2005-2015 Toyota Tacoma Brake Job Guide: Symptoms, Costs and the Right Parts

By Core Brake Parts Tech Team — Circleville, OH warehouse

A brake job on a 2005-2015 Toyota Tacoma means front disc pads and rotors plus rear drum shoes, and the front axle wears out first on nearly every truck. Toyota sets the pad and shoe wear limit at 1.0 mm, and the front pad wear indicators squeal well before that point. If your Tacoma is squealing, pulsing, or the pedal sits lower than it used to, this guide covers what is wearing, what to replace together, and how to order the right parts the first time.

How the 2005-2015 Tacoma brake system is laid out

Every second-generation Tacoma uses front disc brakes and rear drum brakes. Toyota's maintenance schedule for this truck lists "brake linings/drums and brake pads/discs" as the items to inspect, and the owner's manual gives separate wear limits for the pads (front) and the linings (rear shoes). This generation had no factory rear disc option.

What changes from truck to truck is the front end. Toyota splits its brake specifications into two groups: two-wheel-drive models except the PreRunner, and four-wheel-drive models plus the PreRunner. The two groups use different front brake hardware, so a base 4x2 and a 4x4 or PreRunner do not share front pads and rotors. Before you order, confirm three things from the truck itself: the drivetrain (4x2, PreRunner or 4x4), the wheel lug count, and whether it has Vehicle Stability Control (VSC).

VSC matters more than most owners expect. On trucks without VSC, you check and top off the brake fluid reservoir the normal way. On trucks with VSC, the owner's manual describes an accumulator in the system and a specific refill procedure: turn the ignition off, press the brake pedal more than 20 times, then fill to the MAX line. If you skip those steps, the reservoir can overflow.

Measure pedal clearance with the engine off. Pump the pedal several times first, then press it with 490 N (110 lbf). If the pedal sinks closer to the floor than the table allows, the hydraulic system or the rear shoe adjustment needs attention. New pads alone will not fix that pedal feel.

Symptoms that your Tacoma is due for brakes

• Squealing or scraping while driving. Toyota fits wear limit indicators to the front disc brake pads. They make noise when the pads are worn enough to need replacement. Toyota warns that ignoring the noise can lead to expensive rotor damage.
• Pulsation in the pedal or shake in the steering wheel when stopping. This usually points to the front rotors. When a rotor varies in thickness or has runout, the pads grab unevenly each revolution.
• A low or spongy pedal, or a pedal that nearly touches the floor. Toyota lists this, along with the truck pulling to one side when braking, as a sign the brakes need service right away. On a truck with rear drums, shoes that are out of adjustment are a common cause of a low pedal.
• A parking brake that takes too many clicks. Toyota's spec is 7-10 clicks. More travel than that often means worn shoes or a rear self-adjuster that has stopped working.
• A dropping brake fluid level. The level falls slightly as pads wear, which is normal. Toyota says that needing to refill it often may indicate a serious problem, such as a leak.
• ABS, VSC or TRAC warning lights. On some 2012-2013 trucks, these lights may come from a recall issue rather than worn parts. The recall section below explains it.

Front brake job: pads, rotors and hardware

The front brakes do most of the stopping on a Tacoma. On a truck that carries weight in the bed or tows, they work even harder. A front brake job normally includes:

• Brake pads. Ceramic pads are the usual choice for a daily-driven Tacoma because they are quiet and make little dust. Trucks that tow or haul heavy loads benefit from a pad compound rated for that duty. Browse brake pads for your Tacoma or ceramic brake pads.
• Rotors. Replace the rotors if they are grooved, pulsing, heat-checked or below the minimum thickness cast into the rotor. New rotors with new pads bed in best and cause the fewest comebacks. See replacement brake rotors.
• Hardware. Anti-rattle clips and shims lose tension and corrode over time. A fresh brake hardware kit is inexpensive and fixes many cases of noise after a brake job.

While the wheels are off, check the caliper pistons and boots, make sure the pads slide freely in the bracket, and inspect the flexible brake hoses. Toyota's maintenance schedule includes a brake line and hose inspection, and trucks that live on dirt roads or go through mud and water need it more often. Tighten every fastener to the value in the factory service manual. Front caliper torque is different on the 4x2 and the 4x4/PreRunner front ends.

Rear brake job: drums, shoes and the self-adjuster

The rear drums wear much more slowly than the fronts, so many Tacomas go through two or three sets of front pads before the rear shoes need attention. Because the interval is so long, rear drums are often neglected. When you do service them, plan on:

• Brake shoes. Replace them when the lining gets close to Toyota's 1.0 mm limit, or when grease or brake fluid has soaked into it. Shop rear brake shoes.
• Drums. Do not reuse a scored, cracked or oversized drum with new shoes. Replace it.
• Springs and adjuster. Drum brake self-adjusters take up clearance as the linings wear. According to Brake and Front End, the adjuster lever and notched wheel wear with use, and a groove worn into the lever can stop the adjuster from working. New adjusters help restore the correct pedal height. If the rear brakes have not been serviced in years, replace the hardware along with the shoes.
• Wheel cylinders. Pull back the boots. If there is any wetness, the wheel cylinder is leaking and will soak the new shoes before long. Replace it now.

Toyota's owner's manual also warns that sand and mud collected in the brake drums and around the discs can reduce braking efficiency and damage parts. It recommends an inspection after each day of off-road driving through sand, mud or water. If your Tacoma goes on trails, clean out the drums as part of the job.

After the new shoes are in, adjust the parking brake so it falls within the 7-10 click range. Do not guess at this adjustment. Follow the factory procedure for your truck.

Brake fluid, bleeding and recalls to check

Toyota specifies SAE J1703 or FMVSS No.116 DOT 3 brake fluid for this truck. The manual says to use only newly opened fluid, because an opened container absorbs moisture from the air, and too much moisture can cause a dangerous loss of braking. If the fluid in your reservoir is dark, or the brakes have never been flushed, add a flush to the brake job. On trucks with VSC, use the refill procedure described above and follow the factory bleeding procedure for the ABS/VSC actuator.

Two NHTSA recalls involve the brakes on this generation:

• 05V050000. On certain pickups with an automatic transmission, the parking brake pedal cable lock nut may not have been tightened to spec. The nut can loosen and come off, which reduces how well the parking brake holds. Dealers inspect and tighten it free of charge.
• 14V054000. On certain 2012 and 2013 Tacomas, an electrical component inside the brake actuator can develop increased resistance. When that happens, the VSC, ABS and traction control warning lights can come on and those systems can stop working. The remedy is a free software update to the Skid Control ECU.

Before you start, run your VIN through Toyota's or NHTSA's recall lookup. New pads will not fix a warning light caused by the 14V054000 issue.

What drives the cost, and how hard the job is

The cost of a Tacoma brake job depends mostly on how much of the system you replace:

• Pads only vs pads and rotors. Pads alone cost the least. On a truck with pulsation or worn rotors, though, reusing the old rotors usually brings the noise or vibration back. Replacing pads and rotors together is the most common front job.
• One axle vs both. Most brake jobs are front-only. Adding rear shoes, drums, springs and wheel cylinders adds parts and a fair amount of labor.
• Parts vs labor. A front pad and rotor job is a reasonable driveway job for someone with jack stands, a torque wrench and basic hand tools. Rear drums take more patience because of the springs, adjuster and parking brake linkage. Doing the work yourself removes the labor charge.
• Extras. Seized hardware, a leaking wheel cylinder, a torn caliper boot and a fluid flush all add to the total. They are worth doing if the truck needs them.

A complete kit is the easiest way to get matched parts for one axle. You can browse Power Stop brake kits or the full brake parts catalog, and confirm the fit for your drivetrain before you order.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the 2005-2015 Tacoma have rear disc brakes?

No. Every second-generation Tacoma came from the factory with front disc brakes and rear drum brakes. Toyota's maintenance schedule and owner's manual both refer to rear linings and drums.

Do 4x4 and PreRunner Tacomas use different front brake parts than a 4x2?

Yes. Toyota lists the 4x2 (except the PreRunner) and the 4x4 plus PreRunner as separate groups, and their front brake hardware is different. Confirm your drivetrain and wheel lug count before you order front pads or rotors.

What brake fluid does a 2005-2015 Tacoma use?

Toyota specifies SAE J1703 or FMVSS No.116 DOT 3 brake fluid. Always use fluid from a freshly opened container.

How thin can Tacoma brake pads get before replacement?

Toyota's wear limit is 1.0 mm (0.04 in.) for both the front pads and the rear shoe linings. The front wear indicators start squealing before the pads reach that point, so replace the pads when you hear it.

Why is my Tacoma's brake pedal low after new front pads?

On a truck with rear drums, the rear shoes may be out of adjustment, or the rear self-adjuster may have stopped working. Air in the lines or a leaking wheel cylinder can also cause a low pedal. Check the rear drums and bleed the system.

How often should I have the brakes inspected?

Toyota's schedule for this truck includes a visual inspection of the brake linings, drums, pads and discs at regular service intervals. It also calls for a daily check after off-road driving through deep sand, mud or water.

Sources

1. Toyota 2005 Tacoma Owner's Manual (OM35862U) - brake specifications (pad and lining wear limits, pedal clearance, free play, parking brake clicks), DOT 3 fluid, VSC refill procedure, pad wear indicators, off-road drum inspection
2. Toyota 2011 Tacoma Warranty and Maintenance Guide - brake linings/drums and pads/discs inspection, brake line and hose inspection, off-road inspection items
3. NHTSA Recall 14V054000 - 2012-2013 Tacoma brake actuator, VSC/ABS/TRAC warning lights, Skid Control ECU update
4. NHTSA Recall 05V050000 - parking brake pedal cable lock nut
5. Brake and Front End: Drum Brake Self-Adjusters - how self-adjusters work and why worn adjusters affect pedal height