Some 2022 – 2026 model year Tundra, Tundra Hybrid, and 2023 – 2026 model year Sequoia Hybrid vehicles may exhibit a condition where the front brakes produce a squealing noise when driving forward or in reverse.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2023 Toyota Tundra brakes problems
severe 19 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Complaints
19
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
1fire
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.
OBSOLETE NOTICE February 13, 2025: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0022-25.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗OBSOLETE NOTICE February 13, 2025: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0022-25.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2023 – 2025 model year Sequoia Hybrid, and 2022 – 2025 model year Tundra and Tundra Hybrid vehicles may exhibit a condition where the front brakes produce a squealing noise when driving forward or in reverse.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2023 – 2025 model year Sequoia Hybrid, and 2022 – 2025 model year Tundra and Tundra Hybrid vehicles may exhibit a condition where the front brakes produce a squealing noise when driving forward or in reverse.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Squeaking and screeching brakes are the dominant complaint. Owners hear loud noise within weeks of purchase, especially after startup and in wet weather. Dealership attempts at debris cleaning provide only 1–2 days of relief before the noise returns. One owner reports the issue at 4 miles, another at 17,600+ miles. Toyota dealerships have acknowledged this as a "common complaint" but offer no permanent solution. A recall for brake pads and rotors exists (recall number 23TB09), yet parts remain unavailable at dealerships months after the recall was issued in August 2023—some vehicles still unrepaired by May 2024 with owners unable to drive.
Beyond noise, owners describe erratic braking: brakes sometimes respond weakly, other times apply hard, and one owner felt the truck acted as if brakes were "always on" intermittently. The screeching itself startles drivers into unsafe reactions—misapplying or avoiding brakes when they hear the noise. Weather changes make the problem worse.
One owner's front passenger brake pad now rubs the rotor after an independent shop replaced brake pads. The shop apparently did not recalibrate the ABS system, which Toyota requires after any brake service—a recalibration available only at dealerships with specialized equipment.
A serious fault occurred at a dealership during an oil test: the vehicle reported the braking system as "stuck on," preventing motion despite throttle input. The truck also flashed multiple failed safety warnings—pre-collision, traction control—and the driver had to manually manipulate the parking brake repeatedly to regain control.
One owner's adaptive cruise control does not downshift the transmission on descents; instead, it rides the brakes continuously, causing severe overheating and violent shaking. Manual downshifting and disabling cruise control is required to prevent brake damage.
Same Toyota Tundra brakes reports on nearby years: 2022 · 2024
Failure modes owners describe
Brake Squeaking and Screeching
Persistent loud squeaking or screeching noise from the brakes, often starting shortly after purchase and increasing in volume over time. Noise is more prominent during initial startup and in rainy weather conditions. Multiple dealership attempts to clean debris or inspect have provided only temporary relief (1-2 days) before noise returns. At least one owner reports the noise occurs 100% of the time during driving.
When: Starting early ownership (one month to a few months after purchase); persists at low and high mileages (4 miles reported in one case; 17,600+ miles in another)
Symptoms owners cite: Loud squeaking sound from brakes; Screeching noise on brake application; Noise more prominent after startup; Noise worsens in rainy weather; Noise increases in volume over time; Noise returns days after dealership cleaning attempts
Repairs/costs cited: Toyota consultant performed brake debris cleaning, which provided temporary relief. Dealership inspection noted brakes 'inspected on paperwork' as fine. One owner reports dealer diagnosis that brakes had failed and needed replacement; recall part identified under warranty but parts not yet available. Another shop (Wheels Work, Midas) unable to remedy after owners sought independent service.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership cleaning/debris removal offered as remedy; recall identified (brake pad/rotor replacement under warranty) but parts distribution delayed. One owner told by Toyota consultant this is a 'common complaint' with no permanent solution offered.
Brake Performance Issues — Inconsistent Response and Hard Braking
Owners report unpredictable braking behavior: brakes feel weak or unresponsive at times, then apply with excessive force at other times. One owner describes the truck feeling as if 'brakes are always on' intermittently. Screeching sounds startle the driver, leading to unsafe reactions (misapplying brakes or not applying them when hearing the noise).
When: Multiple incidents throughout ownership; one case noted at 18,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Inconsistent brake response—sometimes weak, sometimes hard; Vehicle feels as if brakes are always on; Screeching startles driver, causing unsafe brake response; Braking behavior worsens in changing weather; Uncertainty about brake engagement
Repairs/costs cited: One dealership claimed brakes 'still new' at 18,000 miles but acknowledged it as a 'known issue' they could not fix. No repair completed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership stated it is a 'known issue' with no fix available.
Front Brake Pad Rubbing on Rotor (Post-Independent Service)
After brake pads were replaced by an independent shop, the front passenger brake pad continuously rubs on the rotor. Owner alleges the independent technician may not have been aware that Toyota requires ABS system recalibration after brake service, which can only be done at a Toyota dealership with specialized diagnostic tools and software.
When: After brake pad replacement at independent shop
Symptoms owners cite: Front passenger brake pad rubbing on rotor; Continuous drag
Repairs/costs cited: Owner states Toyota requires ABS recalibration after brake work, available only at Toyota dealership at premium cost. Independent shop may not have performed recalibration.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota requires ABS system recalibration at dealership (not available at independent shops); this recalibration requirement is not clearly communicated to owners or independent technicians.
Brake System Fault — Brakes Stuck On (Safety System Shutdown)
During an oil-consumption test at the dealership, after a misfire was corrected, the vehicle developed a serious fault where the braking system was reported as 'stuck on,' preventing the truck from moving. This occurred alongside multiple other failed safety system warnings (pre-collision, traction control flashing). The driver had to manually manipulate the parking brake multiple times to regain vehicle control.
When: At 1,029 miles into a post-service oil-consumption test; vehicle had 13,441 miles total
Symptoms owners cite: Dash warning indicating braking system stuck on; Vehicle unable to move despite throttle input; Flashing multiple safety warnings simultaneously; Pre-collision system flashing; Traction control flashing; None of the safety systems functioning
Codes mentioned: Check engine light (flashing), Pre-collision warning (flashing), Traction control warning (flashing)
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle was at dealership during test; issue occurred after fouled spark plug replacement. Required multiple restarts and parking brake manipulation to restore partial vehicle operation.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Issue occurred during dealership-conducted oil-consumption test; no formal manufacturer response documented in narrative.
Adaptive Cruise Control Not Using Transmission Downshift on Descents
When using adaptive cruise control on downhill sections, the system rides the brakes continuously instead of allowing the transmission to perform engine braking (downshifting). This causes the brakes to overheat, creating violent shaking in the vehicle. The system does not coordinate with the transmission for safe hill descent, forcing owners to disable cruise control and manually downshift.
When: During highway driving with adaptive cruise control engaged on downhill grades
Symptoms owners cite: Brakes overheating on downhill grades; Vehicle shaking violently from brake overheating; Adaptive cruise control not using transmission downshift; Continuous brake application instead of engine braking
Repairs/costs cited: Owner must disable adaptive cruise control and manually downshift to stop overheating and shaking.
Synthesized from 19 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that since purchasing the vehicle, new, they noticed that when applying the brake pedal there would be a loud squeaking sound emitting from the vehicle. The failure was most prominent after the initial startup and when driving during rainy weather conditions. The contact stated the noise had increased in volume over time. The vehicle was…
Had brakes trouble with your 2023 Toyota Tundra?
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 2023 Toyota Tundra?
It's a meaningful issue. 19 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Based on the 19 complaints filed, brakes issues most often appear around 25,600 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/2023/Toyota/Tundra.
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.