Approximately 3 weeks ago the "check vsc system" warning came on in our 2007 Camry hybrid. We noticed no affect to the driving of the car, and since the owners manual said almost nothing about this warning (simply said to take it to dealer), we drove the car as usual. We then had an incident where, approaching a stop sign, the brakes failed to work at first: I had to pump the brakes 3+ times in order to make them engage. We then took it to a Toyota dealership to have a diagnosis. After spending $116 on a diagnostic (only way they would tell us the root cause) we learned that there is an actuator failure which has a repair cost of over $3000. Upon receiving this information we investigated the vsc issue online and discovered that this is a very common problem for Camry hybrids. Our Camry is a little over 5 years old and only has 57,950 miles. It is absolutely unacceptable that we should have to replace this very expensive part on a car with this few miles. Given the high frequency of complaints regarding the vsc failure it is our opinion Toyota should take the blame for their faulty part and cover the cost of the repair.

- Austin, TX, USA

The vehicle's warning lights came on and the warning "check vsc system" came on. The brakes discontinued working properly and had to be pressed very hard to make the vehicle stop. Now, the lights stay on and two different Toyota dealerships have written that the brake actuator system is faulty and needs to be replaced at cost of $3,000. In checking further, I found that other Toyota Camry hybrid owners of the same vehicle and year (2007) have had the same problem and that the NHTSA is investigating according to an los angeles times article published January 27, 2014. I would like to add my name to the list of complainants. I have contacted Toyota and they are not taking responsibility for repairing this part when it is obviously a vehicle defect affecting possibly 30,000 Camry hybrids.

- Winter Garden, FL, USA

While I was driving my check vsc light came on as well as many other brake lights on the instrument panel. I felt as though I had less control of the car at the time and my brakes would not work until I pressed them with severe force. After the first incident the lights would come on and off sporadically, each time we would lose the effectiveness of the brakes. In November the light came on as we were driving at speeds of about 65mph and has stayed on since. We have replaced the computer as well as the brake reservoir with no results. Our car has been in and out of the Toyota dealership and they cannot seem to fix the problem.

- Minden, NV, USA

The posted date and miles of first incident is just a approximate figure but the dealership should have recorded the exact date and miles. A noise from under my hood was getting louder so I took it to the dealer and was told the noise was normal. A year or two later after taking it to different dealers for same issue my check vsc light came on while driving and my brakes failed. After the second failure during the week I took it to another Toyota dealer and they said it was normal and safe. It was not. To date I haven't had the vsc error message occur but my brakes when reversing from park or when starting from a hill will initially lose braking power and roll a few inches before the brakes start working. Is this really normal or safe? I don't want to believe what the dealership tells me anymore. Please help.

- Aliso Viejo , CA, USA

While driving at a low rate of speed the brake light on my dashboard came on and a warning 'check vsc' along with other lights on my dashboard all came on and the brakes no longer worked as usual. I had to apply considerable pressure to the brake pedal and was able to coast on to a side street. The lights on my dashboard all went off and the car then functioned as normal. I drove to the store I was going to went in for about 15 minutes then returned to my vehicle. As I was backing out of my parking spot the same issue as stated above happened again. I drove the car straight to price leblanc Toyota, my dealership. Without turning the ignition off I handed the car over to the service department. They were unable to find a code from the car that would tell them what the issue was. They kept the car for 3 days and were unable to recreate the problem.

- Brusly, LA, USA

The check vsc light came on in December. The dealer could not find anything wrong. The warning light came on again on 1/21/14. The dealer said that the brake accumulator was defective and could result in a failure of the ABS. It was replaced at a cost of more than $3000. I am a careful driver and have never had the ABS engage on this car, so something is not right when such a key (and expensive) part fails. This should be recalled.

- Long Beach, CA, USA

My 2007 Toyota Camry hybrid began to consistently make noises as I depressed the brake pedal (with the vehicle in the stopped position) for a few months before the vsc system failed. Luckily, the failure occurred as I was backing out of the driveway and was able to stop. I had the vehicle towed to the dealer and proceeded to pay $2200 to have the ABS actuator replaced. I have another 2007 Toyota Camry hybrid with just over 60,000 miles and it is beginning to make the same brake noise as the other vehicle. The dealer has said it is not a problem. I can only hope that when the brakes go out again I will not be traveling at a high rate of speed, or negotiating the mountain roads I use to commute daily. I heard yesterday on the news that this problem is being investigated. I hope they recall this vehicle soon and have this repaired before anyone is killed or injured.

- Palmdale, CA, USA

Brakes fail... the pedal brake is put so hard to push when coming a light to vsc check system...im so angry to Toyota... but I still love my car... I no use my car because is not secure for my family.

- Moca, PR, 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

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

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

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

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

While driving on a busy highway at 70mph, the vsc check system, ABS, hazards, and warning lights came on. I had to pull over to the median to avoid hitting the car in front of me. The car gradually came to a stop, and I had it towed to a dealer. It was diagnosed as the ABS actuator, and their estimate to replace it was $3400. This is a serious safety concern. I called Toyota corporate and they would not help pay for the repair.

- Fort Worth, TX, USA