2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid: brake failure

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 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).

Filed Jan 16, 2017 · Acceleration, Brakes · 118,075 miles · CA

Was driving near 10 miles per hour, city streets (all three times) . I went to brake, the check vsc lights and others went on and the brakes failed. Steering was difficult, car seemed to shut down. Happened three times in the last two weeks.

Filed Oct 26, 2015 · Brakes, Electrical · 130,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota camry hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH, all the warning indicators illuminated and the brakes failed to respond. The contact also stated that the power steering failed and the A/C emitted hot air. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000.

Filed Nov 3, 2014 · Brakes · 140,000 miles · UT

Hard to press the brake pedal, warning lights, potential brake failure.

Filed Jun 18, 2014 · Acceleration, Brakes · 57,000 miles · NC

I have a 2008 tch with 53k miles and the vsc warning light, brake light and several others first appeared on a cold morning during a cross country trip from ca to nc. A complete loss of breaking at 40 MPH is a scary thing!!! Brought it to dealer. Cleared the code. Well, about a week later in raleigh the vsc warning light was on when we arrived and the dealer recorded code c1391, abnormal pressure inside the accumulator. The fix, a new ABS accumulator- with parts labor and tax just under $2700- because the part is not under warranty- only up to 3/36000! Seems like it should be since this is a common issue with tch's. Now I don't know what to do or who to believe!!! Because I had no choice, I shelled out and had toyota of apex, nc replace the part. Man was I mad! Toyota didn't step up and own this clearly defective part. Smartly,k I also purchased an extended warranty from a vendor. Well wouldn't you know about 14 months later my wife is driving with the kids and almost wrecked when the brakes went out, this time with no warning! Diagnosis? C1931 again!!!! I couldn't believe. The same dealer toyota of apex, nc told me the part was now $3200. I had them pull the history. They seemed genuinely shocked. Even put me in a loaner for several days and promised toyota would take care of this one. Ha! Shame on toyota again- they said sorry. Part out of 12 month warranty... Here's your bill for 3200. At this point, I knew it was time to get rid of this defective car before someone got seriously injured or even worse, killed. Two times toyota refused to accept any responsibility, I'm sure it will catch up to them eventually.

Filed Jun 10, 2014 · Brakes · 74,800 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota camry hybrid. The contact stated that while attempting to park, the brakes failed to engage. The contact mentioned that immediately after the failure the vsc light warning illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 74,800.

Filed Apr 30, 2014 · Brakes · 102,000 miles · CO

I was driving down the road at 40mph and was coming upon a red stoplight. I started to brake and nothing happened. There were no brakes, I looked down and the message center said check vsc system. I was able to swerve into the turn lane to avoid hitting the cars that were stopped at the light and was able to coast to a stop. After leaving the car off for 5 minutes all was normal.

Filed Apr 21, 2014 · Acceleration, Brakes · 96,000 miles · TX

My brakes failed the first time on 1/29/14 on my way to work. Luckily, I wasn't going too fast, which allowed me to safely pull over onto one of the side streets. My car displayed the error message: "check vsc system." I called aaa, and one of their tow truck drivers suggested that rather than taking my car to the dealership, I use a different place (which he claimed was aaa approved; it wasn't). Nearly $500 later ($472.94 to be exact), my car seemed fine for about a month. Then on 2/26/14, this time while driving on the interstate, my brakes failed again. I got the same message as before: "check vsc system." this time, I asked to be towed to the dealership. Supposedly, nobody at the dealership was aware of a recall for this systematic problem. However, I have since found out that 59 other complaints have been reported for this very issue. That's only through january; I can imagine how many other times this happened that were not reported. I ate the cost (this time upwards of $3,800) to have the entire vehicle suspension control (vsc) unit completely replaced. This morning, 4/21/14, I turned on my car & was greeted with that old familiar message: "check vsc system." I'm afraid to try driving my car to work in this condition, and meanwhile I've sunk over $4,000 into "repairs" that do not seem to last. I always thought toyotas were such good, reliable cars. However, I'm not sure if I would buy another one at this rate. My car has less than 100k miles and I'm extremely disappointed with this headache. Does someone have to die before toyota actually steps up & issues a recall??

Filed Jan 31, 2014 · Acceleration, Brakes · 64,547 miles · MD

My car was just repaired 6 months ago for this same issue at a cost of over $3,000!!!! Today my husband and son were in the car when the brakes failed and the check vsc warning light came on again!! Luckily they were not in an accident as a result of the failed brakes.