Brake Feeling Not Smooth (TRD off road)

When I apply the brakes, I sometimes get a slight feedback from the pedal to where it doesn't feel smooth. The feedback feels as if ABS kicked in very softly and for a split second.

I drive the TRD off road.

I have a feeling that this is normal, but I just want to make sure. Is this due to the hydro booster? This might be a dumb question but just wanted to ask. Thanks!

 

Maybe still breaking in? How many miles you have on it?

 

My OR does the exact thing, when I apply brakes it feels just like abs as you described, of all the Tacomas I have driven (4-5) they all did it, I'm not saying its right, but it's common

 

I have about 250 miles.

I think it has something to do with the brake booster because it will occur even at a complete stop in Neutral. I just don't know for sure. I only driven vehicles with vacuum brake boosters. Or, it could be something differently and I'm wrong lol

Ok well I'm glad I'm not the only one! This makes me feel better.

 

Sometimes? Like when you brake short & suddenly; not a nice gradual stop?
Me too; sounds normal.

See page 264 of your manual.

 

Mine does it too. I can be in park, with parking brake on, push the brake pedal, and get a click.

 

Mine does it as well, but when braking at speeds under 25 mph. Dealer said the other trucks on the lot did it as well so it was "normal" Don't know if I buy that, but doesn't seem like that big of a deal as it's very minor.

 

Yep, I have this exact issue. And only at lower speeds as said above. Got about 1600 miles on it, just got Blizzaks, and still has that ABS feel at low speed braking. It's annoying for city driving, let's hope there is a fix.

 

I believe there will be fixes for all the little quirks we are experiencing, 1st year truck is bound to have a few issues.

 

It's a normal gradual stop on dry cement road - not short or sudden stop. It doesn't happen each time.

Page 264 of the manual talks about brake assist. It states that brake assist activates when the system detects a panic stop situation.

I'm wondering if this is just the passive nature of a hydro booster brake system (opposed to a vacuum). I don't think it has to do anything with the rotors, calipers, etc. because it occurs in neutral at a stand still.

 

If anyone finds anything about this, can you please share?

I'm planning on taking my truck back to the dealer for another warranty issue so I'll ask about this too.

 

I had that issue when I bought my new 2011 TRD off road. I took it n and they discovered warped Roters and fix the problem.

 

I picked up my 2016 Tacoma 4x4 Off Road today and don't notice anything abnormal about the brakes. However I had a 2005 4Runner Limited V8 AWD before with the hydroboost brakes so maybe I'm used to them. I think the brakes in this truck feel fantastic. It stops very well, the brakes grab right at the top of the pedal and it's easy to modulate. By far the best brakes of any of the trucks I've owned (F150's, Ram's, Tundra and other Tacos).

 

Mothertrucker iv seen its been a while sense you have posted. I just picked up my 2016 TRD OR, and I'm noticing that same slight vibration or pulsing feeling in the brake pedal when either braking at lower speeds or even when the car is parked and running and I put the brake down to the floor. Have you every found out an answer as to what's causing this or is it normal behavior?

The Dealership is telling me its to do with a spring and pad behind the pedal, which seems to make no sense at all. It almost feels more like something electronic is engaging or turning on and as you stated its not as strong as ABS would feel but it has a quick pulsating in the pedal. Defiantly doesn't feel right.

 

I have not found out why it does that. I havent had the time to go to the dealership but I plan on going this month. If I find anything out, I'll keep you and everyone posted.

Based on what you said, your symptoms sounds identical. I don't think it has to do with anything with the "spring or pad" either (but who knows until it's confirmed).

What's weird is that it's intermittent. Try pressing the brakes while the car is stopped and in nuetral. You'll probably experience the same result (as if you were slowing to a stop). Then the second or third time you press it, it might not happen.

I want a written statement from the dealership or Toyota saying it's ok. Perhaps it really is a normal behavior.

 

Yeah I agree with what you were saying, for me if the car is parked and running it will do the pulsate on the brake every other time I press the pedal down. Also I can see it obviously taking power to run, and making my lights dim. I'm at the dealership now and their head tech just took it for a ride with me and told me it's defiantly not right, he's going to look at it and try and fix on his own, but he said he may have to wait until Monday and reach out to the westcoast. I'll update once I'm leaving the dealership.


Update: just had the tech come back he can't find anything wrong, he's telling me it's defiantly working as it should but the vibration in the pedal he's not sure if it should be able to be felt like it is in mine. He's going to reach out to TOYOTA on the west coast and give me a ring at some point on Monday. He said he doesn't have another one here that has the same options as mine with the crawl control so he can't compare. I feel like I'm going to start to get the run around

 

Leave the truck there until they fix it and have them provide you a loaner

 

I've got about 750mi on mine right now. It has always done this with "moderate" braking,...just the lightest bit of rapid pulsation in the brake pedal. It brakes just fine, it just feels a little strange on your foot. "Light" braking,...smooth, no pulsation. Never had to hard brake it yet.

 

Here we go with this again...

 

It's the electric motor pumping up on the brake booster