2017 Toyota Tacoma · symptom sheet
Brakes grind, pulse or wear early
- 32owner reports
- 18,300median miles
- 2involved a crash
Newest report Aug 23, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
32 of the 239 complaints on this car describe brake wear, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2017 Tacoma.
Tick what matches of 32 reports
Brake wear on other Tacoma years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2014, 2015, 2016, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2025.
What this problem usually is
Brake reports cover a wide spread of symptoms. Grinding or squealing is common, and so is a pulsing pedal or a shake through the car when stopping. Others describe pads and rotors worn out long before they expected, a brake warning light, or a pedal that goes soft or sinks toward the floor. The most serious ones say the car didn't stop in time.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the master cylinder (10 reports) and the booster (3 reports).
Recalls and investigations
One recall on the brakes covers the 2017 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
During the manufacturing process, the oil galley in the rotor for the brake booster vacuum pump assembly may have been improperly machined possibly resulting in a sudden loss of brake assist.
All 5 recalls on the 2017 Toyota Tacoma, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 10,000 and 40,110 miles, from the 13 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 4 service bulletins or notices for the 2017 Toyota Tacoma that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions.
Some 2017 ? 2019 model year Tacoma vehicles with the BD20 differential (non-TRD) may exhibit a noise or vibration from the rear of the vehicle at low speeds or while braking.
Some 2015 ? 2018 model year Toyota vehicles may exhibit brake vibration due to improper lug nut torque. Brake vibration can occur at any time if improper torque is applied to lug nuts. Even one lug nut over or under torqued can cause vibration.
REVISION NOTICE January 31, 2017 Rev1: Applicability has been updated to include 2017 model year Tacoma vehicles. Any previous printed versions of this bulletin should be discarded.
What owners wrote
“Brake oil leak from brake booster. Oil goes into the cab and oil leaks behind the break pedal onto the floor mat.”
Filed Dec 2, 2024
“Master cylinder or some part near brake pedal inside the cab is leaking oil or a oil like substance on to floor mats and floor.”
Filed Nov 6, 2024
“Brake fluid leaking on drivers side floor mat because of master cylinder. Brakes are now less responsive even though pads have been replaced. 2018 -2019 Tacomas were recalled for the same issue. This is a pretty big safety concern.”
Filed May 7, 2024
“Brake master cylinder is leaking into the lower dash area and onto the floor mats.”
Filed Mar 28, 2024
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 2 of 32 reports involved a crash and 1 people were hurt. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works