TSB: Some 2014 ? 2020 model year Toyota vehicles may exhibit a hard start and/or MIL ON condition with one or more of the following Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs): ?DTC P0171 and/or P0174 (System Too Lean Bank 1/Bank 2) ?DTC P0087 Fuel Rail / System Pressure ? Too Low Techstream data list analysis may reveal positive fuel trims including a no pressure condition verified by a manual fuel pressure gauge. Follow the Repair Procedure in this bulletin to address these conditions.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2017 Toyota Tacoma brakes problems
moderate Owners of the 2017 Toyota Tacoma have filed 26 NHTSA complaints about the brakes, typically surfacing around 26,000 miles at roughly $450 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See brakes across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
26
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
| Model year | brakes complaints |
|---|---|
| 2013 Tacoma | 9 |
| 2014 Tacoma | 10 |
| 2015 Tacoma | 7 |
| 2016 Tacoma | 13 |
| 2017 Tacoma (this page) | 26 |
| 2018 Tacoma | 34 |
| 2019 Tacoma | 34 |
| 2020 Tacoma | 11 |
| 2021 Tacoma | 11 |
What stands out
Owners have filed 26 brakes complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering brakes on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
DL: On December 20, 2022, a settlement of claims for certain low pressure fuel pumps was approved by the federal court. The settlement includes Toyota?s agreement to provide a Customer Support Program for certain 2014-2020 model year (MY) vehicles originally equipped with low pressure fuel pumps repaired under Safety Recall 20TA02, Safety Recall 21TA03, Safety Recall 21TA05 or Special Service Campaign 21TC03. The purpose of this Customer Support Program letter is to help clarify how to administer this coverage in accordance with the settlement.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2017 Tacoma brake system shows a consistent pattern of failure across multiple subsystems. Most prevalent is rear brake lockup—wheels seize after rain or car washes, sometimes in cold weather below 35°F, immobilizing the vehicle. Owners report having to manually rock the truck or free the drums themselves; dealers are aware but demand seals be replaced to keep moisture out, and won't warranty the repair without a recall.
Master cylinder leaks rank second. Brake fluid drips onto driver-side floor mats and behind the pedal, reducing brake responsiveness. This mirrors a recall issued for 2018–2019 Tacomas but inexplicably not extended to 2017 models despite identical symptoms at comparable mileages.
Other recurring defects include brake pedal sinking toward the floor while holding pressure at a stop (vehicle rolls forward), complete pedal-to-floor braking failure requiring hand-brake intervention, metallic clunking noises during braking, and premature front pad wear (critical thickness at under 17,000 miles). Brake booster pump noise and sinking spongy pedal feel are also reported. One complaint describes shoe sole catching on the brake pedal during emergency braking due to ergonomic positioning.
Same Toyota Tacoma brakes reports on nearby years: 2014 · 2016 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020
Failure modes owners describe
Rear brake shoes sticking to drums; emergency brake locks up
Moisture accumulation in the brake system causes rear brake shoes to stick to the rear drums, particularly in cold or wet conditions. The emergency brake becomes inoperable and wheels lock up, immobilizing the vehicle. Issue occurs after car washes, rain exposure, or in cold temperatures below 35°F.
When: 2,500–62,000 miles; triggered by wet conditions or cold weather
Symptoms owners cite: Rear wheel locked up; vehicle will not move; Emergency brake will not disengage after parking in rain or following car wash; Wheel seizure during low-speed driving; Brake shoes stick to drums in cold weather
Repairs/costs cited: One owner freed stuck drum manually by researching online and using trial-and-error rocking technique (shifting between 1st gear and reverse). Dealer aware of issue but demands seal replacement to prevent moisture entry; repair not completed under warranty.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer recommends avoiding use of emergency brake at temperatures 35°F or colder. No official recall issued; one dealer declined to diagnose without a recall notice.
Brake master cylinder internal leakage and seal failure
Master cylinder seals fail, allowing brake fluid to leak into the vehicle interior (driver-side floorboard, carpet, behind brake pedal). Fluid drips from the actuator and accumulates on floor mats. Brake fluid level drops below minimum and brakes become less responsive. Issue documented in 2018–2019 models under recall; 2017 models exhibit identical symptoms but lack recall coverage.
When: 42,000–80,000 miles; some reports at newer mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Brake fluid dripping inside cab on floor mat; Fluid seeping from master cylinder and actuator; Brake fluid level dropping below minimum; Reduced brake responsiveness despite pad replacement; Brake pedal loses firmness and sinks forward while braking; Brake pedal becomes spongy
Repairs/costs cited: Dealerships have inspected and confirmed the leak (per owner reports). Multiple owners report pads still have material remaining but responsiveness is compromised. No repair costs cited.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: 2018–2019 Tacomas have a recall for defective master cylinder. 2017 models exhibit the same failure but Toyota has not expanded the recall to include them.
Brake booster pump noise and failure
Brake booster pump emits abnormal rattling, ticking, or tapping noise from engine compartment during idle or acceleration. Noise increases with throttle input. Noise may be related to brake system vacuum pump operation.
When: 37,000+ miles
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal rattling and ticking noise from engine compartment during idle; Noise increases with acceleration; Tapping sound audible while idling
Codes mentioned: 1810010762 (manufacturer case number from one report)
Repairs/costs cited: Brake booster pump replacement recommended by one dealer. Work not completed; vacuum pump noted as out-of-warranty by another dealer.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer case number 1810010762 opened; recall exists for vacuum pump on some 2017 Tacomas but complainant's vehicle not covered.
Brake pedal sinks while holding; loss of braking pressure under sustained load
When brake pedal is held down at a stop (constant pressure applied), the pedal slowly sinks toward the floor and vehicle begins rolling forward. Brake pressure cannot be maintained. Issue can be recreated on multiple occasions.
When: Mileage not specified in complaints; occurs during stationary or slow driving
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal loses firmness when held at a stop; Pedal sinks toward floor after 30 seconds of sustained pressure; Vehicle rolls forward despite brake pedal being depressed; Pedal eventually goes all the way to the floor
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented in complaints.
Complete or near-complete brake system failure
Brake pedal depresses to the floor with no responsive braking pressure. Vehicles become unresponsive to brake applications during active driving. Hand brake or rapid brake pumping required to slow vehicle. Issue occurs on downhill grades or at highway speeds.
When: Mileage not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal depressed to floor with no response; Vehicle will not brake during left turn maneuver; No braking assistance available; Hand brake required to stop vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: Part suspected to be master cylinder or brake assist system; vehicle driven slowly to dealership for repair. No completion status reported.
Brake system metallic clunking noise
Metallic clunking or clanking noises audible when braking or moving in reverse and forward. Noise may indicate internal brake system component wear or damage. Dealers attribute to 'floating valves' and decline repair citing no diagnostic trouble code.
When: Mileage not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Metallic clunking noise when moving backward and forward while braking; Clanking sound on acceleration; Noise heard despite brake pads at 70% remaining thickness
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer diagnosis: floating valves (engine-related). No brake work completed. Brake pads at 70% thickness.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers decline service citing no diagnostic code present.
Premature front brake pad wear
Front brake pads wear to near-replacement threshold at low mileage. Pads worn to 3/32 inch or less (red/critical range) at only 16,885 miles, well short of typical brake service life. Unusual wear pattern for new vehicle.
When: 16,885 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Front brake pads worn to 3/32 inch or less (critical thickness)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer advised replacement needed soon.
Brake pedal hard to reach or catch under shoe sole; design ergonomic issue
Brake pedal position is too close to accelerator, or brake pedal design creates entrapment hazard. Driver's shoe sole caught under brake pedal during emergency braking, delaying response. Brake pedal sits only one-half inch higher than accelerator, creating ergonomic problem.
When: During highway driving at 35 mph
Symptoms owners cite: Shoe sole caught under brake pedal; Delayed brake application in emergency; Brake pedal positioned too close to accelerator
Brake override system malfunction; unexpected vehicle shutdown
Brake override system engages without driver action, causing sudden vehicle stop in traffic. System is described as dangerous due to loss of vehicle control and inability to disengage. Issue reported as consistent problem across 2016–2018 Toyota truck models.
When: 35 mph in winter weather conditions
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden vehicle stop in middle of road; Brake override malfunction error; Loss of vehicle control and operation
Synthesized from 26 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Brake pedal spongy and when pushed and held it continuously goes slowly to the floor. I believe the recall for the master cylinder should have been extended back further.
The 2018-2019 Toyota Tacomas have been recalled for having a bad Master Cylinder and leaking internally within the truck. The 2017 Tacomas have the same issue. My 2017 Tacoma has been leaking brake fluid on my floormat. I'm sure I am not the only one having an issue with this and because it involved the brakes it does pose a risk on the road If the brakes were to fail due to a Master Cylinder…
Had brakes trouble with your 2017 Toyota Tacoma?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the brakes problem on the 2017 Toyota Tacoma?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 26 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $450 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Across the 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most brakes failures cluster between 13,400 and 48,000 miles, with the median around 26,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 13,400; a quarter make it past 48,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $450 for brakes repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to brakes?
No active recalls currently cover brakes issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2017/Toyota/Tacoma.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.