1999 Toyota Camry: brake failure

Filed May 6, 2006 · Electrical, Fuel system · 75,000 miles · PA · fire

As I was driving my 1999 toyota camry to work, the vehicle caught fire, and was totally destroyed. The fire was preceded by a loud popping sound, which was followed by the loss of brakes/power steering, etc. I struggled to steer the vehicle off the road, coasting to a stop. Meanwhile, immediately following the firecracker-like "pop," smoke began to pour into the vehicle from under the dashboard, as well as through the vents on the top of the dash. Heavy smoke also began to pour out from under the hood of the car. As I finally brought the vehicle to a stop onto the shoulder of the road, a motorist stopped and hollered to me to get out of the car immediately as, he said, there were flames visible underneath the car. I exited the vehicle immediately, and within 3-5 minutes it was totally engulfed in flames. I dialed 911 immediately, and even though the incident occurred within 1.5 miles of the local fire station, the vehicle was totally engulfed in flames by the time the fire truck arrived. A pennsylvania state trooper arrived within 10 minutes of the onset of the episode, moments after the fire department arrived. A traffic report was filed with the state trooper.

Filed Aug 26, 2005 · Brakes, Engine · 27,000 miles · NC

Dt: the consumer believed the brake problem the problem concerned ABS pump. While driving the brakes failed. Every two-three months this problem occurred, at least twenty times. This problem first started in september 2001. The first documentation was for may of 2002. There have been several near accidents, but none as of yet. The dealer was unsure of the exact problem because they were unable to find it. They have told the consumer numbers possibilities, but still has not fixed the problem. Also, there was also a problem with the engine. They changed the timing belt because of engine noise. They told the consumer that there was a problem with the water pump and it was changed. The consumer had a report from the dealership. But, not all of the times that vehicle was taken to the dealer was included in the report. The consumer believed that engine problem was with the valve and the lifters.

Filed Aug 25, 2004 · Airbags, Brakes · VA · crash · 1 injury

While driving another vehicle veered into consumer's vehicle lane, consumer applied the brakes and pedal went to the floor, causing vehicle to collide into the guard rail and crash. Upon impact, both frontal air bags did not deploy. Driver sustained injuries. Vehicle was towed to the dealer.

Filed Nov 15, 2003 · Brakes · 89,416 miles · IL

Without warning, I.e. Squealing, sounds, etc., I experienced increased stopping distance when I pressed the brakes to avoid a collision. When I returned the car to the dealer/service, they stated that the front pads are metal to metal. The car has 89,000 miles and the brakes and portions of the braking system have been replaced on average every 8,000 miles. This has been the eleventh time that there has been brake problems with this car. The front brake pads are being worn prematurely. There is usually a lot of brake dust and crystallized or solid material falling from the front brake pads. The dealer/mechanic/service has stated various reasons for the brake failures each time, but the problem is never resolved. This car has ABS.

Filed Oct 19, 2003 · Engine · NJ · fire

While driving at approximately 65 MPH going uphill on expressway, we heard a loud noise from the engine compartment, followed immediately by smoke and flame. By the time we go to the shoulder of the road, we had no brakes, no steering, nothing was working. Car was totally covered in smoke and flames were intense. Another vehicle stopped within seconds of our pulling over with a medium sized fire extinguisher. He proceeded to lay on his back and totally empty the extinguisher from under the car, which made no difference. By the time the fire trucks arrived (within 10 minutes), the entire engine compartment was totally burned. I notice that you have closed out pe02-079, but believe it to be related. The car is under investigation by state farm insurance. The car had a major service at 67,000 miles, including a timing belt replacement on july 24th, 2003. The car had approximately 70,000 miles at the time of the incident.

Filed Mar 4, 2003 · Brakes · CA

When the brakes were applied the pedal went to the floor and caused the vehicle to experience extended stopping distance.

Filed Feb 6, 2003 · Brakes · NY

Brake failure.

Filed Jul 16, 2002 · Brakes · HI

01/2001 - 03/2001 4 wheel ABS. Intermittent occurrence of the following: ABS functioning or brakes operating when brake pedal is not depressed. Notice while driving on highway, car starts to vibrate excessively from unneeded braking. The problem goes away as driving continues. After 1 incident took car to a repair station because I needed to apply the gas pedal to go down hill to keep car going at speed limit (where usually car will roll at speed limit). Car put on racks and found brakes were extremely hot. All wheels could not be hand turned. After brakes cooled problem was able to drive car normally. Had 4 occurrences of this in last 3 months. Took car to dealer and problem did not occur. Dealer said there was no sense is taking things apart when there were no symptoms. 03/2001 took car back to dealer 3 weeks later. Latest experience was that brakes were now failing. Pedal went low when applying brakes. Dealer said brake fluid was contamintated and warranty is now void. Dealer mentioned that 1 week earlier another car came in with contaminated brake fluid. Dealer says that due to contamination, they need to replace almost entire braking system (calipers, lines, master, ABS sensors) this was estimated at over $3,000. Told dealer to try and only flush brake fluid. He said could do this but they would also need to replace the master since brake pedal was going low. Dealer also said that they (toyota) would not be responsible for any brake failure that occurred following this compromised repair alternative. Dealer called later and said front rotors also need to be replaced because they are beyond tolerance for resurfacing. Agreed to the change. (total cost of repairs: $1,000) 09/2001 the car operated fine for almost six months. Notice that at around the 60 MPH range, vibration starts to occur. Appears to be the early symptoms of the ABS starting to function without depressing brakes (again). Imo problem is the ABS starting to function by itself. Problem stopped *

Filed May 6, 2002 · Brakes, Engine · LA · fire

(18-0457-786) insured was driving and attempted to stop but brakes failed, trying again, the brakes locked up.

Filed Sep 27, 2001 · Brakes · KS

The brakes seem to loose its power assist at low speeds, they feel much the way if the engine was shutt off and greatly increase the stopping distance of the vehicle, often the loss of braking will put the vehicle into an intersection or other dangerous situations when trying to accelerate from a stop or when stopping suddenly, also when stopping normally then try to press harder on the brake pedal, there is an extended stopping problem, consumer does not believe the problem is with the ABS, however dealer unable to duplicate the problem and states its just like fact that the vehicle has ABS.

Filed Mar 13, 2001 · Brakes · WI

A fading brake problem on 3 occasions. Brake pedal will go to floor , for a few seconds there were no brakes, but eventually they will catch.

Filed Oct 20, 2000 · Airbags, Brakes · MA · crash · 1 injury

Vehicle was involved in an accident when there was a brake failure, dealer found the calipers to be defective and replaced the brake pads, rotors, and calipers, in the accident, the airbags experienced no deployment and the seatbelts did not work, passenger sustained injuries.