Some 2024 – 2026 model year Land Cruiser, and 2025 – 2026 model year 4Runner and 4Runner Hybrid vehicles may exhibit a condition where the front brakes produce a squealing noise when driving in reverse.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2025 Toyota 4Runner brakes problems
moderate 20 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Complaints
20
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
When does it fail?
Of the 20 brakes complaints filed for the 2025 Toyota 4Runner, 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.
What stands out
Brakes accounts for 44% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 3 categories tracked.
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 12, 2026: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0006-26.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2024 – 2026 model year Land Cruiser, and 2025 – 2026 model year 4Runner and 4Runner Hybrid vehicles may exhibit a condition where the front brakes produce a squealing noise when driving in reverse.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2024 – 2026 model year Land Cruiser, and 2025 – 2026 model year 4Runner and 4Runner Hybrid vehicles may exhibit a condition where the front brakes produce a squealing noise when driving in reverse.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2024 – 2025 model year Land Cruiser, and 2025 model year 4Runner and 4Runner Hybrid vehicles may exhibit a condition where the front brakes produce a squealing noise when driving in reverse.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2025 Toyota 4Runners are reporting a consistent high-pitched brake squeal that develops within the first month of ownership, often appearing at extremely low mileage (400 miles and up). The noise is loudest when reversing but also occurs during forward braking, particularly in cold and wet conditions. It's described as intense enough that nearby drivers can hear it inside their own vehicles—creating a public nuisance and drawing unwanted attention.
The real problem isn't just the noise. Several owners say they've started subconsciously avoiding proper brake application or releasing the pedal early to stop the sound, creating a genuine safety hazard. Others fear the noise signals imminent brake failure, though no warning lights appear.
Toyota issued Technical Service Bulletin TSB-0046-25 in July 2025 directing brake pad replacement. Multiple owners report completing this repair without success; one owner even had the noise return and worsen afterward. Dealerships have confirmed the issue affects multiple vehicles and claim Toyota instructed them to stop performing the TSB repair because it doesn't work. Dealers are now waiting on Toyota engineers to find a solution, leaving owners with no repair option and vehicles still under warranty. Some dealerships have told owners they cannot legally perform any warranty work without a recall notice or new technical directive.
Failure modes owners describe
High-pitched brake squeal in reverse and forward driving
Owners report a persistent high-pitched squealing or squealing noise from the brakes that occurs primarily when reversing but also when applying brakes while moving forward, especially in wet conditions. The noise is described as extremely loud—loud enough that other drivers inside their vehicles can hear it from a distance. One owner noted the noise worsened over time, progressing from reverse-only to occurring during forward braking as well.
When: Typically within the first month of ownership, as early as 400 miles, and persisting through 5,000+ miles. Worse in cold conditions and wet weather.
Symptoms owners cite: High-pitched squealing or squealing noise from brakes; Noise most prominent when reversing; Noise also occurs when applying brakes while moving forward; Noise worsens in cold conditions and wet weather; Noise loud enough to be heard inside other vehicles; Noise progressively worsening over time in some cases; Vehicle shudders when noise occurs
Repairs/costs cited: Toyota issued TSB-0046-25 (July 2025) directing brake pad replacement at some dealerships. However, multiple owners report that completing TSB-0046-25 did not resolve the problem; in fact, one owner reported the noise returned and worsened after the repair. Dealerships have reported being instructed to stop repairs under this TSB because it was not correcting the issue. In one case, brake pads were replaced at 1,150 miles; in another, replacement at approximately 700 miles was performed twice more without resolution.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB-0046-25 (issued July 2025) for brake pad replacement. Toyota has instructed dealerships to halt repairs under this bulletin while engineers develop a new solution. Dealerships are aware of the issue affecting multiple vehicles and are opening cases, but refusing further repairs pending recall or new technical directive. Some dealers claim they cannot perform warranty work or offer fixes without a recall notice.
Brake failure risk and improper braking behavior
Owners express concern that the loud brake noise is causing them to alter their braking behavior, avoiding or reducing brake application to escape the noise. This creates a genuine safety hazard by encouraging improper or incomplete braking. One owner noted subconsciously releasing the brake while reversing to stop the noise. Several owners fear the brakes may fail, citing the extreme noise as a sign of imminent mechanical failure.
When: Ongoing from early ownership through extended use
Symptoms owners cite: Driver avoidance of proper brake application to escape loud noise; Subconscious release of brakes while reversing due to noise; Fear of brake pad wear and failure; Concern that extreme noise indicates mechanical failure; Safety anxiety affecting normal driving behavior
Synthesized from 20 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 9 most recent
The contact owns a 2025 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal squealing coming from the rear brakes. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the driver’s and passenger’s side rear brake pads. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was…
Brakes when reversing are LOUD and sound like may give out. Vehicle is brand new and has 4,000 miles only on it
The contact owns a 2025 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that while attempting to reverse, the contact heard a scratching sound coming from the brakes. No warning light was illuminated. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed; however, the diagnostic result was unknown. The brake pads were replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was…
The brakes in the new 2025 4runner howl and squeal extremely loudly. I avoid braking slowly to try to avoid the noise. The TSB was completed last month: TSB-0046-25. It did not work. The noise is back, and worse. I am worried I am going to get into an accident because the brakes are so egregiously bad. Please help make Toyota fix this. It's crazy!!!
When operating in reverse and applying the brakes they make a very loud squeal sound. This is a brand new car, purchased a week ago, with less than 700 miles on it. I spoke with the dealership and they are aware of the issue but have no resolution.
Have had 4Runner less than a month and brakes make a horrible load sound when pressing. The noise is worse when reversing. Have gone to toyota twice and said there is nothing that can be done. That they dont know what materia are the breaks done that are causing this. It is extremely dangerous as excessive noise indicates a problem and they dont fix. Pelase help brand new car cant be doing this.
Brakes are EXTREMELY loud when going in reverse. Carried to the dealership, they said that they are “aware” of the issue but until a recall is done then their hands are tied. This could lead to improper braking.
2025 Toyota 4Runner straight from the factory and it is defective. All four brakes shriek going forward and reverse. Although Toyota admits they are aware of the issue as other vehicles have them too, they say they cannot do anything until there is a recall on that model. We have taken it in twice for service as the noise is getting worse and nothing gets done. They say they cannot find…
I've owned a 2025 4runner for 1 month. The brakes are screaming and squalling like a 20 year old car when the car is a cold start everyday especially in reverse. This cant be safe, and Toyota says there is nothing they can do. I hope this doesn't wear out the brake pads faster and cause an accident. We were told by Toyota we cant fix the problem, because it would void the warranty and…
Had brakes trouble with your 2025 Toyota 4Runner?
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 2025 Toyota 4Runner?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 20 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 20 complaints filed, brakes issues most often appear around 1,150 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/2025/Toyota/4Runner.
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.