2 months ago, my 94 sc4 was in a crash due to brake failure, and since then it's been in the body shop.

Well... this is what happened... The traffic light turned red and I stepped on the brake, but it felt as stiff as a rock. I couldn't pressed it in even an inch. Trying to avoid the traffic in front of me, I made a hard turn to the right, which led my car on to the side walk ( about a 8 inch higher then the road...and I was going about 45 miles/hr) After I jumped onto the sidewalk I knocked down a tree completely de-rooting it and came to a stop. Suprisingly there were just some minor exterior damages such as slightly crushed bumper, scratches on the the hood and headlight housing.

After this accident, my car sat in the garage of the Lexus dealer for 2 months and 2 weeks at the body shop. The major reason why I sent my car to the dealer is for them to check my freaken brakes. But they said there was no problem at all. MY FREAKEN CAR CRASHED INTO A TREE BECAUSE THE BRAKES FAILED. But all they did was just replacing the wheels (the old ones were bent, so I had to buy a new set of rims and tires)

Then they sent the car to the bodyshop near by, where they have kept my car for 2 weeks without doing anything. They say the AC condenser has to be replaced besides repacing the bumper. And they've been waiting for the freaken AC parts for a week now.

Everything is such as mess...and I want my car back so bad. But the bodyshop has found another problem. They say some kind of shield has to be replaced under the chasis. Probably the root of the tree must have brushed against the underbody....

Well...anyways, my major concern - BRAKES - haven't been checked out thoroughly enough in my opinion... and I was lucky not to hit any person when the accident happened. If brakes fail again and I hit someone or if I get injured, this is gonna be a big big f'n problem.

If I were to go to another bodyshop and find major problem in my brake system, should I sue the dealer's ***?

Well...I've been babbling just out of frustration...
I need some input on what could have been the problem with the brakes. The dealer says it's working find now...

 

i'd be so mad! what does your insurance company have to say? shouldn't they be the ones checking the brakes?

 

That little bi@tch from AAA is reluctant to cooperate at all. All the addtional repairs that I have requested to her were being denied at first. Even for the rear bumper that is chipped due to the root of the tree.... I'm paying the cost to have the bumper stripped out of my own pocket. I hate the Lexus dealer, the bodyshop, and the bi@tchy insurance agent.

 

Sounds like the power brake 'power' went away. Ever tried stopping the car when it's off and in neutral? You have to PUSH on the brakes to get them to do hardly anything..

 

If that is the case, what am I supposed to replace?

 

Scary.. I'd want to see the brake system bled out and see what it looks like... I'd also want to see the master cylinder checked.

 

yeah, it sounds to me too that your power brake booster may have failed. Trying to stop a car with discs on all 4 corners without boost is really tough. As soon as the car is driveable, you can see if the braking takes lots of effort - if it does, get thee (carefully!) to a good brake shop and they should be able to diagnose it - either the diaphragm has failed or you've got a major vacuum leak - -

Regarding whether the brake repair will be part of the ins claim - doubtful - good luck

 

How can the dealer not find any problem...
I'll be pissed if I get into another accident because of the brakes...
Now I can never drive over 30 without feeling nervous...