One of my front brake calipers seized on me just before the warranty expired, so was replaced no charge. Nevertheless, I was surprised by this problem, since I've never before had a brake caliper seize on any vehicle I've owned over 30 years of driving. But I guess over a long enough period of time all sorts of failures will pop up.

Now, 6 months later, the other front brake caliper has seized. This time it won't be covered under warranty. I was gobsmacked that this has occurred a second time.

Has anyone else had a front caliper seize? Is this more common than I thought, or am I the outlier?

 

Can you describe what happened - would the pads not release the disc when you let up on the pedal, or the pads wouldn't put pressure on the disc, or ...? Did it happen suddenly or were there problems leading up to being seized? I'd like to understand this potential failure mode - thanks for any additional info you can share

 

one of my frienda on his 2006 gx with around 60 k miles had his brake caliper seize on him. It was the passenger side caliper piston. Did ure pistons seized up or the whole caliper?

 

How about some more info.

Year, miles, hx of brake fluid flush?

 

you can also notice when ypu're callipers are about to seize when u hit the brake n it pull's you to a side, like one caliper has more grip then the other one. For instance if ure left one is not rking properly during normal or hard brsking you will feel ure car pullling go the right.

 

Release the air and Bleed the brake fluid job properly

 

The 4Runner boards (http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-ge...per-aarrg.html) are full of people with this problem so it seems to be fairly common...

 

Yep, replaced both front calipers on my '04 back in '09. They were just starting to seize so no damage was done to the pads or rotors. Salt and sand on the roads in the winter certainly do not help either.

 

+1

Driver's side seized on my '04 GX at approx 70k. Tough winters w/ salt no doubt contributed to failure. CPO warranty took care of (as well as turning rotors) but I had to pay for new pads. They were just about due so it didn't bother me too much.

 

A gradual thing. I felt pulsing on the brake pedal, but it was intermittant. No damage to rotors or pads.

 

It's a 2006 with 98,000KM (61,000 miles). I've always had it serviced by the dealer and followed the Lexus maintenance schedule.

 

I live in the Pacific Northwest, where we rarely see any snow or any salt on the road. I've never taken the car off road and used it mostly for commuting, so not heavily loaded with people or cargo. Not exactly harsh conditions.

 

Thanks for the link, looks like a Toyota engineering or supply chain issue.

(Now I want to know where I can get the "Mooning" smile I saw on one of the posts. That was cool and perfectly suited to the thread!)

 

I guess its not the best advise, but worth of try call the 1800 lexus and tell them its very common problem and you already replaced one side and second side went bad right after the warranty. Who knows may be they will make exception.

 

That is concerning to have a failure with no abuse of the system.
I will keep an eye on mine.
Thanks