2004 Sequoia Brake and Tire Problem (30% front brake pads left)

[Juan del Rio]

I took my wife's 2004 Sequoia in for it's first service and found out that I only have 30% of the front brake pads left before they need to be replaced. The vehicle was purchased in May 2004 and has 5680 miles on it. My wife does normal "mom style" driving. Also, the Dunlops that came with it, seem to have a "fast rate of wear" compared to Michelins that I've had in the past on other vehicles. Has anyone else had this rapid wear of brakes and tires? I know in the past, Seqouia's had the brake problem, but I thought the issue was resolved. Any comments from other newer Sequoia owners who are experiencing the same issues?

[dgracer]

My 03 with the 17" Dunlops is at 15k and looks like it'll go another 15k on both the tires and brakes. This is with the wife driving it 70% city.

[sequoiasoon]

I think you need to jack it up and check for yourself or find an independent shop or different dealer. Unless she is using the 2 foot method and rides the brakes all the time, I haven't heard anyone here get that much wear. Vibrations in a short time, yes, but not that kinda pad wear. I've got 18k on the original brakes and looks like at least 5k more before they need to be changed.

[Jettix2]

I agree, that's REAL fast break wear. Get a 2nd opinion!

Ben

[Juan del Rio]

Thanks for the input...I'll check with another dealer and inpect myself as well. Appreciate the feedback!

[KLS]

You might have two or more problems happening at the same time. Do get a 2nd opinion on the brake wear and ride with your wife and watch where she puts her feet. If only one side or one pad is worn this much, you might have a defective caliper (warranty item).

Also check that the tire inflation is proper...most of us like higher inflation than the factory minimum. Have a shop check the wheel alignement, and have them set it in the center of the spec range for the toe-in and camber and the max for caster. Alignment is a warranty item for the first year. Don't allow the dealership to get away with just having the alignement "in spec"...it must be at the center of the allowable range for toe-in and camber and the max for caster. Use your power of persuasion to get this. You want a 4-wheel thrust alignment where they measure the direction of thrust of the rear and align the fronts to this. If the rears are out of alignment you have a warranty repair item...they are not adjustable.
http://www.familycar.com/alignment.htm


Ken

[mr21]

Our 2004 SR5 has about 15.5K miles and the tires (Dunlop 17") still have plenty of thread. Had the tires rotated a couple of months ago and they said the pads still have over 50% remaining. Just my opinion, but it seems women drive their cars much harder than men do. My brake pads and tires always last longer than my wife's.

[JohnW]

At 30k, my Toyota dealer told me I had 10% left on the front brakes. I found that hard to believe, so I took it to my mechanic for a 2nd opinion. His inspection revealed that 60% was left. I brought it in for the VSC light (warranty item). This sounds like a trend among Toyota dealers. Pretty easy way to turn a free warranty repair into a $$ maker for the dealer. I know there are good, honest dealers out there, but after reading many posts on this web site, and my own experience, I wonder if Toyota corporate teaches this kind of tactic to service managers. No offense to the honest ones out there -- just an observation.

JW

[lelandstanford]

I second that.

My friend's 2001 Corolla was brought in for some minor problems at < 30K and dealer told him his pads have only 20% left.

After I check all 4 pads with a micrometer against an aftermarket pads, he actually has 80% (20% worn).

[m0000]

I've replaced tires 3x in 35k miles, it will be ready for #4 in another 10k.

DJs description of the compound wheel alignment makes me think that very very few Sequoias are ever aligned correctly. Please read his posts on the subject, the guy knows his stuff.

When I can find a shop who will nail DJ's specs eagerly, I will do that and hope to start saving tire life. Note, my last 'alignment' was at a dealer to Toyota's 'specs.'

I will replace brake pads for the first time at 35k but I am intentionally careful to employ engine breaking and trailer braking specifically because I know Sequoias are famous for pad wear.

Don't neglect pad changes or it gets very expensive.

[JohnW]

3 times in 35k...sounds like a problem w/the vehicle or the tires. Did the tire manufacturer honor the warranty? Most quality brands have a 40-60k warranty. I'm no expert, but that's what I've seen w/ Michelins and Bridgestones I've purchased in the last 5 years. If it's not the tires, I would think you have a valid vehicle warranty issue. The Sequoia has a brake wear indicator -- it makes noise when the pads wear to the point they need to be replaced. I won't neglect changing the pad, but I certainly won't allow a dishonest service department to con me into a pad change when I have 60% left. My advice: if your mech tells you the pads are worn and need to be changed, take a look at them yourself. Trust but verify...

JW

[m0000]

3 times in 35k...sounds like a problem w/the vehicle or the tires. Did the tire manufacturer honor the warranty?

I got proration on #2 and probably will on #3, although they point out that the tires do have feathering, which is true. But that's using Toyota's alignment specs.

Most quality brands have a 40-60k warranty. I'm no expert, but that's what I've seen w/ Michelins and Bridgestones I've purchased in the last 5 years. If it's not the tires, I would think you have a valid vehicle warranty issue.

I would too. However, Toyota has a very short "alignment" warranty, and even if it was still under warranty, Toyota has given me grief about just about any warranty claim I've ever had.

The Sequoia has a brake wear indicator -- it makes noise when the pads wear to the point they need to be replaced. I won't neglect changing the pad, but I certainly won't allow a dishonest service department to con me into a pad change when I have 60% left. My advice: if your mech tells you the pads are worn and need to be changed, take a look at them yourself. Trust but verify...
JW

Good advice. After my experiences with Toyota dealers, I won't let them touch anything I can fix myself that isn't a warranty issue.

[dpurnell]

Juan,

I know this may be too late to help your situation, but we are experiencing a similar problem with our 2004 Sequoia SR5. At 33k mi toyota dealer says it needs front brake pads and tires all the way around.

After 25 years of driving, I have never experienced a vehicle requiring front pad or tire replacement before 45k or 50k mi.

I am going to get a 2nd opinion as recommended in some of the responses.

I got zero sympathy from toyota cusotmer service.

Has anyone been successful with Toyota replacing front pads under warranty. I only have a few thousand miles left.


Dave

[jasbus]

I just did a front brake job on my 03 Tundra last weekend. New rotors and pads. Nothing wrong with the factory rotors, just went with a better setup.
Anyway, dealer had told me about 2 months ago I needed new pads real soon. Blew it off. When I did the brakes, they were almost to the metal, maybe 4-5% left. 39k miles. I'll see how the new performance pads do, hopefully better... I've always gotten 60k or so on brakes on my other vehicles, I'm just assuming below par pads, and a heavy truck, and I do mostly city driving taxi style, a foot on both pedals..with 20" rims and 35" tires..

[dannozrx]

I just did the pads on my '02 Tundra, went with the cheapest ones possible cause I found I have the old calipers. This was at 51k miles on the pads. Granted, they should have been done at appr. 40-45K, but they made it with about 1% pad left.