Toyota avensis parking brake failure

[Maddundeefan]

Hi everyone I'm wondering if anyone out there has had there Toyota avensis 2014 electronic handbrake fail.?

My father was driving his car and stopped on road to check his head lamp so he engaged the handbrake walked around to check light then the car started rolling down the hill he tried to jump in to stop car and injured himself severely in the process.

The car was then taken to a garage where the police done a check and no fault code showing up from the the hand brake.

Has anyone had these problems with this car any help would be much appreciated.

[alan333]

Have a read here...

 

[gloucester]

Sorry to hear that and I'm sure all on here wish him a speedy recovery. Don't know anything about electronic handbrakes. I don't trust mechanical ones on a slope. Regards.

[FROSTYBALLS]

Moved to the Avensis club.

Only mention of the parking brake in the Honest John review is re the positioning of the parking brake switch not being liked by owners of the 2009-2011 model. No mention of any failures.

[FROSTYBALLS]

The car was parked on a hill and the handbrake applied - was the car also put into gear (first if facing uphill, reverse if facing downhill, or park if automatic). which would have prevented the car rolling?

[TomdeGuerre]

Electric parking brakes are pants.

[Konrad C]

3 minutes ago, TomdeGuerre said:

Electric parking brakes are pants.

I agree. We have covered this subject in the past. When there is a cable failure, or some wrong with the brakes on a manual, cheap parts and easy fix. Anything wrong with the EPB, expensive and not easy to fix! 

I have the earlier version that does not apply when the engine is switched off. I press the brake pedal whilst engaging the EPB, keeping off the clutch pedal. 

Since my very minor bump when I forgot to engage the EPB, I make it a habit to make sure before switching off. It was so easy just lifting a lever.

[Heidfirst]

on a 2014 the epb should come on automatically when engine is switched off. I don't think that there are any previous reports on here of a so-equipped Avensis EPB failing to engage automatically.Had he, in fact, left it running?

 

[valentino46]

Hope your Dads ok. I have 2012 Avensis tourer, and it it will automatically  put on handbrake when you switch OFF . But on several occasions when I have switched off AND  opened the door TOO QUICKLY, the EPB will not operate . Twice in a  rather dangerous  situation .NOW, I SWITCH OFF AND WAIT , BEFORE EXITING THE VEHICLE. I think the EPB is not a good idea  and hope it is changed ,its not a cost I could handle if things went wrong .as I believe its an expensive item a few years down the line.

[FROSTYBALLS]

Think the existing arrangement will see the current Avensis through to the time it is replaced/discontinued.

[Heidfirst]

EPBs are the way that the industry is going as they save weight & are better for packaging. Plus the industry wants you to change cars more often rather than keep fettling them to run for 15-20 years ...

[Konrad C]

9 hours ago, Heidfirst said:

EPBs are the way that the industry is going as they save weight & are better for packaging. Plus the industry wants you to change cars more often rather than keep fettling them to run for 15-20 years ...

I don't think the weight saving is that much, or worth the hassle. The electronic mechanism is in a sealed box. The old fashion handbrake is a mainly the handle and ratchet. There is still cables between the actuator and brakes. The cables of the old mechanism are longer, but the weight difference is not much.

Then the cost which difference is great, when manufacturers are trying to keep cost down to themselves. 

Some manufacturers make models which have either EPB or handbrake, so when cars get older and some EPB has a problem, some owner may retrofit the handbrake. Unfortunately the Avensis is EPB only. 

 

[estate]

The same problems happened to VW vehicles were there was a few similar incidents. VW issued a warning to make sure that the parking brake warning light, on the dashboard, was illuminated before leaving the car and don't assume that the EPB will automatically engage at switch-off. It's sound advice and it soon becomes a routine check. I have a 2012 model and it's never failed to engage at switch-off.