The contact owns a 2007 Toyota Camry hybrid. The contact stated that while traveling various speeds, the brakes made a loud, strange noise. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was found that the entire brake assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was not available....updated 03/07/14

- La Crescenta, CA, USA

Was driving about 40 mph when all of a sudden the "check vsc system" lit up as well as the brake, and multiple others lights came on. My first instinct was to hit the brakes, which went all the way to the floor. I had to cross over 3 lanes of traffic in order to try to get to a side road. This has happened several times since then. The first incident, I called performance Toyota in memphis, tenn. I slowly drove it there. They drove it for 20 miles, charged me $126, and told me nothing was wrong, and that I must have hit a bump causing the 3 of the tires to spin. I don't recall hitting any bumps.they checked my brakes, which were replaced less than a year ago, and said they were in great shape and I was safe taking it on the road. Told them I was suppose to go out of town the next day. The second time it happened, @ 1 week later, my husband was driving it. I called performance Toyota to report it and was told to bring it in when all the lights are lit up. I am too scared to drive this car!

- Olive Branch, MS, USA

I found that when I applied my brakes they did not engage immediately and when they did they switched from off to on rapidly (under constant and/or increasing brake pedal pressure). This was 3 days after my warranty expired. I had the system serviced and it cost me $2,000. I searched the internet and found that it seemed like a common problem. I contacted Toyota and they denied that it was a common problem and did nothing to help me. Come to find out that it is a very common and dangerous problem. I would like some help.

- Tallahassee, FL, USA

There was a failure of the brake actuator which caused the brakes to lock up and various indicators of failure to register. Fortunately I noticed the problem while backing out of my garage and so there was no accident. The brake system warning light and the vehicle stability control both lit up. It cost more than $3000 to repair the vehicle.

- Mendota Heights, MN, USA

While driving to work on 1/27/14 my brake, ABS, check vsc and red warning lights turned on. It was almost impossible to brake. I had to pull off and turn the vehicle off and hope the issue would resolve it. After a few times it finally did. I have taken it to the dealer in the past and it was diagnosed as my ABS actuator having a leak and it was replaced. There still appears to be an issue. Additionally when braking at any point in time, there is a stutter when under 5 mph, which I was told was due to this same issue which still hasn't been resolved.

- Sacramento, CA, USA

I was driving my car by myself to home depot in la habra. The dashboard lights came on (I don't recall if there was an audible sound or not) saying there was a problem with the vsb brake system and I should get it checked out. Because the warning scared me, I tapped on my brakes to slow down so I could figure out what it meant and what I should do. But my brakes didn't respond. I pushed on my brakes and realized it wasn't slowing my car down. I pulled into the center divider/turning lane so I could be out of the way. I figured the car would stop if I put it into "park", but it didn't. with my foot completely pressing the brake, and the car in "park" I turned into the home depot driveway at what felt like 30 mph and the car eventually slowed down since I wasn't accelerating anymore and was able to pull into a parking space. My husband called a mechanic he knows and he said to press the on/off switch a couple times to reset the computer or something. I did that and the car turned on again like nothing was wrong. I refused to drive the car anywhere because I was so scared. My husband came to pick me up and he drove it to Toyota of whittier. They said nothing was wrong with the car, don't worry, and he wouldn't release it to me if it wasn't safe. We took it to longo Toyota the following week. (before this incident, the brakes had started making "squelching" noises and would pulse when they were pressed for about a month or two prior) they had their "head" mechanic drive with my husband and the mechanic felt and heard the brake problems we described, but said he wouldn't fix it because it would take too much of his time and it wasn't worth it to them. We don't have documentation for this visit because we didn't have an appointment and they didn't take the car into their garage. About 2 weeks ago the brakes went out again when I started the car.

- La Habra, CA, USA

Driving about 25 mph and I was going to slow down to park on the curb and car had trouble stopping, the vsc system warning light went on and then the engine just died. Had car checked out in December at Toyota of redlands and said it was the brake actuator and cost to fix was going to be around $2800, I declined and they understood it was expensive.

- Redlands, CA, USA

While driving to work on Friday 1/10/14 my brake, ABS, check vsc and red warning lights turned on. I took it to the dealer and it was diagnosed as my ABS actuator having a leak and needing to be replaced for almost $3500. This is ridiculous if this many people are having the same issue regarding the same part on the same exact vehicle. This is not what I expected when I purchased a Toyota and this may be my last.

- Boca Raton, FL, USA

While driving to work on 1/10 the brake, ABS, check vsc system and red warning light came on. When taken to the dealer it was diagnosed as my ABS actuator pump leaking and bleeding and needing to be replaced. Not only is this an expensive repair but my power braking was gone. This is dangerous when you drive on a major highway everyday and night at speeds of 60+. this is disappointing for Toyota and disappointing that it has not been recalled yet. Apparently someone needs to be injured badly in order for it to be a problem.

- Boca Raton, FL, USA

Brake actuator failed on the car. This is a very common problem and a recall should be issued. Toyota knows about this. The oem replacement part number is a different part number than oem that the car was built with. The car thankfully wasn't damaged as it was going very slowly, and only crashed into the curb when the brake actuator completely failed and the vehicle was unable to stop.

- Winnetka, CA, USA

While driving during rush hour traffic, the car's brake light came on and then 5-10 seconds later a "check vsc" messaged displayed on the message screen along with several warning lights (ABS, traction control, and main warning). The brakes became very soft (like a car with no power brakes) but would slow the vehicle down. I slowed down and gave myself plenty of braking distance to get it home. After 10 minutes, the warning message and lights disappeared and the brakes returned to normal operations. This appeared to be a temporary glitch. Since this first appeared, the problem has occurred 3 times while driving. The local Toyota dealership determined that the ABS actuator was failing and quoted me $3,100 to repair it. Another symptom of this failure is a constant on/off buzzing noise coming from the ABS actuator and a "chirping" noise when your foot is on the brake petal during a stop. The situation also appears to get worse when the temperature drops. I don't drive the vehicle anymore. There is no recall or service bulletin documenting this problem. The replacement part is the original design costing $2,750 and will fail again. I also contacted Toyota about this problem and told them it was a major safety hazard. They offered some financial assistance but the repair is still going to be expensive. On this website and other internet forums, this problem is a common complaint for this vehicle. I believe the NHTSA needs to investigate this problem before a major accident or fatality occurs. I find this problem to be unacceptable for a Toyota especially with only 70,500 miles on it.

- League City, TX, USA

Driving car through town when ABS, red triangle. Vsc lights lite up dashboard. Lost steering and braking ability. Coasted to stop in local shopping center parking lot. Thank god I was there and not on interstate or highway. Took to dealer and they told me braking actuator failed and repair would be $3200. Not covered by 10 year/100K hybrid warranty although braking system specific for hybrids. Choices are: Trade in car to dealer and let them fix it, drive it around until I kill someone or myself(not happening) or play the lottery tonight and maybe I can fix car tomorrow (also not happening) or swipe the plastic and end up paying over 4K for the repair......very disappointing for a Toyota to cost this much in repairs with so little mileage. Will never buy another Toyota.

- Lady Lake , FL, USA

I was driving care and warning light came on to check the vsc system. Per Toyota service error code C1391 represented core vsc ABS brake control module failure. Full unit includes ABS accentuator pump assembly and computer control. This case was reported to: Toyota motor sales, usa, Inc. Your case is filed at our headquarters office under [xxx] and file #[xxx] searching the internet, multiple incidents of this were found. Toyota has reportedly reconfigured this assembly since it has been failing, so the part to replace the current one is different than the one originally placed. Here are a couple of links: www.toyotanation.com/forum/105-Camry-hybrid/401450-2007-tch-check-vsc-system-code-C1391.html www.faqs.org/car/Toyota-Camry-hybrid/service-brakes/ the customer service representative at the local Toyota dealership said that they are keeping the part in stock since it is needing to be replaced. Cost of the part is $2800 (approx.) plus labor to replace/bleed lines/reprogram etc. This seems to be a safety issue, since the brakes are harder to compress, the vehicle stability is compromised, multiple indicator lights are lit on the dashboard, etc. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Dallas, TX, USA

The contact owns a 2007 Toyota Camry hybrid. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 mph, all of the warnings lights illuminated as the brakes failed to engage. The contact also mentioned that the vehicle had to be coasted to the side of road in order to stop. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the mechanic stated that the problem was unknown. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 68,000.

- Fairfax, VA, USA

Knocking noise, almost like a door closing, lived with it. Took the car to the Toyota dealership, December 11 to be told my ABS module was quote "failing" and it would cost $2,900 to replace it. Also told "it's ok to drive without ABS module". I was shocked at the number of failures that I see reported - great disappointment that Toyota has chosen not to address what appears to be an obvious flaw.

- Clearwater, FL, USA

I have a 2007 Toyota Camry hybrid that started showing "check vsc system" on the multifunction display in early October of 2013. By the end of that moth it became a permanent item on the display. The computer indicates a C1391 error. After testing the actuator assembly was deemed defective. I have discontinued driving this vehicle after an incident in rainy weather while the "check vsc system" was displayed on the multifunction display. I was on the interstate traveling approximately 60 mph in light rain. Traffic started slowing ahead so I tried to apply the brakes, but they did not respond immediately. After an approximately 2 second delay they did respond, but it was abruptly and caused the car to start skidding. Without immediate and substantial driver input the vehicle would have been in an out-of-control situation. The car has remained parked since that incident for fear it is too dangerous to drive without functioning brakes. The operation of the brakes on this vehicle in an ABS failure mode is dangerous and potentially deadly. I have driven plenty of vehicles that were not equipped with ABS, and none of those vehicle ever exhibited the dangerous behaviors this vehicle exhibits with a failed component. Since the brakes on a vehicle are relied upon in emergency situations all components in that system should be designed to fail in a safe manner leaving a vehicle that is still safe to drive. Further Toyota is aware that select years of this vehicle have a manufacturing defect or faulty design since the actuator was redesigned a couple years after this vehicle was first introduced into the market. I ask that the NHTSA investigate the safety of this vehicle model and year to determine the safety of these vehicles during an ABS/vsc component failure.

- Richmond, TX, USA

The check vsc system display came on with all the brake lights. Basically the dash board lights up and with every warning light. A message on your display says "check vsc system". when you look it up in your manual it says - call Toyota dealer right away. I was quoted an ABS accumulator replacement at the cost of $3K. The car was under 6 year 75,000 extended warranty so every service and check was performed. When I reported flaky brake behavior (pulsing at a standstill and with the pulsating noises - it's like you are braking when you are idling) @ 78K Toyota said nothing was wrong with my brakes. If a diagnostic code isn't appearing they can't really tell you have an issue. The car was just out of extended warranty. First thing I did was call the dealer service department. I was told it might just be the sensors and I could still drive it. I didn't listen to them and I'm glad - something just seemed very wrong with that advice - after all the brakes just seemed to be pulsing all the time and the car didn't brake the same way. Pressing on the brake was very difficult - the brakes were basically operating manually with no power assist. There was no way I could ever stop quickly with brakes in this condition. I was also leaking brake fluid. We spoke to Toyota in California and reported the problem. Toyota said they wouldn't cover the part. The dealer said others had come in with the same problem so they knew it existed. We had a long discussion with the dealer manager. The real problem is at that time - the replacement part was the same part we had - so we had no choice but to take the same part with the same known problem.

- Austin, TX, USA

While driving and stopping, all the engine lights and "check vsc" came on and it appeared that my brakes failed. It was as if my car shut completely off; however, it was still on and I had manual brakes that I had to push very hard to use. This is intermittent and has occurred about 6 times in total. It has been serviced 3 times regarding this incident, one of which they just let me go and said they couldn't figure it out. The last time they determined they "think" it is the brake actuator. After doing my own research on line, it appears there are many others who have had this same issue. It appears the part has been faulty for some time and I was unaware of it. It has been making noises for several years that I thought were normal; but I guess they were not. I believe mine has taken so long to finally fail because most of the life of the car has been driven on the freeway with little breaking. While my car is out of warranty, I do not feel I should have to pay for a part that 1) shouldn't be failing at this juncture and 2) has apparently been in the process of failing while my car was in warranty. It's like a heart attack...you don't know you have a problem until the failure occurs. I've almost crashed into people and I've read other accounts where they have. I believe Toyota should recall these parts! note I've also received service faithfully during the life of the car.

- Park City, UT, USA

Brake failure on the freeway.

- Fountain Valley, CA, USA

ABS actuator failed in 2011, it was replaced by Toyota for about $2,500 (out of my pocket). Now, it is failing again and Toyota is indicating that the actuator is now $3,200. The part warranty is 1 year, so if I want to fix the car I will have to pay the $3,200. No negotiation possible with them.

- Mayaguez, PR, USA