Brake failure.

- Katonah, NY, USA

01/2001 - 03/2001 4 wheel ABS. Intermittent occurrence of the following: ABS functioning or brakes operating when brake pedal is not depressed. Notice while driving on highway, car starts to vibrate excessively from unneeded braking. The problem goes away as driving continues. After 1 incident took car to a repair station because I needed to apply the gas pedal to go down hill to keep car going at speed limit (where usually car will roll at speed limit). Car put on racks and found brakes were extremely hot. All wheels could not be hand turned. After brakes cooled problem was able to drive car normally. Had 4 occurrences of this in last 3 months. Took car to dealer and problem did not occur. Dealer said there was no sense is taking things apart when there were no symptoms. 03/2001 took car back to dealer 3 weeks later. Latest experience was that brakes were now failing. Pedal went low when applying brakes. Dealer said brake fluid was contamintated and warranty is now void. Dealer mentioned that 1 week earlier another car came in with contaminated brake fluid. Dealer says that due to contamination, they need to replace almost entire braking system (calipers, lines, master, ABS sensors) this was estimated at over $3,000. Told dealer to try and only flush brake fluid. He said could do this but they would also need to replace the master since brake pedal was going low. Dealer also said that they (Toyota) would not be responsible for any brake failure that occurred following this compromised repair alternative. Dealer called later and said front rotors also need to be replaced because they are beyond tolerance for resurfacing. Agreed to the change. (total cost of repairs: $1,000) 09/2001 the car operated fine for almost six months. Notice that at around the 60 mph range, vibration starts to occur. Appears to be the early symptoms of the ABS starting to function without depressing brakes (again). Imo problem is the ABS starting to function by itself. Problem stopped *

- Kailua, HI, USA

While driving at a rate of approx. 35 mile per hour the brakes went down to the floor which resulted in a back end collison. The passenger seat belt and the air bags did bot work. Accident was repoted to police and insurance company. Inspector stated that the seatbelt and airbag was ok. The car is at the dealership having amaster cylinderrepalced, frozen calipers replaced and brake pads replaced because of uneven wear.

- Somerset, MA, USA

When the brake pedal is applied in an emergency situation, it goes to the floor and causes a rumble, before it comes to a complete stop. Dealer has been contacted.

- Germantown, MD, USA