The brake controller (ibc) needs to function properly

- Durant, OK, USA

I recently bought a travel trailer and, after reading the manual, was setting up the integrated brake controller (heretofore referred to as the ibs). I was following the user manual supplied with my truck when I purchased it new step-by-step. I eventually had the gain set to "10" and was still not getting proper braking pressure from the trailer. I got out, checked all connections, restarted the truck and tried again; same issue. I connected a friends tekonsha P3 through my trucks ibc cable (using his cable adapter) and tried again without a problem. This confirms it's not a trailer or wiring issue. I reconnect the ibc and restarted the truck, trying again; same issue. I took it to the dealer and they shrugged their shoulders, said they saw before with no resolve, and suggested I buy an aftermarket brake controller, too. I then looked online and found several hundred others experiencing the same problem, requiring that they buy an aftermarket brake controller to compensate for this one (two links are at the bottom of this complaint). The dealers and Toyota are unable/unwilling to do anything. This needs to be addressed. Https://www.Tundra.com/threads/factory-brake-controller-issues.5103/ www.tundratalk.net/forums/Tundra-problems-maintenance-repair-dealer-warranty-issues/562250-2016-brake-controller-problems-9.html

- Springboro, OH, USA

Built in break controller is not working properly. With full gain, it does not apply the correct amount of brakes to my trailer. This is very dangerous and could lead to an accident.

- Ocala, FL, USA

Truck is rated to tow 9100lbs, and includes an integrated trailer brake controller for use with electric trailer brakes (which is new for 2016 Tundra's). The first time I hooked the truck up to the trailer, I set up the trailer brakes using the owners manual. After pulling out onto the street I immediately noticed that when I pressed the brakes the trailer brakes failed to engage. My trailer weighs nearly 8000lbs. Luckily, the manual slider works to engage the trailer brakes, but even on a gain setting of 10 (max) the foot brake fails to adequately engage the brakes on my trailer. I have tried 2 other trailers, and talked to multiple 2016 Tundra owners online and this problem is consistent across all Tundra's towing any type trailer. Under hard brakng at any speed my trailer wants to jacknife and push the truck out of it's way, because the brakes on the truck are engaging to max and the trailer brakes are hardly engaging at all even on max gain setting. This is a serious issue that needs to be resolved and Toyota is not coming forward with a fix. They claim the controller is "working as designed", but I tow 8000lbs behind me and without adequate trailer brakes a serious accident is just waiting to happen. Someone needs to step in and force Toyota to address this serious issue before someone is hurt or killed. Luckily the manual slider still works, but that is a bandaid solution every Tundra owner can't be expected to drive around manually applying the trailer brakes separate from the foot brake. If I can stop my trailer faster when manually applying the trailer brakes than the truck will stop with just the foot brake, than something is obviously defective! in what scenario would Toyota ever want my truck to stop less quickly in a max braking situation? it doesn't make sense, and they need to come up with a solution!

- Reston, VA, USA

The integrated brake controller is not work when applying the brakes in electric brake mode. Took my Tundra out for a test drive with my 24' 3200 lb travel trailer. I set the gain to 10 and hit the manual slide and the trailer tires locked up. Stepped on the brakes and couldn't feel any brakes being applied to the trailer. I would have expected the trailer tires to lockup when I hit the brakes with a gain of 10. This could make a very dangerous situation.

- Bainbridge, NY, USA

The integrated brake trailer controller to control the brakes on a trailer is not working. The brake controller fails to control the brakes on the trailer while in "electric" mode for electric brakes. It is very dangerous to rely on a brake controller to slow or stop a vehicle that is towing a load with trailer brakes that are not working. I towed our camper this last weekend with my entire family in the car and it was very dangerous to my family and others on the road.

- San Diego, CA, USA

Integrated trailer brake controller not functioning correctly. In electric mode, no power setting (1-10) is able to get the trailer brakes to lock up when the truck brakes are applied. This is a crucial test to calibrate the trailer brakes before going on the road, and demonstrates that the output signal from the brake controller isn't sufficient to stop the truck/trailer combo in an emergency situation. The trailer brakes are able to lock up with certain settings if you manually activate the trigger, demonstrating that the controller not only has the ability to lock up the brakes, but that the trailer itself isnt the problem. The programming of the controller is suspect.

- Santa Rosa, CA, USA

The control braking does not working properly when towing. I have gained set to highest level which is 10 and on a empty 6X10 toy trailer it will not lock up. When just pressing with brake does not work at all only has littles tension when pressing the brake slider manually. This is very dangerous

- Baltimore, MD, USA

The built in trailer brake controller does not work properly when used with any trailer equipped with electric brakes. It is not capable of controlling loaded trailers safely. I have brought this matter to the attention of Toyota and the master technician at my local dealership says he understands the problem and can reproduce the safety issue under testing - but at this time the manufacturer has no recommended solution in place to fix this issue. Please help as it is dangerous. Defect was also evident on a second similar brand new vehicle taken from dealer lot for testing at my last visit to dealer.

- Sinton, TX, USA

The integrated brake controller does not work. Dealer had no fix. When set for electric brakes, the manual slider does apply brakes to the trailer but when applying foot pedal braking, there is no brakes being applied to the trailer. While researching this online on tundratalk.net, it appears all of the new 2016 brake controllers do not work. This is a very dangerous situation for someone that does not realize the trailer brakes do not work.

- Pine, CO, USA

I'm making this report due to the lame integrated brake controller (ibc) in my 2016 Toyota Tundra. I've been towing a camper for the past 13 years and I know how to set up a brake controller (bc) and more importantly I know when they are working or not. With the ibc, when I press on the brake pedal I get no felt braking from the camper even when set to the highest gain setting (10) which considering the general light weight of my camper (5,000 lbs. Loaded), the highest gain setting should lock up my trailer brakes. The ibc setting for my camper is electric. I took my truck and camper to the Toyota dealer so they could test the controller while hooked up. The technician hooked the truck up to a diagnostic computer and went through all the settings both static and on a test drive. The computer showed that the brake controller was working; however, even when set on the highest setting, I could not feel the trailer brakes kicking in. Their conclusion was in spite of not feeling the brakes, that the brake controller was working. Toyota says it's okay, but if I jack-knife my camper, I'm the one who has to deal with the consequences of the accident. As the result of having zero confidence in the ability of the ibc, I already installed an after-market bc (safety can't wait for a fix). I believe that people who are towing with this ibc, particularly anyone towing an eight or nine thousand pound camper is at risk as well as the public on our roadways. The dealer told me my ibc was working fine because the computer found no errors or incorrect voltage levels. While that may be true, it's a terrible bc and not suitable for a truck that's rated to tow a 10,000 lb. Trailer. What are they going to say to a family that gets wiped out in an accident? 'we're sorry ' but don't look at us - the brake controller was working.'

- Stone Mountain, GA, USA

The drivetrain on my 2016 Toyota Tundra are not allowing the wheels to rotate freely. Additionally, the wheels are locking up on the truck. On 6 Dec, I picked up my Tundra from the dealership's service depart after having the rear differential repaired. The vehicle started to drive sluggish. As I neared my home, I tried to test the 2wd and 4WD functions of the vehicle. I attempted to test the repair that was done. The wheels on the vehicle started to have problems rotating freely and locking up. While in 4WD the vehicle would not move. It appeared as if the breaks were locked on the vehicle. Four days later, the vehicle still drives sluggish. While driving at speeds of 45mph, I would take my foot off the accelerator and the vehicle would almost come to a complete stop on its own. Currently the vehicle acts like it wants to drive in 4WD low and high mode. Additionally, the wheels are acting like they do not want to rotate freely. As of 6am on 8 Dec, I cannot drive the vehicle over 25 mph. The vehicle is idling over 4000 RPM and not changing gears. The vehicle is registering being in 4WD low but the selector switch is on 2wd mode.

- Grovetown, GA, USA

While driving back from Florida on 30 Nov, I heard a humming noise coming from the rear of my Toyota Tundra. On 2 Dec 2015, the dealership did service on the truck to address the noise. The dealership replaced the rear differential assembly and did something to the lsd. I picked the vehicle up on 6 December 2015, the rear wheels started locking up and made it difficult to drive the vehicle. I let the vehicle set over the weekend. On 7 Dec 2015, I attempted to drive the vehicle again, the wheels were still locking up and the vehicle had a burning smell. I have an appoint to return the vehicle on 9 Dec 2015.

- Grovetown, GA, USA