2016 Toyota Corolla: brake failure

Filed Oct 13, 2026 · Brakes · IL · fire · 1 injury

While operating a vehicle through the peer-to-peer car-sharing platform Turo in Alaska (Reservation: 61060048), the vehicle experienced a sudden, catastrophic brake failure of the braking system while driving. The brakes completely failed to respond, creating an immediate loss of vehicle control. Immediately following the braking failure, upon exiting the vehicle, smoke erupted from the wheel well/undercarriage area. This subsequently led to a minor burn on one of the passenger's face and hand. Before this event occured, we had discussed an issue with the brake light remaining on. When discussing it with the host, she had assured me that the vehicle had been thoroughly inspected before renting it to us. She gave us a few DIY solutions we could try out, but we opted to not attempt anything of that nature. She did tell us we could take it to the mechanic if we were concerned, but we would have had to cover the cost of an inspection. After the event, the host had the car towed, but we are completely unaware if they had the vehicle inspected.

Filed Jan 1, 2020 · Brakes · 6,290 miles · MI

On 1/1/2020 while the vehicle was in motion on the city street; and when attempting to depress the brake pedal, the vehicle brakes started to grind and the vehicle would not stop. This same brake failure occurrence with the vehicle, reoccurred two more times intermittently. Luckily there was no other vehicles nearby that could have resulted in a crash

Filed May 3, 2017 · Brakes · 9,788 miles · AL

Several times, I have experienced "brake failure" along with a grinding noise. Braking system must be the problem. However, the dealership says everything is working properly. I have taken it to the dealership 2 times since I purchased the new car. The first incident was in october 2016 - with only 1784 miles. On may 1, 2017; I applied my brakes upon approaching a "stop sign". Unfortunately, the pedal went to the floor( I could feel the grinding in the brake pedal)and there was a delay in my car coming to a complete stop. I took the car to the dealership, again. According to the service department, there is nothing wrong with the braking system. I do not have any warning when the brakes fail to work. It doesn't seem to matter if I am traveling at a slow or higher rate of speed. Please investigate this problem. I am very concerned and the toyota company doesn't seem to be concerned about this issue.

Filed Nov 15, 2016 · Brakes, Fuel system · 20,000 miles · VA

Brake pedal feels spongy or soft all the time. Have had vehicle to dealer 3 times for stuck fuel door (won't open). Every time nothing found wrong. Tech lubed and tried adjusting fuel door to no avail. Stuck fuel door doesn't happen all the time though. This is a safety issue especially for women who are trying to fuel up when on empty. Fuel door sticks while stationary. Brakes feel spongy when applying brakes while in motion or sitting still. Dealer looked at brakes and said they are fine. Have read several complaints on these corolla's having brake failure! What's next??? A crash in the making!!! Will not buy toyo again.

Filed Nov 1, 2016 · Airbags, Brakes · 21,619 miles · CO · crash · 4 injuries

This is a report of brake failure that caused a vehicle collision with injuries. On october 29, 2016, I rented a 2016 toyota corolla from a betterway rent-acar, inc. D/ba budget rent a car of atlanta, at 6509 roswell rd, atlanta, ga 30328. The toyota had 21,619 miles at the time of the rental. At approximately 12:30pm I was driving southeast on jimmy carter blvd in norcross georgia. The weather was clear and sunny and the road was dry. Upon departing a traffic light, I accelerated to approximately 20 MPH in moderate traffic towards vehicles waiting at the intersection of jimmy carter blvd and rockbridge school road one block away. I began applying the brakes long before reaching the vehicles waiting at the next intersection, however the car's brake action was minimal. As I completely depressed the brake pedal, I heard a clicking sound similar to the engagement of an anti-lock braking system (ABS), however there was no significant deceleration. When I fully depressed the brake pedal, I did not hear an increase in engine RPM, the automatic transmission did not downshift, and the vehicle did not accelerate. As a result of the toyota's brake failure, I impacted a stationary vehicle at the intersection of jimmy carter blvd and rockbridge school road. The toyota's airbags did not deploy. There were no skidmarks at the scene of the accident. I suffered injuries as well as multiple occupants in the other vehicle.

Filed Oct 25, 2016 · Brakes · 46 miles · FL · crash · 2 injuries

On june 24th 2016 I purchased a 2016 toyota corolla s. I had 3 minor brake fialures with grinding sounds. I called the dealership on those 3 occasions.the 4th brake failure was a lot worse and I ended up applying the e brake and slide into county line dividing pasco & hernando county florida. Enough was enough I called the dealership and said " I need to bring my car in asap because now I have had four brake failures and this one could have killed me if anyone had been coming. This was the 21st of july, I had brought the car in for inspection of my brakes. All they did was take it for a test drive, brought it back and said everything was normal. On september tenth 2016 I got into the right hand turn lane, when I applied the brakes nothing had happened. I continued to apply more and more pressure and still no brakes. I was able to veer enough to the right so I didn't impact the driver side door however the lady behind that car was not as lucky and I impacted her front left pretty much head on. I have called over and over I have sent pictures of my car and the road where there was not even 1 skid mark. I have 9 bulging disc 4 herniated discs. I am literally broke from car rentals dr's appointments and medication that has been very expensive. Every time I call I am instructed I will receive a call from their claims/legal department within 30 business days from when they retrieved the data from the car that almost killed me and a poor woman who was taken away in an ambulance. I looked through the data and I am no engineer and I can even see where the brakes failed. To everyone who reads this if you see s newer toyota becareful.