CarComplaints.com Notes: The Camry Hybrid's first year is a mixed bag of brake actuators failing and power issues. The hybrid version even shares the same excessive oil consumption as its non-hybrid counterpart. And it hardly gets enough fuel efficiency gains to warrant the extra costs up-front or during repairs.
Toyota seemed to get their act together with later model years, so if you're looking for a used Camry Hybrid I suggest looking there.
This faulty brake actuator is an on going problem. IT'S VERY DANGEROUS! My wife and kids use this car. I had it initially replaced with a used model from ebay in 2021. It is now 2 year later and the used actuator pump has failed. I just had a new used one installed and it is failing right out of the box. I am now in the market for a new one (~$900 part only), but the car is not worth the continued expense. This is obviously a design flaw, and Toyota refuses to acknowledge it. The case should never have been closed on this issue, it continues. A recall needs to be issued. I see a Honda in my future!
I bought this car used. It makes a leaking air sound when the ABS accumulator is running, and that makes the accumulator run on and off every 15 seconds for 10 minutes after the engine is turned off. If this is a Camry-specific problem then it was clearly a bad design and should be recalled. If this is a problem on all Toyota's then it is clearly a bad management decision and NTSA should order a recall.
I've not owned my 2007 Toyota Camry very long before I noticed the high-pitch alarm along with the brake light, VSC warning, ABS light, skid indicator, and the red warning triangle. The ABS system had failed and braking was compromised. Luckily I was able to, very carefully, drive the car home and later to the auto mechanic. I took the car to Auto Zone where they used a hand-held scanner to get the trouble codes and then reset the indicator lights on the dashboard. The ABS System re-engaged and proper braking was restored. But it was only a temporary fix. Auto Zone recommended replacing the ABS actuator as the scan pointed out. The Auto Zone sales person was great and he recommended taking the car to a certified auto mechanic which I did. The repair shop told me the ABS actuator was bad and it would cost about $1,100.00 to replace it and fix the problem. I haven't done anything yet.
When I called around to locate and get prices on a replacement actuator, I was told this was generally the part Toyota Camry Hybrid owners were replacing. After doing some research I'm finding this is not an unusual problem with the 2007 Camry Hybrid. What's the solution and is Toyota doing anything to make good on the inconvenience and expenses incurred by their customers? From what I've been reading about this issue, it looks like Toyota just rolled the dice with peoples lives and has chosen to turn a blind eye in making things right. Doesn't look like Toyota's responses to this issue has been one of care and concern for its customers. But, to be fair, I've not yet contacted the company with my complaint.
I have a 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid. My Check VCS system light came on and lit up every warning light on my dash. As I backed out of my driveway, the car would throw itself into what a sudden jerk stop. Then as I drove it my brakes began to to fail. They became hard to push and then they would push back at me. I took it to the Toyota dealership near me for a diagnostic test. They came back to let me know that my ABS Hydraulic Control assembly/actuator failed and needed to be replaced. This cost was $2300 at least plus tax for NC.
I have read many many problems all over the internet of this same exact problem. Why is there no recall for this failure? How ,many deaths does Toyota need to recall it? Maybe we all should file a class action lawsuit against Toyota for faulty part failure. This is absurd and I am over ticked. So I guess this car will get parked, Who can pay that cost for a 2007 car?
I guess Toyota is not a product I will ever purchase again. Their customer service sucks too. If any one has/had an option to getting this repaired, please share!
I have an 2007 Hybrid Toyota Camry and the VSC Light and the dash board lit up as I was trying to stop my car. The car was hard to steer and I hit a pole and messed up the front bumper. I am now scared to drive this car. When you go to brake, the brakes do not fully lock and your car just keep moving. I have been told this could cost me from $2000-3000 to get fixed. I think I'm done with Toyota. This car will sit because it is clearly unsafe to drive if you can not stop the car.
Update from Sep 25, 2018: Well I tried to get this car to the shop on 9/17/18 driving 35 MPH and it spun out of control and hit a concrete wall causing Total Loss to the car. Now I have to see a DR. regarding my injuries. Toyota SHAM ON YOU FOR NOT RECALLING THIS CAR.
- Kim T.,
Louisville, US
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My 2007 Camry hybrid got a brake problem. Toyota Service Center told me to replace actuator which is $2000. It is really awful. I don't have a warranty. Toyota has extended warranty for ABS actuator but we did not get any letter about that yet.
Brakes can switch off without warning. In my case, after brake hardware replacement, traction control and ABS "failed" and were turned off. Toyota said $2500 for new actuator, after research, I jumped pins on car computer link and read and cleared myself. Been fine since, but Toyota seems much more interested in selling expensive parts.
If you are buying a used hybrid, beware that if the brake motor runs every 10 seconds or less there is something very wrong with it. Bought this car (2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid) around a year ago. Never owned a Hybrid till now, so was not sure on what noises were normal and what is a problem. Turns out this brake actuator has been failing since I have bought this car. Link to related article : https://www.edmunds.com/car-news/feds-close-probe-into-2007-11-toyota-camry-hybrid-for-power-braking-concerns.html
I have also added my vehicle to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration site as having the same problem. Since owning the brake actuator motors runs every 5 seconds which now I know is not normal. I am now out of the extended warranty period (ended Dec 31 2017 ) and this was not addressed when inspected or before sold. It looks to have had the brake reservoir tank replaced under another services campaign, not sure if any notes of the motor running more than normal would be noted anywhere surely were not released to me.
This is a fairly costly repair ($1600) as you would imagine for a first time used Toyota owner.
I recently had an issue with my Camry Hybrid , experiencing a random complete brake failure (including emergency brake) that put my life in danger, only to find out that Toyota knew about the issue but rather than recalling the vehicles and replacing the brake actuator they provided an extended warranty. While I luckily avoided any injury or harm the failure is not even going to be covered under warranty. It saddens me that I feel like I can no longer depend on Toyota to stand behind their products.
This is the second brake actuator to go faulty on this car. First one was replaced at 94K miles costing $2043. Am I suppose to accept that a major component of the vehicle, the brakes, need to be replaced every 80K miles. Come on Toyota you know that you have a serious problem but are not ethical enough to fix the issue with a recall. A service recall that ended in November 2015 was not good enough.
OK, this issue looks like it hasn't been updated for a while so I thought I would help out.
This is good news for folks who have not had a failure of the brake actuator but have been afraid to drive their car because of the problem. I went in today to have the dealer take off the recall on the master cylinder brake reservoir. The changed it and took it for a (5) mi test drive and it made the actuator "fail". They therefore replaced the actuator free of charge also!!! So if you haven't taken your car in for the recall you should do it asap. The dealer indicated that they had several other 2007 Camry hybrid car's actuator fail after doing the reservoir recall.
ABS actuators failure on 2007 Toyota Camry hybrid 140K miles: ABS light is on, the E-brake light is on even when the E-brake is disengaged, and also displayed check the vsc system. The brakes are also noticeably weaker.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
This faulty brake actuator is an on going problem. IT'S VERY DANGEROUS! My wife and kids use this car. I had it initially replaced with a used model from ebay in 2021. It is now 2 year later and the used actuator pump has failed. I just had a new used one installed and it is failing right out of the box. I am now in the market for a new one (~$900 part only), but the car is not worth the continued expense. This is obviously a design flaw, and Toyota refuses to acknowledge it. The case should never have been closed on this issue, it continues. A recall needs to be issued. I see a Honda in my future!
- Waterootz ., Spring, TX, US