With the engine on, while stopped at traffic congestion or red light, pedal brakes goes almost to the floor. It is at the mechanic for a week now, trying to repair it. Brake pump was replaced, still the same problem.

- San Juan, PR, USA

As I was driving home, the check engine, the trac and vsc lights all came on at the same time. I also heard a hissing noise when I pressed down on the brakes. I went to a mechanic to see what the problem might be, but it was late in the day and everyone was closing. He told me it sounded like a vacuum leak in the brake booster and to bring it back first thing Monday (he seemed to think it'd be okay to drive over the weekend). On the drive home the brake light came on and there were a few times where I was afraid I wouldn't be able to stop the car at all. It was quite scary! I was pressing the brake pedal as hard as I could and then it finally grabbed, the car jerked, and the seat belts tightened up around me. I worked today (Saturday) and the same thing happened to and from work, only now I am using the emergency brake to slow the car and I put it in park at stop lights. My next trip will be straight to a mechanic! it seems it is not common for brake boosters to fail and I am learning that other Toyota Rav4 owners have had the same problem, several ending in accidents. This should definitely be addressed by Toyota, as it is a huge safely issue, and possibly be cause for a recall.

- Richardson, TX, USA

Brake booster failure, replace by Toyota dealer.

- Annandale, NJ, USA

I was traveling at approximately 45 mph and applied the brakes. A hissing sound could be heard and there was a significant loss of stopping power. I had to apply an excessive amount of pressure to the pedal to stop the vehicle. And it also took an excessive distance to get it stopped.. the check engine light illuminated along with the stability control and other dashboard warning lights. I continued to drive cautiously to get home. The lights then went away. And the car performed somewhat normally. They came back on, a day later. And so did the symptoms, but only sporadically. The brake booster has a leak. There are many others with the same problem all over the internet. Specifically, here: www.rav4world.com/forums/99-4-3-mechanical/91243-what-causes-brake-booster-failure.html I think given the history of sudden acceleration and other issues with this model of vehicle a recall should be done. This is a $900+ repair, and for a car with a little over 50K miles is unacceptable and above all, dangerous.

- Orangevale, CA, USA

Traveling approximately 45 mph on dry pavement. Went to apply brakes prior to approaching turn lane and could not stop. Brakes were there (pedal was firm and did not go to floor) but accelerator seem to override the braking system. Proceeded to stand on brakes to attempt to stop as there were three lanes of stopped traffic and no where else to go. Shifted car into park to come to an abrupt stop to avoid hitting 8+ cars and pushing them into a very large intersection. Car had approximately 46000 miles on it and had new brakes installed 8 months prior. Car had been serviced 1 month prior for general service point checks. Took car to dealership same day of this incident - they could not find nothing wrong with the car. Offered to service based on a previous recall to remove the current floormat and adjust accelerator. One month prior to this incident the radio stopped working for a couple of days then started working intermittently sometimes displaying garbled text on the radio display.

- Cold Spring, KY, USA

The contact owns a 2007 Toyota rav 4. the contact stated that while driving 45 mph, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the posterior oxygen sensor was defective and needed to be replaced. Two days later, the check engine light was illuminated again and the contact experienced brake failure. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who diagnosed that the brake booster needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 27,000. Updated 11/03/11 updated 05/12/2012

- Dorchester , MA, USA