on this recall or service (I received some before for my 07 Avalon) and when I check my VIN number in the Safety Recalls/Service Campaigns for My Vehicle nothing shows up.
I got my Sienna XLE in April '11 and the only services listed under my vin # is the PRE-DELIVERY INSPECTION on Jan. 22, 2011

[Redsea71]

The recall for the Sienna 2011 is, I think, for those sold Nov 2010 and prior. I got mine (2011 Sienna LE AWD) Nov 2010. I believe you are all set!

[Redsea71]

Thanks, I reseached and found out that there is a chance, that after the recall replacement, they didnt adjust the brake system correctly. The brake pedal was rock hard from the start....but then when I finally pulled over and waited for them to come get me, the lights went off and the brake pedal became soft again....it was such a terrible experience! Today I should get more info - I'm supposed to get my car back this afternoon.

[cali_sienna]

My experience with the recall wasn't as bad as the OP, but when I did the recall, they forgot to re-install a big ass spring. They called 30 minutes after I left the dealer to see if I was still in town. Lucky for them I was and they installed it in the parking lot. It literally took only 5 seconds. I was sooooo pissed.

[Redsea71]

FINAL REPORT - THOUGHT I'D SHARE FOR THOSE THAT HAD SAME ISSUE. They had my car for 2 weeks & opened a case and a Toyota Specialist/engineer came in and the investigation revealed that the problem was improper installation – the brake lamp switch had moved position & was applying pressure to the brake pedal causing partial engagement of brakes (brake pedal switch was not adjusted properly)… Ended up they replaced rotors, brake pads, and front/back calipers. A 2 hour investigation uncovered traces of brake fluid at all four brake calipers – fluid had bypassed caliper piston seals indicating the calipers had overheated…I drove less than 2 miles in total with the malfunction in stop & go traffic. I requested new rotors & brake pads and all parts associated with malfunction – the caliper damage wasn’t something I thought of and am so glad an investigation was opened. The dealership took full responsibility and is working hard to earn my trust. It seems from all the research I’ve done, there needs to be more training or care when dong this recall. It seems like an easy install BUT THE MECHANIC NEEDED TO READ DIRECTIONS!!!!!!!!!!

[peteran3004]

What you described also happened to me almost exactly! I had to bring the van back to the dealer a couple of times. Eventually they could figure it out and fixed the problem. They said that the new stop lamp switch needs to be adjusted correctly so the position of the brakes pedal would not be too tight! Whatever that means. I was just glad that the problem was fixed. Apparently, the replace part was too new and they did not have the proper repair procedure published yet. We pay the price to be the early people. I should have waited before bringing the van back for the recall.

Originally Posted by Redsea71

I read a few posts about a malfunction that occurred after a recall repair of the Stop lamp Switch bracket so I decided to join this chat and post my experience to share with others.

I brought my 2011 Sienna in for it's 1st service after purchase (3500 miles) and at the same time the did the recall replacement of the stop lamp switch bracket. Prior to this my car was running great - no issues at all. As I left the dealership, I noticed the brake pedal felt hard, like a rock with no give or squishiness – like stepping on a rock – and when I did press down on the brake pedal, it was very sensitive and stopped abruptly. This is an issue I never had before, prior to bringing it in for service. At the time, I didn't think it was an issue that maybe it was part of the recall work that had just been done, that they replaced the brake pedal. After about 1 mile, lots of warning lights (including the ABS light) went on and it was very hard to drive & control the car. At that point, I turned around and headed back to the dealership; it was very hard to drive & control the car safely – when I pressed the gas pedal, it was like driving with brakes on, there was lots of resistance & there was a burning rubber smell, when I took my foot off the gas pedal – my car would not glide, but came to an abrupt stop. It was hard to pick up speed & stopping the car became unpredictable. Brake pedal was still hard, with no give. So scary, with my baby in the car! I was so lucky that I didn't get in an accident - I was trying to navigate through a busy intersection during rush hour traffic!!!!

The dealership still has my car after 3 days, they told me it was a faulty recall part & put a new part in (the switch bracket). They are waiting for a Toyota rep to check out my car. Not sure if this will fix the issue - if not, next time I may not be so lucky. It seems this is a serious problem that's been happenning to lots of people - I wonder how many others there are that haven't spoken up? I decided to join this chat forum just to get the word out there to other people. I hope others do the same! It's only a matter of time until a real tragedy happens...after all, these are family cars.

[Redsea71]

You are dead on!!! After they had my Sienna for over 2 weeks and opened an offical case - they found it was a tech error with installment. They are taking good care of me - above and beyond...just make sure they replace all necessary parts....for us they replaced our rotors, pads & Calipers.

[fastlightning]

Originally Posted by Redsea71

I read a few posts about a malfunction that occurred after a recall repair of the Stop lamp Switch bracket so I decided to join this chat and post my experience to share with others.

I brought my 2011 Sienna in for it's 1st service after purchase (3500 miles) and at the same time the did the recall replacement of the stop lamp switch bracket. Prior to this my car was running great - no issues at all. As I left the dealership, I noticed the brake pedal felt hard, like a rock with no give or squishiness – like stepping on a rock – and when I did press down on the brake pedal, it was very sensitive and stopped abruptly. This is an issue I never had before, prior to bringing it in for service. At the time, I didn't think it was an issue that maybe it was part of the recall work that had just been done, that they replaced the brake pedal. After about 1 mile, lots of warning lights (including the ABS light) went on and it was very hard to drive & control the car. At that point, I turned around and headed back to the dealership; it was very hard to drive & control the car safely – when I pressed the gas pedal, it was like driving with brakes on, there was lots of resistance & there was a burning rubber smell, when I took my foot off the gas pedal – my car would not glide, but came to an abrupt stop. It was hard to pick up speed & stopping the car became unpredictable. Brake pedal was still hard, with no give. So scary, with my baby in the car! I was so lucky that I didn't get in an accident - I was trying to navigate through a busy intersection during rush hour traffic!!!!

The dealership still has my car after 3 days, they told me it was a faulty recall part & put a new part in (the switch bracket). They are waiting for a Toyota rep to check out my car. Not sure if this will fix the issue - if not, next time I may not be so lucky. It seems this is a serious problem that's been happenning to lots of people - I wonder how many others there are that haven't spoken up? I decided to join this chat forum just to get the word out there to other people. I hope others do the same! It's only a matter of time until a real tragedy happens...after all, these are family cars.

Exactly the same issue I had recently. This happened when they did the recall for the emergency brake. Same problems leaving the dealer. Smoked the rear brakes, damaged the front end while towing it to the dealer.

Dealer replaced the brake switch light, serviced the front brakes and replaced all rear brake components.

This was just one of my many issues with my lemon of a Sienna.

If I wanted problems I would have bought another Dodge. Thinking about it, the Dodge dealer is just down the street, not across town like the Toyota dealer. Sorry girls and guys, but I hate my Sienna and have nothing good to say about mine! Not to paint all Sienna's with the same brush, but mine is a just terrible.