Why do FJ Cruiser Brake Pedals Sound Squishy?

[@Fred-tz1ox]

I have the same noise coming from my 2014 FJ, I bought it brand new in December 2014, I never had a problem, thanks for pointing it out, I was kinda concerned about it all these years but never put too much attention, now that you say it's normal, it's a relief.

[@LiL13izzy7]

Thanks for chiming in and confirming.

[@oscarivanruedaserrano9394]

My 2007 FJ has the same sound but the brakes work perfectly, thanks for the information, I considered changing parts of the system, but now everything is clearer, excellent explanation

[@TheLuckyone760]

I have that same sound and also get this random tiny pulse in the brake pedal at idle when stopped at a light.

[@balancedog]

Thank you so much man! just had the 12v motor rebuilt and wasnt sure if it was supposed to be cycling everytime i pressed the pedal, your video gives me so much peace of mind right now.

[@TheDean58]

Yep, I have the same sound. Was anoying at first but since I often drive with music on it doesnt bother me too much. Good to know it is common and nothing to worry about. Thanks for the vid

[@marcossantoro4932]

Hello, since a couple of month I'm hearing that exact sound in my FJ, so it has the same problem that you are describing. Thanks for sharing

[@magsliamyes9832]

Same with my FJ , just had my accumulator replaced because it was making a screeching sound .After replacing it , still makes that sound but not as loud . The squishy sound still there . but brakes feel stronger now. Thanks

[@BeachVolleyballWithAlex]

From what I found on forums there is valve in brake booster that is pumping air out in order make sure brakes have only brake fluid with no air

[@LiL13izzy7]

Thanks for chiming in. That make sense.

[@JulioLopez-ng6bl]

Thanks (another airman with an FJ) i always questioned this

[@carlosj587]

I test drove an fj yesterday for the first time in my life, 2013 109k miles. First thing i notice was that swishy sound i thought it was coming from the steering column which concerned me because i didnt need that to be part of the christmas list of problems this car already has. Not to mention i notcie shudder noises at 20-30 and 40-50 at random times ususally when going on incline low angles (uphill) no issues on steep uphill angles. Tight turns causes squeeaking on the rear suspension, and theres some rust in the under carriage, all known but fixable issues. But upon closer inspection with light pressure on the brakes it was the brake pedal that initiated the sound. I have a similar sound on my brake pedal on my gt86 from wear i gues it sounds like a air pump swoosh when you press down. So im use to such noise. Definetly love the fj despite w.e issues it comes with. I cant wait to own one.

[@LiL13izzy7]

Every single thing you mention here seems to be common issues with the FJ. I made a video on steering wheel shudder and squeaky suspension as well. Check em out!

[@carlosj587]

@@LiL13izzy7 yes thank you, you have great content. I already added some on my fj favorites list, so when i get my own im ready to go.

[@lukevaidyan7197]

Thr squishy sound you hear is the brake master cylinder leaking internally and not the normal sound of pressurised brake fluid . The accumulator is suppossed to hold pressure for a couple more brakes pushes. It is not suppossed to get activated during all pedal pushes. The comforting fact is that it takes a lot driving, usually years until the master cylinder seals completely gives up and the dashboard abs warning lights with the beep noise comes up. Following this the brake accumulator will start working even when the car is idling until the motor burns itself up. Let me say this again, the squishy sound is not normal. Its your master cylinder slowly giving up. There are master cylinder rebuild kits available but if the rebuild is not done when you notice the early signs, even a rebuild cannot save the master cylinder and will require a replacement.

[@edwinj.archila1963]

That is correct, thanks !

[@Shrooms1982]

Mine did that for about 3 years and finally failed this past week….the newer cylinders from Toyota cost about 2k+ so I decided to get an older one from a junkyard…after having it installed less than a week it started to do the same sound as the old one. Is there any safety issue with this ? Obv never had any issues with my old one or was that just luck?

[@lukevaidyan7197]

I have used salvaged junkyard master cylinders before on fj's and they are always a hit or miss kinda scenario. The master cylinder can be opened and the rubber seals replaced . Toyota sells the mc piston replacement. Also pls ensure you bench bleed the mc before reinstalling and bleed the brake lines too. Air in the system can also trigger the booster motor to repeatedly actuate

[@teatonaz]

My 2014 FJ ( only 11,000 miles ) does the squishy at the peddle also, but not the hum under the hood. Showed my guy at the dealer who’s usually pretty knowledgeable, but didn’t seem concerned although I don’t think he knew the reason. Everything works perfect though (as you’d expect for an FJ with only 11k miles). Used to have a Honda Accord that made almost exact same squishy noise, and turned out to be a little (replaceable) rubber pad up under the dash was worn by where the slack in the break peddle ended and it started to make contact to engage with any significant resistance. Mentioned this to my Toyota guy at the dealer, but he wasn’t wasn’t familiar with anything like this. ( My old Honda guy had been familiar with it, as soon as I described it. ). Think I remember looking under the dash to check for anything similar, on the FJ, but no luck. Anyway, I should try again as it would be nice to have it gone. That purring sound under the hood however, reminded me of a sound I DID hear near the very back by the bumper, up underneath, as I walked into the garage, and the FJ had been just sitting there for a couple days. The purrring/pump type sound only lasted a few minutes then shut off, on it’s own. This is what I found with a search online,....”.It's normal. It's a small pump that pressurizes the gas tank to check for leaks. All modern cars do that. It's clearly described in the manual. “. So obviously I need to read much more of the manual,...LOL, but this is a little internal test it’s scheduled to do on it’s own occasionally. Really concerned me since it was coming from where I assumed the fuel pump would be. It’s the little black box under the rear cargo area, right where the spare tire would go up under the bed area of a pickup. (Would love if the spare could have gone there and got a lift up tailgate, but then it wouldn’t be an FJ w/o the tire on the back I guess,.. ha. ) Here is the link if it allows me: www.fjcruiserforums.com/threads/humming-noise-while-engine-is-off-parked.164661/ While I’m already on the strayed path here, I have yet to get the recall done on the gas tank sensor yet, but appreciate hearing from anyone who has. If I remember right it was only for accuracy and not a safety concern, but best to confirm that on you’re own. I Just mention in case not everyone got the notice. Cheers !

[@LiL13izzy7]

I have read the thread about the noise near the back as well. I would have liked a liftgate as well, so I agree with you on that one.

[@LuisRamirez-yg5cw]

I believe that “black box” is the carbon filter

[@shaynerodrigues720]

I have it in my lexus gx470.. which is basically the same platform as the fj cruiser and 4runner. So I guess it's just a toyota things lol. Great knowing that it's ok

[@tacovipecot8029]

I hear it in my 2010 FJ as well 2015 GX 460

[@treble_clef123]

so 3 years later, any issues come up? I have both the squishy sound and motor sound. I've had mine for 4 months and have noticed the motor sound just today. It happens exactly as you've demonstrated- every other depression of the pedal. But I've noticed mine when my engine was on. I noticed it first as I was parking. I put it in park and pressed the brake pedal a few times and that's when I noticed the pattern. Is your doing that only while the engine off? Or both? Thank you!

[@LiL13izzy7]

It does it both while the engine is on and off (it's just less obvious when the engine is on because it's so loud). No issue 3 years later (everything you see in the video is normal)

[@babaki1]

2013 TT same sound. but its definitely the pedal and not the actual brakes, which is nice.

[@LiL13izzy7]

Yes, the pedal for sure.

[@jlborish]

Mine are squishy and work fine. Thanks for sharing 👍

[@rmhj8100]

Does yours take pressure to the brake petal to make it stop? Like I have a new car and barely any pressure to activate the brakes but this one takes more. Like a gap when you press down and then you press down kinda hard if that makes sense

[@bryanmota8744]

Don’t have the squishy but I do have that second sound

[@LiL13izzy7]

Thanks for sharing

[@Dguallpa98]

That's normal. I have both a 2011 4runner and 2008 FJ cruiser and both of my vehicles make that brake " squishy" noise.

[@LiL13izzy7]

Yup. Thanks for confirming.

[@saleemdegr8]

My 2013 fj has a same sound when you press the break 😊

[@treble_clef123]

the motor sound? While the car is running too?

[@humancrustaceans7849]

Test drove a 2008 today and noticed this!

[@LiL13izzy7]

It's something you get used to. Good luck with your FJ search. Let me know what you end up with.

[@tdiddy3307]

My 2012 GX 460 started doing this, did you ever have to replace anything because of this issue? Did any components fail?

[@LiL13izzy7]

Never replaced anything, nothing has failed. This is just a normal thing from what I know.

[@rainydays2603]

2014 TTUE, same sound when I step on the brake pedal.

[@LiL13izzy7]

Thanks for chiming in.

[@anselmofaria4704]

Ola...tenho FJ de 2008. Tenho o mesmo problema do barulho no pedal extridente. MUITO GRAVE muitas vezes ao travar acende a Luz do GPS e do Travao Mao deixando de travar. Ja mudei calços, cintas e mudei oleo de travoes. Continuo com o mesmo problema.O que me aconselham???😢 O

[@anselmofaria4704]

DESCULPE Luz do ABS e nao GPS.

[@LiL13izzy7]

Será que suas pastilhas de freio precisam ser substituídas?

[@anselmofaria4704]

Substitui as pastilas e cintas. Tem fuga constante de ar no pedal do travao. Deixa de ter fuga quando piso no pedal para travar, mas passado segundos acende a luz abs e travao de mao. Se nao for preciso travar essas luzes nao acendem mas a bomba trabalha e para somente por 2 seg. Se usar muito o travao em congestionamento transito , acende as luzes e deixa de travar.

[@alisuma4960]

Bro I have 2008 fj but when you drive over 40 or 60 you feel the air going inside or just because of the design of the vehicle

[@alisuma4960]

?? 😅

[@LiL13izzy7]

I can't say I get that feeling, unless my AC recirculation vent is open.

[@lenjester17]

My 2022 fj still have this squishy sound, if it aint broke manta of toyota

[@wooshreddening7521]

Oh man, when I first got mine I thought it was an issue.

[@LiL13izzy7]

I'm glad I'm not the only one!

[@souricba]

My friend has 2014 4 runner he has the same noise also I have fj my as well

[@LiL13izzy7]

Thanks for chiming in. Seems to be a Tacoma, FJ, 4Runner thing.

[@TheKiller7276]

2010 200k+ miles, same sound

[@DeCoNzMe]

I have it too. There must be a fix.

[@LiL13izzy7]

Like most of us, it's become such a normalized thing that I don't even really "hear" it anymore, and it no longer bothers me, but yes, it can be quite irritating, and even alarming at first.

[@DeCoNzMe]

@@LiL13izzy7 I see a few fixes online. Has anyone tried them?

[@3bdullahkfclord340]

Same Land cruiser 2009

[@larryfisher7056]

I'm blessed with losing a lot of hearing in the military, so this sound doesn't bother me at all since I can't hear it.....

[@CarlosMartinez-xv5zd]

I have an 08 no sound!

[@LiL13izzy7]

Does your master cylinder look like mine with the brake booster? I know they changed the engine in the 2010 (and up) models, so I wonder if the brake system is different too (mine is a 2012).

[@adamhonda98]

Same here

[@LiL13izzy7]

So far, more people have chimed in about having the sound, than not.

[@adamhonda98]

Also the sound that sounds like a timing gear or water pump is pretty common but I wanna see if changing that peice of the pump fixes it if possible

[@andrzejsokol6345]

Lexus gs430 same issue

[@LiL13izzy7]

Sounds like it's a normal thing! Thanks for chiming in.

[@jamesnewell938]

I did, my pump was going bad, had to get a whole new pump

[@LiL13izzy7]

By pump, do you mean the accumulator? Did the squishy noise disappear afterwards?

[@DylanRoot]

I have it

[@LiL13izzy7]

So far, more people have chimed in with the squishy sound, than without it.

[@cgarrett2212]

My Tacoma makes the same noise

[@LiL13izzy7]

Yeah I've read that about Tacomas as well. Must be a Toyota truck thing.