Toyota Corolla spongy pedal problems

Filed Nov 6, 2025 · RI

At approximately 66,200 miles, the slave cylinder on the clutch started failing. It will be dropped off at the dealership tomorrow afternoon for repair, hopefully driven under its own power. The clutch feels spongy and friction point is unusual. This puts others’ safety at risk because the clutch could fail, causing the car to lurch forward from being stopped, and puts my safety at risk because the car could break down at any time when it finally completely fails. There are no warning lamps, just a clutch prematurely failing. This is a very common problem with the manual transmissions in this model. I purchased a Toyota for reliability, and this part should not fail for several hundred thousand miles, if ever. There needs to be a recall on these cars.

Filed Feb 23, 2023 · Brakes, Electrical · NC

I purchased a Toyota three years ago, immediately I complained about the brakes scrubbing and squeaky sounds, the dealer denied anything was wrong with the brakes. After paying the last payment the other day, now the brake pedal is stiff as a board and takes alot of pressure to stop, which is a safety hazzard to all. Also there have been no warning lights come on notification of any problems. I've also noticed Electrical problems like the dash lights going off and on the clock works when it takes a notion.

Filed Apr 3, 2021 · Brakes, Electrical · GA

The brake booster is failing, the brake pedal is hard to push down almost resulting in a car crash. If I drive vehicle fast, it's hard to stop and slow vehicle down.

Filed Nov 5, 2020 · Transmission · 28,000 miles · IL

My clutch pedal squeaks and feels spongy at times. I have vibrations coming from clutch pedal when accelerating and releasing clutch almost at bite point. There are times when I'm at a stop and put in first gear and go the clutch vibrates and a I get almost like a growling or chattering coming from transmission. My clutch tends to act up more in the city. It almost seems like if the concentric slave cylinder is going out.

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 Aug 1, 2012 · Brakes · 14,000 miles · TX

Any time you go over any bump or hit any pothole, the brakes become very spongy feeling. When you push the breaks, they feel very bumpy (almost like there are rocks in between the drum and the pads and it makes a grinding noise. Sometimes it even acts like it doesn't want to stop at all. As soon as you left off of them and reapply them, it is fine. It only happens if you go over something that is bumpy that causes any kind of jolt to the car. We took it to the dealer but they could not duplicate the problem. I am about to take it back again because it is still doing it.

Filed Oct 18, 2011 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 101,623 miles · TX

At approximately 0600 on the above date I experienced a violent and near uncontrollable momentary disrupture of the ABS/ESC systems of my 2010 toyota corolla. Vehicle shook violently, steering locked and ABS and ESC control lights on dash lit up while I was making the transition from ih37 south to ih35 south in san antonio, tx. I was able to regain control by letting off of the brakes and throttle thus coasting through the left hand turn and barely missing the retaining wall. This is not the first time this has happened, the first was only days after purchase of car. Local dealer maintenance personnel stated "we can't find anything wrong with the car." during the warranty period the problem has been brought to the attention of mccollums toyota five other times all with the same "we can't find anything wrong" reply. Complaints of soft brake pedal brought a similar "that's normal" retort each time the vehicle was in for service. After the warranty expired, front rotors and pads were replaced because they were found to have worn/groved approximately 1/8" deep per side (not reported by dealer), not from metal to metal contact but just wear from pads friction material. Pads still had 1/2" of friction material on each. Replacement of rotors and pads from auto zone made things better until now. Request ABS/ESC software be checked on all 2008 to 2012 corolla/scion tc models along with check of materials used in pads and the rotors. Oem rotors taken off car will be available until 15 jan 2012. 36,000 miles on a set of rotors and pads are a little extreme when I have over 125,000 on my gm's rotors and 165,000 on my ford's rotors with pads needing replacement around 45 to 55 k.

Filed Jun 28, 2010 · Brakes, Steering · 500 miles · WI

Tl* the contact owns a 2010 toyota corolla. The contact stated when driving at approximately 55 MPH, the steering wheel would not stay balanced in a straight line. The vehicle would veer in either direction. The contact stated the failure was worse when driving in snow or windy weather conditions. The dealer advised the vehicle was operating as designed. The failure persisted. The dealer test drove and was able to duplicate the failure. An investigator was sent on behalf of the manufacturer to further inspect the failure. The investigator performed a visual inspection and advised there were no failures. In addition, the contact stated the brakes would feel spongy and would often fall farther into the floorboard than normal. The contact would have to apply steady, repeated pressure in order for them to work properly. The dealer advised there were no failures within the brake system. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 500 and the current mileage was approximately 2,100.

Filed Apr 12, 2010 · Steering · 70,000 miles · MI

The steering on my 2004 is harder to control at speeds of about 55 and above. It feels very loose and "spongy". I took it to a local dealership, and they told me it must be the tires. I had the tires replaced, and the problem remains. I believe that the steering is simply too loose and not well enough controlled. I have to work harder than I should to keep it in line. The problem has existed for the last couple years.

Filed Mar 1, 2010 · Brakes · 2,780 miles · CA

Driving 2010 toyota le on highway, turned off highway, turned to off ramp as power steering allowed car to veer to the left side of the highway. As the car approached the stop sign, the foot brake was applied, and felt spongy and the car suddenly veered to the left side of the road and came to a stop facing oncoming traffic which could have caused an accident. Contacted the dealership that told me to bring the car in for inspection. An appointment was made for today.