NHTSA Complaint #11363129 — 2005 TOYOTA TUNDRA

THE PARK BRAKE SYSTEM USES CABLES TO EXPAND THE REAR BRAKE SHOES. THE SHOES ARE EXPANDED USING A BELLCRANK AND BRACKET. WHEN THE PARK BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED, THE CABLE PULLS THE BELLCRANK AND EXPANDS THE SHOES. THE BELLCRANK AND BRACKET USE A PIVOT PIN. THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY - BELLCRANK, BRACKET AND PIN SUFFER EXTRAORDINARY RUST. THE RUST CAUSES THE PARK BRAKE TO FAIL TO RELEASE. THE REAR BRAKES DRAG, AND CAUSE: * PREMATURE WEAR OF REAR BRAKES * LOSS OF FUEL ECONOMY * SHUTTER AND SHAKING FROM THE REAR * AVOIDING USE OF PARK BRAKE SYSTEM TO AVOID THE PROBLEM, FOLKS DON'T USE THE PARK BRAKE. NONE OF THE DRIVERS OF OUR TOYOTA TUNDRA USES THE PARK BRAKE BECAUSE OF THE THE PROBLEMS IT CAUSES. THAT'S A SAFETY ISSUE. APPARENTLY THIS IS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM WITH TOYOTA TUNDRAS. ALSO SEE HTTPS://WWW.TUNDRASOLUTIONS.COM/THREADS/PARKING-BRAKE-STICKING.30818/ . OUR PROBLEM HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR YEARS. WE HAVE NOT USED THE PARK BRAKE IN OVER A DECADE. WE ARE REPORTING THE ISSUE NOW BECAUSE WE RECENTLY LEARNED HOW EASY IT IS TO REPORT THE ISSUE USING THE NHTSA.GOV WEBSITE.