2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid brakes problems

Filed May 14, 2019 · Brakes · 142,671 miles · NY

On or about mid april 2018 this vehicle was left parked and unattended outside in upstate ny for approximately 2 weeks. The outside temperature at the time was from the mid 20s to the mid 30's with some snow. After 2 weeks, I came back and attempted to drive it from it's parked spot when I discovered the driver's side rear wheel locked up and the vehicle would not move. The vehicle was towed to a local garage where the d/s rear caliper pins were found frozen and the emergency brake was found rusted. On april 2019 the same vehicle was left parked in upstate ny when the local temperature varied from the low 30's to the high 30's with some snow on the ground. I returned after 2 weeks and this time it was discovered the rear wheels would not turn. The vehicle was again towed and the rear rotors were found extremely rusted and had to be replaced. The front rotors were also found extremely rusted but were not replaced at this time. The emergency brake was partially stuck and hard to brake free from rear rotor due to rust.

Filed Jan 21, 2019 · Brakes · 121,700 miles · CA

The first time the "check vsc system" (attachment) came up was about the first week of jan 2019 when I was driving on a city street. Since I was on the right hand land I was able to pull over to the side. After I turned off the engine and waited for 1 minute and turn the engine back on, the message "check vsc system" disappear from the dashboard. When I got home and searched for this error message many people says this could be due to a loose gas cap so I make sure it's tighten. Then about 2 weeks later on jan 17, 2019, the same issue happens again. This time I was in a parking lot and when I pressed on the brake pedal, the buzzer will chime before I even start the engine. When I start the engine then the "check vsc system" comes on and it doesn't go away. I tried to turn the engine on and off multiple times and it doesn't resolve the issue like last time. I also noticed when I step on the brake pedal, it provides virtually no break. It would take me a very long distance to bring the car to a stop and I am afraid to drive more than 25 MPH. I took it to a mechanic for diagnostics and two codes came up for ABS pump and ABS motor. He tried to use his tool to turn on the ABS pump it doesn't work. Then we found out about the brake warranty(attachment) but I when I went to the a toyota dealer, the dealer said the warranty had expired on 3/14/2018 since the first date of use was 3/14/2008. I believe since the secondary warranty was for 150k miles and my car has only 121k miles on it, it should be covered. If I had drive 20k per mile per year, this issue would have appeared two years ago which was within the warranty period.

Filed Dec 4, 2018 · Brakes · ID

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota camry hybrid. When the brake pedal was applied, the vehicle failed to respond and a chime sound was heard. Also, the ABS, vehicle stability control, and maintenance required warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and then towed to peterson toyota (9101 w fairview ave, boise, id 83704, (208) 963-8218). The dealer checked with the manufacturer and they both stated that the vehicle was excluded from receiving an extended warranty campaign for the brake and the statute expired on march 28, 2018. The dealer stated that the brake actuator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN and failure mileage were not available.

Filed Nov 13, 2018 · Brakes · 155,000 miles · TX

My ABS brake actuator failed while driving causing the brakes to stop functioning properly. I was forced to slam my brakes for the car to stop. Luckily I was in a parking lot going about 5 MPH. Otherwise, I could have died or killed someone. There was no notice beforehand of the problem. I spoke to toyota customer care and they claim their was an extended warranty and supplemental warranty that were issued, but the supp warranty expired april of this year (2018) and at 150,000 miles. My car currently has 155k miles. I was never notified of this problem by toyota. They have my information on file. I would have either sold/traded in my vehicle last year had I known these cars have these problems. In researching online, the federal safety agency has investigated the brake actuater problems that have caused crashes and injuries. Toyota should have issued a recall like they were forced to do in 2009/2010 when they're accelerator pedals were sticking and people were dying. Now toyota is going to charge me over $1,700 to fix the problem. I don't have a choice since the car is not in working condition. I have a case id with toyota customer care 1811131473. The lady just lied to me about toyota being unable to cover the problem. She made it sound like there was a contract in place and fixing my car would be breaking the terms. I asked her who negotiated the terms, and she didn't have an answer. I asked her if the federal safety agency or a class action forced toyota to accept the terms and she said no. Clearly, toyota has trained their customer service reps to lie to customers like me getting them to think there are absolute "terms" that cannot be changed in order to escape liability.

Filed Mar 14, 2018 · Brakes · 126,000 miles · TN

While driving my car on 40 miles/hour the brake light, ABS, skid control, and maintenance light illuminated with a whistling sound too, also the dash board had check the vsc system warning. I was unable to stop the car due to braking system failure, so I pulled over to a close by gas station and stopped by hitting the curb. The car was taken to the dealership, and diagnosed as ABS braking actuator system malfunction, and estimated repair cost is $2,200, it was out of the extended warranty by 4 months so I have to pay out of pocket for this particular manufacturer life threatening mistake that could take away my life if I couldn't stop the car. I contacted the toyota company 3 times they stated they are aware of the malfunction problem, but they have nothing to do with it, as it is not a recall yet, it's only under investigation. I know this happened to many cars of this model. And injuries occurred but toyota don't want to take full responsibility of their dangerous mistake.

Filed Feb 22, 2018 · Brakes · 100,000 miles · KY

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota camry hybrid. While driving approximately 10 MPH, the vehicle experienced a complete loss of braking ability. The failure occurred without warning. The vehicle was towed to swope toyota (1085 n dixie hwy, elizabethtown, ky), but the failure could not be replicated. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000. The VIN was not provided.

Filed Dec 14, 2017 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 182,450 miles · TN

Brake light came on, then sudden power braking system failure while driving on a two lane busy road at a curve, there was a ding sound, then simultaneously, a vsc warning message and multiple warning lights illuminated. Only manual braking allowed stoppage of vehicle. Extremely dangerous situation that could have had tragic results .

Filed Nov 13, 2017 · Acceleration, Brakes · 168,000 miles · LA

For several months, the cruise control had only been working intermittently and my brakes seemed rough. The night before I brought my car in, all the lights on the instrument panel came on. On aug 1, 2017, I got a diagnostic and it was the ABS actuator, but I was told I also needed a brake job and an alignment so I went ahead with that $1,000 job. They could not diagnose the cruise control since it was "functioning" at the time. I had already replaced the ABS system in 2013 and was told that I may apply for a reimbursement for that $3,600 job, but I am now out of the extended warranty/service campaign so I could not get reimbursed for the current ABS failure replacement. After my brake job and alignment, the roughness did not seem to improve and the cruise control continued to malfunction. Foolishly, I rationalized that the brakes needed to be worn in, but soon my car started with a high pitched noise as I got in and out of the vehicle. The brakes also seemed to "slip" sometimes when initially starting the car. (foot on brake, start car, put into drive, and car would start to roll until I took my foot off the brake then reapplied it.) I went back to toyota hoping for a miracle and they again said you have to replace the ABS, but the service campaign had not been re-extended and I was unable to afford another $3,600. So I continued to drive my faulty vehicle out of necessity. On october 12, 2017, the car began the high pitched noise and this time it didn't stop. I began driving in the parking lot slowly (20 MPH) and then the brakes failed. Was able to stop by pressing very hard on the brakes. Since that day my car has been sitting at my workplace unused. Obviously, the ABS system that was replaced in 2013 (still awaiting reimbursement) was replaced with another bad system. We need a recall!

Filed Nov 6, 2017 · Brakes · 165,000 miles · MI

Started car and had immediate brake failure!, ABS system failure. Brake system warning lights and beeping from dashboard. Car not drive-able.

Filed Jun 22, 2017 · Brakes · 116,000 miles · KY

When our car was in motion, we experienced very loud audible grunt along with very poor breaking. Extremely scary situation especially since it started suddenly, without warning while driving and the brakes did not work at all during the first incident. The warning lights did not come on and luckily we were not yet on the expressway. We made it home and had it towed to the repair shop the next day. We drove it around the parking lot with the mechanic and the brakes failed again. We had to have the ABS brake system (ABS pump/module assembly) replaced at a cost of $2,263. We contacted toyota who said they could not reimburse for the issue. We have read online that other issues have happened to consumers and it seems that anything that results in total brake failure should warranty a recall. Please advise if you are able to consider this situation and if you need any further information. Sincerely, [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).