Weak Brakes On A New Auris

[bomba6]

Hi all.

Just bought a new automatic 1.6 Toyota Auris (not hybrid or something).

I noticed that it has a poor braking system (did not have this on the test-drive we took).

It's like when you are pressing the brake pedal, the car keeps going (it is slowing down, but not as fast as expected).

Actually, you need to hit the brakes with much much effort for the car to stop.

Remind you, this is a brand new car from the dealership.

I went to the mechanic (official), they changed braking pads and stuff, but it still has the problem.

They said they'll get a Toyota specialist to come take a look.

Has anyone ever encountered this kind of problem?

Thanks!

[AURISTR01]

You can refuse it on many grounds:

Health and safety or unfit for purpose ETC

Report it to trading standards or state you will go the papers if this is not looked at.

Say you want a courtesy car with working brakes until you get the car is looked at, probable low brake fluid or a problem with the brake master cylinder.

Its not a known problem but its very dangerous if it is the way you have desrcibed it.

[Declan Mayock]

seems to be a common problem on the toyota corolla saloon sold in ireland, it basically has the same running gear as the auris, my fathers 12reg corolla has the same symtoms it is soo bad that i nearly over shot a turn in his car, been to dealer and they claim thats the nature of the brakes in the corolla, but i have heard of various people complaining of same thing around the country

[bomba6]

Thank you both.

Just to clarify: the car DOES stop. You just have to hit the brakes more firmly at start.

It's like the first 1/4 of the pedal is not attached to anything.

But it is a problem. And if the Toyota specialist guy will find no problems, we'll demand on getting a new one, for obvious safety reasons.

[AURISTR01]

Have you tried putting your seat forward?

Without sounding impolite you need to kick a fuss! in the dealers showroom they will soon listen to you because it will affect their sales, if anybody hears it.

Or write to the head office, I would refuse to drive it because if you have family and your own children say its dangerous refuse it and let them investigate it, dont take any chances.

Brakes = life and death! no ifs and buts!

[Mooly]

When I drove my new Auris for the first time (mileage 0.2 :)) the feel of the brakes was one of the first things I noticed but I think they do need to bed in over a few 10's, or 100's of miles. In reality they are excellent and have a lot more feel to them than the Corolla TSport I had before. We also have a 1.4

Corolla and the brakes on that are much "sharper" but I have got to prefer the more progresive feel of the Auris.

Let us know what the outcome of it all is though. As others have said, if there is any doubt then they must be checked.

[Big Auris]

Is the Brake Servo working ?? if you switch the engine off and pump the Brake does the pedal go harder. If again keep your foot on the Brake Pedal start the Engine and you should feel the pedal going slightly softer this would be a simple test to prove the Brake servo is OK

[Jarod]

Thank you both.

Just to clarify: the car DOES stop. You just have to hit the brakes more firmly at start.

It's like the first 1/4 of the pedal is not attached to anything.

But it is a problem. And if the Toyota specialist guy will find no problems, we'll demand on getting a new one, for obvious safety reasons.

Had the same. The guy at workshop told me that he shortened pedal travel(?)(sry dont now the words for that). It was better instantly.

[Sandy52]

Brand new pads can take a few miles to bed in.

Never noticed a brake problem in my AURIS- they work fine.

[AURISTR01]

Agree brake pads need time to settle in, but thats if fitting new pads on a worn disc.

New car comes with new brake disc and pads so in truth the brakes should be responsive, after driving a few courtesy/hire cars it becomes apprant newer cars have better much more responsive brakes. There is no excuse for late braking and the pedal travel on a car which has just come of the showroom. Dont let the dealers or anybody fool you into thinking its "normal" because its not!

[filcool]

I would say that the disc s and pads need a settling in period from new to get the best out of them.theres always going to be slight oil and contaminents on the pads and discs from production and these need to be burnt of with some firm braking from higher speeds,braking at slow speeds in towns is not enough to get them bedded in properly.

Ive replaced pads and discs on a few cars and the brakes are always poorer for a while than the ones i took off but they just need bedded in to get them working at full power.

[acetip]

Is the Brake Servo working ?? if you switch the engine off and pump the Brake does the pedal go harder. If again keep your foot on the Brake Pedal start the Engine and you should feel the pedal going slightly softer this would be a simple test to prove the Brake servo is OK

Thats he first hing i thought, the servo, Would have though the dealer would have checked that.

[bomba6]

I haven't got the time to check the "Brake Servo" yet, will do that probably tomorrow (that's my mom's car).

The Toyota specialist guy told us to come back to the dealership (with my mom) and they won't let us go until my mom is satisfied with the brakes.

Maybe making the pedal travel shorter is the solution.

I know that one has to get familiar with ones new car, but we've never had this kind of problem in our old (new) cars.

I'll report back from the dealership.

[baba_metca]

Is there any difference in a rainy day, like the pedal going softer, but with same breaking power as before.

[bomba6]

If anyone is interested with an update:

We went to see the Toyota specialist guy.

He also said that this is a typical behavior for this car, for the first couple hundreds of kilometers.

He checked the brakes, said nothing was wrong, and it will "adjust itself" in the coming months.

I think my mom got used to it now, BUT- this is NOT a "warm welcome".

We haven't encountered this kind of problem on a new car, and we had some new cars during past years (from work places, etc...).

Thanks all for your help!

[Mooly]

Thanks for the update... pleased there is no problem.

You will get used to them and to the progressive feel.