- Joined
- Jan 7, 2026
- Threads
- 2
- Messages
- 22
- Reaction score
- 13
- Location
- Portland Oregon
- Vehicle(s)
- 2026 Toyota 4runner TRD Off-road i-force Max
- Thread starter
- #1
2026 4Runner iForce-Max Hybrid. Ever since I bought my 4Runner, last January, the brakes have felt a little off. Sometimes this is very noticeable while backing out of a parking space. This became dangerous the other day. While backing someone stepped behind me at the same time my brake pedal went from stiff to soft.
I took it to the dealer and left more worried than when I arrived. They told me they found nothing and gave me a bunch of lame explanations. I got my drivers license in 1970 and have enough mechanical experience to have replaced head gaskets, lifters, bake discs ect; their explanations made no sense to me. I called Toyota Brand Engagement. They recommended a second opinion and they contacted a second dealer. The second dealer's initial assessment was nothing wrong so they wanted to keep it for a day.
During that day I did some research. I did not know brake-by-wire systems existed in cars; a little scary. A sensor in the pedal tells a computer how far the pedal is depressed and how fast it is depressed then the computer controls your brakes. You do not feel actual braking in the pedal. A Stroke Simulator gives you fake brake pedal pressure. The Car Care Nut has a good short video on YouTube.
AllData now has the 2026 4Runner Hybrid Shop Manual on-line. I did a search for brakes and did not find anything but now realizing the brakes and the brake pedal are kind of two separate entities I did a pedal search. In that search I found my exact backing from a parking space problem.
When you open the driver's door you can hear a sound coming from under the hood. That is the Stroke Simulator Accumulator charging up. It will also charge when you start the engine. But if you get into the car and sit for a “long time” without starting the engine like i do all the time, the Accumulator will drain. Then start the car and start driving before the Accumulator charges, the brakes pedal will not function properly till charged. Toyota says this is normal.
I went to pick up my 4Runner from the second dealer. They said they found nothing. I handed them a printout from the Toyota 2026 4Runner Hybrid Shop Manual. Told them because it was there it was a known condition and left with my 4Runner.
I took it to the dealer and left more worried than when I arrived. They told me they found nothing and gave me a bunch of lame explanations. I got my drivers license in 1970 and have enough mechanical experience to have replaced head gaskets, lifters, bake discs ect; their explanations made no sense to me. I called Toyota Brand Engagement. They recommended a second opinion and they contacted a second dealer. The second dealer's initial assessment was nothing wrong so they wanted to keep it for a day.
During that day I did some research. I did not know brake-by-wire systems existed in cars; a little scary. A sensor in the pedal tells a computer how far the pedal is depressed and how fast it is depressed then the computer controls your brakes. You do not feel actual braking in the pedal. A Stroke Simulator gives you fake brake pedal pressure. The Car Care Nut has a good short video on YouTube.
AllData now has the 2026 4Runner Hybrid Shop Manual on-line. I did a search for brakes and did not find anything but now realizing the brakes and the brake pedal are kind of two separate entities I did a pedal search. In that search I found my exact backing from a parking space problem.
When you open the driver's door you can hear a sound coming from under the hood. That is the Stroke Simulator Accumulator charging up. It will also charge when you start the engine. But if you get into the car and sit for a “long time” without starting the engine like i do all the time, the Accumulator will drain. Then start the car and start driving before the Accumulator charges, the brakes pedal will not function properly till charged. Toyota says this is normal.
I went to pick up my 4Runner from the second dealer. They said they found nothing. I handed them a printout from the Toyota 2026 4Runner Hybrid Shop Manual. Told them because it was there it was a known condition and left with my 4Runner.
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