Truck is in for service today, 52k miles. The front pads and rotors need to be replaced. Rotors are too thin to turn. The rear pads and rotors can go another 5k, but the rotors might be too thin to turn by then. I'll see where the rears are at 55k.

 

2018 GX bought in December of last year. 1900 km now. It's my fathers car and being a great son that I am, I deal with everything. LoL

Problem, he says from the start the brakes felt very soft and more effort is needed to achieve braking. I've driven it myself and noticed that light pressure will not slow the SUV down. Putting the foot all the way to the floor and just gently releasing it will allow the SUV to move forward also. I have secretly posed as a new car buyer and tested another GX three weeks ago and noticed a big difference.
Yesterday I dropped off the GX at the dealership and of course faced the denial of a problem because it's a "Lexus" and the excuse is that its a larger car and these brakes are like this. The service clerk tested another GX and made it seem like he did not notice a difference or maybe he's just playing smart and not admitting anything yet without his supervisor or technician.

Anyone have this issue yet? I'm waiting on word today. I should have never let my brother go with my Dad.

 

No issue on my 2018. You could ask them to maybe bleed the brakes for air. I know the dealer now has the vehicle, but did you check the brake fluid level? This is the heaviest vehicle i've ever owned, there was some adjustment I had to make for stopping this vehicle.

 

I have two 2016 GX 460's and both have very sensitive brakes. Having stated that, compared to all of the previous vehicles I've owned, the brake pedal movement took some getting used to. While very minimal effort was required, it did seem like the pedal was much closer to vertical (90* from the floor) rather than starting out let's say at a 45* angle from the floor. There is some degree of adjustment that a good dealer will do to in effect, "raise" the pedal if you will. I had it done on both of mine and they feel great. Again, there was always only just a minimal amount of foot pressure required even before this adjustment. BTW, a friend of mine has an LS 460 and the brakes are insanely touchy.

 

Brake fluid looked fine. Air is one thing and you would think that they'll consider that, but who knows. I haven't been called yet, so it must be something other than my imagination. LoL

 

The brake pedal was a little different in terms of feel, but like I mentioned before, compared to another GX it was totally different. It was far from sensitive and I don't think a height adjustment is going to work because that only changes the position of the brake pedal and not the performance. Literally, when driving in town traffic I had to rest my foot on the brake pedal. Anyhow, I hope to hear from them soon.

 

Will be interested to learn what they found. (BTW, the pedal adjustment comment was just that. Not implying that was your issue.)

 

What you describe doesn't sound that unusual and there have been multiple complaints/concerns on the forum from people who aren't used to the brakes yet:

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gx-...016-gx460.html

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gx-...-problems.html

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gx-...top-light.html

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gx-...n-braking.html

I'll say that I also had to get used to the brakes. I came from a small BMW coupe that was much different and I caught myself creeping forward fairly often the first couple of weeks because I wasn't applying enough pressure at red lights.

 

I get back the GX today and I guess I'll find out what they did. Preliminary information says a "Brake adjustment." I'll try to find out as much information as I can since the other GX that I tested at the same dealership was much better at braking. I only read a few posts with brake concerns, but none that I read compared two identical GX's side by side. I'll update as I find out today. I really hope that the best that Lexus can offer is not just the complimentary refreshments.

Oh to clear things up, I tested a GX at the same dealership two weeks before taking our GX there and while I was there for service, the service clerk and I tested another different GX as well. Both new GX's braked better than mine.

 

So I got the GX back and its just as I suspected. They adjusted the play out of it, but the deep braking they say there is nothing wrong that they can find. Computer says it's all good. Needless to say I tested the GX and the play is gone, but the actual braking and where it engages is still the same. I needed to go home so I left.

If I decide to bring the issue up again I'll have to measure where the brake engages and compare that to the other GX's to prove my point to the dealership. I'm sure they suspect a problem and there are probably many reasons why they don't want to address it. I know it sounds like I'm being picky, but if you were in our GX, you would instantly know what I'm talking about. I should have gotten smart and asked a random person there for their opinion of the GX's, but i wasn't thinking then. Oh well, case is closed for the time being.

 

 

Just be careful when you drive and avoid being to close to the car in front of you. I hope the equipment doesn't get worse in your case, mine and anyone else's.

 

That's pretty much how my 18 is too. the first 1/2" of the brake travel seems like pushing through air with nothing happens, you could actually hear the pedal sounds like a tire valve releasing air pressure. After that nothingness, then the brake start engaging. It's pretty hard to describe it by words, but i guess some of you can totally relate.

 

That's exactly it. Do you have problems with uneven braking as well?

I'll probably get it checked when I go in for 5k check up.

 

Curious if any 460 owners have experienced the same issues with the brake calipers seizing like we 470 owners have experience?

How about recurring problems of brake pulsing?

Apparently the 460 calipers and rotors are direct a bolt on for the 470 and there seems to be some differences in the caliper/rotor, so I am wondering if Toyota addressed the issue with the 460 brakes.

Thanks for your input.