Affected Years: 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 Toyota 4Runner. Our law firm is also investigating 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026 Toyota 4Runner for the same issues.
These issues seem to arise from defects in the Brake Components (Pads, Rotors).
When you purchase or lease a new vehicle, you never expect to face maintenance issues and hassles. The reason you bought the new car is to avoid ongoing repair costs and the time it takes to resolve these issues. So, it is very frustrating to purchase a new 2016 to 2020 Toyota 4Runner and begin to discover grinding sounds when braking. Even if the repairs are covered under the new car warranty, you still face the time and inconvenience of trips to the dealership and not having your new vehicle to drive. If this sounds like your experience with your new 4Runner, you should consider making the time to sit with a Guardian Lemon Law lawyer to sue Toyota for brake system grinding if the manufacturer is not taking care of you and your vehicle. We can sue Toyota for selling you a defective, lemon Toyota 4Runner.
If your vehicle and issue qualify, we will get you introduced to a lawyer experienced in Toyota 4Runner brake system grinding lemon law cases. At Guardian Lemon Law, we will do whatever it takes to get you compensated for the experience you have had with your Toyota 4Runner.
The California Lemon Law And How It Works
The Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act was passed into law in 1970 by the California legislature. In March of 1971, it went into effect. This law is the foundation for today’s California Lemon Law. Its purpose is to provide protection to consumers who make purchases of items that turn out to be defective. Recently, the cases filed annually in California have dramatically increased, with over 25,000 in 2024, which is an increase of 15,000 in 2020 and 2021. To qualify for the lemon law, there are some key criteria that must be met. When you need a Toyota 4Runner lemon law attorney to help you confirm your vehicle qualifies, please reach out to Guardian Lemon Law.
Issues With The 2016-2020 Toyota 4Runner Braking System
The issues reported by many 2016–2020 Toyota 4Runner owners are that there is a loud noise when they are applying the brakes of the vehicle. In some cases, the owner reports a grinding sound when the brakes are applied, which is common with old, worn brakes. The metal sound can then be attributed to a warning device in the brake pad that is installed to alert the driver that there is service needed to restore the full function of the braking system. However, when there is this excessive noise or grinding sound, and the brakes are new or relatively new, there could be other issues in play that need attention from the manufacturer or your local Toyota service department.
What is being found on these particular SUVs is that there is an issue that requires the replacement of the shim kits or brake pad kits to stop the grinding sound. While brake pads are considered consumable items and are not typically covered under warranty because they are meant to wear out, a new set of brake pads installed by the manufacturer should not generate a grinding sound.
If this is happening to you regularly and the dealer cannot correct or explain why the grinding sound is happening, please do not wait to call Guardian Lemon Law. The grinding sound could be the warning you need to know that the brakes are not functioning at 100%, and you could be at risk for an accident. We can provide you with a Toyota 4Runner brake system grinding lemon lawyer to evaluate the vehicle and issues while also representing you to get Toyota interested in resolving this.
What Are The Qualifications For Lemon Law Claims For A Vehicle?
The qualifications are fairly straightforward for most lemon law issues. The basis of the law states that the manufacturer has a limited number of tries to fix an issue before it will qualify as eligible for consideration under the lemon law for buy-back or replacement. The manufacturer and dealer will do everything they can to avoid this resolution, as it costs them money. Do not be shocked if your request for service and solutions is then resisted. The qualifications your vehicle and the issue need to meet are:
- The issue related to the lemon lawsuit cannot be caused by vehicle abuse or neglect
- The vehicle must be covered under the manufacturer’s new car warranty or a certified pre-owned warranty when the issue is initially reported
- Repair attempts required are defined as two attempts for safety-related issues and four attempts for an issue that is not safety-related.
- The vehicle is unavailable or unusable for the owner for more than 30 days total while being repaired for the issue
- The vehicle issue impacts the safety, use, or value of the vehicle
Guardian Lemon Law is here to assist you with vehicle qualification assessments. We can also provide you with a lemon lawyer to sue Toyota for brake system grinding if the manufacturer is unwilling to continue repair efforts or to offer a remedy to you.
Do you Have To File A Lemon Lawsuit?
Vehicle owners do not need to file a lawsuit to take advantage of the lemon law in California. You can seek arbitration to work with Toyota before bringing suit. If the manufacturer will not respond, then it is time to take legal action. The documentation you provide to Guardian Lemon Law should contain the following:
- All original purchase documentation, including any warranty details
- All records for repair visits, with dates and times for drop off and pickup, to illustrate the lack of use/availability of the vehicle
- Any email communication with the manufacturer or dealership during repair efforts
- Proof of any out-of-pocket expenses related to the vehicle and its issue
If Toyota is not making an effort to work with you to resolve the vehicle issue, it is time to bring a Toyota 4Runner brake system grinding lemon law lawsuit to court.
What Are The Options For Remedy From Toyota
There are typically two options to resolve a lemon vehicle. One is a replacement, either an identical model or one of similar value. The second option is a buy back from the manufacturer. Your choice will be documented in the Toyota 4Runner defective brake components (pads, rotors) lemon lawsuit filed on your behalf by Guardian Lemon Law.
If you choose the buyback of the vehicle, you will receive the full cost of the vehicle, including all taxes and fees paid, less the cost deducted for miles you put on your 4RUNNER before beginning repairs on the recurring issue. The manufacturer will also pay the cost of your legal representation.
Is There A Time Limit For Bringing A Lawsuit For A Lemon Law Vehicle?
There is a time limit in California for filing a lemon lawsuit or claim. The 2025 update to the Lemon Law establishes the time limit as whichever of the two dates is the earliest. The first date is one year from the expiration of the manufacturer’s original warranty. The second date is six years from the vehicle’s original delivery date. Guardian Lemon Law will establish the date that applies to your claim during your case evaluation.
The Guardian Lemon Law Zero-Fee Guarantee
When it comes to filing a lawsuit for our clients, we are able to offer them some good news after what is likely to have been a painful and very stressful experience.
There are never any upfront fees or expenses to hire Guardian Lemon Law, and you are under no obligation to hire us after we meet. Your initial meeting with us will be free regardless of the outcome. If you need a second opinion on your existing case with a different law firm, that is also free. Call Guardian Lemon Law today, if you want a skilled legal professional to review the work of your current attorney. And keep in mind that you are allowed to change attorneys if you are not satisfied with the progress they are making or the direction they are going.
When the legal help, the Zero-Fee guarantee sets Guardian Lemon Law apart from our peers. In addition to no upfront costs, if we do not win your case, we will not charge you for any legal fees or expenses. Please reach out to Guardian Lemon Law when you are ready to explore your options for a lawsuit against Toyota.
