The rear brake pads are locking.I had to towed the truck to the dealer this week.I’m afraid that while driving on the highway the brakes lock.yes, but the problem has not been resolved yet.no it hasn’t been checked by the manufacturer No warning lights has come on the brakes are locking up while the truck is parked in my garage.
2020 Toyota Tacoma brakes problems
moderate 11 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
When does it fail?
Of the 11 brakes complaints filed for the 2020 Toyota Tacoma, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: 2020 Tacoma owners report soft pedal, booster cycling, master cylinder failure, rear lockup, and pedal pulsation—often dismissed by dealers as normal. Safety risks are real: unplanned loss of brakes on downgrades and highways, with some dealers refusing warranty diagnosis.
Eleven owners describe brake failures in 2020 Tacomas that dealers repeatedly dismissed as normal operation. The most common complaint is a soft or fading brake pedal that requires hard pressure or full floor travel before braking engages; stopping distances stretch 20–50% longer than expected, forcing owners to use the emergency brake on downhill grades and roundabouts. One owner at 14K miles experienced total brake master cylinder failure and had to pump the pedal to stop. Another owner reports fluid pooling under the steering column—a leak the recall program allegedly covers only through 2019 models.
Rear wheels lock up during braking in several reports, locking upon application and releasing only when the pedal lifts; dealers replaced drums, axle shafts, and bearings on repeat visits without fixing it. The electronic brake booster cycles unexpectedly, dropping power assist for 20–30 feet at highway speed before slamming hard—owners say they were told this is normal.
Brake pedal pulsation appears without ABS lights; one leased truck had drums replaced four times and the pulsation returned each time. No manufacturer recalls or technical service bulletins are mentioned in any narrative. Dealers consistently brush off concerns, with one shop foreman claiming the pedal going to the floor is "normal for this truck."
Same Toyota Tacoma brakes reports on nearby years: 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2021
Failure modes owners describe
Soft or fading brake pedal with extended stopping distance
Brake pedal requires excessive pressure or goes to the floor before brakes engage; stopping distance increases 20-50% even with pedal fully depressed. Multiple owners report needing to pump the pedal or use emergency brake to stop at normal speeds.
When: 7K–12K miles; occurs randomly at highway speeds, on downgrades, and roundabouts regardless of weather or load
Symptoms owners cite: Pedal goes to floor with moderate pressure while stopped at lights; Pedal becomes non-responsive between 1/3 and 2/3 travel distance; Requires harder and harder pedal pressure during same braking event; Brakes feel as if oil is on them; stopping distance 20–50% longer than expected; Emergency brake warning light illuminates on dash intermittently
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer inspection at 12K miles found nothing wrong; owners told they are 'using the brake pedal the wrong way.' One owner reported brake master cylinder total failure at 14K miles; Toyota had engineers test the part on the vehicle.
Brake master cylinder failure/internal leak
Brake master cylinder loses pressure internally or leaks fluid, causing pedal to go to floor. One documented total failure at 14K miles; another reports fluid dripping under steering column.
When: As early as 14K miles; one report at unknown mileage with fluid pooling inside
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal goes straight to floor; Partial braking only achievable by pumping pedal; Brake fluid visible leaking under steering column
Repairs/costs cited: One confirmed master cylinder replacement after 10-day dealer service; recall for 2019 and earlier models exists but 2020 owner claims same part number/issue not covered.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota engineers tested failed master cylinder part on vehicle to determine cause.
Electronic brake booster cycling and loss of power assist
Brake booster cycles unpredictably during normal braking, causing intermittent loss of power assist. Loss of assist can last 30 feet at highway speed before suddenly returning with hard engagement.
When: Occurs at unknown mileage; reported on downhill grades and low-speed braking
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden complete loss of power brakes for 20–30 feet; Power assist suddenly returns and applies brakes hard; Booster cycles every few brake applications resulting in inconsistent braking power; Especially noticeable at low speeds
Codes mentioned: No ABS light, No codes present
Repairs/costs cited: Owner reports being told this is 'normal for these trucks.' Unable to replicate for dealer inspection.
Rear wheel lockup during braking
Rear wheels lock up during regular or hard braking in wet weather and other conditions. Lockup disengages immediately when brake pedal is released. Persists after multiple dealer repair attempts replacing rear drums, axle shafts, wheel bearings, and shoes.
When: 6K–14K miles; first reported around 9/2020, recurring through 2/9/21 after two prior repairs
Symptoms owners cite: Rear wheels lock up during hard or regular braking; Lockup occurs in incumbent (poor) weather conditions; Lockup releases as soon as brake pedal is released
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer replaced rear drums (9/2020), then replaced rear axle shafts, wheel bearings, shoes, and drums again (12/2020); issue recurred within 6K miles, requiring third service visit.
Brake pulsation/vibration
Brake pedal pulsates upon depression during normal and hard braking. Reported without ABS engagement. Persists after repeated brake drum replacements.
When: As early as 1 mile (off dealer lot); reported at 1,800 miles and 40 mph
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal pulsates upon depression; Pulsation occurs during regular and hard braking; No ABS warning light illuminated
Repairs/costs cited: Brake drums replaced four separate times on one leased vehicle; pulsation persisted after each replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified on leased vehicle; service representative contact promised but not completed. Another dealer (Daytona Toyota) contacted but no diagnosis or repair performed.
Synthesized from 11 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
Aprox mileage march 7k ,mileage now 12k nov 8. On the vehicle. 1st incident. March 2020.colorado mountains getting off of the highway off ramp with a .5percent grade downhill and 800 lb trailer. No brakes at 60mph clear skys 8pm dry pavement.pedal had to be pushed harder and harder to get the truck to stop yet wouldnt stop untill I used emergency brake. Almost lost control due to having to…
Brake fluid leaking into cab from master cylinder
The contact leased a 2020 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that after driving the vehicle off the dealer parking lot, the brakes would pulsate upon depression without warning. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer on four separate occasions and had the brake drums replaced each time; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified, and the contact was informed that a…
I own a 2020 tacoma with 14k miles on it. I was driving my truck and I went to hit my brakes and the pedal went straight to the floor. I was able to get partial brakes by pumping them up like when you are bleeding new brakes. Took truck to Toyota and they had it for 10 days. There was a total failure of the brake master cylinder. If this scenario would have occurred while driving in traffic or…
Had brakes trouble with your 2020 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 2020 Toyota Tacoma?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 11 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?
Based on the 11 complaints filed, brakes issues most often appear around 5,750 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
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/2020/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.