Tacoma Newbie - Lost Brakes in Reverse

Hi Everyone,

I have a 2021 Tacoma 4WH Double Cab with a short bed. Low miles for 3 years - 16,720. I had an episode in a parking lot this morning that I am hoping someone can shed some light on. Up till today, the truck has been trouble free.

I pulled through a parking space and pulled out a little ways and then backed up hoping to see the end of the parking space in my backup camera. Part way into the space (with cars on both sides) I put my foot on the brake and the car did not stop, it kept moving in reverse, I pushed harder on the brake and it went to the floor, I put it in park and it kept moving in reverse. I finally turned the key off and the car stopped. Note that when I finally turned the key off it was the perfect spot in the parking space. Also, I did not see any dash lights but my attention was admittedly elsewhere.

If this is a parking assist function, is this normal function? If so, did not realize I even had parking assist. Could it be some other form of electronic assist or is this something odd the dealer should look at.

Any clarity on this is very welcome.

 

They make an emergency brake specifically for this situation.

 

Welcome to TW. Never had a problem like that.

 

How is your brake fluid looking? Also, if you are under 36 months, warranty should cover your brakes.

 

I don't know how what you're describing could happen, but I wouldn't be driving that truck until someone looked at it.

 

This.
And I would question why it it didn't stop when you put it in park unless you were moving too fast.

 

Sorry Sue, I'm not buying it.

 

Not sure how going backwards has anything to do with losing brakes except you were in reverse when it failed. Brake fluid level? I guess you had it towed to the dealer?

 

As stated emergency brake handle is right there by the center console. Should be first thought when a brake pedal goes to the floor. I’m glad we have a lever and cable and not a switch.

 

Hi Everyone, all of your responses are much appreciated. Some notes, didn't think of the emergency brake, lesson learned there. It's going to the dealer tomorrow. Note that I was creeping backwards just trying to fit the truck in to a parking space. My backup camera was clear. Parking assist was not engaged. I haven't turned parking assist on for the full 3 years I have had the truck, no need for it where I live. No noise, no warning. Didn't note any lights on the dash. Will definitely check the brake fluid before going to the dealer. Thank you again for all of your help.

 

To answer your question: no this isn't a parking assist function and there is no automated assist that would result in your brake failing to work. In fact, tapping the brake is a way to disable any of the automated functions like radar cruise control. There's probably some legislation somewhere that says the brake should always brake.

This isn't user error, this is some kind of critical failing in your brake system that needs to be seen by a dealer ASAP. I can't imagine a scenario where this happens only when in reverse and where shifting the transmission to park doesn't work so it seems to me as though every time you're hitting the brake you're risking your life.

I'm skeptical that a shift to park wasn't enough to get the transmission to drop a pawl to lock up the drive train. The lack of braking and the transmission failing to shift to park are two entirely unrelated systems but anyway.

 

@cowfootball Thanks for that...I have never driven a car with so many automated safety systems before and I really was thinking I didn't know what I was doing. The brakes have been soft but no issues at all up until this happened. On putting it in park, I was sceptical as well...I know well the minor clunk when it drops into park and there was none. Granted the entire episode took about a minute so I agree there might not have been enough time for it to 'park'. Thank you all again for your help. I will be much better informed at the dealer. I am two months short of 3 years with this truck so it is still under warranty (fortunately).

 

Be sure to keep your warranty paperwork in case problems with the repair come up after your warranty expires.

 

@cowfootball - thanks---good idea and will do so. Right now I am contemplating how to get it towed...

 

Join AAA tonight, call them tomorrow.

 

Push the SOS button and tell them to come and get it!

 

@Clearwater Bill and @Captqc - Great ideas! I tried the SOS didn't work. AAA has been my friend for years but unfortunately they don't work this far north despite the fact that I live in an area that seems like its more trucks than people. But I got lucky, my car insurance is covering the tow. Its over the distance they cover but they are only charging me 37.50. I was very lucky on this one, could have been 300.00 for the tow. Thanks for all your help!

 

Hi Everyone, I am back from the dealer unfortunately everything is in good working order so no news. They were not able to duplicate the event. I'm not able to duplicate the event either. The only thing that keeps sticking with me that was unusal is that I had pulled in right next to a massive ranch truck, a big dodge ram, a newer one. I was within 2 feet of that truck and I asked the mechanic if by any chance the electrics in the bigger truck were interfering with my Taco. He said it's possible but really didn't think that was what was going on. The good part about this is I had a great safety check out of all of this. But no information on what happened. No resolve. Thanks again everyone!

 

really stupid question but your description seems it's possible. Do you think the truck next to you was moving and you weren't? Especially since you ended up in the "perfect spot?"

sumptin not adding up.

 

Ha! Something similar happened to me not too long ago. I was sitting in a parking place in neutral, my foot on the brake (MT), and thinking deeply about something when I noticed relative movement between myself and the car beside me. I freaked, pushed harder on the brakes, but it didn’t help. Shortly thereafter I realized my mistake. Lol

No I was not drunk or high.

To my defense (sort of), on multiple occasions in the same situation my manual transmission car has started to roll backwards a small bit because I was not deliberate enough with the brakes. It’s more often than not been real rather than a hallucination.