Sticking Brake Pedal

Hey all,

Just trying to get a feel for how many people have this issue with their 3rd gen? The linked thread below is the EXACT issue i'm facing with my 2018 Tacoma TRD Sport.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/brake-pedal-sticking-question.417843

In a nutshell, the brake pedal sticks in the up position (resting/non-depressed state). It sticks the most after the truck has been resting a while. It happens if the truck is off or on and the weather is hot or cold. I even hear a "pop" with it. The more I use the pedal, the less it happens, but returns with less use. The excuse I was given was the vacuum system builds pressure causing it to require more pressure to use after time. When I asked how it builds pressure with the engine off (as the morning is when it's the most stuck) I was given the example of an air compressor. It holds pressure until released. They couldn't explain to me how it didn't have pressure when I pull in the garage, but has more pressure after the engine was shut off.

Taken it to the dealer 4 times and had the field tech check it out on the last visit. Each visit they tell me it's functioning exactly as it should and there is no issue. I filed a complaint with Toyota Corporate that got shot down because the field tech cleared it. My next step is legal action. This is unsafe, especially in conditions where you don't need to apply much pressure to the brakes.

Edit: Why am I willing to take this so far? If I pay $40k for something, it should function perfectly. The brake pedal shouldn't stick. If I paid $40k for an apple, It better be the best apple known to man it looks AND taste. Two, I was out driving off road and came across some ice on a slightly downhill slope. I only wanted to apply a little brake pressure. The pedal stuck causing me to apply more than wanted making the ABS engage causing me to lose control for a minute. I had a cliff on one side and a mountain on the other. Not ideal at all.

Here are some videos I took. I put 3 together and the last one has the best example.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6VgT8izdt0

 

Actually, your next step would be arbitration. See pages 4 & 5 of the Owner’s Warranty Rights Notification booklet, and inform Toyota that you’re filing for arbitration with the NCDS (form is in the center of the aforementioned booklet). Toyota is bound by the arbitrator’s decision, however you are not. If you’re not satisfied with the decision, then you go to small claims court... good luck.

 

Here's what I could dig up on on-vehicle inspections related to your symptoms.
Might help confirm or disprove what Toyota says.
You have a vacuum booster...

 

Thanks, that's what I meant. Digging through the Warranty for the truck lists the info for it.

Thank you. This is useful. I could almost bet, out of warranty they would find something, but it only costs them to do anything while in warranty. I purchased the extended warranty when I bought the truck. Went in a couple weeks back and removed it. If they're not going to follow through with factory warranty without me making a big deal out of it, I don't want to think about the things that they wouldn't do under extended.

 

Mine has had a "sticky" release when I first press the brake for the first time in a while. (No booster). It feels like there is a part # sticker or something that, between the switch and where the pedal meets the switch, OR where the pedal rests on the frame.

Mine is very easy to release. Not like yours. But if it bothered me, I'd be checking that contact point and also lubing the pivot point that pushes the rod into the cylinder.

It's pretty hard to see what's going on down there, but I suggest you investigate first. See diagram above.

Good luck

 

split bolt, I'm sending you a thanks.

DJFraz, here's what you might expect:

2018 Sport, outside of the range for the recent recall. In July 2018 I got the brake pedal "pop" three times. By Oct, the brake pedal sank to the floor under moderate pressure. Brought to the attention of two dealers the response I got was the typical "they all do that". By November, brake fluid was visibly leaking down the front of the brake booster. A third dealer took action to replace the master cylinder but only after visible evidence of defect was present.

Unfortunately, the replacement MC is following the same pattern. "Popped" three times and now the pedal is on the firewall in less than fifteen seconds. The dealership's Service Manager tells me "they all do that". Toyota "Customer Care" personal are not well enough informed to consider this as anything of concern.

Yesterday the center info. screen lit up with "Check brake system". No codes are shown but I did get a cell phone photo of the warning. Emailed same to Customer Care this PM.

These guys are not trained to recognize a problem unless something triggers a sensor, they're all "technicians" now, the knowledgeable mechanic is nearly extinct. Arbitration is next.

An insight into the problem is documented here:
https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2018/RMISC-18V888-7095.pdf
it's possible the problem is more wide spread than Toyota admits.

 

Thanks. I know they issued a recall and I brought it to their attention. They stated my vehicle wasn't part of the recall for the MC. I also filed a complaint via NHTSA, but haven't heard anything come back yet from that. It's been about a month there. Funny though, it says manufactured Feb 20, 2018 on the article. My tag just says 02/18, so not too sure the date.

 

If you have your sales receipt for the truck (long yellow form)… Canadian.. Yours could be the same. But 02/18 is just Feb. 2018

The actual day is in the top right corner...

 

Sounds like there is an issue with brake booster...but if your gonna take the position that a 40k truck should be perfect your gonna lose.

 

That's not the position I'm taking with it. That's just my opinion. I'm aware it won't be perfect. The point is for that much, if there is an issue, it should be taken care of - especially under warranty.

 

Welp, filed the arbitration claim with NCDS today. We'll see where it goes.

 

And finally got the decision today. The arbitrator denied my claim on the basis of the issue not getting worse over time and what may "hypothetically" happen in the future with the issue. Needless to say, not happy with the situation.

 

Issue resolved: I traded the truck for a '19 TRD Off Road. Sure, an issue could arise with the new Tacoma, but at least I don't have to deal with a sticking brake pedal anymore. I lose a year of payments, but I came out even with equity and a payment increase of $50 for the Premium package. Done dealing with it. I miss my hood scoop lol.

 

I'm having this same issue with my 2020 Sport (my 19 didn't have the issue). I took it to the shop and they said they adjusted the pushrod. Unfortunately, nothing changed. Not sure what to do now.

 

I notice the same issue on my 19 sport but that's not actually bothering me as much as the fact that the pedal itself is loose and clunks around as a result.

I think there's another thread for this.

 

Same problem w/ my 2023 TRD Sport. Pedal sticks in the up position and is most pronounced after the truck has been sitting for a couple hours or more. I was hoping to replace the booster and hope that solved the problem but based on what I'm reading on this site, I'll just have to deal with it, or battle it out in small claims court.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/brake-pedal-binding.621243/#post-21181867

 

years ago (back in the early 2000s?) toyota had a booster recall on....I think it was the Echo, because the boosters would somehow get a bit of water in them and freeze up overnight in cold climates causing a situation kinda like you have.

You might try parking the truck in a heated garage overnight and see if the problem still occurs in the AM.

 

Thanks splitbolt. I did lube all moving points related to the pedal linkage but did not verify if the pin was rotating or not. I will disconnect the shaft and actuate by hand to make sure that is the sticking point with my Taco since it feels like it is closer to the firewall... like the booster.