Slid my 4Runner into my Tundra this AM!!!

Pulling into my drive this AM it felt as if my brake pedal wouldn’t go down at all. I was in 2 Hi and slid right into my Tundra. I hit hard enough to move the Tundra backwards at least a foot. Snow melt had completely iced my drive right in the area needed to come to a controlled stop. After inspecting the damage I tried parking numerous times and the 4Runner wanted to crab crawl sideways so I just left it in 4 Hi. Neither vehicle show any damage from the outside, but let me tell you “I hit hard”. After further inspection I did find black plastic that came from the 4Runner, just inside of the grill area, not visible from outside. I think it servers as a brace for the grill/ possible rain shield for the passenger headlight area. Here is the plastic that fell out. I’m not sure what my next step is going to be. A mechanic friend looked at it and said he wouldn’t do a thing if he were me. Just knowing my 2023 4Runner has something wrong pisses me off. Just needing to vent!!

If anyone knows what this piece of plastic that attaches to the grill on both the passenger and drivers side does …. Please let me know.

 

When you start sliding, the ABS / traction control stuff kicks in and the electronic solenoids will pulse the individual brakes as needed to reduce or correct the skid. When it does this, it pushes back on the pedal so you cant really push it down any harder.
I dont live in a snow/ice area but i have driven in plenty in travels. I have always been lucky but i have seen hundreds of people in ditches, medians, stuck on the side of the roads ect ect.
Good thing it didnt actually do any serious damage to either, although yes crashing two new babies into each other definitely hurts your feelings and ego. I was pulling a customers machine into my shop just idling as i was rolling to a stop and as i grabbed the brake, something happened and the throttle went WOT and i grabbed the brakes as hard as i could and slammed the machine into the wall of my shop, practically a brand new shop at the time less than a year old. You talk about mad, angry, sad, all at the same time. I know the feeling.

 

Take a picture of the broken side and intact side under the hood, that will help us say what it is for / if it's a worry.

 

Yeah, ABS takes over and you just need to hold the brake firmly, don't try to brake/release/brake (modulate). Thats why it feels that way. It was doing its job. ABS brakes better than you, allowing you more steering control, in most cases.

 

Ice can be a terrible thing. I started running studded winter tires this year, and have absolutely no regrets.

 

If this is from the front grill, it’s the radiator deflector panel.

 

I'm not sure this is from the deflector panel, there's no curved section with foam gasket that matches what's on mine. There could be a difference in model/year?

 

It serves as ducting to direct air through the condenser & radiator. Looks like only the lower portion is broken. The lower portion is often cut away for installing off-road bumpers and winches.

The headlights themselves are splash resistant and don't need shielding from water.

I'm sure there are more things wrong with your 4Runner, so don't fret over this little piece

 

I am so happy to post the following. I have never in my life been to a body shop and seen such a small invoice. Right after I purchased this 4Runner I shattered the passenger rear quarter panel window while weed eating the driveway. That was a $700. I am the luckiest person on earth right now. THX folks for letting me vent and I appreciated all the comments.

 

100% Correct according to the body shop …. Thank you. Except for the part about other things being wrong…. Lol

 

^Average Toyota defect rate is like 1.3 defects per vehicle within the first 3 months of use according to JD Power initial quality statistics, and that's industry leading. Note the 4Runner is not class-leading for initial quality. Of course the stats don't distinguish between major and minor problems, so things like Carplay not connecting counts as a defect (though it may be life-ending for today's younger drivers).

 

I’m glad you posted this because it’s what motivated me to go find out what it actually was. I’ve read too many horror stories about road debris piercing the radiator and guys not pulling off the road before they have ruined their engine.

 

Yeah ….trust me I wasn’t pumping the brakes like we did in the old days…. That hadn’t even entered my mind. I thought something had fallen down on the floor board and gotten tangled / wedged amongst my foot and pedal. I didn’t even realize ice was the cause until I had gotten out and re parked a couple times. I knew it at that point it had to do with ABS, ice , etc…. There was no clicking / chatter of the ABS just pulled in smoothly and kept right on going. I never want to feel that sensation again. Lesson learned ….

 

If you look closely behind the left center most grill opening you can see where it broke off. I can’t believe there is no damage on the outside bumper.

 

Glad you got it fixed "cheap". That's rare these days.