5.1
fairly significant- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 18,950 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
I have a 2003 Toyota Tacoma 4 wheel drive truck with 26,560 miles. There is a continuous failure in the parking brake (previously called emergency brake). Apparently, the parking brake design is such that it "freezes up" giving an indication on the dash with the "brake light" illuminated. The brake is not engaged and thereby gives a false reading that the brake is engaged. However, as a real problem occurs the drivers are lulled into a false security that the only problem is that a warning brake light is lit. When a real problem occurs with the brakes, including the ordinary brake system, there can be a more serious safety problem such as causing the rear brake shoes to lock onto the rear drums. More information can be obtained on this problem at www.ehow.com/way_5649717_tacoma-emergency-brake-problems.html Toyota has recalled their 2005 and 2006 Tacoma trucks for this problem but not any earlier models. The dealers indicate that it can be repaired at a cost of $442.12. Since this is a problem that can involve safety and because Toyota has known about the problem for some time and indeed has recalled certain model years for fixing the problem I believe a recall for all Tacoma trucks should be made with the company fixing the problem at no cost to the consumer. Thus far there has not been an injury due to this problem. Thank you.
- Clarksville, MD, USA
: the contact stated the vehicle's parking brake cable snapped. Also, the pin froze causing the cable to snap when trying to apply the parking brake. The service dealer determined the pins needed to be replaced, and the new pins would continue to freeze again and would continuously need to be replaced.
- Shohola, PA, USA
2003 Toyota Tacoma parking brake is not working properly. When the parking brake was released, the brake did not completely disengage and could be heard dragging until it kicked off. Occasionally it refused to release and required re-application before finally releasing. When the parking brake was applied, it did not always hold the vehicle even on a modest slope such as the consumers driveway.
- Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Mesa, AZ, USA